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Still Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop? It Might Cost You Bigly

7/26/25 10:32 PM

Still have questions about foreign investment in NYC or Miami? Check out our resources:

"Manhattan Condo Market Analysis"

"Can Foreigners Buy Property in the USA"

"Best Manhattan Neighborhoods To Buy a Condo"

 

 

How Rebates On Real Estate Commission Work

8/15/22 10:34 AM

Homes for sale in NYC have a bad reputation of costing a fortune for an incredibly small amount of space. Fortunately, buyers can cut down on that expense significantly with something called a buyer rebate.

Mortgage Rates Rise To 6%, Rent Increasing, & More

7/18/22 9:55 AM

Whether you talk with any of the real estate agents in NYC or have otherwise been looking into homes for sale in NYC, you may have been caught off-guard by the rise in mortgage rates that has happened over the past year. The last week of June 2022 hit a new peak for an average 30-year fixed mortgage (just over 6%), exceeding the 5% metric from just two months prior. This shift also marked a massive transition from a charging bull market toward a hostile, snarling bear market.

What Is The Difference Between Mortgage Assumption And Assignment?

7/5/22 11:48 AM

Most people who buy a home need a loan to help pay for it, and the type of loan that you get can impact how much money you pay in total for your home. Two options are to get either a mortgage reassignment or mortgage assumption.

Pre-Listing To Closing Your Home: Here Is How Long It Is Expected To Take

6/6/22 9:44 AM

Even in a hot real estate market, the process of listing through the closing on your home can be long and arduous. Knowing what to expect will help you to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible from the pre-listing phase all the way through to the closing of the property. Here is a basic timeline helping you to understand what to expect from start to finish as you list your real estate in NYC.

NYC Buyers And Sellers! What Does The Fed Reserve's Move Mean For You?

5/9/22 9:35 AM

Recently, the Federal Reserve increased its rate for target federal funds by a fourth of a percentage from almost zero to stem inflation. There are also plans to implement six additional increases before the year is over, which is causing concern for sellers and buyers of real estate in NYC.

Top 5 Questions To Ask Your NYC Mortgage Banker Before It Is Too Late

4/11/22 9:28 AM

You are going to want to meet with a mortgage banker before you start the search for homes for sale in NYC. This will help you to gather information so that you can make the best decision for your financial future. Because New York City is such a unique housing market, it is imperative that you do your homework before jumping into the process of buying property.

What’s the Difference Between Real Estate Taxes & Property Taxes?

4/4/22 10:18 AM

More than likely, you think that real estate tax and property tax are the same things. It's just how most people use the terms interchangeably, which causes some confusion. If you own your own home and a boat, car, or another big-ticket item, you should know the difference. While both types of properties are taxed based on the value of the item, how much you actually pay will depend on whether they're classified as real estate taxes or personal property. If you're still unsure about the differences, that's okay because we'll go into more detail below.

Top NYC Apartments And Townhome Renovation Trends in 2022

2/28/22 9:19 AM

Your New York City apartment might have cost you a pretty penny, but you need to maintain it to keep its value up and so that you can fully enjoy it. If you're not sure about the best places to put your money on renovations, take a look at these trends for New York City apartments. A few adjustments can make a big difference, and these ideas work well in a complete remodel, too.

5 Steps To Buy A Foreclosed Home In NYC

2/14/22 10:08 AM

Buying a foreclosure in NYC is one of the best ways to buy a home because they can sell at a great price. Buying a foreclosed home can come with a few extra tricky spots along the road. For one, you'll have to buy the home in "as-is" condition, which means that you might get a house that has some major problems that you have to fix before it's livable. In general, though, a lot of the process is fairly similar to buying a regular house. These are the steps that you should take to buy a foreclosure.

Are NYC Sellers Still Relying On The Real Estate Calendar Or Are They Done With Waiting?

2/7/22 9:44 AM

If you're thinking about putting your home on the market, you likely wonder when the most opportune time to do so may be. Traditionally, real estate brokers have advised sellers to list their properties in the spring and in the fall. The rationale behind this advice is that these seasons are when higher volumes of potential buyers are conducting their home search. That trend seems to have ended, at least for now.

Buying A NYC Condo Or Co-Op? This Home Inspection Checklist is For You

1/17/22 10:05 AM

The New York City housing market is not for the faint of heart. Once you have checked out the condos and apartments for sale in NYC and made a decision, it is time to start thinking about the inspection process. Here is a handy inspection checklist that you can use as your guide as you dive into the New York City real estate market.

Check Out These Top 5 Ways To Get Your NYC Landlord To Make Repairs

1/3/22 10:21 AM

If you're a renter in New York City, you'll no doubt need to ask your management company or landlord to make repairs on your dwelling. Though there are laws requiring certain standards of living conditions, getting the repairs you need in a timely manner can sometimes be a challenge. If you find that things simply aren't being taken care of as they should be, check out these top five ways to get your NYC landlord to make repairs.

All You Need To Know About 2021 Times Square New Year's Eve

12/20/21 8:46 AM

The holidays are coming up, and New Year's Eve is likely to come around before you have figured out your plans. New York is one of the most exciting places to celebrate the coming of the holiday, especially if you know what's happening around town. Here are some ideas about things to do for New Year's Eve in NYC.

Buying A NYC Penthouse Apartment? You Should Check Out These Pros & Cons Before Taking The Next Step!

11/29/21 9:29 AM

The thought of penthouse living in New York City is the ultimate endeavor for many sophisticated homebuyers, but is it really worth the hype? The luxury development boom of recent years has brought about a wide selection of worthwhile condos and apartments for sale in NYC. So, why would you want to invest in the premium price of a penthouse? The answer may depend on a number of factors. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you head out in search of the perfect penthouse.

America's Favorite Tradition Is Back! The Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade

11/15/21 9:12 AM

When looking for things to do for Thanksgiving in NYC, most people automatically think of the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade is back and welcoming the public to line the route and cheer on their favorite performers once again. Here is everything that you need to know about this festive parade.

Are You Considering Buying A NYC Brownstone? 7 Things To Look For

11/8/21 9:25 AM

There are plenty of condos and apartments for sale in NYC. Brownstones are also very popular in the New York City housing market. If you are looking to buy a home in New York City, you may be wondering what you should consider when purchasing a brownstone. Living in a brownstone is not like living in an apartment or condo. It is more like living in a single-family home where you have a lot of responsibilities in maintaining the Brownstone. Here are seven things to look for when buying a brownstone.

8 Kitchen Improvements You MUST Do Before Selling Your Home

10/25/21 9:43 AM

Kitchens are one of the top things that buyers want to see on a home tour. They know that they’ll spend hours cooking and enjoying meals there with their loved ones, and kitchens are often one of the main focal points of the home. Knowing what makes these kitchen improvements so lucrative before selling helps you decide which parts of your house to fix up before putting it on the market.

8 Crucial Tips If You Are A First-Time Home Seller

10/11/21 9:19 AM

Last year, in 2020, a total of 5.64 million existing homes — meaning they'd already been lived in by their previous owner, as opposed to new homes, which are built to meet homebuyers' demands — were sold across the United States, says the National Association of Realtors in a Nov. 2020 report. As of July 22, 2021, again according to the NAR, the U.S. real estate market is currently slated to end the year with a total of 5.86 million existing-home sales.

Despite the fact the United States is still mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic response, continuing to be a world leader in areas such as total COVID-19 cases and cases per capita, the real estate market seems, if anything, to be positively affected by the pandemic.

Local Favorite Manhattan Restaurant You Must Try: Buddakan

9/27/21 9:50 AM

You deserve to treat yourself to the exceptional dining experience at Buddakan restaurant. As one of the best Manhattan restaurants, Buddakan features delicious pan-Asian fare in a stunning setting. Here are all of the details of Buddakan so that you can prepare for your visit.

Appraisals vs. Home Inspections: Know the Difference

9/16/21 9:28 AM

If you are a first-time home buyer, then there are some definitions that you want to become familiar with. When you are renting, there is someone else who is the owner of the house, so you may not be concerned with the details of owning a property, but now things are different.

Here Are A Few Ways To Help Reduce The Stress Of Selling Your Home

9/13/21 9:20 AM

Selling your home is a major transition in your life. You have history there. You’ve made memories. You have raised your kids and have started to plan for another chapter in your life. Reducing stress when selling a home is possible though, whether you have owned it for 10 months or 10 years.

Local Favorite Manhattan Bakery: Bibble & Sip

9/7/21 11:54 AM

Have you heard of Bibble & Sip? If you haven’t then, you have not had the privilege of enjoying some of the tastiest bakery delights in Manhattan. All that you would have to do is look at the reviews of this bakery that are on Tripadvisor or Yelp to see how much patrons love this bakery. Bibble & Sip is a family-run bakery that is in the heart of the Big Apple. The bakers at this bakery are passionate about the products that they serve; their goal is to serve the finest gourmet pastries, desserts, coffee, and espresso. This bakery has the mission to deliver delectable desserts that are beautiful and delicious, and it has been able to do so to an amazing degree.

How To Sell Your House When It Needs Repairs

9/1/21 9:22 AM

You’ve probably seen ads for homes being sold as-is. These are often ripe for flipping and the purchase price is likely more suitable for many budgets than a fully renovated property. The other side of this is that by being the seller of a home without any repairs or updates, it is still possible to turn a profit. Many people are looking to buy condos or homes in Manhattan that might need a little more love than others. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are wanting to sell your home as-is. 

9 Tips for Buying Luxury Real Estate in New York

7/28/20 6:10 PM

Looking to buy luxury real estate in New York? You’re in the right place. Before you get too far in your search, make sure you understand these nine essential tips on the New York real estate market. 

NoMad, Flatiron & Gramercy Apartments for Sale Guide

4/7/20 8:58 PM

Madison Square Park has become the epicenter of cool in Manhattan and home to NYC's tech industry. The area is bustling day and night, making it a very interesting neighborhood situated between Downtown and Midtown. Surrounding Madison Square Park are three distinct neighborhoods - NoMad, Flatiron and Gramercy. Around Madison Square Park you will find the latest Michelin star restaurants like 11 Madison and Nomad or more casual options like Scarpetta and Eataly. In addition to the restaurant scene, you will find a bar scene in Nomad and diverse retail in Flatiron.

The Foreign Buyer's Checklist For Purchasing New York Condos

2/12/20 12:45 PM

It’s estimated that 15% of the real estate transactions that occur in Manhattan are carried out by foreign buyers. These individuals are often in search of diversity and safety by investing in New York condos. Often, they are searching for a home for their child studying abroad, a second home for themselves, or an investment property that will provide yield and capital appreciation. In all cases, these buyers have unique needs and concerns. If you’re a foreigner looking to buy real estate in Manhattan, here’s a checklist to guide your search.

Park Loggia is the Latest Condo in Columbus Circle NYC

8/16/19 9:52 PM

We have been very vocal about our excitement that Park Loggia, a new condo building in NYC, will be ready for occupancy by the end of the year. Since our office is very close by at West 67th and Columbus Avenue, we have been watching this building with great interest for the last couple of years. Now that the scaffolding has come down, we are super excited that Park Loggia has almost come to fruition.

The Ultimate Guide To Buying Rental Property In Manhattan

4/2/19 5:43 PM

Successfully buying rental property in any area begins with a proven strategy, and when you buy rental property in NYC it’s crucial to know how to adjust some basic tactics to compete in one of the most popular cities. Here is a simple analogy; to win a race a useful tip is "Run as fast as you can" and a good tactic is "Go on the 'B' of Bang." They both need to be modified depending on the race. Running as fast as you can in a 100 meters sprint is not the same as running as fast as you can in a 3000 meters middle-distance race, and being the first off the line in a longer race is not that important.

How Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate Can Be Reduced or Deferred When Selling Property

1/2/19 2:31 PM

Why give the government more than they are due when you sell your primary home or investment property? There is more than one way to defer, and to reduce, capital gains tax (CGT) when selling property. While it takes planning and following strict government rules, if the circumstances apply, they definitely work.

An Analysis of the Best Cities to Invest in Rental Properties in 2019

9/30/18 5:00 AM

Investing in Real Estate

Before someone decides which is the best city to invest in real estate, they decide why they should choose real estate as opposed to stocks and bonds, for example. In this article we will discuss the why and the where to help our many current clients, and our future clients, to make wise decisions and the best choices.

Don't Chase Yield When Buying Investment Properties

9/25/18 8:02 AM

Investing in Stocks and Investing in Real Estate

Experienced stock investors make money by choosing their stocks wisely. They may invest in a well-established publicly-quoted corporation, be it large, medium, or small cap. They may choose to put their money in a promising IPO, or even in a non-traded business because they see its future very clearly.

Tech Executives Relocating to New York City

6/18/18 7:42 PM

Forget Silicon Valley – many of today’s top tech executives are choosing New York’s Silicon Alley.

Adapting to Life in the USA

2/15/18 11:04 AM

Most foreign individuals moving to the USA already have a set of ideas about American culture. Media, politics, or history may leave individuals excited about the potential for the future, yet simultaneously nervous about the new people and places they will discover. If you’re preparing to buy residential property in the USA, here are some facts you’ll need to know, and advice for some things to do early on to ease the transition into a new culture.

Selling Your Manhattan Residential Property

2/13/18 12:04 PM

If you’ve reached the decision to sell your Manhattan real estate property, you’ll be doing so in a fast-paced real estate climate. You’ll need to find a way to stand out in the crowd, impress people with your home’s layout and decoration, and then make sure you’re getting the best return on your investment possible. The following tips should help you to efficiently sell your Manhattan residential property as a foreign buyer.

Tax Rules for Foreigners Buying Property in the United States

1/18/18 6:04 AM

Buying residential property in another country can be intimidating, but with the right broker partner, foreign citizens buying property in the United States have little to worry about. Foreign citizens are legally allowed to buy residential property in the United States, but they will have to follow certain tax rules both in the US and possibly in their home nations. Just because a buyer is a nonresident doesn’t automatically mean they must pay additional taxes. Some of these taxes might even be paid by a U.S. citizen, too, under certain circumstances.

Here’s how to buy property in America as a foreigner, for homes in Manhattan and Miami.

US Tax Reform Effects on Real Estate Investors and Home Owners

1/17/18 2:09 PM

Now that tax reform has been passed by the US Congress, we know for sure that some people stand to gain significant wealth from the new tax rules that will be implemented in 2018. As a general matter, the new law is expected to be very favorable to investors of real estate and the wealthy, regardless of whether one is in a high-tax state or not.

Four Rules for Foreigners Buying Property in the U.S.A.

1/9/18 2:00 PM

If you are living outside the U.S. but considering a move stateside, you’re actually in luck. The housing market in the United States is extraordinarily friendly and convenient to any foreign persons who want to invest in property throughout the country. The American government doesn’t maintain restrictions or charge hidden fees, such as extra stamp duties, to a non-citizen seeking out a home or smart property investment in the country. In fact, the experience of home buying in the U.S. may not differ too wildly from the experience in your home country. That being said, there are four rules any foreign investor needs to keep in mind as they begin their search for property in the United States.

Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Real Estate

11/30/17 9:46 AM

If you're looking for a solid investment, you have many choices. Over many years, however, real estate has been one of the most popularly and widely recommended investments. There are quite a few reasons for this. Before investing, it's important to consider your unique needs, personality, and budget. However, real estate is an investment worth considering regardless of your situation. Let's look at the top 5 reasons to invest in real estate. 

The Return & Demise of the 20 Year Tax Abatement in Manhattan's Market

11/7/17 6:36 PM

A rare 20-Year tax abatement has popped up in Manhattan at a handful of condominium projects across the city at: