new york city | Kevin Brunnock | NYC Real Estate Professional

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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.

July 12, 2018

New to NYC? Start Your Property Search Here!

New York City real estate can be an intimidating topic to broach in a conversation with non-natives. The thought of hundreds of different neighborhoods combined with safety concerns and price sensitivity is enough to stress even the most relaxed outsider. And yet they flock here in droves, searching for a tiny piece of the city to call their own.

I recently came across a list of the Best Neighborhoods in New York City for Newcomers and thought it ideal for alleviating some of the stress mentioned above. Start your search here if you are looking to begin building your adult life in New York.

Lower East Side (LES)

Apartments on the Lower East Side tend to be slightly more affordable than other parts of Manhattan. Buyer beware, however. A desirable location near restaurants, bars, and Insta-famous boutiques translates to limited availability.

Astoria

If budget plays a significant role in your search for housing, then you may want to consider Astoria. Not only is the real estate reasonably priced (at the moment), but the overall cost of living tends to be a bit more affordable in the area. Astoria is not located in Manhattan, but it is close enough for a quick commute.

Murray Hill

Murray Hill is perfect for newly minted college grads with money to spend. Several large townhouses with gorgeous historical details fill the neighborhood. The location is ideal, and the nightlife is legendary, but the pricing can be quite high, so I’d consider roommates before choosing to move to this particular neighborhood.

Williamsburg (Brooklyn)

Famous for food and art, Williamsburg has been attracting a creative crowd for some time now. Its constant influx of artists promotes consistent revitalization and some of the best trendy shops around. That being said, it can be quite costly to live there. If you like the idea of this vibrant cultural community but lack the purse strings to live in its vivacious center, try considering property on its outskirts.

Harlem

Interest abounds in this historic New York City neighborhood. Although it is best known for a jazzy awakening in the ‘20s, today Harlem caters to a wide range of culturally diverse individuals. Housing is moderately priced, so the area is best for professionals that are in bed at a regular hour.

June 10, 2018

Affordable NYC Housing – Summer 2018

Affordable housing in the wonderful city of New York isn’t the easiest to find, but have no fear, there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Recently, New York’s Curbed posted an article on some of the most affordable locations within our metropolitan. Spots are filling up quickly though so apply right away!

Manhattan West
This megabuilding is a 62-story tower located in the western part of Manhattan. There are a few floor plans to choose from including one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and just a couple of three-bedrooms. Rent can range from $600+/month to $2,500+/month. They have an application deadline of July 10 so act quickly.

222 East 4th St
Located only a few blocks from Grand Central is a 42-story rental. The deadline to apply for this location is July 2. It’s finishing up its development by BLDG Management with the design of Handel Architects. At its completion, it will be home to 300+ units. Rent is estimated to be between $600+/month and $2,700+/month for a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

Tremont Renaissance
This 12-story development is located at 4215 Park Ave in the Bronx Tremont neighborhood. The units throughout this building have a rent between $800+/month and $1,900+/month. Great for singles and also families.

Hunters Landing
59 affordable units are offered at Hunters Landing, just a few blocks from the train stop on Hunters Point Avenue. These units, ranging from a studio to a three-bedroom, are offered exclusively to middle-income New Yorkers.

1 Flatbush Ave
The Brooklyn rental, located on Flatbush Ave and Fulton St, is a 19-story building that has just opened a lottery for their 37 available units. Although a majority of the rentals are studios, there are a few one- and two-bedroom units as well. Rent rates are from $900+/month and $1,100+/month.

The Maya
Possibly one of the best apartment complexes in New York City is the Maya, located in the Jamaica region of Queens. Each of the units, including all from studio to three-bedroom, feature an outdoor space, indoor/outdoor parking, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace. Rents are in the range of $1,400+/month and $2,200+/month.

May 1, 2018

New York City’s Subway and Its Interesting Past

The New York City subway system is a mysterious beast, full of mystery, secrets, and delights.

The people using it seem to know it as well, looking into the dark tunnels for their next train, some no doubt wondering about what lies inside, if the stories are true, never giving it too much thought. However, plenty of stories do exist that back up the thoughts.

Subway mosaics with fancy lettering exist throughout various stations, the City College and Columbia University stop even having a rivalry, pulling out all the stops to make the stops pretty, according to Philip Ashforth Coppola’s book on the subway. The beaver at the Astor Place station as a tribute to John Jacob Astor… which is nothing compared to the rumors it is reportedly haunted. Other places that could be haunted? Stations built and never used, such as Williamsburg’s South 4th Street station.

Aside from details and flourishes that people pass by daily, the subway has plenty of history to look back on. From the graffiti-laden subway cars that were once painted all white to the Nostalgia Train Rides implemented by the MTA every year. From the almost interminable construction that goes on, with the longest operation being the 2nd Avenue line, technically being worked on since 1920.
The irony of this rich history is that new subway lines have hardly been developed since 1940. The high cost of construction has skyrocketed since the 1980’s according to research, compounding the problems present with the subway budget crisis on top of the difficulty with labor relations. The thought that so much exists and was put into place in a relatively short amount of time is wondrous when considering there are 469 subway stops in operation.

As far as the world knows, the subways are relatively safe now, a far cry from the vigilante groups who used to roam the subways to protect riders, the most famous one being the Guardian Angels. Considering the 4 train was called the Mugger’s Express one bit, the strategies implemented seem to have work, therefore don’t be afraid, get on the trains and see for yourself, as commuters gloss over a multitude of historical artifacts every day while riding daily. Get out there and see for yourself!

December 8, 2017

11 Easy & Insightful Open House Tips Used by Seasoned Real Estate Pros

Realtors have a lot of ideas about how to stage an open house. Some agents suggest the basics, such as cleaning the house which is always a good idea, but there are additional ways to make your home stand out to potential buyers and make a great first impression.

Renovations and Repairs

Make a better first impression by doing any repairs or renovations before you host an open house. Rooms that need painting, fixtures that are outdated, or minor improvements that must be made may put off potential buyers; what they notice is how much needs to be done.

Advertising

Get your home list with an MLS, on Craigslist, in local papers, and on social media. Email all your family and friends. Ask them to share. Put up signs around your neighborhood with directions to your home.

Thorough Cleaning

A sparkling clean home attracts more buyers than one that’s dingy. Some sellers use a professional cleaning service before hosting an open house to get windows and carpets cleaned. A professional cleaning service will make sure everything is in perfect condition.

Declutter Your Home

When people go to an open house, they want to see the home’s features. Before you schedule your open house, start packing. The house should appear sparse and not cluttered. It’s easier for buyers to have a good idea of how much space is available if it’s not cluttered.

Fill the House With Light

Make sure your home looks cheery and bright. Open drapes and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Most people want a lot of light in their home. You should turn all the lights on even if it’s a sunny day to transform the rooms into a warm and welcoming space.

Depersonalize

After you clean your home, pack away all your items including family photos, awards, and get the children’s toys out of the way. Buyers want to picture themselves in your home and imagine where they’ll place their personal items and furniture. It’s difficult for them to do that with your personal belongings strewn around the house.

Accessories and Furniture

You want your home to have a simple, uncluttered appearance, but it should always be staged with some furniture and a few accessories. If you’re still living in the house, add a few touches like a vase of fresh flowers in the living room, new guest towels in the bathroom, or new kitchen or bathroom fixtures. You may consider giving the kitchen a fresh coat of paint to brighten it up.

Security

Most people that attend an open house because they’re looking for a new home. However, you’re still letting strangers into your home, and you can’t keep an eye on everyone. Make sure to lock up all valuables including personal documents, jewelry, and checkbooks. Keep all expensive electronics out of sight.

Provide Handouts

Make sure that you provide a flyer or brochure with photos of your home, information about recent home sales in your price range, and community and school information.

Refreshments

Baking cookies and having freshly made coffee or soft drinks ready is a nice touch. Some sellers host a wine and cheese party or cookout and invite neighbors. The idea is to make the open house a fun, social event.

Pay Attention To Feedback

Listen to comments people make about your home. If several people make comments about repairs, features that put them off, or the price, you may want to make some changes.

October 20, 2016

5 Nicest Celebrity Homes in New York City

Society’s elite, wealthy and famous are best positioned to afford luxurious New York City real estate.

For most middle-class Americans, purchasing a nice home in a big city such as San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, or Boston, is something that one can only dream of. Not only are homes in these bustling areas come at a steep price, but the square footage per unit is rather small. Perhaps this is the reason there are so many celebrity homes located in the Big Apple; only the most elite individuals in society can afford the luxurious New York City real estate.

Sold for a cool $4.9 million, Daniel Radcliffe purchased his three-bedroom apartment overlooking the New York Harbor back in 2008. After choosing a bottle of wine from the home’s 500-bottle wine cellar, Radcliffe and his guests can watch the sunset through the beautiful curved windows. Complete with granite and marble countertops, this house is now valued at $5.2 million.

While the views in Radcliffe’s apartment are phenomenal, other celebrities prefer a more secluded and quiet space to come home to after a hard day’s work. Located in Chelsea, Cameron Diaz purchased her apartment for $9 million. The home features soundproof floors and walls that are 18-inches thick, ensuring maximum privacy to its residents. This cozy and warm retreat is one of the best pieces of real estate in the city, which is why there was a bidding war among several stars within the entertainment industry.

Another celebrity home that makes the list is Leonardo DiCaprio’s luxury green apartment located just north of New York City’s Financial District. Amenities in this two-bedroom piece of paradise include a wellness concierge and vitamin C-infused showers. Valued at $10 million, Leo’s sanctuary is located in Greenwich Village.

Bought for a whopping $14 million, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s mansion can be found in the Flatiron District. This three-bedroom condo is located on the 47th floor of a high-rise unit located in the heart of Manhattan. The marble countertops and floor-to-ceiling windows provide spectacular 360 views of the city all throughout the day.

Closing out the list of 5 nicest celebrity homes in New York City is Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ newly renovated SoHo penthouse. This piece of the lavish real estate includes a rooftop deck, top-of-the-line home gym, outdoor fireplace, and brand new white oak floors. Valued at $24.5 million, this five-bed, four-bath apartment is hands-down one of the best celebrity homes in the Big Apple.

To learn more about NYC celebrity homes, check out the articles published on the sites MyDomaine.com and Business Insider: http://www.mydomaine.com/celebrity-apartments-nyc and http://www.businessinsider.com/celebrity-homes-in-new-york-city-2014-6?op=1/#-peter-jacksons-duplex-duo-21

July 15, 2016

Silicon Valley Bank Doubled Their Manhattan Office Space

The West Coast established Silicon Valley Bank recognized for catering to tech firms has nearly doubled their Manhattan office space, taking over an entire floor at 387 Park Avenue South. This move is expected to bring New York City one step closer to the tech community.

Established in Santa Clara, California, the financial institution leased 20,000 square feet, relocating to the new space from the current 10,400 square feet space located at 303 Fifth Ave. After their move, Silicon Valley Bank will sublease their current space.

Matthew Leon, an associated with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, help to broker the deal, negotiating on behalf of the building’s landlord TF Cornerstone, as well as Chip Sealy, an executive at TF Cornerstone. According to Silicon Valley Bank representative Robert Tunis, the intention of the move is to grow and become closer to clients they finance in the tech sector. Park Avenue South has easily matured into one of the most essential for office space in midtown south, nestled in a neighborhood that’s become a home for multiple tech companies within recent years.

“It’s where their constituency is,” said Tunis, who along with Ferriello will handle the sublease of the bank’s space at 505 Fifth Ave. “This new office puts them closer to that. You go where your business is.”

This latest deal is just one of many signed with TF Cornerstone since their multi-million dollar renovation of 387 Park Avenue South, which involved installing a private roof deck, a new façade for the three lowest floors of the building, new elevators, and HVAC. Criteo, a tech firm, leased the top three floors of the building last year, which granted them exclusive access to the private roof space. Criteo later leased another floor, taking on additional square feet.

Only the ninth and a portion of the eighth floors are presently available at the 13-story property. Also, the third floor will soon become vacant when SUNY Stony Brook’s 10-year lease expires at the end of the month.

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