Princeton real estate in the New York Times

shameless plug – I am in it:) I mean some the information from the hour long interview is there.

I received a call form the New York Times last week. They wanted to get my opinion on multiple offers in the buyers market.  They called me because of the articles I wrote on the Princeton Real Estate blog.

Back in late summer I wrote a post on Multiple offers in the buyers market, describing why such a phenomena was possible in Princeton. Fast forward to the New York Times call.  The time is now post  September 2008 market crash and it was an interesting question for them to revisit.

I was on my way to meet with people at the national real estate bloggers conference in NYC, so I couldn’t talk with the reporter for long. We agreed to pick up the conversation the next day. I spend a few hours researching the topic to come up with a broader view then just my personal experience with multiple offers. I found a few interesting things which are described in this follow up post Multiple offers in buyers market now.

Interestingly enough, awhile back I wrote an article “ Who else wants to be in the New York Times” to bring attention to real estate blogs as a way for the press to learn what’s really going on in the local real estate from people who practice it every day. I never thought the NYT would call me:)

I am energized to continue covering local real Princeton real estate to educate real estate buyers and sellers, and perhaps press. My 2 second of fame feels good:)

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1. Who is your favorite musical artist? (post a youtube video)
I am really going to show my age on this one. Please understand, Russians are a sentimental lot:) My first and forever love are Beatles. Amazingly, my kids of various ages love them too. My recent discovery also goes back in time – Mike Brant (Israeli/French singer)

Another French find – Petit Cheminot (La Chanson du Dimanche S02E05)

2. Who is your favorite artist? (post a flicker photo)

My artistic loves are sentimental as well – French Impressionists. I like Modigliani for his beautiful dreamy women.

3. Who is your favorite blogger?
I have so many, how could I possibly choose one? I was reading Lorelle on WordPress long before I knew what Wordpress was. I discovered Skelie at Skelliewag.org who impressed me by saying she welcomed and answered reader’s e-mails (not sure if  she still does). There are many fantastic “professional” bloggers, i.e those who make money from their blogs from advertising. What impresses me even more are the bloggers on non-monetized blogs. It takes a whole lot of gumption and perseverance to write day in, day out without being paid, and many times not even knowing if anyone would read what you write. Many real estate bloggers are in this category. I met Daniel Rothamel once briefly, but know he is a great guy; I learned from him that you can “enthusiastically wave” on the Internet. I love Lani Anglin-Rosales from agentgenius.com for being gracious hostess for the RE blogging world, Mike Farmer – at Bonsai Blog for continually exploring RE issues, Deb Micek at Tribal Seduction -for her engaging style and energy. The list is way too long:)

4. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?
A. Senator Clinton. I would like to know what was the most important thing in her life, to advance her to the Presidential candidate. In today’s New York times magazine there is a very interesting article about that.
B. Secret agents (females) working without diplomatic immunity in other countries. I don’t know anything about them, but would like to ask many questions. First, how do they reconcile work and family?

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
From early on I knew that many roads were closed for me in Russia, so I didn’t even dream about them as a child. My only dream was to go to college. All I had to do for that is graduate #1 in high school. I did. Everyone said “you are good at math – it means engineering and computers”. So, I got MSEE. That’s how it went.

6.What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?
I am steeling my husband’s trivia: man have 3 color receptors corresponding to 3 primary colors. Some women have 4. It means we can see what no one else can. Husbands please remember this:)
Personal Trivia: in my first year after leaving Russia I lived in 4 countries (including Brooklyn) and 6 towns.

7. If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why?
A point in history where I could be a Chairwoman of the Board by day, Princess at night and Mommy all the time. I am not sure if I already missed this period, or if it hasn’t come yet.

8. What is the most interesting job you have ever held?
All my jobs in management consulting were fascinating. I learned about many different businesses, met amazing people, solved difficult problems, traveled the world, ate at great restaurants:)

The next step in the process is to nominate 8 people to tell us more about themselves.

Kelley Koehler The Housechick Blog
Deb Micek  The Tribal Seduction  
Fausta Fausta’s Blog 
Linda Davis  Eastern Connecticut Real Estate
Howard Stein Our Mounmouth Blog
Kim Wood       West Of Philly Burbs  
Brad Nix
Daniel Rothamel  Real Estate Zebra

Photo by hanneorla

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Family downsizing in Princeton NJ.

This family raised their children in Princeton. After the kids grew up were out on their own, the parents found themselves in a house that was to big for their present needs. They asked me to find them a house with minimum maintenance required. We found a home in Governor’s Lane, Princeton NJ-a community of luxury townhouses where all outside maintenance is taken care of by the association. This left my clients more time to enjoy their time traveling and visiting their children.

The house I found for them was under priced and I negotiated a great deal. Right after their purchase the house was valued for $200,000 more then what they paid.

Here is what my clients wrote:

“To Whom It May Concern:

I am very pleased to be able to write a very positive endorsement for our realtor, Faina Sechzer, of Sotheby International, with whom we have been working for several years on all of our properties in Princeton, NJ.

Faina has demonstrated a high level of professional knowledge and expertise, is prompt in responding to all of our needs, and does so in a warm and friendly manner. Her professionalism as well as her pleasing and warm personality have made our transactions extremely comfortable and efficient, as well as pleasant and successful. She has worked hard to promote our properties when we were selling, and to find tenants when we were renting. Not only has she done very well for us, but through her successful and efficient efforts we have saved a great deal of money.

We highly recommend Faina with no reservation to anyone interested in buying, selling or renting a property.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Dr. Dov Peretz Elkins & Maxine G. Elkins

Here are a few more comments from my clients.

Young couple relocating and selling in Ewing.

This young couple with their adorable kids and new baby twins were relocating to pursue other career opportunities. Extremely smart and savvy, they first tried to sell their house by themselves as FSBO. After several months of not making progress, they asked me to help. The challenge was the end of November, the worst time to be selling. The couple were receptive to all my marketing recommendations.

The house went under contract in 6 weeks. This is what they wrote.

‘Thank you for all your help with the house sale and for  putting up with ¦.rants gracefully! We really appreciate all of your work. Good luck to you¦ Take care.

Sincerely,
Vanessa + Jeremy

Two young couples buying and selling in West Windsor NJ

This was an interesting situation, because this letter is from a customer, not a client. I They were selling their house in West Windsor, but their agent from Foxtons (remember them?) left the company and no one was helping them with their sale. I represented the buyer. By facilitating the transaction, while holding my clients interest above all else, I helped two young couples move on with their life plans.

Here is what they wrote:
“We are writing this letter to convey our gratitude and appreciation for your part in making the sale of our home possible as the agent representing the buyer. In addition to guiding your clients, you have helped us, the sellers as well. ”
If this sale is a success, it will be in no small part, because of your efforts and commitment to propel the deal forward and assure the various parties stay within the proper deadlines. It has been a pleasure for us to deal with you, and we have been very impressed with your professionalism, honesty and attention to details. We would happily recommend your services as an agent to prospective buyers or sellers in the area.

Sincerely,
Leticia Vega, Ph.D
Christoph Hengartner, Ph.D

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