When the sky starts turning color at 4 p.m. and darkness hits by 5, it’s like a one-two punch to the mood. That post-Daylight Saving Time (DST) drop in light can leave even the sunniest among us reaching for extra caffeine or an early bedtime. It’s like nature just handed us all a ticket to […]
Conducting proper due diligence is a critical step in the New York City real estate buying process. It comes as the final step before the signing of the contract of sale and typically lasts 5-7 business days. Your buyer’s agent has advised you on the type of property, layout, and even some basic flaws. We […]
If you’re a responsible renter who does a reasonable job with the cleaning and upkeep of your place, getting your security deposit back after move-out day shouldn’t be difficult. Countless New Yorkers can attest, though, that the deposit battle between landlord and tenant can be a fruitless time-suck that feels weighted in favor of the […]
The phrase “scam-based economy” seems to be popping up more frequently in online discourse — and it’s no wonder. Over the past few decades, scamming has become both easier and more lucrative for unscrupulous types given the relative anonymity of the internet. And when scammy internet-driven activity meets the decadent and sometimes shady world of […]
Your landlord is responsible for keeping your home and building safe and livable at all times. This is called the “Warranty of Habitability.” Having a record of notifying your landlord makes for a stronger legal case. If your landlord has already been unresponsive to your requests to make repairs, a letter is a great tactic […]
As a shareholder in a co-op building (especially if you’re an owner serving on the co-op board), it’s important you know about HDP violations. New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development issues these violations for infractions ranging from leaky refrigerators to heating system failure. And the enforcement of these quality of life laws […]
The reality of being a landlord is that things can (and will) go wrong with properties you own — and you’ll have to assume responsibility for making them right again. While a broken ceiling tile can almost certainly wait till the weekend, other fixes require an immediate response. When those more serious concerns aren’t addressed […]
More than just being a nuisance, a heat wave can be harmful to your health. And with climate change causing rising temperatures, heat advisories during the summer are becoming the new normal. Here’s a heat advisory map for the U.S. Last week in New York, cooling centers—indoor, air-conditioned spaces for public use—opened up for use […]
It’s not just your imagination, summers really are getting hotter–especially if the current scorcher is any indication. Therefore, it’s more important than ever for you as a homeowner or seller to make sure your brownstone is equipped for record high temperatures if you want to attract high potential tenants. Here’s what you need to know […]
Are you eligible for a free air conditioner to help ride out the coming heat wave? If you’re interested, it’s better to find out ASAP because funds for free air conditioners are awarded on a first come first serve basis. In 2022, funds ran out by July 8th. New York City is currently experiencing soaring […]
