Market | Kevin Brunnock | NYC Real Estate Professional

Tag: Market

December 8, 2020

Tips for New York Home Appraisal

If you are looking to buy a new home or just refinance your current mortgage, your lender will want to schedule an appraisal. This objective assessment helps to determine what your home is worth. Something that ranks high to all lenders is the consideration of collateral on their loan. Whether you are buying or selling, it will help you get a feel for how appraisals work. Here’s how you can prepare for your NYC home appraisal.

What’s Involved?

So what should you expect if you have someone come to your home to appraise it? An appraiser’s job is very similar to a home inspector’s position, with some tiny differences. Items that range from big to small will be taken into account by your appraiser, so that geometric mural that you did during the lockdown may need to go.

Things That Go Into a Home Appraisal

While your potential buyer may love your place and decide that they are ok with your asking price, all lenders will require you to have your home appraised to determine its value. To help them arrive at an estimate, they will look at the following:

Your home’s exterior: The appraiser will look at just about every part of the construction of your home. From the roof to the foundation, walls, and flooring, these will all be the potential cause for the house’s value to decrease if the appraiser finds something wrong.
Size: A big part of determining the home’s value is the slot’s size and square foot of the lot. The more rooms and bathrooms that a house has can help to raise the value of the home. Knowing the floor area or FAR of the property will tell you if space has room for extensions, which can be another factor in the value.
Condition: Just like your exterior, the appraiser will go over the inside of your home with a fine-tooth comb. The flooring, kitchen, plumbing, electrical, and lighting are all components that your appraiser will be assessing.
Improvements: Your appraiser can also help you determine what might need to be updated to increase your home’s value. Renovating a bathroom or adding an HVAC system can add years of life to the property, which helps increase the value.

Who Receives the Appraisal Information?

The final verdict will be gathered by your appraiser and at the disposal of who ordered it; this is usually the lender. It is then up to them how the information is distributed, regardless of who paid for it. If the buyer asks for an appraisal, the lender is obligated by law to release that information. Your appraisal is valid for six months, but market prices can change quickly. Many lenders will only consider an appraisal to be valid for about three months. Any changes to the market or the property can drastically alter the value price.

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.

October 11, 2018

Top 10 Luxurious Apartments for Rent in NYC

Moving to New York City is an extraordinary opportunity. The possibilities are endless, the neighborhoods are continuously expanding, and the broker fees are almost everywhere. There are even ways to avoid broker fees! Apartment hunting can be a long and draining process. Take a little time to have some fun by looking at some of the most extravagant listings out there. These listings will give you something to strive for. Imagine instead of $2,000/month, think instead $50,000. Below is a list of the most luxurious apartments for rent in NYC.

Soho – 20 Greene St. – $75,000/month

This gorgeous two-bedroom mansion lives on the (key-locked) top floor of the building. It is made up of 4,189 glorious square feet. The ceilings stand at a towering 14-feet, dark hickory floors, an oversized fireplace, surround-sound speaker system, central climate control, custom-design casement doors, and windows. The kitchen is freshly renovated with industrially sleek style. Enjoy your very own private outdoor gardens attached to the unit. It gets better (which is hard to believe), there’s also a master suite overlooking a bluestone patio, whose bathroom is finished with stylish black and white marble finishes and deep brass lining. And to top it off, it includes a home office, exercise room, and three other terraces that are on the second floor.

Upper East Side – 985 5th Ave. – $25,000/month

This apartment complex is 26 stories above Manhattan, each of which holds two residences with breathtaking views of Central Park. Each apartment contains a formal dining room, gourmet granite kitchen, polished hardwood floors, marble bath, and multiple walk-in closets. Here you have access to multiple building terraces, a private entrance to your apartment, and a fitness center.

Theater District – 130 W 44th St. – $75,000/month

This is a pent-out penthouse and is better known as the Director Suite. Thierry Despont designed the light ochre suede walls, leather-wrapped furniture, and two bedrooms, each containing their own massive granite bathroom. The kitchen is outstanding and fully equipped. It also has an 8+ capacity dining room.

NoMad – 121 Madison Ave. – $10,904/month

This duplex penthouse apartment provides a stellar view of Manhatten, specifically the Empire State Building. It also includes a glorious wrap-around terrace, and the master bathroom has a marble soaking tub, stall showers, double sinks, and a walk-in closet. The kitchen is freshly redone with premium cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

West Village – 165 Charles St. – $60,000/month

A fantastic 4 bedrooms, each with its own marble bathroom, walk-in closets, and a wraparound terrace. This is an award-winning duplex and it will surely take your breath away. Between views of the Hudson River, a renovated chef’s kitchen with sleek white cabinetry and a climate-controlled wine cellar, and a beautiful naturally lit frosted staircase, it’s almost impossible to choose which feature is the best. Let’s not forget, the building features a 50-foot indoor lap pool, gym, sauna, movie theater, and resident lounge.

September 6, 2018

Real Estate Market Forecast for NYC in 2018

The city that never sleeps has become an even bigger draw for jobs and talent than ever before (if that’s even possible). Especially with Netflix and Spotify opening up new offices in Manhattan drawing even more people to the big apple. Even Amazon is considering a new headquarters location, will it be New York? Growing supply of high paying jobs is bringing in residents attracted to the higher income opportunities and giving them the potential to outbit NYC’s existing residents. If you are watching the market carefully, there are new exciting plot twists helping shape the real estate forecast for 2018.

Lack of Affordable Homes

Results published by NYSAR show the US housing data for New York and affordable homes have dropped 1%, sales are down 2.5%, and average prices are up 7% from the previous year. There is no lack of conjecture about a possible US housing crash that would take NYC down with it. Many people find high foreclosure rates in the Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island to be unsettling.

Evidence of a crash is debatable. New Yorkers, however, will face growing competition for affordable homes. Income averages about $60,000 a year in NYC, making it challenging for many to buy homes averaging $680,000.

Highlight on declining luxury homes

Out of all of the housing markets in NYC, the high-end Manhattan market is falling the fastest. There is currently a 17-month supply of luxury apartments in Manhattan. This is up 10 months just a year ago and total sales volume fell 12% compared with the fourth quarter of last year. This is the lowest level in six years. Rent in Manhattan dropped 1.0% in November and luxury home sales across the city will hit new lows so it says in the 2018 real estate forecast for NYC.

Public transit changes driving new demand

The backbone of public transportation is obviously the subway. However, the NYC Ferry service expanded and set its capacity even hire to reach Manhattan’s eastern shore and into the Bronx. The L train is still shut down and expected to reopen in 2019 which will have a huge impact on people’s real estate choices.