SE in the NYT

Very interesting article mimi.

We are all bitter a-holes according to the article!

reddog,

A fairly accurate article then!

Interesting to figure out who's who, but really don't want to know.

interesting how they managed to avoid any discussion of how much brokers are universally despised.

NWT, i had some thoughts myself, but I agree, don't care and don't want to know.

Right, best left at our four brokers.

It seems to me that even though the article doesn't say it explicitly, the mere fact that it got written on the front page of the RE section of the NYT illustrates the level of dissatisfaction among end users of the current system of buying & selling real estate. IF the system were better, the websites wouldn't be gaining the type of attention they seem to be in very recent months. Any thoughts on this?

Being cynical and honest, I interpret it as an indictment against the status quo, awesome. Funny how none of the bitches of Eastwick were quoted.

Interesting quote from Noah at the end. Does he agree with the "bitter renter" assessment of SE posters?

I take that back. I want to know -- just for curiousity's sake -- but don't want anyone else to know. Just spotted the biggie, though.

the mention of the ml boxes in the foyer?

Yes, and confirmed elsewhere, in case the writer scrambled the quotes.

isn't there some gender confusion?

He has said his online persona is "mostly fictitious". We all jumped to conclusions.

I think it's unfortunate he's in the article at all. I liked the idea of not knowing.

wonder how the reporter found him or if he turned the reporter onto the story in the first place.

kinda like when the hooker lifts the skirt, O my, not what I was looking for!

the folks at streeteasy provided the source, my somewhat informed guess.

At the risk of going on topic, I keep re-reading the article and being struck more by the fact that it got written & published than for the who might be who involved in it. What are the implications for the brokerage biz in NY I wonder. As someone who works in another type of brokerage industry (stock, on the "sell side") and has seen enormous changes wrought in a relatively short time by technology & information flows, I can't help thinking that the residential real estate brokerage business as we know it might be in the very late innings of the game.

lp, you are absolutely correct. what is happening in the area of information flows is nothing short of breathtaking.

so...not to be crass..but it does raise the very interesting question of how to cash in.

Aaaah - now I feel like coffee talk lady from SNL - chat among yourselves . . . :)!!!

Alan now you know

Columbia, that would be the zillion dollar question in many, many industries.

From now on, every time I provide my $0.02 I expect a return of $0.03

LP, P09 and others hit the key point: two years ago, a story like this would have run less prominently, if at all, and our community would probably have been dismissed as a bunch of cranks. That attitude persists, though in a muted form. The industry remains resistant to change and skeptical (perhaps rightly) about the influence of grass-roots information exchange. But considering the way social networking now sways other life decisions - educational, financial, reproductive, etc. - it's reasonable to expect encroachment into real estate. Nobody knows how far this process has gone, how far it will go, or what shape it will take.

As for why I chose to reveal my real identity, the question wasn't really whether to do it, but how and when. Here's why. Over the past six months or so, a number of SE friends have approached me about representing them in real estate transactions, or about developing what has been referred to on SE as a "disruptive" business model. Since I wasn't licensed, I had to decline. Sniping at the industry from outside is fun, but meaningful change requires infiltrators on the Dark Side. So, in February, I started pursuing a salesperson's license; I received it two weeks ago. Keith Burkhardt was kind enough to sponsor me without attaching any strings to the type of business I would pursue or the sort of brand I might develop.

I would welcome input from the board on next steps. Since this new sideline is very much a creation of Streeteasy, I hope you will all continue to shape it. Thanks to the many who have already provided advice and encouragement.

Lastly, I apologize to anyone who feels deceived about gender or anything else. I hope LP will still show up for his Shackburger, once the "Crying Game" effect wears off.

I instinctively knew it was you! I thought there was a slim chance it might be p09 or LQ. And I'm the only female that I've seen haunting OHs on the UWS so...

Michael, congrats! As a sideline (or more) it makes perfect sense.

West81st, big hug from 5.000 miles away....

It was Lenox Hill <2000 that clinched it. There he was on E 76th.

good on you, west81st.

nyc10023, i've been trolling for fun up there myself, but probably in a lower price range.

10023:
Wasn't me, I was one of the earlier supporters of 81 going nuclear. Good luck..peace

Holy doo doo Michael. Sure had me fooled and I like to think I don't fool easily. Funny thing is I thought the NYT person could be 10023, who I somehow thought was male, or P09, Regardless, Mazel tov on the new enterprise: talent + passion should equal $$$$ despite the economy.

Ah, we own and (damn) ACRIS would reveal our financial situation to all and sundry so no way I would out myself.

Thanks, all. I'll be offline for a day or so; will share more when I return.

From a purely selfish standpoint, what're we supposed to read now? I suppose West81st won't be able to post frankly now that he's in the business. (West81st should now say "You think I'm here to amuse you?")

West81st, congrats on your new venture, and you will no doubt develop quite a business providing a sorely needed service. And kudos to Keith for sponsoring you.

Now, do you think you can employ your super-sleuth tactics to inform us as to who this Michael Waxenberg character has been parading around as on SE? I know you promised not to name names any more, but inquiring minds want to know...

inonada: ???? read the thread

There was only one unknown in the NYT article, and one person unmasked. Um, you do the math.

do you think he might take on agent rachel as a charity case?

sorry, 2 - but the other isn't looking for 3+br on UWS.

ROFL Yes, but you do need something to start with.

I don't post here often, but I have gotten insights from reading (most of the) comments that I indeed would NEVER have received from a broker. Keep up the good work, and thank you.

yes I agree, thank you SE

I'm a relative newcomer to SE, but have been suspecting that West81st was not only an incredibly savvy and insightful RE person, but also a journalist working on a docudrama, based on experiences on SE.
Good luck West81st!

Wow, I read the article this morning and also recogized the ML quote--West 81st --I hope you are going to be a buyer's broker!! Good Luck and keep posting.

The apartment photo is http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/385728-coop-375-west-end-avenue-upper-west-side-new-york

journalist working on a docudrama! That's funny.....

SE means power to the people. I feel I am not held hostage by a biased broker' information any more. I understand why most agents hate it. Many good ones will survive the change of paradigm, though, whatever shape this takes.

I bet that Noah responded many questions and the journalist decided to select the one that helped him wrap his theme, the bitter snarks. It's a shame that there is no mention to the myriad of posts helping people understand complex RE issues, like tax implications, permits, C of Os, mortgages, underlying land leases, etc.

Michael rocks. I had the pleasure of meeting him and he is a delightful individual. I feel he has a very open range of possibilities re RE. It will be great if people gives him feedback as his possible role in the industry.

How appropriate it is that someone who has been deceiving people about his gender, and who knows what else, for so long, decides to go into a field that is filled with deceit. You'll fit in well with all of the other lying brokers.

Thanks for giving us your name so we can avoid doing business with you. As a journalist, you might have been able to maintain some credibility in your postings, but by becoming a broker, you have now lost all credibility.

West81st is AgentRachel??? (Yes, that is tongue-in-cheek, as well as the request for West81st to dig up who Michael really is. Who could ever forget the Iron Mountian boxes with folders with a "bullish" logo?)

anonyhost, I completely agree. Now, if you don't mind, please state your full name, your current profession, and any plans you might have in the future, even if you don't know them yet.

Good luck West81st!! We don't get uptown very much, but if you're looking for mildly skeptical buyer-tinged reviews of downtown listings, check out our own snarky vision:

http://downtowny.blogspot.com

-DT

No, he never deceived anyone about his gender. Unless you think "hubby" did that. We all drop personal details that may or not reflect the facts. That's part of the fun. As nyc10023 said, why would anyone who didn't have to go real-name here? I'm sure the brokers agree that it's better to be anonymous.

a little ridiculous, no? "who knows what else?" come on, the guy is without a doubt one of the best (if not the best) documenters here of reality. i completely agree with him; at some point, if you want to change something, you have to jump in with both feet and not just snip from the outside.

i, for one, am very interested in hearing more as he tries different approaches to make this whole business process more reasonable for everyone.

also, one of the most helpful, thoughtful and respectful posters. i have nothing but admiration for west81st, and am eager to see which direction he flies.

as lizyank said, a shout out is appropriate for Keith as well. this is the kind of thing that makes one think there is such positive potential on a board such as this.

btw, had to laugh at the person from Curbed who said they delete mean posts.

anonghost, West81st never stated he was a woman, he just let people create whatever image they wanted in their minds, and didn't clarify because he didn't see that gender was such an important issue. To have people like him, driven by passion and avid for knowledge, is a major gain for the industry. He is joining a very credible bunch of brokers that are respected by most posters here, amongst them Ali, Noah, Keith. I don't know why you navigate SE, but, if you are a buyer, I don't understand your bitterness towards Michael...you must be a bitter seller...

The real estate industry does not change. People who lie about the most basic facts probably lie about other facts as well.

He would have had a better chance of changing something if he had remained a reporter. By becoming a broker, he has just become part of the problem.

He admitted that he misled people about his gender:

"Lastly, I apologize to anyone who feels deceived about gender or anything else. I hope LP will still show up for his Shackburger, once the "Crying Game" effect wears off."

It's a loss for SE if West81st stops posting frankly. I had a thought, a few years ago, to start a blog on the OHs I attended but go sidetracked with the care & feeding of young children.

I always had the impression West81st was a man, until some post revealed that he was a woman. It was hard for me to think of him as a woman, he just sounded like a man in his posts. So, now, I go from trying to accept that West81st is a woman, to it being revealed that he is a man. While reading the article, I was convinced it was patient09. Well, Michael, good luck to you in your future ventures. And you really spend only two hours a week on streeteasy? It sure seems like a lot more time than that.

nyc10023, now are those your children, or were you helping out at shelter or something? I am asking because we wouldn't want anonghost to be "misled" again and have his anonymous world as a ghost shattered yet again.

It's too bad West81st blew his cover. How is he going to snoop around at open houses now? By signing in under a fake name?

I think "two hours per week" is like when you go to the doctor and he asks how many drinks a week you have, and you are too embarassed to say "16" because when you put it like that, it sounds like a lot.

Congrats - SE has arrived and we are SE :))

who cares how much time he or anyone else spends here? are we really going to compare SE with alcoholism? that is hilarious.

p.s. my wife would probably agree...or is it my husband?!

Just about all of the people on here are anonymous ghosts who slander and attack properties and each other constantly, often unfairly. Why should West81st get a pass because he is seen as some sort of insider? He is now inside of the real estate machine and can no longer be considered an independent voice.

I'm thrilled for Michael/West81st! Sorry to be a bit late to the game, but I hope he can effect some change in the industry. We need smart people rethinking how these transactions are done, and West81st is definitely one of the smartest posters on this board.

I suspect that some drink heavily while they write, or perhaps before.

because he doesn't attack unfairly. no personal slurs from west81st. a class act. we've always loved west81st, this is nothing new.

anon and ionaonada:
While not a jock sniffer, I think you are way off base. I have encouraged 81 in his pursuits offline for a fair bit now. Just because brokers suck, should we not buy RE? Hate the players, not the game! The game is good, I think all SE posters have a common view of wanting honesty in the profession, greater tranparency and open dialogue. We should be honored that one of our own is willing to take such a leap and "fight the good fight". I honestly believe the first few shots across the bow have been taken. Remember the signers of the Declaration of independence did so under threat of death. Look what they accomplished. I hope 81 helps me find my dream shack at a fair price, and he/she who cares, gets paid for it!

As an aside: why did some of you think it was me?

was ionada serious? i thought it was a joke, and rather funny.

i didn't immediately think of west81st because of the hour thing (and gender). although much of his "work" has been occurring in the field, so physical time on SE might make more sense. i will confess i initially thought of you as well, 09, until i reread and noticed the calla lilies reference. that screamed west81st to me.

If West81st continues to review properties, he will raise the ire of his fellow brokers when he criticizes their listings. If he just talks up his own listings, he will be shilling. He can't win this game, I think this is a bad move for him.

Anybody who thinks that one new broker is going to somehow change the industry is just fooling themselves.

Maybe anonghost is 407pas...

anon: you just nailed it. The listings is the problem. All emphasize in the industry is on getting listings, not "selling" anything. Everything is screwed, payment structure, emphasize structure. The only "value" is in a buyside broker who can fairly evaluate the market and its currrent offerings. Offer good advice on the best course of action and why. The really doesn't exist now. Most of the buyside brokers out their have little ability to fairly evaluate their market segment.

and by the the way, it doesn't matter what you or I think if it is "a bad move for him"

Good luck, w81. I must admit I'm a bit selfishly disappointed that we won't be seeing your posts here too much longer, or at least your apt. reviews. I've been using SE for over a year, but only discovered the Talk section in the last few months. I was astonished at how closely w81's reactions to apartments matched my own, and how logically and articulately he covered the pros and cons of each. I hope he will continue to post here up to the time that it becomes a clear conflict of interest. Maybe that time is now, but I hope not.

Columbiacounty--It was fairly easy for me to wrap my head around w81 being a man, but -- to your lighthearted quip -- I must say I would be truly shocked (and wouldn't believe it) if you were not a member of the fraternity as well.

I love the corcoran comment, "you hope that people read the the comments and realize that they are all the same..." -- i.e, disregard any negative points and let the transaction occur -- regardless of discussions, so the brokers can get their fee.......

Aboutready, I have to totally agree with you that "West 81st iS one of the most helpful thoughtful respectful posters" on SE. That being said, sometimes I've had the impressions that some have multiple personas.

gaongaon, interesting. that could be really useful. i've only noticed it with some of the really nasty haters. maybe if i created two or three handles my obsession/lack of a life might not be so apparent. i'd have to work on changing the style up a bit. seems tricky.

Patient09, patient09, what have I ever done to make you disrespectme so? Putting me and anonghost in the same sentence? Yes, I was being sarcastic ;).

And please peoples, don't peterzits my name. It's inonada, as in i-no-nada, meaning "I know nothing", taken after that most enigmatic of posters, the great inoeverything.

BTW, this NY Times article is mice nuts. We'll know SE has arrived when "to peterzits" is added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

aboutready, sometimes one sees something tantamount to a duet between two posters. Now, of course this could be totally legitimate (as in HR and West81st). But on a lighter note, if you ran a website for subscription customers, (some, at least) wouldn't you want to spice it up a bit to further enhance your readership? Well, enough for conspiracy theories, but being in the market does make one's mind work in that direction. Oops, have I already claimed to be a teacher of the handicapped?

West81s - congrats and good luck! I share your motivation and have plans of my own. SE board should recall the thread on some ideas. By 3Q or 4Q, I should be ready to roll.

Mimi - Yes, I answered many questions that I felt were way more on topic or relevant, but unfortunately, I dont get to choose what a journalist decides to use and in what context. Oh well.

"Anybody who thinks that one new broker is going to somehow change the industry is just fooling themselves."

Not one new broker, but perhaps one new model. Ofcourse the big boys wont go down easy. But its up to the people that transact business here in this great city to embrace a new idea should one come out that is to their benefit. Im positive many new ideas/models will come out soon enough! Its already starting.

It seems to me that what west81 had developed here, over the last months before today, was credibility and the respect of most of the other posters (myself included), certainly about the UWS, but other areas as well to a less frequent extent. The question for him - if he chooses to ask it - seems to me to be how can he best monetize that credibility, and respect. And it seems to me that at least as far as SE goes, he ought to continue to post & use these message forums in exactly the same way he has been. Thoughtful, insightful posts, that help others think about various properties & issues ought to be worth something to people in the short run, and in the longer run, as I posted well up this thread, I think it's possible that "destructive" technology & information flows are going to make the NYC RE mkt look different in 5 years than it did 5 years ago.

As I type this I wonder how much, if any of the incredible run up of the last 7 or 8 yers was due to the industry full of brokers who made their living encouraging transactions. Perhaps west81 will make his niche if he begins advising people what apartments NOT to buy, and informing them about how to properly compare the rental option to purchasing.

wow...I always felt and thought of west81 as an earth mother...not that he ever said anything that would lead me to that conclusion...but west81 is obviously a terrific person whatever gender and i wish you the very best.

West81st would be a great buyer's broker, either on a flat-fee or commission basis.

J: he writes like a man. In the middle somewhere, he threw in a couple of "feminine" comments. I write like a woman. So does AR. W67th - not a woman.

P09= chinolatinotransvestite, but sometimes I lie to help my own agenda. God it will be fun whe nI come out of the closet and you learn I am actually Babs.

One thing I wondered about:
"Ms. Lind defended her property anonymously. 'I responded that if the bedrooms were larger and it was nearer the park it would cost around $200,000 more.'"
Is that allowed? I thought brokers had to identify themselves when they posted on the internet, particularly when discussing specific properties. Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but I thought Ali said something like that.

wishhouse: I believe Ms. Lind was the owner of the apartment, not the broker.

I must admit I didn't know streeteasy had a "talk" section until I saw today's article. I often read Brownstoner and Curbed, but this looks great.

My favorite part of Streeteasy has been West81st open house reports! Who will be able to fill his/her shoes? I'm in shock. I always thought the reports were so good because they were written from a woman's perspective. This revelation is making me rethink my bias. West81st, since you have become a broker, will you still be able to be as open, honest, and levelheaded in assessing real estate as you have been in the past as our very own West81st? Why do I feel like I just lost a friend?

West81st, return the ring! Although, the way legislation is moving in NY state, maybe just keep it.

Anyway, congratulations and anonghost: you're either a bitter owner or a broker yourself. You just don't want the forum to grow up with qualified, articulate and well informed people like West81st, so that it doesn't undermine the monopoly of information of the industry & owners any further. But it will. You anonghost, meanwhile, have never before posted, that I remember. Not once. First time you post, you attack the wise old statesman of the forum. You are a disgrace. Get off!

Kudos to West81st and sorry that I can't be as polite. I have an attack dog kinda temper.

ditto on that...anonghost---get lost

I don't think west81 is going full speed into a new career. He just has the license, and is thinking about what can he do with this passion he has. He has a full time job, and this is probably a side dish. He asked about feedback, as he sees his new possible career as a product of being able to post in SE. Should he become a buyer's broker? Should he be a consultant? Time will tell.

Trompi, CC, I agree.

Yeah, anonghost, shoo! West81st writes a lot of productive posts, and the only productive thing half of us do here is defend him/her/it against donkeys like you, so you picked the wrong person to pick on.

Similar to Jim the honest Realtor. Check out youtube or Zerohedge... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8REUSat1_g

What I liked most is the basic tone of the article. The BS world of residential real estate has been unmasked. Great posters are ez to spot and a ton of good info can be attained once you get used to the bobos.

inonada:

Sorry for misinterpreting your earlier posts. welcome back from chateau bow wow

two hours a week?
;)

I'm just a bitter buyer and a long time reader of West81's reviews who doesn't think it is a good thing for her, I mean, him, to go to the other side. But y'all continue with your broker love fest, I'll leave you alone.

but if he plays it differently than the rest of them, which it sounds like he will, that only helps the rest of us.
Would your recommendation be, "give up"

I think everyone knows I complain a lot on this board, and I hate brokers with a passion, but I haven't had the cajones to actually do anything about it (other than go to open houses and ridicule them, which I enjoy.) West81 on the other hand is doing something, and that's awesome.