March 02, 2008

The future of the realtor profession: Models, strippers and hookers?


Well, I guess some people figure if realtors want tens of thousands of dollars for doing nothing, while ruining you financially, they'd better at least be hot...

Catwalk models stimulate sales in upscale New York - Realtors are hiring chic girls to push condos

DEALING with cut-throat real estate agents can be like floating on your back in the sea as hungry sharks circle ever closer.

Recently some Manhattan brokers seem even more desperate to secure sales in a slowing market -- arriving at showings stressed and sweaty, with bags and black circles under their eyes.

Would it ease the pain if these brokers were chic, beautiful young women?

One boutique agency thinks so, and has hired fashion models from the catwalk to be real estate agents. Paramount Realty, in downtown Soho, has six models on its books and some have already made multi-million-dollar apartment sales.

These women are extremely attractive and dress accordingly. Forget the usual broker attire of casual jeans and sneakers -- these women are decked out in Gucci and Jimmy Choo. Clients are driven to showings in a 2007 Rolls-Royce phantom and get to have lunch with blonde beauties.

"We are transforming the experience of buying and selling real estate in much the same way the fashion houses and other premium brands are leaving the imprint of a memorable living experience," said Paolo Zampolli, co-chairman of the Paramount Group.

23 comments:

Frank R said...

Realtors:

Just strippers and hookers.

They aren't quite hot enough to be models.

Anonymous said...

I thought they already were hookers and strippers?

Anonymous said...

They do advertise "full service" don't they?

Anonymous said...

So they are, in fact, high priced escorts, are they not?

Anonymous said...

You should get a lap dance after buying a home today

Anonymous said...

Desperation.

Since women are more likely to consider a house an investment than men, and women arguably drive more of the market, will they be getting male models, too? Are women more likely to be persuaded by a good-looking female sales person? At what point does titillation in advertising become annoying or perceived as a blatant dodge? If you're an ad man, never.

tater said...

I know what I want to do. I think i'll get me a "showing" with one of these good-looking models. I won't buy a house - no way. But, i'll get a picture taken with me riding in the Rolls Royce laughing it all up, with my my "babe". I will show the picture to my friends, and show them that I can get any woman I want, and that I REALLY do own a Rolls Royce. Yep, it'll be a memorable buying experience, alright.

Anonymous said...

What if i'm a lesbian? Do they go "round the block" with me too?

Anonymous said...

Now thats a "Happy Ending"!

Anonymous said...

Do I get to shag the model in the rolls?

Unknown said...

I understand this for big business deals, but to do this for houses it crazy. In general woman make the decision on where and when to buy a house (ah, Suzanne) so this seems like a great way to alienate your buyers.

Anonymous said...

If one does the math in real 'street terms' buying a house is typically driven by women. Its manifested in marital nagging, nesting, hormonally lower stem driven "we can do this" Sunanne style episodes. Men act in similar instinctive lock step. Any anthropologist would appreciate the symbolitic meaning of nubile temple concubines to show real estate. Its as if there should be a ceremonial exchange of dowery rather than house showings by broker pimped women.

If a purchase is emotionally/hormonally driven, it is by definition NOT GOING TO BE A WELL REASONED CHOICE OR INVESTEMENT!

Miss Goldbug said...

This is not hocus-pocus...

Art imitating life has shown when fashion hemlines fall, it signals recession.

I have a feeling hemlines will be dragging on the floor by next year.

Ed said...

WOW.

Anonymous said...

What's the difference?

Anonymous said...

To sum up....a "prettier hand" steals your wallet.

Anonymous said...

This reminds me of when The Standard hotel on Sunset got rid of the working class "uglies" and replaced staff with "models" and "actors." They were fined and the "uglies" got their jobs back.

Anonymous said...

So if I attend a showing tap it and then I dont sign the deal is her pimp I mean broker gonna brak my legs?

Anonymous said...

.


Realtors?

Models?

Strippers?

Hookers?


Whats the difference other than 6%


.

Anonymous said...

Do you tip your REALTORSTRIPPER in ones?

Frank R said...

One of my gf's best friends came to visit. She was working for a real estate lawyer in Scottsdale but lost her job and had to relocate to San Diego just to find employment - yes, even the lawyers are going bust in Scottsdale now. That's how bad their "economy" is.

Anyway, now she's working for a realtor firm and the stories of how stupid and lazy the realtors are is just astounding, like calling her on weekends because they're too stupid to operate the lockboxes at properties, etc etc., totally brain-dead idiots. They belong back on the stripper poles and street corners.

Anonymous said...

As a man, I do not think I would even use a female RE agent in the first place. The fact of the matter is that as a man, you simply cannot reasonably tell a woman to go fuck herself as you can with a man.

GT said...

i thought the market in NYC was the only market in the US that was fine?

i agree with the others, they're shooting themselves in the foot if they do this with a 'normal' married couple