housing market | Kevin Brunnock | NYC Real Estate Professional

Tag: housing market

January 14, 2020

Blending Traditional and Modern: New York City Real Estate Architecture

When you think “New York City architecture”, you probably immediately picture towering skyscrapers that reign over the city with all glass windows. You aren’t wrong, but if you look closer you’ll start to see several addresses transforming their facades in a new and exciting way. More and more architects are reimagining what buildings throughout NYC should look like. Many real estate addresses are taking a blended approach, giving a nod to the past while bringing the building into the future. Here are five of these innovative buildings you can search for the next time you find yourself in the Big Apple.

Prospect Leffert Gardens, Brooklyn

This 467-unit luxury rental building still boasts a glass facade, but incorporates brownstone-esque bay windows, precast concrete, and a chevron pattern to give homage to the surrounding architecture. The result is a stunningly unique place to live in Brooklyn if you’re looking for something both modern and traditional.

Oskar, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

This luxury rental fuses modern glass and shapes with old-school masonry. The building features a rounded glass form but incorporates the traditional with white terracotta wrapped around the facade. While it blends well within its surroundings, its impressive fusion of modern and traditional elements set it apart, making it a unique find within New York’s real estate market.

11 Hancock, Harlem, Manhattan

This building, by far, has the most powerfully modern shape, but the traditional aspects are certainly there to make it stand out above the rest. The 12-story cantilevered structure offsets its modern shape by combining glas, steel, brick, and burnished copper, all paying tribute to different eras of construction in the city.

40 Bleecker, NoHo, Manhattan

Manhattan has no shortages of condos, but not all condos are made equally. This 12-story building sits in a landmark-rich neighborhood. The architects wanted to do something different but not so different the building would stand out as an eye sore. This address features a brick and metal facade with punched-glass window openings to give homage to the pre-war buildings that dominate the area.

June 26, 2019

How New York’s New Rent Laws Will Affect Real Estate

Tenant protection laws were first introduced to New York City in 1920. The country was recovering from World War I and many landlords were raising rents monthly due to a housing shortage.

Just this month, landlords and legislators are having similar conversations about New York’s rent laws. On June 14, 2019, New York State and Assembly leaders passed new laws to protect tenants by controlling rent in New York. In light of the new law, landlords will have limited ability to raise rents, even if renovate their buildings or apartment complexes. Landlords can also no longer be able to raise rents due to vacancies or deregulate apartments.

So what does this mean for NYC real estate?

The new laws have shocked New York’s real estate investors. Some landlords and investors are concerned that they will not be able to cover the costs of maintaining buildings without the ability to raise the rent. This leads to concerns that property values will decrease and many landlords will choose to sell.

Some people, however, are seeing opportunity in the new market. Some property owners who will now struggle to stay afloat will be looking to sell quickly and likely for lower prices than they would have otherwise. Furthermore, the newly passed laws are expected to cause foreclosures, which lower property values. Investors who are able to take advantage of the lower prices for property may be in luck.

The long-term effects of these new laws have yet to be seen. While it’s likely that some investors will suffer as a result of the new restrictions, others may flourish. Many have theorized on the potential outcomes, but it will take time before the consequences come to fruition. In other words, “only time will tell.”

March 4, 2019

NYC Neighborhood Guide: Where Tourist Must Visit

Planning a trip to New York City? Below you will find a handful of the top attractions, places to see, and which neighborhoods in New York to visit during your vacation.

Downtown

Financial District (Wall Street)

The financial district or better known as Wall Street encompasses the entire southern tip of Manhattan and is considered the economic capital of the country.

Things to do in the Financial District

You should take a trip to Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan for a stroll through flower gardens and waterfront landscape. Catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to learn about immigration to the United States through NYC.

Explore the moving 9/11 Memorial & Museum, located on the former site of the World Trade Center. Here you’ll find a monument to the lives lost in 1993 and 2001 and learn about the brave history of those who lived through the tragedy and helped to rebuild this iconic part of NYC.

See what all the excitement is about at the headquarters of the New York Stock exchange. Stop by the impressive federal Hall building and be sure not to miss 40 Wall Street.

Little Italy & Chinatown

Little Italy and Chinatown are two distinct neighborhoods that represent two different cultures with an emphasis on one common thing. That thing being delicious, ethnic food.

Things to do in Chinatown

Be sure to stop by Mott and Grand Streets for exotic food stands busy markets and little shops. If you want a little cultural perspective and for a better understanding of Chinatown, the world’s largest Chinatown outside of Asia, visit the Museum of Chinese in America.

Things to do in Little Italy

Check out the boutique shopping scene in NoLlta (North of Little Italy). Then head to grab some delicious Italian cultured food at any of the popular restaurants along Mulberry Street. Then poke around the specialty shops to see all the imported Italian treats.

After you’ve shopped and tasted your way through the North of Little Italy, head to the Italian American Museum for a cultural account of Italian immigration to the United States.

February 4, 2019

2019 NYC Housing Predictions: What to Expect Next Year

The bumpy sales market that took place in 2018 has been a turbulent time for New York City real estate. Luxury prices have continued to sink, and transportation headaches have played a big role in driving market dynamics. Given that the housing market looks different than it did a year ago, here are six broader trends we see dominating 2019.

The Buyers Market is Staying

The number of homes listed for sale hit all-time highs during 2018, yet recorded sales throughout the city fell. More New Yorkers – seeking to accommodate a growing family, to relocate, or simply to cash out their investment – will inevitably look to sell in 2019, adding to a market that’s already saturated. These sellers will need to take much greater measures to move their homes.

Queens is the exception

The big outlier in the sales market in 2018 was Queens. Prices there have risen at a consistently faster pace than in Brooklyn or Manhatten, yet remain relatively affordable, with an average listing price of $657,000, compared to Manhatten’s $1.39 million and Brooklyn’s $950,000. Much of the enduring price growth in the borough is attributable to making up for lost time.

Downtown is the New Downtown

With interest rates and sales prices high, renting will remain more attractive than buying for many New Yorkers in 2019. We expect competition for rental units in many of the city’s priciest, most central neighborhoods to heat up next summer. Rents in newly chic neighborhoods in outer-boroughs now equal in many Manhattan neighborhoods. This past fall, median rents for 1-bedroom apartments in Dumbo, Downtown Brooklyn, and Long Island City exceeded those in Chelsea, Nolita, and the East Village, respectively. Outer-borough new construction may still offer more per dollar in terms of space and amenities, but with roughly similar median prices in many outer-borough and Manhattan neighborhoods, choosing among them has become a matter of preference than affordability.

Bedlam on Bedford Avenue

The popular commuting line, the L train, will shut down for 18 months beginning April 27. The market for nearby rentals has been weakening over the course of 2018, as longtime residents decamp for more convenient neighborhoods. Nonetheless, people still have a lot of interest in the neighborhood.

December 12, 2018

The Best Cheap Neighborhoods in NYC

For a certain rarified class home buyer, money is no object. For the rest of us, it’s nice to find a deal. However just because something is affordable, doesn’t mean it should be unappealing.

The following NYC Neighborhoods are calculated based on a cost-per-room metric, presuming that most homes are shared among families and roommates, the ease of their commutes, crime rates, noise complaints, green spaces, and bike friendliness.

From established enclaves like Forest Hills to up-and-coming areas like the Bronx’s Concourse neighborhood, these are places that balance both cost and quality of life.

Windsor Terrace

Tucked away at the southwestern end of Prospect Park, this tranquil spot feels more like a sleepy Hudson River village than the middle of Brooklyn. That small-town vibe can mean fewer shopping and nightlife options than other areas though. Prices remain relatively low compared to prime Brooklyn hoods.

Forest Hills

This leafy Queens spot is quiet, but not too quiet. The tree-lined neighborhood is more bucolic than most NYC hoods. There are also great shopping options such as Sephora, clothing stores, good ramen, and Chinese food, and good bars.

Roosevelt Island

A renovated Manhatten co-op for a mere $800 per square foot? Welcome to Roosevelt Island. This strip of land in the middle of the East River is technically part of Manhatten, making it one of the borough’s more affordable nabes. Data visualization designer Silvio DaSilva moved to the island from Chelsea at the end of 2016. She was immediately drawn by lower prices and what she says is a relaxed, almost suburban lifestyle.

The river views are good too. Linked to the city by the F train and the tram, the area draws steady interest from Queens residents and, occasionally, from mainland Manhattanites. That’s probably due to the spot’s unique vibe.

Bay Ridge

Rounding out the southwest corner of Brooklyn, Bay Ridge isn’t the most accessible of neighborhoods, but between its scenic harbor views, solid shopping, and dining scenes, and affordable prices, why would you want to leave anyway?

The neighborhood contains some of the city’s best Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern food. It also has a quiet, green, and authentic New York feel.

Clinton Hill

With an average price per square foot of $1,013, Clinton Hill doesn’t seem that affordable on the face of it. But with average prices per square foot in spots like neighboring Prospect Heights approaching the $1,300 mark, the area counts as something of a bargain.

It’s also one of the greenest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, with leafy streets and charming brownstones.

November 14, 2018

Top NYC Neighborhoods to Live in

New York City is one of the most expensive costs of living in the country, making it the ultimate challenge to find a place to live.

Many factors depend on where you want to live and where you can afford to live. Neighborhoods vary from their peak cost and downfalls when it comes to price, commute distance, transportation access, nightlife, and other lifestyle amenities.

A company that compiles information on cities called Niche, recently released its annual ranking of the best neighborhoods in New York City.

These neighborhoods range from historic to hip and pose their own identities and can offer residents a sense of home in a city of over 8 million people.

Below are the best New York City neighborhoods to live in:

Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen is also known as Midtown West, was once a poor and working-class neighborhood that has steadily gentrified over a couple of decades. This neighborhood is within close proximity to many Broadway theaters and the famed Actors Studio. The neighborhood then became a popular area for aspiring actors. Hell’s Kitchen has a shorter commute time and offers a lively nightlife scene for its residents.

Flatiron District

This is home of the Flatiron Building, one of the older skyscrapers in the city, at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. The Flatiron District features a great restaurant scene, upscale real estate, and an impressive stretch of shopping. It is also becoming known as a huge area for fitness clubs.

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village possesses its own sense of character and charm within the city. The neighborhood has served as a home to the creative community, the LGBT movement, and New York University. The area is now a melting pot of its own, filled with bustling restaurants and venues while keeping its small community feel.

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is located just off the Brooklyn Bridge along the East River and has a historic feel within close proximity of Manhattan. The neighborhood contains more than 600 pre-Civil War houses and has become a popular neighborhood for families. The area has been called New York’s First Suburb.

January 14, 2017

Changes We Can Expect See In New York City’s Housing Market In 2017

New York City’s luxury real estate market cooled down in 2016. The number of high-end sales went down 18 percent, according to realtors Olshan Realty Inc. This general trend was predicted by a site called StreetEasy, which predicts New York City’s real estate market trends every year. If they were able to get that right, there’s a good chance we should be trusting their prediction for 2017. Here are a few things we can expect to see happen to the New York City housing market according to StreetEasy:

Manhattan’s Sales Market Will Experience Slow Growth

Out of the five boroughs, Manhattan is expected to have slowest sales market growth. Over the past few years, high demand and high-priced inventory lead to high resale prices in Manhattan. However, the market is now being dragged down by these luxuries. In November 2015, Manhattan’s luxury tier became the first segment of the market to see price declines and the trend has continued since. This trend will most likely spread to all segments of the market. 2017 is expected to be one of the slowest years for price growth for Manhattan sales in years.

2) Neighborhoods Will Change Due To Transportation Changes

The real estate conversation in 2017 will be largely affected by public transportation. There will be a number of major public transportation changes in New York City in the near future, including the opening of the Second Avenue Subway, the L-train shutdown, the M-train repairs and the 7-train extension to Hudson Yards. According to research, rent and sales prices increase when a home is close to convenient transportation.

3) People Will Turn To Homeownership

In 2017, we can expect rent to increase across all five boroughs. Rent is likely to far outpace income growth. This past November, Queens rents increased 4.1 percent year-over-year, outpacing both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Over the next year, Queens rents are expected to continue increasing by 2.4 percent, while Manhattan rents are expected to increase by 2 percent and Brooklyn rents by 1 percent. As sales price growth slows and rents increase, many renters who have saved for down payments will become homeowners in 2017. If we look at the tipping point, or the point in time at which the costs of buying will be less than renting, we see evidence of the shift to home buying occurring in the near future. According to StreetEasy, more than 80 percent of all New York City neighborhoods that have recorded tipping points, have tipping points of less than five years as of November 2016.

4) Hottest Neighborhood Will Be Kingsbridge; The Rest Will Be In Brooklyn

Each year, StreetEasy comes out with a list of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, showing where New York apartment shoppers are expected to look in the coming year. At the top of the 2017 list is Kingsbridge in the Bronx. Six of the ten spots are occupied by Brooklyn neighborhoods. How present were Manhattan and Queens? The only two neighborhoods from these boroughs that make the cut for 2017 are Yorkville in Manhattan, and Astoria and Bayside in Queens.

Overall, we can expect a lot of changes in New York City’s real estate market in 2017. It will be exciting to see whether these predictions come true.