How To Talk Dirty To A New Yorker

Despite the uncertainty in the real estate market elsewhere in the country, the New York Post reports that a number of buildings in NYC are offering perky perks and sweet, sweet swag to tempt potential buyers to indulge.

Some buildings allow buyers to charge their down payments on their American Express cards, which can translate into all sorts of goodies through reward points. Said one flushed and giddy buyer:

"[It] was quite shocking… When I was getting ready to write out the check, I was just joking around and said, 'Can I put this on my card?' They said yes. It worked out to a $1,000 gift certificate at Saks."

Down payment on a 0ne-bedroom in Mid-Town: $90,000.
$1000. Giftcard to Saks: priceless

Real estate developers are also getting into the pot-sweetening game. All you have to add is the throaty whisper.

Buildings are picking up closing costs. Or they have on-site mortgage brokers who will instantly approve you for a mortgage - and shave points off your rate. A few require just 5 percent down. Some are throwing in a washer/dryer or a parking space.

Hmmm… So after all this romance will there be the real estate equivalent of a Crying Game-type surprise like, say, no bathroom? Nope. But, according to one developer, the sweet talk might be the seller’s tactic to move things along:

"[I]t's new developments that are priced a little higher than they should be, or the developer wants to get rid of the last few units. You get concessions not from the beginning, not when they first start up - it's when they want to get the business wrapped up.”

Don’t worry. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t as good for them as it was you.

“It’s more than just fluff.”