Fredrik on Conquering the Impossible

I love this Episode because by selling 16 Warren, I proved to myself that I could conquer the impossible, or at least the very difficult. The apartment has been on the market for almost six years, with six different brokers, and now it is sold. Finally! In some of the previous brokers' defense:

A) The seller's expectations were unrealistic due to the high monthlies.

B) The market is much better now.

Yes, the market is so good right now that new developments are popping up everywhere, in fact, next door, which made it very difficult at the end for me. High monthlies were one thing, which I hedged for with lowering the price, but having your four terraces being compromised while construction is going on next door was a difficult one to overcome. As brokers, we need to sell, sell, sell to the buyers, but a lot of times push, push, push with our sellers simulatenously to bring them down to a realistic place in price where there is actually a ready, willing and interested buyer with money. This Episode focused on the difficulties I had convincing the seller to come down, and I didn't give up. For anyone out there in sales I hope I can inspire, and next time you do have a difficult deal in your hands, hopefully you can think: "What would Fredrik do?"

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For the record, I do think the buyer of 16 Warren will make a ton of money there in a few years, when the building next door is finished and the residential area there in general is booming even more. I always loved the apartment, but when selling real estate it's important to detach yourself emotionally from the property and transaction, play the devil's advocate, and beat the deal until it's duly executed and closed.
Now, let me comment quickly on The Little Frog's Dance. Små grodorna (Swedish for "The Little Frogs") is a very traditional Swedish dance and song performed at midsummer, where the participants dance around the maypole, a symbol for you know what. The dance involves movements that illustrate body parts that frogs lack, namely "ears" (öron) and "tails"(svansar). Occasionally, Små grodorna is also sung at Christmas, but instead of dancing around the maypole, Swedes dance around the Christmas tree. So I am not crazy, it really IS a popular, common tradition. Everyone dances and sings too, old and young all over Sweden. Here are the lyrics translated for your singing:

"The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.
The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.
No ears, no ears, no tails do they possess.
No ears, no ears, no tails do they possess.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa."

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Now, start practicing. In the mean time, I need to go discuss parrots with Derek. He does love them so much, and is begging me for us to get one. I'm not convinced yet. They are cute, but loud. And they do smell a bit like Jurassic Park. And Mousey would be jealous. . .What do you think?

Next week I take on a big building. 11 North Moore is a $185,000,000 sell-out -- so be ready. I have tackled two difficult listings and tough sellers in Episodes 1, 2 and 3: Ari at the Apthorp and Joel at 16 Warren so far. But now the real fun ride starts.

Love always,

Fredrik