Downtown Manhattan: East Village

EastVillageBuildings

One of Downtown Manhattan’s finest neighborhoods is East Village. It lies in the east of Greenwich Village, south of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town, and just north of the Lower East Side. Within the said village, there are a number of smaller neighborhoods, two of which are Bowery and Alphabet City.

This neighborhood was once considered as a part of the Lower East Side, however, through time it began to develop on its own. In the late 1960s, culture and art flourished, especially when it comes to the music scene. This had become the center for the exchange of culture in all of New York, a home for several artistic movements.

How it All Started for East Village

East Village is previously known as a farm owned by Dutch Governer-General Wouter van Twiller. In 1651, the deed was given to Petrus Stuyvesant, and his family owned the property for the next seven generations. And as years passed by, many multi-unit buildings were constructed. There was an increasing number of political, social and recreational clubs too.

It was in the1960s that its name, “East Village”, was recognized by the people. Newcomers and real estate brokers liked the name and it was later on adopted by the media. Eventually, New York Times declared that the name should definitely be East Village.

Things to See in East Village

The architecture in the area ranges from 6 story buildings to high rise towers and new developments. People can mostly find coops and condos in the area, with a  generous number of small rental structures all throughout the village. Aside from that, there is a wide selection of restaurants that can surely make every tummy full and satisfied. And many of the establishments here are open for 24/7.

If you are craving for different kinds of foods, here are the best restaurants in the area:

  • Caracas Arepa Bar
  • Degustation
  • Graffiti Food and Wine Bar
  • Kafana
  • Pylos
  • Taureau

As for coffee shops and a place to chill during Sunday afternoons, here are the most visited places:

  • Abraco
  • Ballaro Café
  • Bluebird Coffee Shop
  • Café Orlin
  • Everyman Espresso
  • Ninth Street Espresso
  • Paradis To-Go

But if its health and fitness centers you’re looking for, you’re still on the right neighborhood. These are the best centers in the village:

  • Crunch
  • Citifitness
  • Dolphin Fitness Clubs
  • Element Beauty Lounge
  • Iron & Silk Fitness
  • Russian &Turkish Baths
  • Tamago Skin Care

Of course, East Village is a good place for shopping too. Some of the nice places to shop are the following:

  • AuH2O
  • Azaleast
  • Continuum Cycles
  • ENZ’s
  • NYC Velo

The best attractions in East Village are:

  • Bowery Club
  • The Life Café
  • The Nuyorican Poet’s Café
  • The Public Theatre
  • The Stone
  • The Strand Bookstore
  • St. Mary’s Church in-the-Bowery
  • Tompkins Square Park

The nightlife here is quite alive too. Partygoers will never get bored with the great selection of clubs and party place. Here are some of the best there is.

  • Black &White
  • Joe’s Pub
  • KGB Bar
  • McSorley’s
  • Pyramid Club

If you’re looking for a place to settle in, this is surely one of the finest neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan. The culture is diverse and there are definitely a lot of things to see. For more information on East Village – Luxury Condos CLICK HERE to speak with Douglas Heddings.

Posted in Fun, Market Insight, Neighborhoods | Comments Off on Downtown Manhattan: East Village

Will Buy a Haunted House, For a Discount

HauntedHouse

A recent poll from a reliable real estate new source reports that almost one third of home buyers wouldn’t rule out the possibility of purchasing a “haunted house”, or a home where paranormal activity has been reported. However, 29 percent of these perspective purchasers said that they would expect to buy the home at a discount of at least 20 percent. Of the homebuyers who were polled, spots in the home that were remarkably warm or cold due to a supernatural source would stop them from purchasing the home.

Other factors that would completely change a buyer’s mind about acquiring the “haunted” home include actual ghost sightings, flickering lights, strange voices or noises, and levitating objects. Around 35 percent of the individuals polled said they would never even consider buying a haunted house. On the contrary, a mere two percent said they would pay more than the market value for a house that was believed to be haunted.

Realtors assert that if you’re selling a home that you believe is haunted, you may want to “communicate” with the forces in the home and request that they behave while you’re showing the property to potential buyers. Forty-one percent of homebuyers said they would be fine with purchasing the house if the assumed ghosts in the home remain inactive.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, it’s been proven that some houses just have some strange activity going on in them. The presumably ghostly activity seems to happen most often at night, just when you may be trying to get some much needed rest. So how can you find out if your house is legitimately haunted?

One of the best things to do is the check the disclosures form the seller. Most states require sellers to fill out a form revealing that they know about the home and property’s physical condition. Chances are you’re not going to see a “haunted” box on the form, but some sellers will provide information about any odd happenings on the property.

It also wouldn’t hurt to ask neighbors what they know about the house you’re thinking of purchasing. It’s best to start asking general, open-ended questions, such as “Is the house a desirable place to live?” or “Can you tell me anything about the home’s history?”

Try conducting an Internet search as well to see if you can get additional information on the property. this is definitely something Jeffrey Stambovsky should have done before he purchased a Victorian home in Nyack, New York in 1990. Stambovsky wasn’t familiar with Nyack legends, as he was from NYC, and the seller didn’t tell him that the property was haunted. However, a report from Helen Ackley, a previous owner of the home, revealed that a ghost would wake her daughter each day by shaking her bed. The girl had to loudly inform the ghost that she wanted to sleep in when it was spring break. Ackley also asserted that the ghost of a Navy lieutenant confronted her son “eyeball to eyeball” in the basement of the home.

Stambovsky was able to back out of purchasing the $650,000 home. However, the house was still of interest to a group of potential buyers, including famed mentalist The Amazing Kreskin.

Posted in Fun | Comments Off on Will Buy a Haunted House, For a Discount

The Aldyn Luxury Condos and Spa on Riverside Drive, NYC

SpaTreatmentNew York City is a place where people can find a great number of condos and lofts. It surely is packed with different luxury residential units. Another new development up in this place is none other than the Aldyn Luxury Condos and Spa. This is located at the waterfront, 60 Riverside Boulevard. The Aldyn comes with the best residences, amenities and services among all other similar buildings. One of its best features is the Aldyn Athletic Club and Spa, managed by the La Palestra.

The Aldyn and its Beauty

Each unit within the Aldyn is made by the popular designers known as Roman and Williams. Most of these residences come with breathtaking views of the Hudson River, as well as the Riverside Park South. The designers opt to use luxurious and top-of-the-line materials for the details in each home. Subtle shades for the colors are chosen to give a calm atmosphere.

And of course, the kitchen is equipped with the finest appliances coming from Smeg and Mielle, with the cabinets all from the Extell Choice. As for the bathrooms, you will find double vanities, tubs, and glass showers. And to please women, there is an elegant powder room custom-designed with teak sinks, nice lighting and more. The living room and the bedroom comes with luminous Brazilian Cherry flooring, and the windows are over-sized, allowing the sunlight to come in and illuminate the living area.

What to Love about the Aldyn

The Aldyn stands in more than 40,000 sq. ft. of perfection and luxurious living. All the amenities are surely great, which aim to provide comfort, security and entertainment for the residences of the place. As previously mentioned, one of the best features is the Aldyn Athletic Club and Spa. It includes a 75’ indoor pool with an amazing architectural design, a spa, 38’ rock climbing wall, a golf simulator, basketball court, a great bowling alley, Club Lounger, yoga and so much more. The facility is complete with saunas, steam rooms, and locker rooms for both men and women.

Aside from the althetic and spa center, other amenities offered within the Aldyn are the following:

  • 24-hour Concierge
  • Central AC
  • Club Room
  • Doorman
  • Gallery
  • Garden
  • High-Speed Internet
  • Laundry Room
  • Live-in Super
  • Parking
  • Pilates Studio
  • Treatment Room

This new and magnificent luxury condo is in close proximity to the Riverside and the Central Park. It is conveniently located to kayaking, fishing, sailing and other outdoor activities along Hudson. Aside from that, it is quite near to many artistic and cultural destinations in NYC, which include the American Museum of Natural History, the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, Metropolitan Opera, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the American Ballet Theater and a whole lot more.

Living within NYC has never been this good. Here are additional details regarding the Aldyn Luxury Condos and Spa.

  • Location: 60 Riverside Boulevard, Upper West Side, New York 10023
  • Number of Units: 136
  • Number of Stories: 40
  • Type of Ownership: Condominium
  • Year Built: 2010
  • Pets are allowed

For more information on New York City – Luxury Condos CLICK HERE to speak with Doug Heddings.

 

Posted in Fun, Market Insight | Comments Off on The Aldyn Luxury Condos and Spa on Riverside Drive, NYC

Midtown Manhattan: Stuyvesant Town

StuyvesantTown

  • Number of buildings: 35
  • Number of apartments: 8,757
  • Location: Manhattan, NYC, between 23rd and 14th Streets, Avenue C and First Avenue
  • Total lot size: 80 ha
  • Website: http://www.stuytown.com

If you want to move to Midtown Manhattan and you don’t know exactly what area to choose, then you should take a look at Stuyvesant Town. This private residential development is situated in the eastern side of Manhattan. Stuy Town, how its residents call it, got its name from Peter Stuyvesant, New Amsterdam’s last Director General. The complex was constructed on the old site of the gas storage tanks in Gas House district. The establishment was planned in 1942 and the first building was opened in 1947.

Introducing Stuyvesant Town

Stuyvesant Town features 35 apartment buildings made from red brick. The development sits between 23rd and 14th Streets, Avenue C and First Avenue. The lot size is 80 acres and it also includes parkland and various playgrounds. The complex features 8,757 apartments and it’s bordered by Kips bay, Alphabet City, East Village, Gramercy Park and East River. The area surrounding the Stuyvesant Town is called Stuyvesant Square and it includes buildings like Beth Israel Medical Center, St. George’s Church and Stuyvesant High School. The neighborhood is secure and peaceful. Moreover, it is minutes away from Manhattan’s hottest spots. In addition, the 3 surrounding neighborhoods, Gramercy Park, Union Square and East Village will offer numerous fine shopping, entertainment and dining venues.

Stuyvesant Town Apartment Amenities

Stuyvesant Town offers both classic and modern apartments. You can choose whatever you want, depending on your tastes. The residences are spacious and have oversized living areas for entertainment and relaxation. The apartments come with hardwood floors in natural or ebony finishes and high ceilings. All the apartment buildings have amazing utilities and features and are pet – friendly. If you go for the modern apartments, you’ll benefit from large dining areas, large windows and ebony wood floors. Also, kitchens will have stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry, stone backsplashes and countertops and windows. The bathrooms feature lots of storage space, custom vanities, illuminated medicine cabinets and Kohler fixtures. The bedrooms also have ebony wood floors, king-size beds, a lounging area and custom closets.

In case you are the classic type, you will find what you need in Stuyvesant Town. The classic residences have large dining and living areas and natural wood floors. The same natural wood floors can be seen in the bedrooms. The rooms have over- sized layouts and plenty of storage space. The classic kitchens are well-equipped and include white appliances, custom maple cabinets and granite countertops. The bathrooms are very elegant and they feature abundant storage space, marble tiling, oversized medicine cabinets and granite countertops.

Neighborhood amenities

This great area has a lot of awesome amenities. First of all, it includes numerous green spaces and playground for the little ones. Second of all, Stuyvesant Town is home to various services and extraordinary activities including food fairs, social events, movies, seasonal greenmarket, live music and an ice skating rink. Sports fans have at their disposal many bocce ball, paddle tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. Moreover, the complex features a study area, concierge services, a café and a fitness club. Overall, you cannot get bored in Stuyvesant Town because it is the ideal place to settle down.

For more information on Manhattan Real Estate and Luxury Condos, CLICK HERE to speak with Doug Heddings.

Posted in Market Insight, Neighborhoods, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Midtown Manhattan: Stuyvesant Town

Midtown Manhattan Attractions That Rock!

Times SquareMidtown Manhattan, the heart and soul of NYC, has some of the best attractions in the city. You can spend a whole week strolling on the streets of Midtown Manhattan and still not see half of it. This is the magical thing about this neighborhood. It boasts of gorgeous restaurants, museums, cafés, art galleries, pubs, clubs and shops. If you’re looking for entertainment in New York, Manhattan is the right place to check out.

Times Square

To begin with, Times Square is the part of Midtown Manhattan that really rocks. This is one of the most important locations in New York City and Midtown Manhattan residents get to see it and walk through it every day. Times Square allows you to be in the middle of everything that’s cool and interesting. This dazzling intersection with its animated and brilliant advertisements will leave you breathless. The main points of interests in Times Square are the Madame Tussauds Museum, the Broadway theaters, the Best Buy Theater, the TKTS Booth, the luxurious and brand shops, the ABC studios, the famous comedy club Caroline’s on Broadway, the pedestrian plaza and the Red Stairs.

Central Park

When you get tired of all the buzz and crowds, feel free to relax in Central Park, which is also located in Midtown Manhattan. Sit on a bench and watch the children playing or admire the skyscrapers that rise in front of you. Stroll, rollerblade, bike or jog on Central Park’s paths. During the winter you can skate on the traditional skating rink and in the summer you can enjoy a theater play or a live concert. This iconic New York attraction includes features like a lake with paddle boats, the Zoo, a carousel, the Belvedere Castle, the Great Lawn, the Strawberry Fields, the Reservoir, the Conservatory Garden and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Rockefeller Center

After you’ve shopped, strolled and relaxed, you can also get some entertainment at the Rockefeller Center. This is the premier entertainment venue in Midtown Manhattan and New York City. The historic gem is also a symbol of contemporary and modernist architecture. During the winter months it features one of the most famous ice rinks in New York City. It also has a Christmas Show and one of the largest Christmas trees in the world. Don’t forget about the Top of the Rock, an exclusive observation deck that allows you to observe Manhattan’s skyline. The Rockefeller Center is also the headquarters of the NBC studios, which you can visit through guided tours. Other attractions at 30 Rockefeller Plaza include the Atlas statue, the Radio City Music Hall, the Prometheus sculpture and the Channel Gardens.

Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is another incredible attraction in Midtown Manhattan. This legendary avenue is filled with boutiques and shops of all kinds, including Tiffany & Co., Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada, the Apple Store, Gucci and Bloomingdale’s. Also, when you’re in Midtown Manhattan make sure not to miss the Broadway Theaters, the Chrysler Building, the Bryant Park, the Grand Central Terminal and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

For more information on Manhattan Real Estate and Condos, CLICK HERE to speak with Doug Heddings.

 

Posted in Fun | Comments Off on Midtown Manhattan Attractions That Rock!

15 Central Park West Luxury Condos and Penthouses – Manhattan Luxury Condos

15 Central Park West is one of the most exceptional condominiums in New York City that offers amazing views of Central Park and much more of Manhattan. This luxurious building has a stylish interior and is equipped with state of the art facilities you can expect living in the Manhattan area.

Residents of 15 Central Park West luxury condos and penthouses have access to a 14,000 square foot Fitness Gym that features a 75 foot lap pool in the center of the gym. 15 Central Park West Luxury Condos and Penthouse residents can also relax by the reflecting pool located in the courtyard area or entertain guests at private theatre that can accommodate up to 20 guests. The spectacular views of Central Park and the city skyline is a priceless trait of this building.

15 Central Park West employs around the clock staff members for residents’ every need. This building is home to multiple beautiful gardens for residents and guests to enjoy. 15 Central Park West was completed in 2008 and racked up a total cost of $950 million. The building is separated into two regions which are the 43-story building on Broadway that is connected to the 19-story building on 15 Central Park West via a glass-protected lobby.

15 Central Park West residences enjoy useful amenities like a private garage secluded from paparazzi, in-house chef that offers full catering services, and spa-quality treatment facilities. The full time staff and valuable amenities provided at 15 Central Park West luxury condos and penthouses makes this dynamic condominium sound like a good place to call home.

15 Central Park West Building Information

  • Units: 158
  • Stories: 20
  • Green Building: No
  • New development: Yes
  • Ownership: Condominium
  • Building year: 2007
  • Pets: Pets allowed
  • Other:
  • Pied-A-Terre Allowed
  • Sublets Allowed


15 Central Park West Building Amenities

  • 24-Hour Concierge
  • Business Room
  • Central AC
  • Children’s Playroom
  • Concierge
  • Courtyard
  • Doorman
  • Drive Court/Driveway
  • Elevator
  • Fireplace
  • Fitness center
  • Garden
  • Hotel Service
  • Laundry room
  • Library
  • Lounge
  • Outdoor Space
  • Package Room
  • Parking
  • Pool
  • Recreation room
  • Roof Deck
  • Sauna
  • Screening Room
  • Spa
  • Steam Room
  • Storage
  • Valet
  • Wine Cellar

General Apartment Amenities

  • Balcony
  • Floor to ceiling windows
  • Hardwood Floors
  • High Ceilings
  • Outdoor Space
  • Pre-war details
  • Radiant Heating
  • Self-Cont. Heat & A/C
  • Stackable Washer and Dryer
  • Terrace
  • Walk-in Closet

Kitchen

  • Dishwasher
  • Eat-in kitchen
  • Fully Equipped Kitchen
  • Glass Backsplash Tiles
  • Gloss Lacque Cabinetry
  • Gourmet Kitchen
  • Granite Countertops
  • Kitchen Island
  • New/Renovated Kitchen
  • Stainless Steel Applian.
  • Top of the line applian.
  • Under Cabinet Lighting
  • Wine Cooler
  • Wooden Cabinetry


Bathroom

  • Dual Sinks
  • Glass Shower
  • Marble Bathroom
  • New or Renovated Bath
  • Oversized Mirror
  • Polished Chrome Fixtures
  • Powder Room
  • Rain Shower
  • Soaking Tub
  • Vanity
Posted in Fun, Market Insight | Comments Off on 15 Central Park West Luxury Condos and Penthouses – Manhattan Luxury Condos

How Hurricane Sandy Has Affected Manhattan Real Estate

LowerManhattanPowerOutageSandyDowntown New York City was one of the main areas that was hardly hit by the destructive Hurricane Sandy. The once-fashionable and glitzy neighborhoods Battery Park City, TriBeCa and West Village that used to feature modern restaurants and chic boutiques, are now referred to as “SoPo”, short from “South of Power”.

Nevertheless, one of the most important questions remains the same, and it’s facing New York single every day. Is the hurricane stigma a short-time phenomena or it will persist in the long run too? Opinions are different, and what matters is that insurance costs are very likely to rise. Additionally, this is not the first time New York is facing adversity, and so far Lower Manhattan seems to recover just fine after the attacks that changed the look and history of the city forever. NYC gave developers permission to create a series of brand new residential estates, and prices for downtown proprieties have recovered incredibly fast considering the collapse in other parts of the city. As a matter of fact, median sales prices have gone up with 11.7% in the financial district.

However, another result of hurricane Sandy has lead to various inspections demanded by the banks. Several assessments were performed really fast and investors were eager to show that the constructions looked just fine; however, the situation was far from the truth. It’s really interesting the fact that newer buildings that are equipped much better and feature more luxurious amenities have been fortunate enough to be knocked out of commission for a longer period than older constructions.

What is more, some of the most expensive buildings in Lower Manhattan, such as Superior Ink- a building designed by Robert A. M. Stern- was significantly damaged and residents were forced to vacate the building. There are numerous reports mentioning that the city will probably need a couple of months to get back on its feet. It’s obvious that NYC was seriously affected by Hurricane Sandy. At this point, the biggest issues are related to the constructions, as most of them have suffered irreparable damages.

The electrical wiring and seawater corroded pipes are forcing residents to evacuate the building until further fixtures are being done. Reports are mentioning that it could take months for residents to be allowed to enter the Superior Ink. Several brokers believe it’s maddening to decide to place replacement equipment within the flooded area, highlighting that it’s wrong to assume a hurricane like Sandy won’t happen again.

Assumptions have been made and if insurance companies and lenders decide to get tough, the effects on prices may have a trickle-down outcome.  It’s certainly a fact that in Lower Manhattan the inventory is extremely low, particularly for high-end proprieties where wealthy buyers are always prepared to pay cash. There’s no denial that the real estate market is going through some tough times in New York City. Still, things are changing and visible improvements will only bring positive results in the near future. Experts are stating that if proprieties are well priced the people will want to invest again.

Posted in In The News, Market Insight | Comments Off on How Hurricane Sandy Has Affected Manhattan Real Estate

Downtown Manhattan: SoHo & Tribeca

TribecaClock

Two Vibrant Neighborhoods Show What New York City Has to Offer

Downtown Manhattan is divided up into many smaller neighborhoods each of which has its own distinctive flair.  The names and the borders of these districts change over the years as the city evolves, and the character of places change.  SoHo and TriBeCa are two adjoining enclaves in the lower portion of the Manhattan which itself is one of the boroughs that make up New York City.  To make matters even more confusing, there are governmental bodies such as the port of New York which have altogether different boundaries from those defined by the city.

SoHo and TriBeCa are long developed portions of the city, and they have many historic structures.  The blocks south of Houston St. and north of Canal St. are home to a large number of cast iron buildings.  These date back to the late 19th Century when the area was an important receiving area for shipping.  Goods were unloaded at the nearby docks and hauled to large warehouses built of cast iron for temporary storage.  Many also served as factory space since there was a great deal of manufacturing going on at the time in the area.  A number of these cast iron structures have in more recent years been converted into loft apartments and studios.  These are much favored by artists who appreciate the large open spaces found within these units.

SoHoStreet

Neighborhoods That Welcome Walking

As befits the historic character of these two neighborhoods, SoHo and ATriBeCa are home to a number of museums devoted to important elements of this city’s development.  The New York City Fire Museum houses a collection of fire fighting equipment that dates back to the earliest period of the city’s growth when most of the apparatus had to be pulled by hand.  There are also examples of later stages of equipment when carts evolved into horse drawn pumps and then still later became motorized.  Altogether over 200 years of fire fighting in the city is documented.  The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art promotes the understanding and appreciation of an art form that is likely the most popular in the world.  It hosts lectures, exhibits and special events that showcase the work of animators and cartoonists and explores the impact their work has had on art and culture over the years.

Both SoHo and TriBeCa are neighborhoods filled with shopping opportunities.  There are many specialty shops, and stores that sell all manner of imported goods.  This is a reflection of the highly cosmopolitan nature of these two locales.  This gets further reflected in the large number of ethnic restaurants where food from around the world may be sampled.

SoHo became renowned as an artist enclave before TriBeCa.  It had more of the cavernous warehouse space that proved so alluring to artists.  Walking tours are conducted in the region that allow people to visit some of these artists’ spaces to see how they blend work and living together in a loft lifestyle.  Because the location is so convenient and has so many attractions, SoHo also was first in becoming a highly desirable place for large numbers of people to want to live here.  That desire drove up rents.  The attraction of the loft space in SoHo was not just a matter of the ample size that they had, but a result of the space being available at low cost.  As rents began rising, a number of artist moved further downtown to TriBeCa.

For more information about Downtown Manhattan: SoHo & TriBeCa Real Estate and Luxury Condos CLICK HERE to speak with Doug Heddings.

Posted in Fun, Market Insight, Neighborhoods | Comments Off on Downtown Manhattan: SoHo & Tribeca

Working with a Rental Broker in Manhattan

Keys to Rental Success

Most real estate agents work hard to find their clients the sort of property they seek.  Sadly as in so many things, it is stories of bad agents that are so memorable.  One should be able to find an agent that will perform the service you ask to your satisfaction.  Asks friends and acquaintances if they have had a good experience with a rental broker.  These sorts of recommendations can be invaluable in finding a good broker.  A question may arise as to whether you should pay a fee for such service.

Rental ads that say “No Fee” usually represent a situation in which the landlord or management company that owns or operates the building is paying a broker an “OP.”  This stands for “Owner Pays.”  It means they can advertise the unit as a no fee apartment since the agent does not care who pays them to rent the apartment as long as they get the money from somewhere.  Agents sometimes advertise “OP” apartments as fee apartments anyway and get two sides of broker’s fee from unsuspecting clients.

If for instance you are looking for a 1 bedroom in the West Village and you see an attractive description of such a unit on Craigslist, check to see if there is an address listed.  If there is not, there is a good chance that the broker is advertising an open listing.  This means the agent got a list from the management firm for the building and is claiming via the ad that they are the only agent able to show the property.  If you wish to avoid paying a fee, you will have to deal with the management company directly.

Getting to Know Management Companies Eliminates Middleman

Getting to know management firms can allow you to deal with them directly.  This can put you at the head of the list when it comes to getting an apartment.  You will also avoid paying any sort of broker’s fee.

Always make sure you know in advance any fees you will be required to pay to a rental.  agent.  You can attempt to bargain down the amount of fees, but this will only work in instances where the agent is having difficulties renting the unit out.  Such a circumstance should leave you suspicious as to why there are such difficulties.

Some management companies charge an application fee and also a credit check fee.  Very few rental apartments are exclusive to their agents.  An agent may have an informal partnership with a landlord which allows them access to an apartment, but it stops short of making this an exclusive agreement.  Most rental apartments are handled by management companies.

If you have been searching for an apartment for a while, you likely have become very familiar with the apartments in your price range and who is advertising them.  Keep track of larger units as well to see where openings are occurring.  Keeping track of what is on the market is what brokers do, and you should do likewise to secure the place that you want.

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | Comments Off on Working with a Rental Broker in Manhattan

Problems With One57 Crane May Last for a While

When it will be completed, One57 will be the tallest residential building in New York City. Ever since the beginning of the construction, the structure has drawn a lot of media buzz and numerous billionaire buyers. Still, after the superstorm Sandy, Crane57 has attracted another kind of attraction that’s not flattering at all.

Everyone stares at the skyscraper because of the crane that collapsed and hangs from the 90th floor. The crane collapsed because of the high winds brought by Sandy. Thus, the authorities were forced to evacuate the nearby buildings and shut down the streets. Michael Bloomberg, the New York mayor has recently declared that the crane is bound by secure ties. At the same time, he added that it will take a while to construct another crane and remove the damaged one.

Jonathan Miller, the CEO of Miller Samuel, an appraisal firm based in New York City, said that the collapsed crane stands as a disturbing setback for One57. Until the accident, the building has had a charmed and successful existence. For example, at the beginning of the year, an unknown buyer purchased a penthouse in the building for $90 million. The penthouse measures almost 10,000 square feet and the $90 million score is the highest price that was ever paid for an apartment in New York City. The penthouse comes with a wide array of luxury amenities such as 23-foot ceilings, marble flooring, advanced technology, and more. Also, it features an entire wall of windows that overlooks New York’s most famous park, Central Park. Since Central Park is located 2 blocks away, you can easily imagine that Crane57’s location is a prestigious one. The building is going to feature 92 units and the cheapest apartment will cost almost $7 million. It has been reported that more than 60% of the condos have already been sold.

Pinnacle Industries is the crane operator. Unfortunately, it didn’t answer the journalist’s phone calls. At the same time, Extell Development, the developer, did not want to comment. The only one that was allowed to answer questions was Bovis Lend Lease, the construction manager. They released a press release after the storm was over and they declared that the company is working with city agencies and structural engineers to make the crane safe.

Miller added that the apartment prices will not be affected by the crane incident, explaining that the accident happened during one of New York’s worst storms. Thus, this background is paradoxically helpful for One57. At the same time, some buyers might be discouraged if the building won’t be opened in the spring of 2013. He also said that everyone is questioning when the building will get back on its feet. Their momentum might be stolen if they can’t show or sell for more than 6 months.

The positive aspect about this entire situation is that the persons who bought an apartment in One57 don’t need immediate accommodation. For example, the upper floors are reserved for international billionaires such as Lawrence Stroll and Silas Chou. Both of them are apparel company moguls and they became billionaires after taking Michael Kors public.

Posted in Market Insight, Neighborhoods | Comments Off on Problems With One57 Crane May Last for a While