New York - For Brokers, Religious Jews Can Be Tough Customers

New York - The buyers interested in the second-floor co-op at 545 West End Avenue were disappointed to find out it had sold. So when Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Toni Haber heard about a similar apartment two flights up, she thought her clients would be thrilled. They weren't impressed. Haber’s buyers were Orthodox Jews, whose specifications occasionally run counter to the rest of the market. Some, as Haber learned, are willing to pay a substantial premium for a low floor because they're not allowed to push elevator buttons during the Sabbath.


Elevators aren't the only consideration. Brokers say many prefer to live as close to the synagogue as possible, or place a high value on proximity to Jewish schools. Ruttner says buildings that erect a sukkah also attract many of her clientele. For others, having a formal dining room in which to host friends and family members for Shabbas get-togethers is a must. “If there’s nowhere to put a dining table, that’s a liability,” says Corcoran’s Mordy Werde, who’s Orthodox. Adds Ruttner: “The difference between my seven-room buyer who’s observant and someone who’s not is that the Shabbas observers do not look at the dining room as a possible bedroom.” And then there are the storage requirements. “You have separate dishes for the dairy and meat products,” explains Werde. “I would need double the space.” Which may be why apartments that have that oh-so-coveted feature that often ratchets up the price, may not be attractive after all, says Goldman. “People aren't going to be paying $1,500 per square foot for a kitchen they're going to need to rip up anyway,” he says.