NYC Mansion Tax in 2026 — What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Now

If you’re buying or selling property in Brooklyn or anywhere in NYC, you’re part of something bigger than just a transaction. You’re navigating a housing market shaped not only by supply and demand, but by policy decisions that directly impact affordability and access. One of the most significant — and often underestimated — of those […]

Does Your Renters Insurance Actually CoverFlooding? (Spoiler: It Almost Certainly Doesn’t.)

Here’s something most NYC renters don’t realize until it’s too late: yourrenters insurance policy almost certainly does not cover flood damage. Notfrom a storm surge. Not from a heavy downpour that overwhelms thesewers. Not from the kind of water event that has become increasinglycommon in this city over the last decade. If you’ve lived in […]

How the NFIP Shutdown Affects Your Flood Insurance — and What You Can Do About It

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), run by FEMA, is a critical resource for many Brooklyn homeowners, renters, and small businesses. But with the federal government currently in shutdown mode, the NFIP is also at a standstill—and that pause may affect your coverage. Let’s break down what this means for those of us who live […]

SRO Townhouses: Bargain or Booby Trap? What Buyers Need to Know

There’s always buzz about the “next” Brooklyn neighborhood—where the cool cafés are just starting to appear and townhouses still feel (relatively) within reach. For some buyers, that means exploring properties with SRO designations. On paper, these buildings can seem like a deal: below-market pricing, rental income potential, and a foothold in a fast-changing part of […]

No Power Tools? No Problem. Your Library Card Has You Covered

When we talk about living in Brooklyn—really living here—we’re not just talking square footage and subway access. We’re talking about making a space your own, even if that space is a tiny rental with plaster walls and unpredictable wiring. And if you’ve ever found yourself staring down a DIY project and wishing you had a […]

Beyond Romance: Why More Buyers Are Teaming Up to Afford a Home

The housing landscape in the U.S.—and especially here in Brooklyn—has shifted dramatically in recent years. Between sky-high prices, persistent inventory shortages, and economic shifts that have made it harder for individuals to compete, buyers are getting creative. Increasingly, that means teaming up—with friends, siblings, or other non-romantic partners—to buy homes together. A recent NPR piece […]

How to Recycle Leftover Paint in NYC

Did you know that more than 80 million gallons of paint go unused every year in the United States? For NYC residents, that often means cans of half-used paint stacked in closets, basements, and hallways—uncertain what to do with them. Luckily, there’s now an easier and more sustainable option. Since launching in New York State […]

An Invaluable Overview for Buyers Concerned About Climate Change

As you may have guessed by reading this blog in the past, we’re big fans of The New York Times breaking down some of the more complicated aspects of New York City real estate for their readers. Their Rent Vs Buy Calculator, for instance, has earned a permanent place in our buyer-education arsenal (but don’t […]

Is Your Apartment Covered By Good Cause Eviction Rules? This New Tool Can Tell You

New York City’s Good Cause Eviction Law has been in effect for a little more than a year now, but too few New Yorkers may be aware of whether their home is covered. Fortunately, a new tool is available from Housing Justice for All and JustFix, two advocacy groups that want to make sure you […]

NYC Renter? It’s Time to Think About Flood Insurance

As independent journalism outlet The City aptly put it, New York is really a “collection of islands”—with more than 520 miles of waterfront! Perhaps that’s easy enough to remember if you’re in a coastal neighborhood, but thanks to a combination of climate change and aging sewage infrastructure, even landlocked neighborhoods are under threat of flooding—especially […]