Was the Helmsley Mansion listed $90 million too high?

By
Real Estate Agent with Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info DB-17066

Many Realtors struggle in this market trying to figure out the right comparables for their listings.  Even proverbial 3 bedroom 2 bath family homes are impacted by short sale and foreclosure pricing; however, think of how difficult it must be to do an effective market analysis on true estate properties.

A great example is the recent sale of the Helmsley Mansion in Greenwich, Conn.  http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/What-a-steal-Helmsley-estate-sells-for-35M-688860.php  This parcel was listed in 2008 for $125 million.  Did it look like a bargain when it was relisted for $55 million?  Was the $70 million price reduction enough to make it the largest price reduction for a residential listing ever in the US?  It finally sold for “only” $35 million.  That means the Helmsley Mansion sold for 28% of original list price!

According to the article, the Helmsley’s bought the property back in 1983 for $11 million so I don’t feel bad for them having to take $20 million less than their list price.  I wonder how a short sale negotiator would have dealt with this file?

I know for a fact, I would have a tough time looking my clients in the eye if I had to recommend taking an offer that was $20 million under current list price on a residential property!

Here is a timeline of the sales price of this home:

  • Built in 1918 for $1 million;
  • Sold in 1969 for $1 million;
  • Sold in 1974 for $3 million; (after adding air conditioning)
  • Sold in 1983 for $11 million; (then added 14 acres to the estate)
  • Listed in 2008 for $125 million;
  • New listing at $55 million;
  • Sold for $35 million in 2010.
On the bright side, I can imagine being the buyers' agent and bragging that the seller probably paid the commission and yet saving the buyer $20 million on their purchase via negotiating skills!

Comments (47)

John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Sure, the buyer's agent might have saved them $20 million, but did they also get the seller to throw in a home warranty? :)

Oct 08, 2010 04:28 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

That is interesting to see the sales history. I want to go see the link and photos next!

Oct 08, 2010 04:34 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

That's a property with an interesting history, isn't it.  And yes, it probably was overpriced "that" much!  LOL.

Oct 08, 2010 04:38 PM
Didi Doolittle
Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, Eagle Office - Vail, CO
Vail, CO Realtor 970.232.8225
Quite the listing history! Sure puts price reductions in perspective.
Oct 08, 2010 05:46 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

What a bargain! I hope the local media does not start a campaign that houses are selling at 28% of it's original list price and skew the facts!!!

 

Oct 08, 2010 06:23 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

LOL @#31 . . .

Oct 08, 2010 06:33 PM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

It looks like the home is moving ever up ward setting new and higher prices.

Oct 08, 2010 06:33 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

This is quite an interesting pricing history.  Looks like the market is telling us what the market value is today.  Amazing it was 125mil in 2008!

Oct 08, 2010 06:48 PM
Nancy Frimann
Eagle Ridge Realty/Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA

I, too, read this.  I can hear it now...  "Well, I don't want to give it away!" 
I guess this shows that price is determined by the value the buyer sees in it.
Maybe it dropped so much because she died there? (not sure if that is the case)
How would you like to have been the poor sap who offered 34M, only to be edged out.

Oct 08, 2010 11:44 PM
Fernando Herboso - Broker for Maxus Realty Group
Maxus Realty Group - Broker 301-246-0001 - Gaithersburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I guess Leona's dogs priced the house initially. . .and everything went to the dogs after

Oct 09, 2010 12:38 AM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Jim:

That was such a cozy home at 28 rooms and 22,000 square feet. What life must have been like living there. The dogs must have each had their own rooms. At least Leona had her priorities straight.

 

Oct 09, 2010 01:25 AM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

Great post - I have heard of sellers being insulted when they "finally" receive an offer after 24 months on market.  The market is what drives perception, which is value, and the second party is the lender, unless it is a cash purchase.

Oct 09, 2010 01:31 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jim, goes to show you can list a home for whatever you want, but the true value is what someone is willing to pay. Good Post.

Oct 09, 2010 02:26 AM
Jim Lee
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Realtor, Portsmouth, NH

Michael nailed it: "the true value is what someone is willing to pay."

Truer words.......................

Oct 09, 2010 05:08 AM
Simon Mills
Mills Realty - Toluca Lake, CA

It is comforting to know that everyone at every level is affected by the housing meltdown.  

Oct 09, 2010 07:35 AM
David O'Doherty
Raleigh Realty Inc - Clayton, NC
Clayton NC Homes, Raleigh, NC

Couldn't have happen to a nicer gal!

Oct 09, 2010 07:42 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Who's the lucky person that brokered that deal? Wish it was me!!

Oct 09, 2010 02:16 PM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

I have to wonder, if I had that type of money what I would buy for a home.  Would I spend all $35 million on one property or would I only spend $10 million on a fixer upper so that I would have enough to buy another place in Hawaii, one of the distressed properties in Las Vegas, another in Florida, and a nice ski in ski out property in a resort like Tamarack, Idaho for another $500K - $1 million for desert.

Oct 11, 2010 08:01 AM
Patty Luther
RE/MAX Rock-n-Roll Realty - Lewiston, ID
Lewiston ID Real Estate, Idaho-Washington

~interesting Jim!  how are things in Boise IDAHO!

Oct 14, 2010 08:08 PM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

@Patty, I have been extremely busy but most of that has been because of being president of ACAR this year, not with closings (although I have already closed more than I did last year).  We were doing so well with a builder that they wanted my agent to handle all their communities.  That sounds great except for the fact he activated his brokers license and did it under a new company instead of through mine.  Now I must regroup yet again.  Hope to see you in New Orleans in a few weeks at NAR.  We could see what types of drunks we run across like we did in Las Vegas before!

Oct 16, 2010 04:12 AM

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