T-Shirt-Toting Brooklynite Is NYC’s Top Property Buyer

A red accordion folder that David Werner brings when he’s negotiating a property deal contains two T-shirts. One, with a frowny face, says “Free Aggravation.” The other, with a smiley face, says “Aggravation Free.”

Werner tells landlords the latter is what to expect if they make a deal with him, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. A large cash deposit and a quick closing -- often that’s enough for a seller to call off a full marketing campaign and accept his offer. His tactics have helped the Brooklyn-based investor acquire two Manhattan office towers this year for almost $2.4 billion and become the biggest buyer of New York real estate this year.