HGTV's "Selling New York": Recap of Episode 11
HGTV's "Selling New York" Episode 11:
Episode Title: "The Push."Episode Description: Competing real estate firms strive to satisfy their clients under tight deadlines.
One of the problems I have with "Selling New York," the HGTV series, is that the two firms portrayed don't really compete. I mean sure, this is Manhattan, so they're theoretically competing for clients, but one of them -- Core Group -- tends to sell downtown, and the other -- Gumley Haft Kleier -- tends to sell uptown. So fans of reality shows who see the word "competing" and expect to see a head-to-head "Celebrity Apprentice"-type match-up are going to be disappointed.
In fact, there's not a lot of drama in this episode at all: The Gumley Haft Kleier clients are expecting a baby, and think they'd like to move before it comes. That should create a great narrative, but (spoiler alert!) from the minute this couple steps on camera, it's pretty clear that they're not buyers. The Core Group story, by contrast, has to do with selling 141 Fifth Avenue, but the episode seems uncertain of the stakes: is this a validation of Core's existence as a firm, or a chance to better the developer's financial situation? Are these the sales that get the building over the tipping point that makes it financeable?
What the episode lacks in stakes, it adds in sizzle, and I'm not just saying that because I'm friends with the owners of one of the apartments featured (did I mention I'm a Manhattan real estate agent?). The renovation of 141 Fifth Avenue has been an eagerly-watched downtown project, and the cupola penthouse is certainly unique (30-foot-ceiling height, $12 million). Nice kitchen detail here in a sink with beveled edges to make room for an inset cutting board (which may not seem miraculous to you suburban homeowners, but in Manhattan most apartments don't have garbage disposals, so even the most basic vegetable-slicing technology is cause to "ooh" and "aah"). Also, because the show keeps flashing between artist's renderings of the finished apartment and the under-construction unit, the show did the apartment a little bit of a disservice in terms of conveying its size -- for your 12 million dollars you do get TWO actual bedrooms.
The preggie buyers, meanwhile, see the Isis, a new Upper East Side condo, plus a two-bedroom with a bonus room, plus a loft with a smashing kitchen.
Everything they see makes them want more, but hey, they're shopping for three.
That's my take, tell me what you think -- feel free to post comments below.
Read more: