The Big Apple: Citywide stats improve. . . a bit

VOWs prove useful to buyers searching for new homes

Brokerage firms are getting into the digital game themselves, creating a “virtual office Web site” or VOW.

These are sites operated by brokers that enable clients to search for most of the available properties in a particular market, not just the firm’s exclusive listings, according to the New York Times.

While brokers have mixed feelings about whether these sites are worth the investment, the emergence of the VOW is yet another sign that once tightly guarded listing information has finally been set free in New York.

Dollar value of citywide sales climbs from Q1 to Q2 as seasons change, but sales activity slips 4 percent below one year earlier

The total dollar value of New York City’s residential sales transactions jumped 13 percent in the second quarter of 2011 to

Weekly Roundup: Misha sells home for $4 million

Here’s your chance to catch up with news included to inform, enlighten and perhaps even entertain you. To read about The Big Apple, check out the other of today’s posts and look for Out and About early next week.

They’re not asking peanuts for late cartoonists Santa Rosa estate

Sopranos actor and wife list income-producing Tribeca property for nearly 10 times what they paid

Misha accepts $4 million for the sale of his Rockland County home

He sees live buyers, at last

Highest-priced home in the nation goes for price far from dandy

Property investment firm rates top markets for investors in rental homes

Banks said to be ready to