Not Everyone is worried about the economy
Janet Pritchard was pleased Wall Street was taking such a tough hit.
“It means the yuppies won’t be able to come and buy here,” Ms. Pritchard 44, said as she walked down the promenade in Brooklyn Heights with her 5-year-old son. “I have been living here for 10 years, I own my house outright, so personally I feel very safe.”
Down the road in Boerum Hill, Chris Mendoca, 33, said he hadn’t paid too much attention to the recent news.
“There are overpriced condos going up on every street corner, and rents are still skyrocketing, it doesn’t seem to be effecting much here,” Mr. Mendoca said. “My biggest concern is the price of gas, I don’t take the subway, so I hope that the price comes down a little,” he said.
Others thought there was reason to be concerned.
“We should all be holding on to our seats,” said Don, 54, who declined to give his last name citing his position at the Federal Reserve. “I don’t think this neighborhood will feel the effects immediately, but they should be scared. All their money is in their million dollar homes, and guess what, when they need to sell, the buyers aren’t going to be there. Just watch what happens this week, it should have them shaking,” he said.
Outside the courthouse Troy Griffith, 36, reiterated this sentiment.
“I think the crisis will have a trickle down effect,” Mr. Griffith said. “The folks in this neighborhood will see it when their dollar doesn’t go as far, and when their houses don’t sell. It will be a rude awakening,” he said.
Robin Kahn, an agent for Corcoran, has a more upbeat attitude about the housing markets in the area.
“I believe these neighborhoods will hold their value. As long as people price their homes reasonably, they will sell. The greatest challenge I have, is convincing sellers their expectations might be too high,” Ms. Kahn said.