Dear Ms. Demeanor: A case of mistaken identity

By Jamie Lauren Sutton | July 20, 2011 - 4:03PM

Dear Ms. Demeanor,

My neighbor just asked me AGAIN if our apartment has sold yet. Are they really confusing us with the apartment for sale down the hall AGAIN or should we just be prepared to not make their Christmas card list this year?

Signed,

Staying Put

Dear Staying Put,

Answer for non-Manhattanites: I am certain it was just an honest mistake.

Answer for Manhattanites: Is your apartment adjacent to theirs and does she want to buy it? If so, this could be a Freudian slip--or a deliberate one, as people use all sorts of direct and indirect (and awkward) means to gain information they want and/or need.

If you do hope to sell in the not-too-distant future, take the bait from her fishing expedition ("Why do you ask? Are you looking for more space?"). If you are planning to stay put, let your neighbor know that is the case.

Yours Trulia,

Ms. Demeanor

Ms. Demeanor is channeled by a longtime Manhattan vertical dweller and real-estate voyeur who writes under the pen name Jamie Lauren Sutton. She is here to commiserate, calm and correct. Please email your quandaries to [email protected] and put "Dear Ms. Demeanor" in the subject line.

See all of Ms. Demeanor's advice here.

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