David Kline
Public defender, Fort Greene (pictured above)
How long have you been looking?
Months. It’s one of the most frustrating things I’ve done in my entire life. Every time I go see something, I feel like I have a gun to my head. I was told by my broker in no uncertain terms today that if I liked this place, I’d have to put a final and best offer in no later than tonight. I don’t think we’re going to, though. The bedroom skylights were amazing, but the living room was comically small.
Where are you living right now?
Fort Greene. We live in the garden level — a nice way of saying the basement — of a brownstone. Our baby lives in our bedroom. We have another sort of a half-bedroom in the back. But that’s unfortunately where I have to do virtual court and jail visits every day.
Virtual court?
Oh, it’s terrible. The courts use Microsoft Teams, and it’s a mad dash. Because whoever gets into the meeting and signs in their case in the virtual chat usually gets to go first. But every time you do go in person, you find out another court officer has tested positive for COVID. Because none of them are vaccinated. A lot of my colleagues have gotten sick, even though they’re masked. So I’m just at home, cross-examining police officers, with my baby in my lap.
Casey Soloff
Real-estate agent, Prospect Heights
Are you looking for yourself?
No, I’m representing a friend’s sister. Open houses used to be a lot more fun in pre-COVID times. For my own, I’d make apple-cider whoopie pies, because I love bringing my own flavor. But after COVID, who wants to be taking finger food?
Amanda Gale
Artist, Greenpoint
Mike D’Auria
Tech and media executive, Clinton Hill
Brian Wu
Software engineer, Williamsburg
Jennifer Wang
Real-estate agent, South Slope
Michelle Geller
Head of product, South Slope
Where do you live now?
Nearby, but we spent the last year and a half up in the Catskills. Our kids went to Montessori, ran around the woods, met chickens, made maple syrup, built forts. Eventually, we came to feel that it wasn’t — well, a forever situation for us. The kids love seeing the cows, but they also love bubble tea and sushi.
Jackie Torren
Real-estate agent, Park Slope
Nathalie Roy
Real-estate agent, Park Slope
Claudio Mazzoni
Data scientist, Downtown Brooklyn
Mandy Walis
Chief operating officer, South Slope
Katie Kirnan
Copywriter, Williamsburg
Keith Lee
Director of marketing, Greenwood Heights
How was the day?
There were so many people that I felt like cattle in a cattle call. We’re going to put a bid in and, hopefully, come out on top. The market right now is bananas — I mean, places that are barely livable, that are, pardon my French, literal pieces of shit, are asking $2 million. That said, I’m sort of talking out of both sides of my mouth, because we did well enough with the sale of our place.
Charlie Pigott
Real-estate broker, Park Slope
Anna Carlsen
Public defender, Clinton Hill
What’s been the hardest part of your search?
I want outdoor space, but standing in all these poorly drained backyards, you can’t help but think, Is this level? Is the main bedroom below sidewalk level? And when you do start asking these questions, you often get unpleasant answers.
Ashley Gold
Real-estate agent, Gowanus
Peter Roth
Crypto-start-up lawyer, Clinton Hill
Kirsten Cieslar
Media executive, Park Slope
Rayan Parikh
Research manager, Greenpoint
Who are you here with?
My wife and sons. I’ve taught my 8-year-old, when we’re at an open house, to always look for the place’s “fatal flaw.” So now he’s always trying to figure that out. Like, does this kid’s room not have space for my clothes? I’m really happy he’s trying to connect those dots.
Casey Soloff
Real-estate agent, Prospect Heights
Are you looking for yourself?
No, I’m representing a friend’s sister. Open houses used to be a lot more fun in pre-COVID times. For my own, I’d make apple-cider whoopie pies, because I love bringing my own flavor. But after COVID, who wants to be taking finger food?
Amanda Gale
Artist, Greenpoint
Mike D’Auria
Tech and media executive, Clinton Hill
Brian Wu
Software engineer, Williamsburg
Jennifer Wang
Real-estate agent, South Slope
Michelle Geller
Head of product, South Slope
Where do you live now?
Nearby, but we spent the last year and a half up in the Catskills. Our kids went to Montessori, ran around the woods, met chickens, made maple syrup, built forts. Eventually, we came to feel that it wasn’t — well, a forever situation for us. The kids love seeing the cows, but they also love bubble tea and sushi.
Jackie Torren
Real-estate agent, Park Slope
Nathalie Roy
Real-estate agent, Park Slope
Claudio Mazzoni
Data scientist, Downtown Brooklyn
Mandy Walis
Chief operating officer, South Slope
Katie Kirnan
Copywriter, Williamsburg
Keith Lee
Director of marketing, Greenwood Heights
How was the day?
There were so many people that I felt like cattle in a cattle call. We’re going to put a bid in and, hopefully, come out on top. The market right now is bananas — I mean, places that are barely livable, that are, pardon my French, literal pieces of shit, are asking $2 million. That said, I’m sort of talking out of both sides of my mouth, because we did well enough with the sale of our place.
Charlie Pigott
Real-estate broker, Park Slope
Anna Carlsen
Public defender, Clinton Hill
What’s been the hardest part of your search?
I want outdoor space, but standing in all these poorly drained backyards, you can’t help but think, Is this level? Is the main bedroom below sidewalk level? And when you do start asking these questions, you often get unpleasant answers.
Ashley Gold
Real-estate agent, Gowanus
Peter Roth
Crypto-start-up lawyer, Clinton Hill
Kirsten Cieslar
Media executive, Park Slope
Rayan Parikh
Research manager, Greenpoint
Who are you here with?
My wife and sons. I’ve taught my 8-year-old, when we’re at an open house, to always look for the place’s “fatal flaw.” So now he’s always trying to figure that out. Like, does this kid’s room not have space for my clothes? I’m really happy he’s trying to connect those dots.
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