In their words…

The funniest and most insightful comments on real estate

“A slick advertising campaign doesn’t change the fact that this is illegal activity.”
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, on Airbnb operators who violate city and state laws regulating hotels.

“I get to play landlord, but I don’t have to be a landlord.”
CBRE’s Peter Turchin, on the joys of being a landlord rep.

“Secretly, they’re happy with the law, but many of them are getting votes for being unhappy.”
Charles Urstadt, on politicans calling for the repeal of the rent-regulation law that bears his name, while privately believing it works well.

“It was a very hard decision. I was the poster girl for Corcoran.”
Broker Lauren Muss, on decamping for Douglas Elliman.

“My campaign complied with the current law.”
Queens state Sen. Tony Avella, a longstanding critic of overbuilding and the real estate industry’s influence on elected officials, on accepting funds from a REBNY-backed PAC.

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“I’m still getting telephone calls each week from someone else who wants to sit and talk with me.”
Halstead’s John Wollberg, on geting contacted by agents from Coldwell Banker Bellmarc Group after hiring 15 agents at once from the troubled firm last month.

“They were [traditionally] seen as a class below the classic townhouse or co-op in New York.”
Engel & Völkers president Stuart Siegel, on how condos are now the properties of choice for foreign buyers.

“It’s almost like the Mona Lisa.”
Harry Macklowe, not subtle at all about his 432 Park Avenue.

“Andrew Heiberger is to Town what Caesar was to Rome.”
Town Residential broker Tom Brady, on the return of the firm’s founder as CEO.

“It’s really not my intent to shame landlords.”
Public Advocate Letitia James, on publishing the “worst-landlords” list.