BJ Knapp & Jared Bernstein Think You’re Dumb
In case you missed part one of this two-part article about the West End Lofts, here’s your link. The source of these articles is found in the Des Moines Register right here.
In addition to talking about Hubbell’s conversion of the Mitchell Transmission Building into the West End Lofts this article gave some great insight into the current downtown market.
Bernstein, who is a spokesman for Hubbell had this to say about the downtown market:
“Housing may not be selling as fast developers wish, but it’s not a soft market,”
I understand that this is probably what he has to say. After all, if he paints a different picture and people believe it then he will hurt his companies bottom line. They are in the business of selling property–they are not in the information business.
What is unfortunate is that Hubbell had to drop the prices of the Brownstones on Grand nearly $100,000 in order to sell. That’s really bad in a strong market! In a strong market prices go UP, they must have really missed the boat on that one! OR, maybe Jared Bernstein thinks you’re too dumb……
We can’t forget about BJ Knapp either. He provides this truly insightful quote for us:
“This isn’t South Florida or Las Vegas.“
I’m glad BJ was able to clear that up for us. He has chosen to stand in line with the rock-solid advertising division of Iowa Realty, not with the COO of the commercial division of Iowa Realty.
I’m sure you want to know why I cover this, and why I point these things out.
Here it is: There are a lot of people out there that believe it’s better to spin things, and to try and distort what’s true in order to get you to give them money. They will omit, change, etc. things because they are convinced that people won’t buy if they know the truth.
I disagree with that. I think people are more likely to buy if they know the truth. If you treat them the way they should be, and hide nothing, you will BOTH sleep better at night knowing you’re both acting in an ethical manner. If they feel that you’re lying or hiding something they will back away, even if they have no other reason than their lack of trust in you.
If you choose to distort, cover up, or sometimes, lie, you end up looking like something other than honest. You look greedy, and you look like you’re willing to do whatever it takes, and bend whatever morals you have or don’t have in order to make a quick buck on someone you perceive to be a sucker.
So as long as people are out there trying to tell the good folks of Des Moines something that’s not quite accurate, I’ll be here calling them out for thousands to see. And in the end, that makes you look worse than just being upfront in the first place!
Scott Says:
I can’t believe people are still building! I mean, I’m all for building up downtown (and that will be a nice location) but do they really truly think that they will be able to sell those things? There are hundreds of condos sitting empty within walking distance of that place. I wish them luck, but man, I sure wouldn’t finance that deal.
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 10:23 am
Josh Says:
352 I think is the correct number…..
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Bethany J Says:
If they would build to suit for the people that are actually renting/buying/working downtown, that sure would help. Most of the people who work downtown WORK for a reason…
Many of us who work downtown can’t afford the prices for the fancy condos. We would like a suitable place to live close to work! How hard is that?
I would assume that a large percentage of downtown employees make less than $50,000 a year. That is not enough for a $300,000 condo. I think this is the reason people are so quick to rent downtown, rather than buy.
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Scott Says:
There’s a thought. Quick, Josh! What’s the CHEAPEST condo listed downtown right now? My guess is ~$120,000 for 700sq/ft at the plaza. Closest without going over wins a bag of Combos.
(Hey, that’d be an interesting blog post. Most and least expensive, most/least per sq ft, highest/lowest dues, etc.)
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Trina Braafhart Says:
Park Place condos start at $86,000 - $169,000. I believe square footage starts at 663 - but not positive. From what I understand, Park Place is the lowest price condos for sale.
Ingersoll Square has a unit that sells for $131,900 and that is for 701 sq ft. Don’t forget the monthly association dues at $112 per month so add that to your monthly mortgage payment. But - parking is included.
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Bethany J Says:
Another reason to rent. Association dues.
Once again, though, if I could afford a place on my income, I would buy. Especially with a tax abatement.
One place was priced just right, with enough square feet to live nicely. But once the association dues and parking were added, it was way out of range. So the list price isn’t necessarily what you end up paying for. I’m not knocking the association fees, especially when they do what they claim. But the difference between the payment and the actual “price” you pay was much different. An $86,000 condo is much more than just the $86,000.
This is probably a good area to deal when doing a sale. “Throw in the parking and association fees for a few years and I’ll think about it…”
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Josh Says:
Good idea, but it looks like Trina has beat me to the punch!
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Josh Says:
Now you’re talking.
Posted on October 31st, 2007 at 6:07 pm
#1 Hater Says:
Iowa Realty flip flops more then John Kerry in the last election!
#1 Hater
Posted on November 1st, 2007 at 9:32 am
JustKim Says:
Josh, You sound like #1 Hater. Why are you hating on BJ? “This isn’t South Florida or Las Vegas.” Um, isn’t that a true statement? I think you are missing the point. Of course, with your sponsorship dollars coming from Trina and Brett, I understand why you are biased against Iowa Realty. It’s just getting hard to take you seriously anymore. If anyone is trying to spin things in order to get more money, it is YOU. Sad, I used to really like this site.
Posted on November 2nd, 2007 at 10:56 am
Josh Says:
I’m spinning? Haha!!! I’m not the one speaking out of both sides of my mouth Kim…..
Posted on November 2nd, 2007 at 11:05 am
Jenn Clark Says:
Bethany J,
I want to let you know about a new project that is currently pre-selling. I am a co-listing agent for the project. It’s called Midtown Heights located at MLK & High St, just north of Ingersoll.
Posted on November 2nd, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Trina Braafhart Says:
Josh has not “spun” any untruths regarding my properties. He has come out to visit my properties with his own eyes, interviewed myself in person, used my own words and my own editorials for my stories and advertisements. He came to visit me at the Kirkwood simply to just write an article and to take a tour because he had not seen it. He came back to his blog site and wrote a very nice article on how much he liked the property - totally his personal opinion - because that is what he does. He visits properties and writes about what he sees. He fell in love with the Kirkwood prior to us sponsoring the site. Same with the Gateway Lofts. He was one of the few on another blog site that expressed how much he like the property - again prior to our sponsorship.
From what I perceive, the purpose of Josh’s blog site is to open conversation on various parts of downtown living - housing,dining,shopping,recreation etc etc. Then anyone else who has an opinion or would like to express themselves on the subject may do so. This helps prospects get a more accurate and truthful view on the property - looking at other peoples opinions, not just Josh’s, before making a decision. If you hate Whilteline or love Whiteline, then submit your blog. If you agree or disagree with Josh’s opinion regarding Iowa Realty, then blog.
By the way - Josh’s opinion regarding Iowa Realty has absolutely no bearing one me - Iowa Realty SELLS properties, I RENT them. We are not in the same ball park and we have very little effect on each other.
Posted on November 2nd, 2007 at 4:29 pm
JustKim Says:
Wow Tina. Criticize Iowa Realty all you want, but I find it surprising that someone professionally associated with Conlin Properties would support a personal attack on BJ Knapp, let alone an entry entitled, “BJ Knapp & Jared Bernstein Think You’re Dumb”. That crosses the line, no two ways about it.
Posted on November 2nd, 2007 at 5:51 pm
#1 Hater Says:
Justkim - Where do I start? Are you sad you bought at the top of the market? Was BJ your realtor? Hope he was because he did a fine job selling a sucker– I mean a well educated buyer at the top of the market. (ouch)
Don’t worry, prices will stay up because 4 sold last month with over 300 units on the market. Forget supply and demand, just sleep well knowing we are not living in Vegas or Miami. We are in a “Rock-Solid” time of the market.
Keep drinking the Kool-aid,
#1 Hater
PS- Call me josh, call me hater whatever, just don’t call me dumb enough to buy at top of the market prices. I will let you do that!
Posted on November 2nd, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Trina Braafhart Says:
Kim - first of all, my name is Trina not Tina. There is a Tina who blogs on this site, but we are not the same person. I am assuming it is me whom you are speaking because Tina is not associated with Conlin Properties.
Second - my association with Colin Properties would have absolutely nothing to do with BJ Knapp and Iowa Reality. Why would it? I have never even met BJ Knapp. If I were criticizing Ia Realty - where is the connection with Conlin and why would it matter? What “line” are you referring to?
Third - I read and re read and read again my blog trying to figure out where you got the impression I was criticizing Ia Reality. My comments were in regards to Josh and his blog site. In this country we have freedom of speech, that includes Josh, # 1 Hater and even you. If you do not agree or like the submissions on this blog site - then stop subscribing it.
If you go back and read, actually read my blog comments you will find that I never once said that I supported Josh’s statements regarding Knapp and Bernstein “think you’re dumb”. That is Josh’s interpretation and his freedom of speech and freedom of opinion to say whatever he wants. My blog comment was addressing your accusations that Josh supports my properties for cash purposes only. I wanted to clarify to you and anyone else reading this blog that Josh supported my properties prior to my sponsorship. I hope this helps clarify any misinterpretations you have received by my blog comments.
Posted on November 3rd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Bethany J Says:
JustKim,
Think of Josh as the “Consumer Reports” of Downtown Des Moines. If I am looking for a washing machine, I look at Consumer Reports and see what they have to say. They may cut one company’s apartment-size washer down because the knobs fall off, but praise them for their commercial size because it is built tough to last a long time. They are not in the business of ruining business, but rather to give the consumer an honest look at the product they are wanting to buy, so they don’t end up with a lemon.
Josh is doing the same thing. I am a downtown consumer. I look at this blog for what people think about the downtown area whether it is for food, shopping or real estate. If I have a relative coming to town, I check ahead to see where people enjoy eating so that we can have an enjoyable dinner without any surprises.
And it is very important to me when I buy downtown, that I get just what I need for me. I LOVE the look of the Whiteline Lofts and can picture myself living there. It has been fun to see all the stories–good and bad–about it. You can bet that if I got to move there, I would look into the information more deeply. But in no way has he turned me off to the Whiteline Lofts…I am just a better consumer now. Anyway, they are out of my price range. Darn.
Posted on November 5th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
sara Says:
I commented on the other article you have posted on the site about Iowa Realty.
Posted on November 20th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
john Says:
Speaking of housing and forclosures - http://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrmIn the interest of public information - and perhaps motivation
Posted on November 20th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
sara Says:
Good work John!
Someone needs to expose him.
I would hate to be at that familys thanksgiving table.
Posted on November 20th, 2007 at 11:02 pm