Jackson Heights Life

Welcome to all the new members.  Please be prepared for the occasional spirited, good humored debates but mostly enjoy the sharing of information about everything under the Jackson Heights sun.  (It does shine brighter here!)

Wow!  I thought I never would have to come the aid of another realtor. LOL  I read some really ugly stuff about Marlene Flores here.  I also read some nice things about her and about other brokers.  As an environmental and construction consultant as well as a partner in an Asbestos & lead abatement company and Coop construction firm I meet lots and lots of people.  I also happen to be a "mulitple association" realtor so I don't list units but simply market them and sell them for different brokers. 

I started selling in Queens almost 2 years ago and sold close to 40 units in that time.  In Jackson Hts I sold about a dozen units.  I love Jackson Hts and I had the chance to meet Marlene on a couple of occassions and spoke to her quite a few times on the phone.  WOW, what a charachter she is.  I first met her with a client that wanted my opinion on the unit and wanted me to renovate the same.  After speaking with her a few minutes she recognize me and was wondering if I was there to steal her client (or something to that effect).  She struck me as an "unfriendly, to the point and don't wasyte my time" kind of individual.

After dealing with her a few times I realized that she is the type of individual that is very effective as an executive or top management.  These <i>types </i>tend to be abrupt and distrusting of others.  They lack tolerance for mediocresy and will not allow people to waste their time and they will will TELL you in your FACE!...LOL.  She is working in an environment that requires more "people skills" and since Jackson Heights is one of those "community" neightborhoods she may just have to adjust her attitude a bit.

At the end of the day I can say that she is not a "racist" (being Latina and very into the culture).  My experience is that she is informed about the properites and in fact she is probably on of the most informed realtors in Jackson Hts.  She does have a relationship with many Boards and if you really want to get into a premier building in Jackson Heights she is one of those realtors that will get you in.  Some people will say she is mean (I'm one of those people), but defaming her is uncalled for and ridiculous and absolutly unffair. If you want to recommend a realtor recommend them and say what you must.  Stay away from character assasination since realtors have feelings too (Even the "diva"). 

Unfortunately for me I don't have many properties in Jackson Heights and I am not one to list properties.  I sell (I can outsell just about anyone...LOL) because I can.  I am a business owner and understand the growth I have seen in Jackson Hts.  I want to congratulate everyone writting because it says volumes about you and your passion.  I hope that othjer neightborhoods learn from you and take your example.  Stay the course and continue the wonderful activities and don't forget to patronizr your local eateries and businesses.

G-d Bless and be well
Luis F Martinez, Sr (aka Louis)<h4>

Although, as a newly minted Jackson Heights resident, I haven't had occasion to sell an apartment in the neighborhood, my husband I had a favorable experience working with the listing agent for the unit we eventually bought.  Jon Fisher of Douglas Elliman, touted earlier on this thread, is both a broker and a Jackson Heights local.  He was easy to work with, well-informed, and quite helpful.  I'd recommend him without reservation.

--Valerie

I just realized you guys spell check...lol

Man oh man!!

My spelling isn't that great but my typing....is even worse!
 :laugh:

just would like to mention that i've had great experience with Marlene from JH landmark--any comments suggesting that she is a racist is simply untrue.  she's been very generous and giving to my family without knowing us--and we are as racially mixed as can be (outside of her business--no contract involved), and i found her to be a wonderful and strong woman AND mother with a great sense of humor.

~just wanted to put in a good word for Marlene who helped me out a lot (when she really didn't have to).
 
 

Well, when I was on the market for a new apartment, I had quite the real estate adventure.   I had been living in JH well over a decade, working here longer than that.  I knew what was out there, and I knew exactly what I wanted.

A large pre-war two bedroom, flooded with light and air.  I wanted the whole pre-war deal... the wooden floors and high ceilings and moldings and arches.  I wanted a garden.  It had to be cat-friendly.  I wanted high floor, with an elevator.  I wanted to continue having a comfortable walk to work.   Oh.  And I wanted a “pretty view.”

And I wasn’t in a hurry.  I had all intentions of finding what I wanted.

I met every realtor out there in the process, and looked at over 40 units.  I would guess that Marlene showed me almost half of them.

I have to say that no one works harder than Marlene.  She was pushy.  She called me every day for months… even when I was out of town.  And, like nearly every realtor I dealt with, she told me I was not going to get everything I wanted, and that I needed to compromise… blah blah blah blah.  But she worked hard.  I honestly felt bad that after so much of her time and energy (and the time and energy of Vladimir and Michael and some other great folks, and lots of clueless Manhattan realtors who were trying to move into the neighborhood), I ended up buying a sponsor unit from the sponsor’s agent. 

And I got exactly what I wanted.