The Upper West Side of Manhattan is home to many private schools.  Below are some of the finest private schools on the Upper West Side. The Calhoon School - West End Avenue The Calhoun School is a progressive, independent, college preparatory school located in the heart of Manhattan’s West Side. Founded in 1896, Calhoun has grown into a two-building coeducational institution with 670 students, ranging from three-year-olds to twelfth graders. The Stephan Gaynor School West 89th and West 90th Street The Stephen Gaynor School ..read more

 New York City Area Median Income (AMI) The median income for all cities across the country is defined each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2022 AMI for the New York City region is $133,400 for a four-person family (100% AMI). 2022 New York City Area AMI Family Size 30% AMI 40% AMI 50% AMI 60% AMI 70% AMI 80% AMI 90% AMI 100% AMI 110% AMI 120% AMI 130% AMI 165% AMI 1 $28,020 $37,360 $46,700 $56,040 $65,380 $74,720 $84,060 $93,400 $102,740 $112,080 $121,420 $154,110 2 $32,040 $42,720 $53,400 $64,080 $74,760 $85,440 $96,120 $106,800 ..read more

Government to back mortgages up to $970,800 in 2022 The baseline conforming limit rises 18% to $647,200 The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the conforming loan limits (CLLs) for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) in 2022. In most of the U.S., the 2022 CLL for one-unit properties will be $647,200, an increase of $98,950 from $548,250 in 2021.  National Baseline The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) requires that the baseline CLL for the Enterprises be adjusted each year to reflect the change in the average U.S. home pric ..read more

 Once again new legislation, this time sponsored by NYC's Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, would require co-op boards to tell rejected buyers in writing why they are being turned down. The Beresford a coop building photo@ Mitchell Hall The new bill is one of three targeting co-op transparency and would require co-op boards to provide this information within five business days after the board makes a decision. The statement would also have to provide enough information for you to make changes to any future application. Two other bills befor ..read more

The First Impression Did you know that within 15 seconds a buyer has already developed an opinion of your property? This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale. Following is a list of elements that create the overall first impression, including suggestions on how to make sure the buyer reacts favorably. A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your apartment. If you do not want to spend the money to paint the entire apartment, consider just the entry at least. Windows Attractive windows ..read more

Clinton - Hells Kitchen                                                                                                                            ..read more

View from 45 Central Park North A while back The New York Times published an article: How the Word ‘North’ Affects Prices: Living Along Central Park North. I was fortunate to have been quoted in the article along with a link to my sale and rental exclusive listings at 45 Central Park North, an HDFC income restricted coop. The Times did a great job capturing the many aspects of the hyper-local neighborhood in Harlem Central Park North also known as West 110th Street. 145 Central Park North 145 Central Park North is a brand new luxury condominium developed by Grid Group Deve ..read more

Current market conditions favor buyers. While leverage has shifted to buyers, the market remains functional even as prices dip. As the market slows from record levels, interest rates and the stock market will also help determine how buyers perceive the market in the next few months. What do Sellers have Control Over?  Location? No Room Count? No Square Footage? No Floor? No View? No Building Amenities? No (These attributes make up the underlying value of the property) What sellers actually have control over Price:  Nothing matters more than the initial list price. Buyers and buy ..read more

Over the years I have sold and rented apartments where a guarantor was needed. I have also sold apartments where parents and/or trust funds bought the apartment outright for an adult child or beneficiary. A guarantor is simply someone who will cosign your rental lease and in the event, you can’t pay the landlord's rent or the coop maintenance they can legally go after your guarantor to collect payment. In a condo, it is very simple. A parent can buy for an adult child. A corporation and or a trust can buy a condo. Some condos have applications that mirror coop applications but many h ..read more

I'm often contacted by buyers that want me to show them apartments. Often these buyers do not know how much of an apartment they can afford. They require financing but have not been in contact with a lender. Understanding your financing needs before you search for a new home will help you move ahead quickly and confidently when you find the right home. Before you start looking for an apartment in Manhattan you should be pre-approved and qualified by a lender.  Understanding The Related Costs of Apartment Buying   You'll need to think about more than a mortgage payment to deter ..read more