Bait and Switch

In college, our Realtor for senior housing was a pain in the butt. She was concerned about her house and swindling money out of poor college kids. She wine and dined us into getting a house we couldn't afford, over charged us for maintenance and took out security deposit. Even though she was a horrible human being to deal with, I have to say thank you to her for putting me through little leagues of brokers. Because now, New York city is the major leagues- dealing with people that have twice her sleezy and money stealing abilities.

This whole apartment search is going to be a tad harder than expected. I haven't felt this talked down to and degraded for being a woman since I was swindled out of $200 dollars at the car dealership. I am sure that not all brokers are greasy- but the few I have come in contact with are.

There was a listing on craigslist yesterday that looked amazing. Right in our price range, duplex- easy enough to make into a 2 bedroom, full kitchen and perfect location. It looked like a listing sent from heaven. Our names were written all over it. The second I read the ad, I called the number at the bottom. A very nice man answered and we set up an appointment at his office before going to see the place. My roommate and I arrive at his office and come to find that place does not even exist. He suckered us into coming to his office and sitting with him for an hour. He showed us places that were out of our price range and assumed that we were using mommy and daddys money. Clearly, we both are not and clearly we both are not stupid (even though he thought we were).

Is there somewhere in the job description of being a broker where it says that you have to assume all human beings are dumb and will eat up everything that you say? Does anyone know of a good broker in New York? If you do, please let us know....

Lesson Learned:

Be stern and get details from craigslist before making moves.

Peace, love and Bait and Switch,

B