Negotiating New York

Life, Love and the Pursuit of Real Estate

Joanna R. Douglas, Alfred Renna

• Publisher: Beyond Words
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781582706344
• eBook ISBN:
  9781582706689
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Social Science Biographies
• Index: Social Sciences

Nail-biting competition, multi-million dollar deals, wrangling clients and resolving nightmare renovations—New York's top real estate agents take it in stride (and often in high heels). Ever dreamed of your own beach bungalow in the Hamptons or swanky Manhattan penthouse? Or maybe you've dreamed of the dough you could earn from selling one? Get an exclusive view of what it's like to work in one of the world's most competitive real estate markets—and the secrets to coming out on top! With more than thirty years experience in New York real estate, Joanne Douglas dishes on how she navigates a dynamic market with her quick wits and the support of her tight-knit team. Douglas and her brother Alfred Renna share the euphoria of landing deals worth millions, the agony of tough losses, and the quirky characters encountered along the way. From pioneering real estate sales in the digital age, orchestrating stealthy midnight renovation projects inside exclusive apartment buildings, and high stakes conference calls pitting agent against agent, there's never a dull moment. Joanne and her compatriots attack each problem with aplomb, even while going through the highs and lows of their personal lives. Laugh, scheme, and celebrate along with Joanne, Alfred, and the team as you learn the secrets to some of the most pressing questions when buying and selling real estate. What type of realtor is right for you? How do you make yourself attractive to even the toughest co-op boards? What will make the seller except your offer? Heed Joanne's advice from one of the world's toughest markets. Because if you can make it there…well, you know the rest.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Full title
• Dedication
• Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• 1 - Beginnings
• 2 - Power Brokers Conquer the Mountain
• 3 - The Euphoria and Anguish of Sales
• 4 - The Incredible Kaleidoscope of Real Estate Agents
• 5 - The Negotiator: How Alfred Began His Real Estate Career
• 6 - The Tenaciousness of Social Agents
• 7 - The Rennas Negotiate New York
• 8 - Partners, Teams, and Tribes
• 9 - Friends, Shoes, and Real Estate
• 10 - Craziest Deals: Counting Cats
• 11 - The Summer House
• 12 - It’s All About the Color of Brick
• 13 - The Rennas Hunt for Houses
• 14 - Condos, Co-Ops, Condops, and Cockapoos
• 15 - Building Tree Forts
• 16 - Passing Scrutiny of the Co-Op Board
• 17 - Entitlements and Privileges
• 18 - Endings and Closings
• 19 - Craziest Deals: Queen of the Board
• 20 - Co-Op Board Dog Interviews
• 21 - Divine Design of the Weekend Warriors!
• 22 - Rental Buildings: High and Low
• 23 - Under the Sicilian Moon
• 24 - The Locals and How to Be a True New Yorker
• 25 - Last-Minute Holiday Plans
• 26 - The War of Lobby Holiday Decor
• 27 - Encroachments and Entitlements
• 28 - The Five Buyer Negotiating Styles
• 29 - New York Party Time
• 30 - Field of Dreams and Top of the Mountain:NYC’S Determined Buyers
• 31 - Bag of Frozen Peas
• 32 - The Sabbath Apartment
• 33 - Time to Say Good-Bye
• 34 - Self-Informed and Savvy Sellers
• 35 - Table 43: Dinner with the Rennas
• 36 - The Rise of Broker Assistants
• 37 - Secret Agent Man
• 38 - Negotiating Seats
• 39 - Toilet Shopping
• 40 - At the Coffee Bar
• 41 - The Gatekeepers
• 42 - The Cousins
• 43 - Another of Alfred’s Craziest Deals: Love’s Sad Story
• 44 - Real Estate Emergency
• 45 - Peel-and-Stick Moldings
• 46 - Trends from Chandeliers to Moldings to Polka Dots
• 47 - Obsessive-Compulsive Design Disorder
• 48 - Lifestyles and How to Display Wealth
• 49 - Time to Text Good-Bye
• 50 - Another One of Alfred’s Craziest Deals:You Can’t Always Get What You Want
• 51 - Alfred Talks About Pickers, Drive-Bys, and Drop-Offs
• 52 - Just Another One of Alfred’s Craziest Deals:From Boca to Lawn Guyland
• 53 - A Couple of Breaks
• 54 - The Penthouse Lover
• 55 - Mastering the Market: Reinvent!
• Epilogue: We Laughed All the Way Through it
• Acknowledgments
• Notes
• Copyright