Generally, brokers seek buyers for apartments. But one man currently living in a Mercedes van is flipping the script, trying to attract Upper West Side homeowners to sell him a condo. He’s got one hell of a story.
Uri Toron taped cards with the words “Wanted Condo” on windows all over the West 70’s and West 80’s over the past few weeks, asking to buy a studio or one-bedroom with outdoor access for $500,000-plus. He also attached the signs to bikes he’s parked in the neighborhood. We reached out to him through the email address printed on the card and got the following response:
“I attached 2000 small stickers to all lamppost on the UWS on the 70 Ty’s. And the 80 Ty’s.
Than I placed 2500 double sided postcard on cars, and finally I am spreading 5000 half postcard, all ower.
Also I have 2 bikes out in the street with advertising.
I have, as always, lots of agent reacting.
Not one offer as result, But my demand are hard to find, with a door to open air.
I am probably buying a CoOp on 72 Str. /Vest side Ave. 550 sq/ft with 8 windows toward 400 sq/ft private yard. $ 550.000
I bought a villa in England this way, and also a villa in Forest Hills.
The good thing is that I only advertise the street I prefer, and I attract peaple that consider selling.
Than I avoid ther tasteless renovation, and they save the agent, For older lady’s, it is also a hassle to have strangers on open houses.
I bought, renovated and sold 7 houses in my life, traveling with my family, following my x wife’s carrier re from student in Tel Aviv, doctorate in Copenhagen, first job in Geneva with UN, then Cambridge, England, 4 years each place,,and finally 12 years as full Professor at Baruch College.
All the years I was house father, and renovater.
Obviesly all renovations and extensions are paid for at the sale.
I bought and sold all my houses alone.
When my youngest of 3, left for Bercley CA. 3 years ago, my X and I said,
Mission Accomplished, and made a friendly divorce.
I had the idear, to sit in front of Zabars with a sign,,,
HOMELESS
Condo Wanted.
That could be fun.
And I am homeless, Insteadt of renting a flat, for a year, as “normal” folks do,
I bought a new Mercedes Sprinter Crew Van, and put a bed in it.
So I am a Bum, in a Mercedes.
So twice a week, ( street cleaning). I mowe it, so nobody realize it is a home.
You might feel I am a adventurer, and you are right.
Yours. Uri Toron.”
We asked Uri for some more information, but he hasn’t emailed us back.
Bike photo by Liz Patek.
I’ve been wondering about those signs. I suppose one could live pretty cheaply in Manhattan with a van to sleep in and perhaps a gym membership to shower.
I don’t have a condo to sell him, but does he need a recommendation of a good shrink?
Grammar much?
I saw him sticking one on the window of Acker Merrel wine store on 72nd. Thought they would love that!
Saw this guy last Thursday night in his White Mini-van. Looked a bit creepy as he was just sitting in his parked car in his shorts. Looked like a creeper. I had the local homeless guys on my block keep an eye on him – they knew of him and said he was no threat. Nonetheless, it just didn’t look good.
You might want to learn how to spell or at least proof read your posts
English is obviously not his first language. He got his message across, so he did OK. His language skills aren’t really what the story is about, though, hey?
Copyediting would destroy this. May it live forever on the internet as is.
I couldn’t agree more heartily!
My above post was unclear (I had bracketed text). Apologies.
Dennis,
PROOFREAD is one word.
Periods go at the end of sentences.
is one word.
Periods go at the end of sentences.
Fair enough, but we wanted to present his note exactly as he wrote it. Indeed, several sentences did not make sense. WSR
His posting of stickers and flyers is illegal, and making a lot of work for our clean-up crew on Columbus Avenue. He might think this is a novel idea, but I believe he’s creating a lof of animosity in the neighborhood. We work very hard to keep our avenue clean.
Yes, these damnedd annoying posters and stickers are Illegal. They are subject to a $75 fine for Each sticker / poster. With 9502 of these illegal stickers, he faces a potential fine of $712,650 – all to try and purchase a condo for $500,000.
Hope this ass…. finds a dump on the East side or preferably in Queens.
Jerk!
America.
Land of opportunity.
Clearly, anyone can succeed.
As others have noted, “postering” is illegal in NYC. It comes under Administrative Code Section 10-119, and fines are $75 for the first advertising card, sticker, etc., and $250 for each additional advertising card, etc. This guy has even pinned his ads to trees – which adds ANOTHER $200 to his fines.
Why are you giving this guy free PR when he is polluting our neighborhood with his unsightly advertising cards, etc.?!
Another attention-seeking idiot. Wow, how we love our distractions!
“I had the idea, to sit in front of Zabars with a sign,,,HOMELESS” Condo Wanted That could be fun”. Nothing worse than a jerk making a joke about homelessness. I saw this idiot’s stickers and postcards all over Broadway. The D.O.T. should track him down and give him a fine for putting his unwanted stickers on lamp posts. He seems more like a troll than a legitimate condo hunter. Also, the way he chained that bike is an invitation to steal the front wheel.
Why does everyone have to trash this very creative idea? Perhaps someone needs to tell him the law and then he won’t do the stickering and postering . You can see he is nieve about the law.
Be nice to people. It’s free and it makes people feel good.
People are “trashing this very creative idea” because it’s illegal, contributes to litter in the streets and just plain old looks ugly. Are you too “nieve” to get that?
Thank you all for your comment to my story .
I learned so much about how to behave, in your great country.
1. Nathan. You are right, for a short time, it is OK.
2. Whatsupduck. I am sure you have a shrink to recommend.
5. Tom, sorry AC, Interesting, in my country, those, that peep into houses and mobile homes, in the night, we call creepy.
Sorry the windows are tinted, so it is hard to see what my girlfriend and I am up to.
Thanks for the homeless looking after us. Both of you should come for coffee
Sure, foreigners must know correct English.
7. Barbara. You are right, even while it was for a short time, I stopped ,
8. Dan. I admire your knowledge of the law.
I might look at queens, I believe they are not racists there.
10. Ian Alterman. Sorry to pollute. I thought global warming was the problem.
11. Henry. This is a problem, I understand. Syria is to far away.
12. Jelly Beans 3. So nice you care for the homeless.
Please, don’t steal my front wheel.
13. NJ. This country is great, because we have creative ideas, That’s what makes us No. One.
If you are a woman,,,, A kiss from me, you got it.
Mr. Bum, LOL. Pretty good answers sir and I have to admit, it is rare that you still see someone able to coherently and intelligently respond. I have lived in the neighborhood for the past 2 years, saw the flyers but never saw you, but I will make sure to say hi and shake your hand. It is clear that you are a person of intelligence, well traveled and versed in dealing with people. Welcome to the neighborhood, I’d vote for you if you ever seek office 🙂