As Seen In The NY Post: Live on an off-grid NYC street for $1.79M
8 Sylvan Terrace
8 Sylvan Terrace
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK
$1,795,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | Historic Townhouse
A celebrated designer's own sought-after landmark home, masterfully renovated and featured in Dwell magazine, is a rare find indeed. Discover 8 Sylvan Terrace, the glorious reimagining of a unique 1887 Victorian row house in one of New York City's most prized historic enclaves. Currently configured with a single-family layout, 8 Sylvan Terrace is a legal two-family and lends itself to easy conversion back to a two-family.
A high stoop invites you into a classic double vestibule on the parlor level, were meticulously restored original pumpkin pine flooring, carefully recreated ceiling medallions and a stately refinished staircase nod to the home's historical provenance. Two rooms on this floor are separated by restored original pocket doors that had been encased by layers of sheetrock during a less inspired renovation. Traditionally used as reception and dining rooms, these spaces are ideal as bedrooms, living areas or home office space featuring a handsome wood-burning fireplace flanked by custom built-in cabinetry.
The lower level continues the old-meets-new theme with a sleekly minimalist modern staircase that leads to open-plan living space featuring random-width reclaimed pine flooring, swaths of exposed brick and original beams. Enjoy comfortable daily life and lively entertaining alongside the original wood-burning cooking hearth fireplace and salvaged wharf light. The impeccable kitchen combines innovative custom finishes, including cabinetry coated in anodized aluminum and a concrete range hood, with traditional Carrara marble countertops and upscale stainless steel appliances all integrated to masterful effect.
Head to the top-floor to discover the glorious full-floor owner's suite topped in soaring 15-foot-tall beamed ceilings, restored 19th century French chandeliers and remote-controlled venting skylight. Towering twin wood-burning and decorative original brick fireplaces underscore the room's grand proportions. The adjacent windowed bath impresses with 12-foot-tall ceilings, polished concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling quartz tile, a frameless glass shower and a marble sink wrought from a centuries-old water fountain that once stood in a Philadelphia park. A large laundry room/closet attends to wardrobe needs, and mini-split HVAC units and Baxi radiators ensure year-round comfort in this exquisite Uptown home.
Nearly untouched by time, Sylvan Terrace is a serene block lined by 20 two-story wood Victorian row houses with lovely green and yellow siding, cornices and shutters. Located within the Jumel Terrace Historic District, the charming houses were built on a dead-end Belgian-block street featuring beautiful views of Morris Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's oldest residence. In this wonderful lower Washington Heights location, you'll enjoy direct access to Highbridge Park and fantastic shopping, dining and nightlife along Broadway and Amsterdam. The C train is right outside your door, and 1, B and A lines, excellent bus service and CitiBikes put the rest of the city within easy reach.
2021’s Home Trends Could Be Affected by the Hybrid Work Week
Weekly Update:
Luxury Market:
23 properties, $4M and up, went into contract last week. Impressive for a pre-holiday week. 16 condos, 3 coops, and 4 townhouses made up the listings. All 16 condos were in new development condos.
Supply:
178 units came onto the marketplace last week. A 6.8% drop from the week before and a much lower number than we're used to seeing during this Covid recovery market. For the first time in a long while new supply dipped under 200 for the week. Although, a conventional trend for a pre-LDW/end of summer week.
Pending Deals:
205 units went to contract last week--very impressive for this time of year and this marks the 3rd week in a row of contracts-signed outpaced supply! Data like this shows the hunger and urgency of buyers to put units into contract. Looking at the rolling 30 days numbers --it shows the overall trend of units going into contract outpacing supply, handley. Just incredible. We'll see in the coming weeks if supply can start to claw back and rise to buck this trend or will price points start to be less of a hurdle for buyers (as they are right now) and start to rise.
Rolling 30 Day #'s:
981 units released to market over the last 30 days.
1071 units went to contact over the last 30 days.
699 units were taken off the market over the last 30 days.
The Monthly Update - September 2021
The Tipping Point
There comes a time in every real estate market when it tips either in the buyer's favor or the seller's favor. The New York City marketplace has been a buyer's market for the better part of five years. But with the sudden switch in buyer urgency, buyers have been putting property into contract in record numbers since about October 2020. More apartments have gone into escrow/contract than ever before. In early spring, there was a stretch when Manhattan was putting 400 units into contract nearly every week for 20 weeks, which is just incredible given that we just came out of a pandemic.
Last year, pundits were busy predicting a slow, gradual recovery in Spring 2021 as a best-case scenario, but buyers had other plans. We topped out at almost 9,000 units on the market at the beginning of October 2020, but that number has dwindled every month as the pace of demand outweighed supply week in and week out for months and months. However, even though we were charging ahead at a record pace, buyers still turned their noses up at "overpriced" units. Which begs the question, Where is the tipping point between a buyer's and seller's market?
In the case of Manhattan real estate, the tipping point will be where supply gets so low that buyers will tend not to care (or at least care a lot less) where the listing price is. Then, prices will start to rise gradually. We're certainly not there yet. Today, any listing priced above roughly 2019 levels will be shunned by the buyer community and overlooked by interested prospects. The phone will not ring for sellers who wish to push the envelope of market value without buyer public approval first.
But we will reach that tipping point soon! It's only a matter of time before prices start to increase. It could be as soon as this fall; it could take as long as next spring. But it most certainly will happen. As long as buyers stay active in the marketplace — and there are no signs of slowing just yet — prices will rise.
So, if you're a buyer, take advantage, NOW. Secure your property as the tipping point is near.
Sellers: Should you wait? Should you list? A lot will be answered now that it’s after Labor Day. The fall market is underway, and new listings presumably will enter the marketplace. It will be interesting to gauge buyer urgency when there is an abundance of new listings available. Only time will tell in that regard, but as an overall summation of our current marketplace, I would say we're at the precipice of the tipping point into the next seller's market.
What would you like to hear more about? Let me know if there are any topics you wish to see featured in our newsletter!
Local Events
Tribute in Light- 9/11 Memorial
From dusk to dawn, on the evening of September 11, twin beams are presented annually to honor those killed and celebrate the indestructible spirit of NYC. Tribute in Light is a commemorative and symbolic piece of art created six months after 9/11 and every year after. Click here to learn more about the memorial, donate to the Never Forget Fund, and review museum visiting hours.
Broadway is BACK!
Broadway shows will begin again, starting in September. Come see some of Broadway’s classics like Chicago, Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, Hadestown, Wicked, Lion King, Aladdin and so much more. Please note the vaccination, mask, and healthcare guidelines for each theater. Playing schedules for each production could vary; check purchase sites for schedules. Click here to learn about more shows coming back this fall!
The 2021 US Open
August 30 – September 12
One of NYC's favorite tournaments is back. The 2021 US Open will welcome back fans at 100% capacity for the two-week jammed-packed tournament. More information here.
Current Hoffman Team Listings
124 West 93rd Street, Unit 2D
124 West 93rd Street, Unit 2D
UPPER WEST SIDE, NEW YORK
$850,000
2 Bed | 1 Bath | Condo
Prewar grandeur and contemporary updates create the perfect urban haven in this converted two-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium just a block from Central Park.
A gracious foyer flanked by closets invites you inside the bright 710-square-foot home. The large living room provides ample space for seating and dining areas surrounded by tall beamed ceilings and mahogany inlaid herringbone hardwood floors. In the adjacent kitchen, you'll find wood cabinetry, beautiful countertops and stainless steel appliances, including a Miele cooktop and GE Profile oven. The expansive primary bedroom offers eastern and southern exposures and a roomy closet. The second bedroom features a bright east-facing window, and the bathroom is finished with floor-to-ceiling tile, a large tub/shower and a pedestal sink.
The Westerly is a handsome prewar condominium where residents enjoy part-time doorman service, a live-in superintendent, porter, storage, bicycle room, card-operated laundry, lounge/play area, and a lovely outdoor garden and patio with a barbecue.
In this fantastic Upper West Side location, Central Park becomes your personal backyard with 842 acres of lush outdoor space and direct access to the Reservoir and tennis center. Trader Joe's and Party City are right next door, and nearby Columbus Square offers Whole Foods, Michael's, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and more. Enjoy fantastic dining and nightlife venues along the adjacent avenues, while 1/2/3, B and C trains, excellent bus service and CitiBikes put the rest of the city within easy reach.
104 Bedford Street, Unit 4AB
104-106 Bedford Street, Unit 4AB
WEST VILLAGE, NEW YORK
$1,500,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | Co-Op
This convertible two-bedroom, two-bathroom cooperative is a rare West Village gem featuring exquisite updates, historic charm and breathtaking natural light throughout.
A result of two legally combined units at the rear of the building, this home offers mesmerizing treetop views and a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility. A spacious foyer invites you to discover beautiful vintage inlaid hardwood floors, tall ceilings, handsome millwork, and 11 oversized windows across all four exposures. Relax in the living room alongside lush garden vistas, a wall of white bookshelves and a recently restored wood-burning fireplace with an intricately carved mantle with stainless steel liner and fan system. Entertain in the bright and airy dining area, and enjoy a windowed kitchen with glass-front cabinetry, granite counters, a farm sink, an adjacent pantry closet, and stainless steel appliances, including a gas range, dishwasher and a newer refrigerator.
In the primary bedroom, you'll find two closets, including a walk-in, plus lovely built-ins and an en suite bathroom with a shower and in-unit washer-dryer. A full guest bathroom with a soaking tub completes this delightful West Village home.
Designed in 1891, 104-106 Bedford Street is a stately brick and brownstone co-op where residents enjoy an elevator, new roof, updated plumbing, a dedicated superintendent service, central laundry and a bike room. Pieds-à-terre, subletting and pets are permitted with board approval.
Located within the Greenwich Village Historic District, this picturesque tree-lined street is described as "one of the most attractive blocks in Greenwich Village." Here, you're surrounded by the phenomenal architecture, shopping, dining and nightlife that make the West Village one of the most coveted residential neighborhoods in the world. Washington Square Park and sprawling 500-acre Hudson River Park provide abundant outdoor space and recreation. Transportation is effortless with 1, A/C/E, B/D/F/M and PATH trains, excellent bus service and CitiBike stations just minutes from your door.
Wegmans Is Coming to Manhattan!
Earlier this month, the Kmart on Astor Place, a strangely beloved neighborhood fixture, closed abruptly after 25 years. The store at 770 Broadway was one of only two locations in Manhattan; the Penn Station outpost closed in early 2020. Now, landlord Vornado Realty Trust has announced that they will bring in Wegmans grocery store as the new tenant, scheduled to open in the second half of 2023.
Photo of 770 Broadway (cropped) via Wikimedia Commons
Wegmans opened their first New York City store to much fanfare at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in October 2019. The grocer has somewhat of a cult following thanks to its many prepared food options, organic selections, and reasonable prices. Their Brooklyn location totals 74,000 square feet. The Astor Place location will be even larger at 82,000 square feet.
“Wegmans is one of a kind and will be a best-in-class addition to Manhattan, both for the local neighborhoods and as a destination for residents from across the island. We look forward to partnering with Wegmans’ talented team on the opening of this signature location,” said Vornado Chairman and CEO Steve Roth.
According to the press release, “Wegmans signed an agreement with Transformco [Kmart’s parent company] to buy out Kmart’s lease at Astor Place…” They then signed a 30-year lease with Vornado to occupy the space on both the street and lower levels, totaling 82,000 square feet. (The Brooklyn location is 74,000 square feet.)
As The Real Deal explained, up until 2018, Kmart actually occupied 145,000 square feet across three floors in the building, but Vornado paid them $46 million to give up the second floor to may way for office tenant Facebook.
In addition to Facebook, 770 Broadway, is home to several subsidiaries of Verizon Media. Commercial building 51 Astor Place is just across the street and is the headquarters of IBM’s Watson Group. Cooper Union is nearby, as are NYU and the New School, so Wegmans should have no shortage of foot traffic. The Brooklyn Wegmans also offers delivery in New York City through Instacart, a service that’s likely to be provided at their new location, too.
Wegmans was started in 1916 and today has 106 stores across New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.
The Monthly Update - August 2021
The hottest real estate market in New York City‘s history is not a “sellers” market!
The hottest real estate market in New York City‘s history is not necessarily a “sellers” market...
We are currently experiencing the most active New York City real estate market ever recorded. More transactions have been signed and closed than at any point in the last 20 years.
Currently, there are over 5,400 units in contract. The luxury market has been recording 30-plus contracts signed in 26 out of the last 27 weeks. There was a point over the winter holidays and into spring when Manhattan was recording 400 or more contracts signed every week. This is unprecedented! This has never happened before. We discuss this market weekly; the word “ludicrous” has been used on several occasions.
My team (The Hoffman Team) has sold and closed 91 units so far this year. We have another 54 in contract and we have about 27 accepted offers about to sign, which, like the rest of the market, is unprecedented!
So, why can’t sellers sell for whatever price they want today?
Buyers have been levelheaded and rational throughout this entire COVID recovery market. They are not going for the properties that are priced too high — plain and simple. Inventory is trading at 2019 levels. The market has basically made up the 5 percent to 15 percent COVID discount of a year before. The primary difference between now and then is speed. If you price your property at 2019 pricing, you will sell the property extremely fast. Buyers in 2019 were still hemming and hawing and basically in indecision mode for months.
So why now? The prices are at the same level as 2019, so why are buyers buying today instead of back then? Interest rates are lower, that is true, but it’s also a psychological play coupled with low inventory. Families want the stability of homeownership. In a world that for the last year has been anything but normal, they want something stable in their life — they want a place to call “home”....If you are in the same boat and want somewhere to call “home” or want to sell your property “quickly”... let’s talk!
Local Events
Shakespeare in the Park
Come enjoy another one of New York’s exciting re-openings, free Shakespeare in Central Park. Performing in the heart of the city is a fresh and comedic adoption of Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor," directed by Saheem Ali. Let’s celebrate the return of New York and theater and fill The Delacorte with joy and life again! Click here for more details.
2021 US Tennis Open
The US Tennis Open is welcoming back fans at 100% capacity in one of New York’s nicest sporting venues, The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (NTC). Come see players like Djokovich, Federer, Williams, and Halep in action and on the court in what's sure to be the best Open yet. All ticket categories are available, from reserved stadium seating to general admission passes! Click here to review the US Tennis Open Schedule, purchase tickets, view photo galleries, and more.
Lifestyle Tips & Tricks
The Best Vegetables and Flowers to Plant in August
If the idea of gardening in the summer isn't sitting well with you this year, or if you've just been too busy to actually start your garden, don't worry. The crisp fall season is a great time to grow a slew of vegetables and flowers!
The Best Places to Travel in August
Is there any month more tailor-made for a vacation than August? The peak of summer is the perfect time to jettison all 9-to-5 obligations and indulge in a trip. If you're hoping to squeeze in a vacation before Labor Day, here are nine of the best places to travel in August.
NYC will host 5 free concerts as part of ‘Homecoming Week’
New York City will host five huge free concerts in every borough next month to mark the city’s recovery from the pandemic. Earlier this summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans for a “mega-concert” on Central Park’s Great Lawn in August and later revealed the show’s three major headliners: Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Jennifer Hudson. On Thursday, the mayor said there will be four additional free concerts, one in each borough, as part of a weeklong celebration dubbed “Homecoming Week.”
“I am issuing a FOMO alert,” de Blasio said during a press briefing on Thursday. “Unless you want to spend the rest of your life saying, ‘oh my god, I missed it,’ you should get to New York City in the month of August.”
The city is partnering with the Universal Hip Hop Museum to produce the four additional concerts. During the press conference with the mayor, Rocky Bucano, the executive director of the museum, said the concerts will feature a variety of musical genres, including Hip Hop, Latin, freestyle, dance, R&B, techno, and funk.
“Just like Hip Hop music triumphantly emerged originally from the tumultuous ’70s, the Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud to produce a part of the NYC Homecoming celebration,” Bucano said in a statement. “Hip Hop culture reflects the mosaic that makes NYC, with its sound coming from all genres and spanning many communities. Working in partnership with the City and others, this is our love letter to music fans from all over NYC.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 23, 2017. Photo credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr
The date and location of the Homecoming Week concerts are as follows:
Monday, August 16 at Orchard Beach in the Bronx
Tuesday, August 17 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Staten Island
Thursday, August 19 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn
Friday, August 20 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens
Saturday, August 21 at Central Park’s Great Lawn in Manhattan
According to the mayor, the four outer-borough events will lead to the grand finale of the Central Park concert, expected to have a capacity of 60,000 people. De Blasio last month tapped legend Clive Davis to produce the Central Park show.
Live Nation will be involved with the concert’s production and ticket sales. There will be vaccinated and unvaccinated viewing sections, with 70 percent of tickets designated for those fully vaccinated, as the mayor’s office told the New York Times. It’s not clear how many people will be able to attend the four additional concerts, or what COVID-related protocols will be in place.
The city’s “Homecoming Week” will serve as a weeklong celebration of New York City, as well as an affirmation of the city’s recovery following an awful year.
“This is going to be an amazing, memorable, once-in-a-lifetime week in New York City,” de Blasio previously noted.
In addition to the five free performances, Homecoming Week will include free movie screenings from Rooftop Films, Summer Streets, NYC Restaurant Week, cultural activities, and other events across the city.
200 East 57th Street, Unit 19A
200 East 57th Street, Unit 19A
MIDTOWN EAST, NEW YORK
$1,550,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | Co-Op
Step into the grand foyer, and you will immediately be transported into a breathtaking home with a massive open kitchen overlooking a separate dining area and a large living room with oversized windows. The windowed chef's kitchen has mint condition white Imperial Danby marble countertops, imported tile floors, stylish custom designer cabinets with soft-close drawers, a Franke sink and faucet, filtered hot water tap and garbage disposal. The stainless steel appliances include a new range and a refrigerator/freezer by Viking, a Miele dishwasher, Sharp below-counter microwave and a wine cooler. An elevated portion of the leathered Cosmic black granite countertop creates a wonderful separation of space while also serving as a functional seating area with room for three stools. There's an in-unit washer-dryer next to the kitchen. The dining area and living room offer a perfect layout for entertaining and relaxing.
The carpeted primary bedroom is massive with a fully built-out walk-in closet equipped with a built-in ironing station and a large en suite fully renovated bathroom featuring a double vanity with custom mirrors, a makeup mirror, a TV and a frameless glass shower. The second bedroom is spacious and has ample closet space and wonderful views of the city. The renovated second bathroom is directly across the hall and also serves as the guest bathroom. Both bathrooms have radiant heated floors with separate thermostats.
The apartment also features wide-plank custom-colored dark oak flooring, solid three-panel doors with custom hardware, crown molding, recessed LED high-hat lighting, all-new hardware, custom closets, and new wiring, switches and receptacles throughout. There are Hunter Douglass shades in the living room, and the new thermostatically controlled fan coil HVAC units in the living room and bedrooms are oversized for better heating and cooling. Enjoy custom wiring for five TVs with concealed cable boxes centrally located in the front door closet. The apartment can be delivered turnkey with the option to purchase furniture and houseware items.
200 East 57th Street is a full-service, 24-hour doorman building offering a fitness center, planted roof deck, private storage, bike storage, laundry room, and a discounted parking garage. Whole Foods Market is just down the block, and the world-renowned Madison Avenue and 57th Street shopping corridors are minutes away. New York's best restaurants surround the neighborhood, while Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall provide unlimited entertainment options. Subway access is superb with 4/5/6, N/Q/R and E/M service nearby. Utilities and cable are included in the maintenance, and the building permits pets, pieds-à-terre, and washer/dryers can be installed. This is a MUST SEE apartment in a top-notch building!
The Monthly Update - July 2021
Did You Miss The Bus?
As New York City nears the 100 percent fully opened mark, the droves of COVID deserters are flooding back to New York City. We’re seeing the rental market rebound in a matter of weeks. The sales market is hitting unprecedented territory with a record-setting number of transactions and signed contracts each week. For example, the luxury market (homes priced at $4 million and above) just posted 21 straight weeks of 30 or more contracts signed. In fact, 80 percent of the listings that the Hoffman team has put into contract since January — that’s 84 closed transactions — have been for New Yorkers moving back into the city!
So, does that mean you missed the bus on COVID deals? Not necessarily.
Despite all the record-breaking transaction volume in the sale market, prices are stubbornly sticking to 2019 levels. And what is the 2019 level? The last high/sellers’ market was in 2015. The market headed into a steady decline from 2015 to the end of 2019, dipping down about 10 percent from the previous highs. So, if you’re buying something at 2019 levels, you’re still buying it at a good price!
What’s different between 2019 and 2021? Competition. We're seeing fierce competition for those listings where the sellers were advised smartly and listened to their agents by pricing their properties accordingly. If the seller’s homes are priced at 2019 levels, they will probably put the property into contract in 3 to 14 days. However, if the seller priced at 2019 levels back in 2019, it could still take 30 to 60 days to put the property contract. The difference being demand — there wasn’t the same demand then that there is today.
The trick for catching the COVID bus, if you didn't purchase over the last eight months, is to look for properties that have been on the market for over 250 days. Those sellers might be anxious about selling, and you might get a better deal than on more recent entries to the market that are priced at a competitive 2019 level. In those new listings that are priced correctly, buyers will most likely see bidding wars. Meanwhile, the property that’s been on the market for over half will see little competition, and buyers might be able to secure a good price. Or, it could be that the seller is crazy and wants a higher price than what buyers are willing to pay, and that’s why it’s been on for 250 days! :-)
Either way, it's a good idea to examine those lingering listings with your agent, as you never know what deal you could uncover. A savvy buyer’s agent like those on the Hoffman Team can help you navigate the “stale listings“ inventory and get the best deal from product that has most likely been forgotten about by the school of hungry piranha-like buyers out there in the bloodbath waters — better known as NYC the real estate sales market!
Real Estate in the News
Luxury Home Sales Soar, Even Helping Houses That Languished on the Market for Months
Americans looking to buy a home have struggled with bidding wars and a limited number of houses for sale.
But one area of the cutthroat real estate landscape is improving. It's the luxury segment, where listings are up and homes are selling at a rapid clip. The demand is so great that even "white elephants" – high-end homes that sat on the market for months before the pandemic began – are selling quickly as their owners willingly splurge on remodeling projects to spruce them up.
Local Events
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
The 45th annual Macy’s 4th Of July Fireworks will illuminate the Big Apple skyline with an electrifying light show full of bursting colors, jubilant music & a feeling of positivity.
This year, they’re honoring America’s everyday heroes from communities across the country & the resilient spirit within us all. It’s our way of looking ahead with renewed hope for a brighter tomorrow. More details here.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances
Broadway may still be dark for the summer, but just a few avenues down 42nd Street, live performances are returning in a big way to Bryant Park. The park’s Picnic Performances will be bringing 25 live, in-person events to the park, many featuring performers from the city’s top art institutions including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City Opera, All of the outdoor concerts will be free and open to the public. Read more here.
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New York City Weekly Real Estate Update
New York City Weekly Real Estate Update
Luxury Market:
The luxury market ($4M and up) has tracked 21 straight weeks of over 30 contracts signed weekly. Negotiability is tightening up and days on market it is too; Average off asking price is 8% from listings that closed in April. It was 11% a year ago. Average days on market came down as well--from 601 to 503. :-)
Supply:
The Real Estate Board of New York’s RLS system, which is New York City’s “MLS“ system run by the Real Estate Board of New York, is going through a “migration” or system overhaul period. This "migration" has skewed the supply numbers a bit. Last week's overall supply came in at 7188, 6% higher than last week but that is a guesstimate until the RLS has finished its overhaul. However, we do know that there were 375 listings that came on the market last week. A high number especially for this time of year.
Pending Deals:
Grinding higher the total number of pending deals/signed contracts came in at 5541, 1% higher than last week. Weekly numbers show 353 going into contact last week. 6% higher than the week before. Overall contract signed numbers seemed to have been trending down over the last few weeks as the market historically does, but last week numbers were a big surprise, as buyers continue to push the market.
Historically, this time of year, signed contracts tend to trend down especially moving into July and August, which are typically the slower months of the season. 353 units going into last week shows that this market is still transactionally red hot.
With all these transactions happening, it begs the question about pricing. When we analyzed the price per square foot, medium prices and average pricing from the most recent closed data the closed numbers show current closed pricing at about 2019/2018 levels. This may change in a few months as more recent deals start to close and become public record, but for now, closed data shows the market trading at 2019/2018 levels.
All The Information On NYC Pride March 2021
Though it still won’t be entirely back to normal, the NYC Pride March is back for a mostly virtual event on Sunday, June 27th. “The Fight Continues” is the 2021 theme, and there will be many advocates from the LGBTQIA+ community participating in the March and other events. In addition, there will be celebratory performances and fun activities. Ahead, we’ve condensed all the info you need to know about NYC Pride and highlighted a few other great events.
THE THEME
NYC Pride’s 2021 theme is “The Fight Continues.” As the organization explains: “With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, issues of police brutality, the alarming murder rate for trans POC, economic hardship, climate disasters, violent efforts to disenfranchise voters, our rights as a community being questioned at the level of the Supreme Court, and more, we are in the midst of many different fights.”
THE MARCH
The famous Pride March will take place on Sunday, June 27. For the fifth consecutive year, there will be a live broadcast on ABC-7 from 12-3pm. (You can also watch on ABC7NY.com and ABC7 New York’s Connected TV Apps.) As of now, the event will be mainly virtual, but the organizers say there will also be “to-be-determined in-person elements.” The broadcast includes live performances, on-air interviews, and exciting street-side marching activity.
Following the broadcast, at 3pm, a virtual experience of the March will stream on NYC Pride’s Facebook and Youtube. The program will feature groups and organizations that would typically take to the streets for the annual NYC Pride March, with each segment highlighting one of this year’s five Grand Marshals.
The grand marshalls are:
Actor Wilson Cruz, who currently stars as Dr. Hugh Culber on the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Discovery. He has also appeared in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, in Hulu’s The Bravest Knight, and as Angel in the Broadway tour production of Rent. Wilson was the first openly gay actor playing an openly gay role on series television for his role as Rickie Vasquez on the ABC series My So Called Life. He is also an advocate for LGBTQ youth, especially youth of color.
Ceyenne Doroshow, a compassionate powerhouse performer, activist, organizer, community-based researcher, and public figure in the trans and sex worker rights’ movements. She is the founder and executive director of G.L.I.T.S., whose mission is to approach the health and rights crises faced by transgender sex workers holistically using harm reduction, human rights principles, economic and social justice.
Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju. Guruswamy is a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India. She has defended government legislation that mandates that all private schools admit disadvantaged children and overturned section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalized same-sex relations. Katju is an Indian lawyer who successfully represented the lead petitioners in Navtej Singh Johar and others v. Union of India, where the Court struck down India’s 157-year-old sodomy law.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who is the Director of the Center for Disease Control’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. He has focused much of his career on the prevention and treatment of HIV and other STIs as an activist physician with a focus on LGBTQIA+ communities. He is also dedicated to improving the health of underserved communities and is passionate about addressing health equity and stigma in HIV by promoting “status neutral” service delivery and programming.
Antiguan-American model Aaron Rose Philip, who became the first black, transgender, and physically disabled model to ever be represented by a major modeling agency in 2018. She’s actively worked towards an inclusive industry via her editorial features in i-D, Dazed, Vogue, Allure, and W magazines, in addition to campaign features in Moschino, Sephora, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein.
OTHER EVENTS
There are countless virtual and in-person Pride events happening throughout the city, including many put on by NYC Pride. Here are some favorites:
The Rally
Friday, June 25 at 6pm; virtual
Community activists, organizers, artists, and more will come together for a virtual rally to take a stand against violence towards the LGBTQIA+ community and advocate for Black Trans Lives. The event will be hosted by Trans activist and author Hope Giselle and LGBTQ and gun violence activist Brandon Wolf.
Frontrunners Pride Run
Saturday, June 26 at 7am; Central Park
This year’s 40th Annual LGBT Pride Run has been transformed into a hybrid event. Partner NYRR will offer an in-person 6K (capacity is limited), as well as a Virtual 5K.
Youth Pride
Sunday, June 26 at 3pm; virtual
In 2019, during the first Youth Pride event, 10,000+ LGBTQIA+ teens came together for a day of performances, appearances, activations, and dancing at Central Park’s Summerstage. After a hiatus last year, the event is back in virtual format so young people everywhere can celebrate NYC Pride with their friends through musical performances, LGBTQIA+ center spotlights, DJ’s, and a special ballroom segment. The event will be hosted by influencers and activists Amber Whittington, creator of AmbersCloset, and Jorge “Gitoo” Wright. There will be performances and appearances by Brita Filter, Deetranada, Mia Lailani, Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Kate Gil, Citizen Queen, RAYE, Gotham Cheer, Serpentwithfeet, Aaron Rose Philip, Papi Juice, DJ Karaba, Devan Ibiza, and more.
PrideFest
Monday, June 27 at 11am; Greenwich Village
Back for its 27th year, this annual LGBTQIA+ street fair combines exhibitors, entertainers, food, and activities.
The Monthly Update - June 2021
The New York City COVID Market and Subsequent Rebound Shatters Records — Oh, how far we’ve come!
After COVID ravaged New York last spring, the city entered Phase 2 of the reopening plan on June 26, 2020, which meant brokers could start limited showings again. But by that point, it seemed like no one was left in the city! Listings slowly started to come on to the market and then started growing and adding up (in a big way)! The first record COVID broke was the inventory record — total listings rose to 9,600 properties on-market, tying the last record-setting period in 2008, during the financial crisis. This time around, we were adding listings to the market at a breakneck pace from June 2020 to about October 2020 — but no one was buying!
Until they were.
Now, one year later, the tables have turned! Demand outweighs supply. We’re now in a market starved for listings (or at least malnourished). As of May 31, we currently have 7,230 listings on the market, which is on the lower side of historical averages for this time of year. To the U.S. real estate industry as a whole, inventory shortages are nothing new. Nationwide, there was almost no hiccup for demand in the housing market during the height of the pandemic. In New York City, however, it was a different story, and industry pundits thought that COVID was the Armageddon Manhattan was “due.”
Just before COVID, NYC was coming off an almost four-year buyer market with prices descending about 10 percent from 2015 to the end of 2019. When the pandemic hit, the overall market was finally seeing a stronger buyer demand. Then COVID hit with thud and we saw prices descend even further.
Or did it?
After nothing was selling in the “COVID market”, today’s market has seemed to compound buyer demand into one single selling season. Pent-up demand from 2020 and renewed buyer interest in 2021 has created a frenzy I’ve never witnessed in my almost 20-year career. I started seeing buyer demand pick up in October 2020, and it just snowballed from there!
COVID record-breaker No. 2 — We have over 5,200 listings in contract as of May 30, 2021. A number never recorded before. Other impressive stats include a luxury market with over 30 contracts signed every week for almost five-and-a-half months now! Yet another COVID record-breaker is the rental market. During the pandemic, there was a roughly 30 percent vacancy rate in Manhattan — a market that generally hovers around a 1 percent vacancy rate. And now, the rental industry is signing over 1,000 leases signed per week, which is on par with any robust summer season.
So, what's to come?
We all think we know the answer, but we’re all just guessing. I think activity will stay robust and remain in this snapback mode until Spring 2022. There could be a small lull this summer as vaccinated New Yorkers are turned loose and can finally travel! But then things should pick right back up again in the fall. If it continues at this pace, maybe, just maybe, the market will start to see prices begin to rise!
But for now, we’re happy to see the high transaction rate of buyers purchasing new homes. The Hoffman Team has also set its own record this selling season with over $120 million in pending sales and closed contracts year to date. It’s an incredible, truly remarkable, head-spinning turnaround!
Local Events
“Futures Ever Arriving”
Head to Chelsea Market for an exhibit featuring works from five emerging Asian American artists in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Visitors can see the entire exhibit through a self-guided tour map with the locations of each piece marked throughout the main concourse. Read more HERE.
Sunset Jazz Cruise
All aboard for a cruise at sunset set to live jazz, passing beautiful views of the city and the Statue of Liberty. As you sip your drinks, the Boat Band plays jazz standards live. Classic Harbor Line’s Live Jazz City Lights or Sunset Sail in NY Harbor starts Saturday, June 5th.
See HERE for details and tickets.
Lifestyle Tips & Tricks
Gardening for a Great Cause
Many people are facing food insecurity due to the economic impacts of the global pandemic. Did you know that many local food banks will take fresh produce donations? If you’re a gardener, consider growing a few extra plants and donating the surplus food - small, pandemic victory gardens can help fight a big problem.
Use the hashtags #CreateFoodSecurity, #TheFoodSecurityProject as you share your growing gardens on social media! If you don’t have a green thumb, support The Food Security Project started by Compass Boulder Agents, Catherine & Andy Burgess.
30 Outdoor Bars That Will Tempt You to Sit and Sip
From pergola-covered and perched on a hill to open-air and oceanside, these outdoor bars are the ultimate destinations for at-home relaxation.
50 Unique Father's Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad
Although your dad may say he doesn't want anything for Father's Day this year, you know that showing up without a present isn't really a possibility. After all, he's the guy you looked up to (quite literally) all these years, and it's only fitting to get him a Father's Day gift that shows just how much you appreciate him and all that he does for your whole family. Courtesy of Good House Keeping
Stay Connected With Us!
This New Mexican Restaurant Takes You On a Cruise Along The Hudson While You E.at
A new Mexican restaurant opened in Manhattan this week, but unlike most others, it’s not on land. La Barca Cantina is located on a three-story boat at Pier 81 off West 41st Street, and it will take short cruises throughout the day as guests enjoy Mexican-inspired street food, tequila, mezcal, and cocktails.
All photos courtesy of La Barca Cantina
According to operator New York Cruise Lines, La Barca Cantina is New York’s first and only floating Mexican restaurant. Also at Pier 81 is their sister restaurant, North River Lobster Company, the popular lobster shack also located on a boat.
The agave-based spirits–mezcal, tequila, sotol, and racilla–are the focus of the beverage menu, which includes flights for sampling. As for the food, the heart of the menu is a selection of tacos that includes classics like chicken, shrimp, and al pastor, as well as Tony’s Campechano, a combination of beef, pork, and roasted scallions discovered that Craig Kanarick, New York Cruise Lines’ CEO discovered while on explorations in Mexico City. Most of the rest of the menu is designed for snacking and sharing. For example, the Fiesta Platter is a giant boat filled with finger-foods, including a whole Mexican fried chicken, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, and a wide range of salsas.
All photos courtesy of La Barca Cantina
All photos courtesy of La Barca Cantina
The expansive outdoor top deck is, of course, the main draw, but there’s also a bi-level interior space with two additional bars and seating. Artist Tlisza Jaurique, the first woman of Mexican-American descent to exhibit at the Met, is creating a custom art piece for the restaurant.
La Barca Cantina is open Wednesday through Sunday (see website for exact hours). Guests can purchase a $10 boarding pass that is valid for sailings throughout the day online or in-person at the box office at Pier 81.
An Italian Spa With Outdoor Thermal Pools Will Open on Governors Island This Summer
All renderings courtesy of QC NY
A luxury European day spa will open on Governors Island this summer. From the same group behind Italy’s QC Terme Spa & Resorts, QC NY features outdoor thermal pools facing the Manhattan skyline, relaxation rooms, steam rooms and saunas, and a wellness-focused cafe. An official opening date has not been released but is expected to be announced soon.
The day spa will take up three landmarked buildings that were formerly used as military barracks and have since been renovated and restored. Landscaped grounds and the outdoor pools will surround the three spa buildings, which will take up more than 75,000 square feet.
All renderings courtesy of QC NY
QC NY will feature 20 water-focused “wellness experiences,” including a Vichy shower and a panoramic pool overlooking the New York Harbor. There will be “hanging rattan chairs” in the relaxation rooms, as well as saunas and steam baths.
The QC NY on Governors Island will be the first location outside of Europe. QC Terme Spas and Resorts was founded in 1982 by brothers Saverio and Andrea Quadrio Curzio, who were both inspired by the history of ancient Roman baths.
“QC NYC is the escape and pampering that New Yorkers have been waiting for,” Janine DiGioacchino, CEO of QC US, said in a press release. “After years of planning, restoration, and building, we are so proud to bring this enchanting oasis to the city. We truly believe this opening couldn’t come at a better time. Now, more than ever, we all need and deserve mental and physical self-care and our guests can fully relax and restore.”
The spa is just one part of a decade-long plan to transform Governors Island into a year-round community. When QC NY opens this year, it will become the Island’s first year-round commercial tenant.
Plans to bring a resort to Governors Island were first revealed in 2015, with the Landmarks Preservation Commission approving the application from Quadratec and The Colonnade Group in 2015, as Curbed NY reported at the time.
A rezoning of Governors Island is nearing approval following a vote by the City Council’s land use committee earlier this month. The rezoning calls for about 4 million square feet of development across 33 acres and will likely include a new climate change research center, in addition to mixed-use buildings and office space.
While a federal deed restricts residential development on Governors Island, student dorms and hotels would be permitted. Earned revenue generated through the rezoning will go toward Governors Island maintenance, property management, transit, utilities, and infrastructure, as 6sqft previously reported.
Governors Island reopened for the season on May 1. The 172-acre site is offering a “pre-pandemic season calendar,” with six full months of art exhibitions and programs available through October 31, unlike last year, which had a shortened season because of the pandemic.
All renderings courtesy of QC NY
10 Bleecker Street, Unit 1B - COMING SOON
- COMING SOON -
10 Bleecker Street, Unit 1B
NOHO, NEW YORK
$3,150,000
3 Bed | 2 Bath | Co-Op
Beautifully planned and designed, this stunning three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex offers maisonette privacy and co-op amenities in the perfect NoHo location.Furnished rental is an option!
Impeccably gut renovated to maximize its historic character, while adding modern conveniences and high style, this expansive loft residence offers airy living spaces under soaring 13-foot ceilings. Arrive on the upper level via your own private entrance — and take in industrial-chic concrete floors and sleek white art walls highlighted by an original column and beam. The great room provides a spacious and sunny space for living and dining, while the gleaming white-on-white kitchen offers top-notch appliances and a massive marble waterfall island. A rustic barn door reveals a luxurious master suite on this level lined with sumptuous wall coverings and clerestory windows. A huge, fitted walk-in closet attends to the wardrobe, and the en suite bathroom boasts floor-to-ceiling marble, with an oversized walk-in shower and a distinctive trough basin.
Downstairs, flawless wide-plank hardwood leads you to the expansive den/playroom. More columns, clerestory windows and barn doors provide architectural appeal, and bedrooms on this level feature large windows and stunning exposed brick. The full bathroom here dazzles with designer stone and an enormous clawfoot soaking tub. There's a massive storage room with in-unit washer-dryer and utility sink, and air conditioning units provide year-round comfort.
Set within the NoHo East Historic District, 10 Bleecker Street is a handsome Renaissance Revival structure built for commercial use in 1893. Its earliest occupants were garment businesses, novelty companies and tool-and-die firms. Converted to cooperative use in 1986, today's residents enjoy newly updated common areas, video intercom and virtual doorman technology, private storage lockers and bike room, laundry, and a large furnished roof deck with barbecue grills.
Located at where Elizabeth Street meets Bleecker, this building is at the intersection of Downtown Manhattan's best neighborhoods: NoHo, SoHo, The Bowery, Greenwich Village, the East Village and the Lower East Side. Famed Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park and Roosevelt Park provide ample green space; NYU is a stone's throw away; and the exciting Essex Crossing development is within easy reach. Transportation from this accessible neighborhood is a breeze with 6, B/D/F/M and N/R/W all nearby.
Get Your Own Slice of the Big Apple: Buying a House in Manhattan with Dylan Hoffman
Get Your Own Slice of the Big Apple:
Buying a House in Manhattan
by Lira Samanta
Posted onApril 19, 2021
5 min read
If you’re ready to buy a house in Manhattan, congratulations! Being able to afford a home in this swanky NYC borough means enjoying unparalleled access to the world’s preeminent nexus of culture, cuisine, architecture, and finance. Internationally renowned museums like the Met and MoMA, theater productions on and off-Broadway, and the culturally ubiquitous Central Park are all just a subway ride away for Manhattanites.
But getting to live in such a cultural epicenter means getting ahead of an exceptionally competitive real estate market. It’s no surprise that in a city with more millionaires than any other place in the world, the most desirable properties can go to contract in a matter of days. And if you’ve never experienced home shopping in a world of co-ops before, well, let’s just say it’s not as simple as finding and making an offer on your dream unit.
We interviewed real estate experts with decades of experience to help you win a bid on your own home in Manhattan’s hyper-competitive, fast-paced market.
Source: (Josephine Baran / Unsplash)
Know the price of a slice of a Manhattan apple
Despite the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the median home price in Manhattan was over $1.1 million in Q3 2020 — one of the highest in the country. Size, location, building type, and proximity to public transportation all factor into home prices.
Dylan Hoffman - COMPASS
Keep in mind that co-ops, which are housing cooperatives collectively owned by the residents, make up over 70% of the marketplace in 2021, while the rest of the housing stock is typically condos and townhouses.
“Condos cost 30% more on average than co-ops,” says Dylan Hoffman, a local agent with over 19 years of experience, who’s sold 37% more properties than the average New York agent. Hoffman notes that small studios in co-ops can start at $265,000 compared to $500,000 in condos. Studio apartments with an alcove for more space start at $650,000 in co-ops compared to $860,000 in condos. One-bedroom apartments in co-ops can start at $700,000 in co-ops compared to $1.2 million in condos.
Closing costs can range from 2.5% to as high as 6% of the sale price, so be sure to leave room in your budget for your attorney and real estate agent, as well as for filing fees and other required deposits.
Prioritize your metropolitan must-haves
Though cosmetic upgrades like fresh paint and new furnishings can be appealing, don’t forget to prioritize your requirements.
“I always tell buyers to look at what you can’t change,” says Hoffman.
“Are you facing an avenue or a street? Do you have a view of a beautifully manicured garden of the townhouse behind or of a brick wall? Are you across the street from a bus station or from a park?”
If you plan to use the subway to get around, make sure you also assess the distance of any homes you’re considering from your most frequently used subway lines.
Painting and refacing cabinets in your new home are doable, but if you’re eager to make bigger home improvements after your purchase, know that many buildings only allow a few units to be renovated at a time. Getting the necessary approvals can take up to four months, so plan for this ahead of time.
Inspections & attorneys
The standard contract for co-ops and condos specifies that the seller must provide a unit in working order, which means that heating and plumbing systems, as well as appliances, must be ready for use as soon as you move in.
Buyers of homes in smaller buildings (with between 5 and 10 units) pay a larger percentage to cover the cost of building upkeep, compared to those who purchase a home in a high-rise. Jean Chou, the principal attorney at JLC & Associates, advises her clients who buy in smaller buildings to schedule their own inspections as part of the homebuying process.
Hiring an attorney, which is a local convention in New York, eases the burden of buyer due diligence on an entire building’s amenities, including elevator updates and hot water service.
Attorneys also help you understand the scope of future upkeep. “Whenever we look at the building’s financials, we get a sense of whether or not the building has those extra reserves and if there is a significant capital improvement that will be needed,” says Chou.
Source: (Dollar Gill / Unsplash)
Challenges to buying your slice of the apple
Unlike other cities, the standard contract for co-ops and condos usually prevents homebuyers from having to worry about typical challenges like mold, termites, or other issues revealed by an inspection. However, cash offers are not uncommon in Manhattan, and knowing how to compete with these is key.
Sellers appreciate cash offers because of their faster timelines, as there’s no need to wait for a mortgage loan. But working closely with your agent allows you to determine what else matters to the seller, like the timing of the deal, or possibly the opportunity to rent back the unit for a few months while they figure out their own next move. A top agent will help you remain competitive even in a cash market.
Flood zones in the city?
You may be wondering what it means for you if your new home is in a FEMA flood zone.
Most homes sold in Manhattan are part of a larger building, and as the building itself may have flood insurance, you may not need coverage of your own. Your mortgage lender will assess the overall coverage and advise on whether you’ll need to purchase flood insurance, particularly if you’re buying a unit on the ground floor of a building.
How to make an offer
When it comes to making a competitive bid on a Manhattan home, “Price is king,” says Hoffman. He also emphasizes the importance of having a complete offer, including a completed REBNY financial form issued by the Real Estate Board of New York, and a preapproval letter from your bank.
Another step that can give you an edge is to write a personalized letter to the seller describing your dreams for your life in your new home. “Sellers love that,” says Hoffman. “They’re so emotionally engaged in their home — they have so many fond memories!”
A powerful letter outlining how you plan to carry on the traditions in this home that were dear to the seller in their years of life there can even help you win a bid against a buyer with a slightly higher offer.
Chou stresses the importance of assembling a good team early on, even before you make an offer: “Not just the right attorney but the right agent and the right mortgage banker or loan officer, ideally as soon as possible, even as you’re starting the search process.
“Things move really quickly here,” says Chou. “A lot of times, it’s not unusual for a homebuyer to submit an offer, and they’re being asked to wire over 10% within a week” for an earnest money deposit.
Be sure you have members on your team who you can trust on an expedited timeline so you’re not grappling for resources with only days left to spare.
Source: (Steve Strang / Unsplash)
The lay of the land in Manhattan
Where to start looking for a home in a borough that has over 50 historic neighborhoods? Some areas popular with home buyers in recent years are:
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is known for upscale shops and restaurants, as well as the Museum Mile, a long stretch of museums including the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Upper West Side
Bounded on the east by Central Park, the Upper West Side is a primarily residential area and is quieter than some other neighborhoods.
Gramercy
Gramercy is a quiet neighborhood with fewer tourists and is home to the exclusive Gramercy Park.
West Village
Beautiful brownstones and an abundance of cafés and bookshops characterize West Village, which was also the site of the famous Stonewall Uprising in 1969. The legendary Magnolia Bakery got its start here.
Chelsea
Chelsea boasts a plethora of art galleries. It is also home to High Line Park, a unique public space built on top of a historic, elevated rail line. And if you’re an avid concert-goer, Madison Square Garden is just a short walk away.
Greenwich Village
Film connoisseurs need look no further than the IFC Center, a theater that shows the best independent films from all over the world. Greenwich Village is also where the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit takes place in the spring and fall.
NoHo
NoHo is a residential neighborhood with bohemian vibes, where celebrities like Cher and Britney Spears have had homes. Residents enjoy NoHo’s upscale bars, restaurants, and cafés.
SoHo
SoHo, known for its high-end restaurants and boutiques, is one of Manhattan’s premier shopping destinations. It’s also known as the Cast Iron District for its abundance of historic cast-iron buildings.
TriBeCa
A view of the Hudson River adds to this neighborhood’s appeal, as does the annual Tribeca Film Festival which takes place in the spring.
Source: (XPS / Unsplash)
Tips for buyers in Manhattan
Typically, the market is most active in the spring, followed by the fall after Labor Day. However, buying during off-peak seasons can pay off.
“I’ve sometimes had my busiest months in December,” says Hoffman. “I also don’t leave the city in June, July, and August. There could be a really good opportunity to have less competition because the seller who didn’t sell in the spring needs to move the property, so you might get it for a better price.”
Why use a top agent to buy a house in Manhattan?
Manhattan remains one of the most competitive housing markets in the U.S.; it’s consistently in demand.
A top agent will have the know-how to negotiate concessions in your contract, which in Manhattan apply almost exclusively to new developments. It’s possible to get as much as 25% off of the asking price in the form of HOA fees, transfer taxes, and storage lockers. Top agents help buyers save an average of $23,000 when purchasing a home. (That’s a lot of Broadway tickets you could be buying!)
Ready to begin your search? Find a top real estate agent in Manhattan through HomeLight to stay competitive in your Manhattan home buying search.
Header Image Source: (Florian Wehde / Unsplash)
Lira Samanta - Contributing Author
Lira Samanta is a freelance writer specializing in creative writing, personal motivation, and technology topics. She spends a lot of her spare time curating her Airbnb wishlist and dreaming about building her own She Shed. Using her economics and data science chops to study trends in real estate prices, she is always excited to find a great deal.