Million Dollar Listing New York Episode 7

So tonight’s episode was a little uneventful.  No catfights, husband and wife brawls were kept to a minimum and deals flowed rather smoothly.  Thank goodness we had some Fredrik attitude to spice it up.

Tonight started out with Michael receiving a $2.5MM offer on a $3.5MM asking price. Way far apart in any market.. His strategy to switch gears mid stream and show his client an apartment that more matched his price point was a good move. All to often, buyers and sellers have unrealistic expectations and it is our job as brokers to manage those expectations and make sure we provide the best advice and council on a sale and/or purchase. Michael definitely showed more gusto than we have seen before with his slick move by getting the 1-bedroom deal done at $1.575MM and it was a huge success. Could it have been the lucky red socks? I am going to tell Michael when I talk to him that the only reason he should keep those socks is if they are his lucky pair, if not toss them! Just as the Michael fans were enjoying a few minutes of success, later in the episode we have to deal with Fredrik. Fredrik brings his client to see a space located at 100 11th Ave. As we all held our breath for the next battle of Armageddon, Fredrik sticks his foot in his mouth and starts with the HVAC lessons. Bottom line, Michael was right and Fredrik was wrong. The spot that they were referencing was the intake for the air conditioning system and not the “heater” as Fredrik implied. Finally something to tame Fredrik’s ego… Not!! As the two squared off to negotiate the apartment price, Fredrik had to play his usual games and taunt Michael. Maybe it was in the spirit of good fun and I know people out there will say that it’s NYC and if Michael can’t handle the game he shouldn’t play it. That may be true but show a little compassion for someone in your own company..  Whether he is the boss’s son or not.  I did think Michael was cool, calm and collected during the negotiations even at the end when in concept Fredrik knew the deal was done but had to poke Michael one more time and say there was no deal.  I would love to negotiate with Fredrik on a deal, especially knowing what I know..  I might throw up in my mouth a little because I am sure he will repulse me but it would be worth it..

Harvey S. Firestone was an American businessman in the early 1900’s and the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.  He once said, “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.”

I cannot believe that Ryan was able to smile at all in tonight’s episode after having to deal with Nick and Penelope.  Even if it is was a cheesy smile, I still can’t believe it.  They are 2 tough customers!  Dina’s idea, yes Dina’s idea, so when Ryan reads my blog today he will remember it was Dina’s idea to change direction with the doom & gloom couple and look for something on the west side by the water.  That decision was a bigger jackpot than winning the damn lottery.  Although I was starting to think winning the lottery was going to easier than satisfying those two!  We did see Ryan working hard trying to find some new apartments.  Finally we see some work going into gaining those huge commission checks.  Believe me everyone, we see a lot of closings take place on the show and it is not as easy as it appears.  Ryan’s idea to bring the designer in to help visualize the apartment was impressive.  I am not sure if Penelope was more smitten with Rob or his designer choices.  Seemed to me a little of both to be honest.  Who would have thought with such a catch like Nick…  In the end, Ryan finally was able to satisfy his duty as a broker and find a suitable apartment for his clients.  He cried a little along the way but that was more like real life than a lot we have seen so far this year.  I think I cried a little when Ryan was telling us that you sometimes he has to use his flashy smile and revert back to his soap opera days to win a deal..  On second thought, those were tears of laughter because the other broker, who happened to be female saw right thru our dreamy soapy and was not the least impressed with him..  Actually, she seemed more comfortable during those negotiations then Ryan did.  Could he be losing his edge?  He is becoming evidently transparent in his approach.  If soap operas are not in his future, maybe becoming a spokesperson for Saran Wrap.

For a brief moment I enjoyed watching Fredrik tonight when he interacted with the puppies.  It was nice to see a human side of him displayed on the show.  True to form, he did not disappoint when he abruptly said having the dog would not work because he is never home and always working.  Did he just figure that out in that split second?  Sorry, but that didn’t work for me.  Fredrik is who he is.  Tim’s listing in Chelsea was pretty dated and Fredrik was right in saying that “it looked like poop.”  The outdoor space was a great asset though.  Bringing the stager in to re-do the apartment with the latest and greatest trends was the right idea. It obviously needed it so it wasn’t like hitting a hole in one but it was a good move. The final product was impressive and the space showed well.  I have to say I thought the terrace area was slightly cluttered for my tastes.  Can anyone help me with Fredrik’s phobia about the damn tree?  If he mentioned it once he mentioned it 100 times.. Enough about the tree… Irrelevant..  As Fredrik was negotiating with the buyer’s representatives, he tells us that he likes to slide in, ever so subtle, that there is an open house scheduled and that an offer should be treated with time being of the essence.  In the next scene, he is telling the buyers agents to hurry, hurry and make on offer.  I would say slightly contradicting.  Fredrik is as subtle as Michael’s red socks!  I know, I know in the end he closed another deal, blah, blah, blah.  I have said before, that you can’t argue with success but I am changing the words to that song ever so slightly.  I just do not like the way Fredrik does business..  Sorry Fredrik fans but it’s how I feel.  But don’t worry all, I have been invited to the Prudential Douglas Elliman party celebrating the last episode of the season and I will be sure to give Mr. Eklund a big hug and a kiss.. That’s if he accepts.

In closing, I laughed a little tonight, cringed a little and was energized when we got to see negotiations and deals close! Please read the following riddles. My hope is that you too will laugh a little, cringe a little but most of all, exercise your brain and think!! 1. Why is it that the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? 2. Why can’t women put on mascara with their mouth closed? 3. Why don’t you ever see the headline “Psychic Wins Lottery”? 4. Why is “abbreviated” such a long word? 5. Why is it that doctors call what they do “practice”? 6. Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons? 7. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? 8. Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called
In closing, I laughed a little tonight, cringed a little and was energized when we got to see negotiations and deals close!  Please read the following riddles.  My hope is that you too will laugh a little, cringe a little but most of all, exercise your brain and think!!

1. Why is it that the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
2. Why can’t women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
3. Why don’t you ever see the headline “Psychic Wins Lottery”?
4. Why is “abbreviated” such a long word?
5. Why is it that doctors call what they do “practice”?
6. Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
7. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
8. Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
9. Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food?
10. Why didn’t Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
11. Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
12. Why don’t sheep shrink when it rains?
13. Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
14. If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
15. If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the “terminal”?