Real Estate, Technology, Ali Rogers and Me in New York City
I haven't been in New York City for about six months, or more perhaps. But this trip, one of two I've booked for January, is all about books - specially my latest book, Buy, Close, Move In!, which will be out in April, and about which you'll soon be hearing a lot - I hope.
This week is also the annual Inman Connect conference in New York. My friend of nearly twenty years, Brad Inman, founder of HomeGain, Turn Here, and Vook, created this conference where real estate meets technology more than a decade ago. This week's conference, held at the Marriott Marquis, supposedly has more than 1,700 attendees.
I don't know the numbers, but I do know that when I stepped off on the 5th floor of the Marriott Marquis last night around 5:30p, after the final session of the night ended, the hallway was mobbed. It was literally wall-to-wall real estate agents, technology companies and a few Inman staffers squeezing their way through the crowd.
Better Homes and Garden Real Estate CEO Sherry Chris had the prime location. Her booth offered a wine tasting (the red was great; I didn't get to the white) and something else, maybe a martini bar. Sherry, who is always in a good mood, seemed jubiliant - perhaps it was this week's announcement of a new home buyer tax credit website where you can answer a couple of questions to see if you're eligible for either the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, or the $6,500 trade up tax credit.
Against the glass wall overlooking the atrium, more than a dozen start-up companies juggled glasses and technology, happily chatting up anyone who happened by. Looking them over, a colleague said, "I wonder who will be at the next Connect, and who got funding just for this one?"
So it goes in the world of technology.
I just stayed long enough to sip down a half a glass of red then went to dinner with a friend and colleague from Atlanta at Havana. I had the limeade, which was delicious and was served with a piece of real sugarcane. Chew on that!
Before my meetings started at HarperCollins, I had a chance to have breakfast with my great friend, super real estate agent, and fellow MoneyWatcher Ali Rogers (follow Ali @RE_Rookie) We ate at the Landmarc Cafe at the Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle. Typical New York Breakfast: Eggwhite omelets with salad, large coffee and toast - for $65. Did I mention, it was just the two of us?
She walked me over to my next meeting and we talked about the New York market. Prices down 25 percent and everyone is worried about financing. They should be, I told her. Especially if they're buying condos.
But it's hard to be depressed on a beautiful day in New York.
I'll be in the 20s for coffee, before heading to the airport. Tweet (@Glink) if you're around.
Ilyce R. Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and the upcoming Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com.
