Mortgage Rates below 4% again


Sound the alarm! Rates have been under 4% for a week or two. I was writing about the continuing drop through 2011 of rates, but here we are, looking at an important election year, where little to nothing is going to happen in Congress. Rates are low, owners are refinancing, and if you are a
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NYC Rental Report, Thoughts and Takeaways


Bloomburg’s article about the 4th quarter rentals in New York City was titled, “Manhattan Apartment Rents Jump 9.5% as Would-Be Buyers Hold Off Purchases.” First, since the article was forwarded to me by 3 different clients asking for my insight on it, I must say that it resonated with them. Each person was wondering how
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4th Quarter Numbers- Pricing vs Absorption Rates


If you missed it, there was a ton of hubbub, brouhaha, ado, over the 4th quarter numbers for the end of the year. I’ll include the quote from the BHS report. Part one: “A sharp decline in condo sales brought the overall average and median Manhattan apartment sales price lower over the past year. The
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Apartment Shopping (An End of Year Round-Up)


This month I’m going to continue my discussion on buying versus renting. Even with clothing, this seems to be a more and more popular option with the advent of Rent the Runway. Renting can be a disruptive business model for the status quo, even in businesses that have been rentals for years- a la Zipcar
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New Development Round Up Will Continue in January


Before I could even get to 130 West 12th – all of the one-bedrooms were sold. I was shut out of a buyer appointment last week to see it- and so I’ll have to report back next month. I will also be reporting back on One57, the new Extell development between 6th and 7th avenues
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Some Last Minute Gift Ideas and Shout-Outs


The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas create some vocals fans or detractors. Personally, I think of “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music,” as I window shop or get bombarded by TV or Internet ads. Much from which to choose, whether gifting to yourself or others. Who couldn’t use a few ideas for Holiday
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End Of Year Mortgage Rate Gifts


Well, folks- Forgetting about the macro economic conditions, all of this turmoil in Europe has really helped mortgage rates stay down. While we are continuing to see challenging underwriting conditions, the upside is that rates are still historically low. They’ve come down about 0.25% in the last few weeks. 30yr fixed are around 4%, 15-yr
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A Happy Holidays to You All


A Sweet Holidays to you and a Prosperous New Year From Scott, Emily, Alyson, Wendi & Jenna The Harris Residential Team May this be the best year yet for you and yours.  
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New Development Round Up


A very quick New Development Round-Up. There have been some very interesting properties which have hit the market in the last few days. I will be seeing: 130 w 12th, 374 Broome very soon. We’ll touch on a building which I had seen last year, and revisited with a customer recently. The Dillon, 425 West
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Jobs vs. Bonuses and perception of Value


The question I am thinking about is this: What will drive the Real Estate Market more, strong employment, or better bonus season? Conversely, will weak employment and a down bonus season destroy any RE market momentum we have here? I would argue that a search for Value in the market, with many finding it, seems
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Recent Blog Posts

(VIDEO) The Quarterly Report Is Old News
Deal of the Month: How to Know You’re Getting A Good Deal In the Moment—An Upper West Side Purchaser Story
(VIDEO) The One Thing You Need To Know About the Market (and ignore the rest)
My Experience with Fake Renters, aka Section 8 Ambulance Chasers
How Will The NAR Settlement (and its copycat lawsuits) Impact New York City’s Real Estate Market?
What The NAR Settlement Means For the Real Estate Industry
Apply To Be On The Pursuit Of Home Podcast
(VIDEO) What Are You Waiting For? The Manhattan & Brooklyn Aren’t Waiting For Spring to Bloom
The Silent Killer? Building Operation Costs. Here’s What Buildings—and NYC—Can Do About It.
Our deal of the month – When The One That Got Away Didn’t Get Away! 333 East 34th Street PHM

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