2018 Outlook: What to Expect for the New York City Real Estate Market

Many people have been asking what we expect for the Real Estate market in 2018. While it is a bit early to tell the impact of one of the major items at play in 2018, namely tax reform, 2018 looks to be favorable for the real estate markets largely due in part to a strong job market and strengthening economies globally. We have broken down our 2018 outlook into 4 key areas – tax reform, economic backdrop, inventory, and rentals

Tax Reform

The new tax law is likely to be the most impactful to the 2018 real estate market compared to our other key areas, and is a large element of uncertainty for the housing market. This sweeping overhaul with changes from personal to corporate taxes has provisions that are expected to impact real estate markets, especially in high tax states such as New York, New Jersey, and California.

The 2 changes to be most aware of in the bill are the capping of State and Local deductions to $10,000 and the reduction of the Mortgage Interest Deduction from $1MM to $750,000. Both of these changes could make owning a home more expensive than previously planned for some individuals and impact the amount being considered to mortgage a home.

We are only 10 days into the New Year, so the impact of changes are still unclear. Q4 2017 activity was strong, and historically Q4 momentum carries in to the beginning of the following year. We see 2 possible scenarios that could unfold as a result of the tax changes:

• Pace of sales slows at the beginning of 2018 as buyers might pause and speak to their accountants in an effort to try to better understand their new tax picture before making a purchase. In this scenario, we see downward pressure on pricing.
• Volume and Pace of transactions from Q4 continues into 2018 as buyers may recognize that the uncertainty that may be instilled in some regarding tax reform creates opportunity, and they seize this opportunity. Additionally, buyers are likely armed with padded investment accounts and year-end bonuses.

Regardless of scenario, the largest impact of the tax bill is likely to influence buyers in the $1M+ to $5M price range.

Economic Backdrop

Moving into 2018, there are a lot of favorable economic indicators that create a favorable backdrop for housing. It is important to remember that the real estate markets are highly correlated to both the job and stock markets. Economies around the world are expected to grow in 2018 with some foreign economies outpacing U.S. growth – could foreign buyers increase in 2018?

Here in the U.S., the Fed increased their growth outlook for 2018 in their minutes released in December. Their notes utilize language that suggests a job market that will continue to remain strong, and, perhaps, grow slightly while being accompanied by rising wages. This is a positive for the housing market. Additionally, the Fed is currently suggesting 3 rate hikes in 2018 as Yellen’s term comes to an end.

The consensus among analysts is that equity markets will continue to rise in 2018. While the magnitude of the rise may not be as large as in 2017, gains will continue to add to already large investment accounts.

Inventory

We expect high inventory in the luxury market to persist in 2018, or increase with additional new condo inventory coming to market.  Developers are continuing to reshape the New York City skyline in partnership with some of the best names in architecture. Projects like 125 Greenwich and 262 Fifth Avenue will increase luxury condo inventory. Increased inventory at the higher end of the market will continue to pressure pricing at this level.

To remain competitive with the pool of wealthy buyers, we expect developments to continue to push the bar. Central Park Tower is a great example of this as they are trying to allure global titans to call the building home for their pied-a-terres or place to park money in the US market. Over-the-top amenities will continue to be the norm in both condo and rental buildings.

Rentals

The rental market peaked in 2017 after being on a march higher for quite some years. We all saw the rental market take a turn in 2017 with rents seemingly dropping across the board. We expect concessions to remain at all-time highs throughout 2018. Landlords will need concessions to lure tenants to their units. The continued pipeline of new inventory that will come on the market should cap rental prices from overly rises in 2018. However, the continued attraction of New York – labor market, culture, etc. will serve as a floor for rental prices so we do not expect any large scale drops in 2018. 

How the GOP Tax Proposal Could Impact Real Estate

The GOP Tax Reform efforts are garnering headlines across the board as the potential for a new tax plan could have impacts on personal taxes, business, and of course, housing. How will the current proposal impact real estate? At a high level, the current bills would have impact on taxes and mortgages, which in turn could impact the larger market if they skew incentives of buyers, sellers, and homeowners. In both the House and Senate versions, homeownership still looks advantageous as compared to renting, and homeowners will always build equity as a result of price appreciation.

It is important to think of the plan in the context of the entire housing market, not just the Manhattan. Median prices in Manhattan are incredibly higher than the national average, so there are always unique impacts of any legislation in a city such as New York. Both plans are more beneficial for buyers at lower price points, specifically sub $300,000. With both plans, financial benefits of homeownership decrease as home price increases.

Taxes:

Under both plans, tax liabilities for homeownership will generally go up. Some propose eliminating deductions while others do not. Remember, property taxes stay with the owner for the life of the property, they do not go away like a mortgage payment once it is paid off. Both bills propose nearly doubling the standard deduction which in turn will reduce the number of people itemizing their return.

• Senate plan proposes eliminating state and local deductions, including property taxes. The House plan will leave the ability to make deductions, but will cap state and local deductions at $10,000.
• House Bill will result in nearly 1/5 of homebuyers experiencing a higher tax liability
• Senate bill will result in all buyers and current owners seeing an increased tax liability

Mortgages:

The ability to deduct mortgage interest is one of the financial benefits of owning a home that, sometimes, can help in making it more efficient to own rather than rent. Currently, a homeowner can deduct interest on mortgages up to $1 million.

• House bill will cut this deduction to $500,000 while the Senate bill leaves the deduction unchanged
• According to CoreLogic, fewer than 3% of mortgages are over $500,000
• it is not certain whether this would apply to new mortgages only, or also to existing ones BUT the version of the bill that the House passed would leave the deduction where it is for existing loans. Because of this, people might want to consider closing before year's end.

So how would these changes impact the market? Given the higher costs of homeownership in both bills, buyers may not purchase as expensive of homes as pricier homes generally come with higher tax liabilities which could be even higher now. On the other hand, current owners could be more incentivized to just stay put and not trade up to larger homes or move to cities where a job is as cities are generally higher taxed areas.

Overall, the largest impacts of the bills would be in high tax states such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California given the proposals to eliminate various deductions. Of course, the road to tax reform is long, and it is unsure what will be in the version of the bill that comes out in the end, if any.

What is BRRR? Everything you Need to Know

We recently wrote about the most common questions we get surrounding real estate transactions. Along those lines, many clients ask us about investing in real estate as way to create a portfolio that generates passive income. There is one strategy that is particularly popular among real estate investors known as “Buy, Rent, Refinance, Repeat”, or BRRR. Owning a home is one of the biggest escalators to wealth and the BRRR strategy is a way to invest in real estate and increase the scope of an overall investment portfolio.

Why has this become such a popular strategy?

This strategy has become very popular, especially in the low rate environment we have seen. Lower rates translate to a lower monthly mortgage payment. Given that rents remain the same or increase year over year, a lower monthly mortgage payment means the owner if profiting more the tenant’s rent than with a mortgage with higher monthly payments.

The BRRR strategy is based on leverage, and thus not suitable for all. It is important to access your risk profile and determine your ability to take on additional debt in the form of mortgages is sustainable and wise. Because a mortgage is viewed as “good debt”, there can be tax benefits in having on. It is important to speak with a qualified tax adviser as to what you may be able to deduct in mortgage interest and how your property will be viewed by the IRS – investment or vacation properties can fall into different categories. We discuss that in more detail here.

What is this strategy based upon?

The premise of this strategy is to purchase a property (ideally at a discount to fair value to capture more equity), finance it, and find a tenant to secure cashflow on this property. Once a tenant is in place and the property is producing positive cashflow, the owner refinances the property which essentially takes the payment back out. Refinancing allows the owner to then roll these funds to facilitate the purchase of another property. The cycle continues from here.

By getting a mortgage at historically low rates, rental profits increase as your tenants' rent covers the cost of a (lower) mortgage payment, and you, as the owner, keep the difference. Income + price appreciation overtime can lead to nice profits.

What Implications Should I Be Aware Of?

It is important to understand that what works for one buyer or investor may not be ideal for you and your personal situation. It is easy to fall in the typical investment trap of “my neighbor told me that X is a good area to buy in so I bought there as well.” Arm yourself with a qualified team from a tax adviser to a real estate broker to you can ensure you are getting the best advice and insights in each area of the process.

Additionally, when it comes to financing and the products available, there are many options. Getting a mortgage product that is suitable for you is an important aspect of this strategy. Most investors hone in on a 15 or 30-year option, but explore all the products your lender of choice offers. Tradeoffs exist with both options such as speed of building equity, interest paid on life of loan, and interest rates. Your broker and knowledgeable Mortgage Broker will be able to help decide what option may be best for you and you real estate investment goals.

It is also important to recognize that there may be times where the rental market, and thus your ability to rent the property, may be challenging. Ensure that you can continue to hold the property in the face of it sitting empty until you can find a new tenant.

Interested in hearing professional stories on this strategy? Victoria was included in an insightful article published by The Real Deal where many top brokers talk about their successful real estate investment. Read the full article here: Brokers Place Their Bet .

5 Common Questions About Investing in a Home

Buying a home is one of the largest decisions and financial transactions in many people’s lives. Because of the scale of this transaction, stress and anxiety level can go through the roof with the question – Is this the right decision for me? Is this the home I should be investing in?

Whether a first-time home buyer, or a seasoned real estate investor adding to your portfolio, questions arise during every transaction. In our experience working with buyers, sellers, renters, and investors across all experience ranges, here is a list of the most common questions we get asked when it comes to investing in a home. 

Was housing crisis during the financial crisis just a black swan event to be put behind us, or did it show that homes are not the safe and profitable holdings?

Not all those that purchased homes during the crisis of ‘08 were negatively impacted, however, the ripple effect did bring down the overall market. Those that were hit hardest were buyers that stepped up to buy properties they could not afford, largely amplified by mortgage lenders who had much more relaxed lending guidelines and approved individuals for mortgages they could not truly afford. The latter was largely responsible for the subprime mortgage crisis during this time period.

The crisis revealed the dangers of over leveraging. While a mortgage can be a great thing, taking on too much debt can lead to many issues, especially in a home purchase. A large majority of those severely wiped out by the housing crisis mortgaged the purchase of the home with minimal equity down, thus they had no skin in the game so to speak and we were willing to just walk away from their payments as a result. This is why so many homes went into foreclosure.

Any market, financial or otherwise, is subject to a crisis, however, the housing crisis has resulted in more restrictions imposed on lenders, and is certainly more prevalent in the back of buyers’ minds as they asses what they can afford.

Now that home values have recovered, what's the smartest home owning strategy going forward? Is it safe to assume a home will steadily appreciate?

Plain and simple – buy what you can afford! Consult with a mortgage advisor to receive a pre-approval letter if you are financing your home purchase. The pre-approval letter will reveal in what price range you should be shopping.

Time horizon is certainly a contributing factor to price appreciation. Because of the additional costs of a real estate transaction, a timeline of at least 5 years is usually a standard outlook to outweigh the costs of buying versus renting. This, of course, varies from market to market, and even neighborhood to neighborhood. If you envision yourself staying put for quite a while, we tend to see real estate prices appreciate over a long time horizon.

Is it safe to assume the home will be a substantial asset for funding retirement through a downsizing or reverse mortgage?

Owning a home is credited as one of the largest contributions or “escalator” to wealth. With that being said, substantial price appreciation can be observed on homes owned for multiple decades. Upon retirement, some individuals do not need the large family home they used to raise their families, and downsize. Downsizing generally results in additional gains pocketed from the price appreciation of the original home versus the price paid for the new, smaller home. Again, this is very market dependent as a smaller home in a different market may not equate to a smaller price tag all the time.

As to whether the additional “income” from a home sale can fund retirement, that is something the client should consult their certified financial advisor in regards to as everyone’s financial situation and needs in retirement vary.

As a young investor, what do I have to do to ensure I will be able to successfully purchase a home?

For many young couples looking to purchase their first home, the largest obstacle in achieving that is coming up with the down payment. There has been a definite shift towards this being a large struggle over the last decade as more and more young couples are burdened with large amounts of student debt given the increased costs of education. They are then forced to rent, which can be costly, and have minimal bandwidth to save for a down payment with all their various financial obligations.

A minimum 5-year timeline is reasonable in most markets in order to cover the costs of the transaction on both the buy side and the sell side if moving down the road versus price appreciation over that timeframe. Of course, the longer one stays in the home, the more the transaction costs are spread out over time which is coupled with additional time opportunity for price appreciation.

It does not necessarily always make sense to reach for the most expensive home. If buying the most expensive home they can afford means tapping out their budget and being on the line with meeting monthly expenses, this is probably not the wisest decision. Instead, buyers should look to purchase something in their price range that they love yet still allows them to live their daily lives while meeting financial obligations.

What kinds of misconceptions and fears are you seeing in the market among all your clients?

Working with buyers in the current NYC market, we would identify a lack of urgency as the biggest commonality across different price points. Buyers have an advantage over sellers in the current market as well as a large selection of inventory including both resale and new construction. This can lead buyers to stretch out a search as they feel what they are looking for will “still” be there.

In regards to young people taking on debt – as referenced in some responses above, we think the young buyer’s mentality towards debt has definitely changed living through the financial crisis as well as coupled with the increasing amount of student debt. As a result, some can be apprehensive to take on additional debt with a mortgage. However, talking through some of the advantages of mortgages, such as tax benefits, as well as reviewing the myriad of products available with a mortgage broker can alleviate some of these upfront concerns. We are seeing younger people having to rent longer than their predecessors given the inability to save for a down payment rather than aversion to taking on debt in the form of a mortgage.

You Need a Good Real Estate Attorney - Here's 8 Things to Consider

In a competitive or not, there are so many factors that could contribute to a real estate deal falling through. Be proactive and have all your ducks in a row so you vastly decrease the odds of a deal falling through. 

One crucial component of the real estate transaction is the attorney. An excellent real estate attorney can make the deal process that much easier and enjoyable while a bad attorney can be a complete deal killer. Thus, you need a a good real estate attorney. We've outlined 8 things to keep top of mind when it comes to attorneys and real estate transactions. Remember, if you do not have a preferred attorney, your real estate agent will be able to refer you to some of the best with which they work often. Get quotes from 3 or 4 to make your ultimate decision. 

1. Find an attorney that deals exclusively with the NYC market

Because the NYC market is so unique compared to other markets, it is important to select an attorney that deals exclusively with the market to ensure he or she understands all the nuances. This excludes attorneys who do most of their work in Long Island, NJ, etc.

2. Find an attorney that deals exclusively with real estate

This excludes personal injury attorneys, patent attorneys, etc. Furthermore, if you're buying a co-op, try to find one that specializes in co-ops as they are a property unique to New York City. Likewise, for condo purchases look for attorneys that have an accomplished track record with condo purchases. Some attorneys can easily facilitate both. 

3. Find an attorney that is comfortable operating in a modern environment

Business moves at a rapid pace thanks to technology. Your clients will expect the same. Snail mail, hand deliveries, etc are not effective anymore and will hold up an entire deal.

4. Find an attorney that has time to work on your transaction

One who does the work part time, or is perpetually on vacation, etc, can kill deals, and it is not in your best interest to hire them. 

5. Do not be cheap with the attorney

You will get what you pay for. The negotiation of the contract and the filing of paperwork with the government is the most important part of legitimate and full ownership of real estate. 

6. Unless the attorney meets the above criteria, do not give your transactions to family members or friends

7. Timely Execution

A good seller's attorney should draft a standard contract within one to two business days.  The buyer's attorney should be able to complete the due diligence and add any comments within another three to four business days. Ideally, this full negotiation should not take longer than a week.

8. A good attorney maintains focus of all parties

A good attorney should be able to keep the client calm and focused on completing the transaction. They should be able to use judgment on what is, and is not, significant if a problem arises with the unit/walkthrough/etc - i.e. not closing because of a leaky faucet, etc. 

StreetEasy - How Easy is it to find your Apartment Rental?

In the current state, many would argue that finding an apartment for rent on the popular New York site, StreetEasy, may not actually be so easy after all. If you have ever searched for an apartment in New York, moved to New York, helped a friend find an apartment in New York, etc. , then you most likely came across StreetEasy to browse listings on the NYC market. 

The site, an affiliate of Zillow, recently announced that they will charge brokers a $3 a day fee for an rental listing to appear on the site. This announcement comes shortly after the site implemented their "Premier Agent" offering, essentially allowing brokers to pay for potential leads, and become a point of contact on a listing that is not theirs.

Why is this announcement worth paying attention to? Below are 5 things you need to know about the recent changes to StreetEasy:

1. This impacts the NYC Rental Network

The NYC Rental Network is largely composed of StreetEasy Zillow, Trulia, and Hotpads because NYC does not have an MLS like every other real estate market in the country...if you are searching for a rental in NYC it will impact you!

2. The Change

StreetEasy will charge agents $3 a day to have rental listings appear on their site. If agents do not opt in, it will not appear on the site, and thus will not appear when you go to search here for your apartment. Many of the large brokerages in the city are not reimbursing agents for this additional cost if they opt to participate.

3. Initial Reaction has Been Large

The brokerage community silently spoke up through their lack of participation in the program. In fact, The Real Deal reported that rental listing inventory plummeted 50% in 24 hours! The comes on the heels of a boycott to their Premier Agent program as well.

4. Will this impact you? 

If you are conducting a search for an apartment rental in NYC, the odds are more likely than not that this will impact your search. Because StreetEasy and the affiliates have aggregated large amounts of data (listings), they have become the go to site for for many in the search. If agents do not participation, the listings will not show on searches on this site so you could miss out on properties that perfectly fit your needs. 

Through the lack of participation, and thus data, the website loses a sense of transparency. It once was the go-to for all listings in the NYC market, but that will no longer be the case as it will be a website with data that is simply paid for.

5. The Value of Human Interaction Increases

Brokers have become more important to your search than you previously thought. In an industry where technology certainly enhances and improves the transaction experience, the human element is still very valuable. By working with a broker, you will get access to their search and expertise. They have access to search propriety listings systems and tap into the broker community at large.

What to Consider Before Buying a Vacation Property

Victoria was originally quoted in The Wall Street Journal about What to Consider Before Buying a Vacation Home.

You've decided to make the plunge and purchase a vacation home. Buying a second home is a great way to accumulate additional wealth, and as an investment, generate cashflow in the interim. There is a laundry list of things to consider before buying your vacation. Speak to your real estate broker and qualified tax adviser before making your investment decision. 

We've created a list of some of the most important things to consider and ask before you buy your vacation home. Purchasing a vacation home as an investment vs. for strictly personal use is certainly a different process. We focus on a purchase as the former. 

Is it better if you live close to the property to do chores, show it, etc.?

Proximity to a property is always helpful, as it allows the you to easily access it, check up on it, and be able to respond more quickly to any issues that arise If you are not close the property, consider hiring a broker to handle the rental, property manager to oversee the property and fix any problems, liaise with local plumbers, gardeners, etc. If you are renting the property for income, you always want to ensure a seamless process for the prospective renters. 

If you want to own a home located a significant from your primary residence, be aware of potential challenges. The main challenge of remote ownership is dealing with the property over the phone, email, etc. and not face to face very often. Any interaction with those overseeing the property will be "digitally."

What investors is this ideal for, and who should not get involved?

Vacation homes can hold sentimental value for a lot of owners/families, thus those that get attached to the property are not ideal to have a vacation rental as the objective is to have it rented out during the peak-season times of the area to generate maximum income. Vacation home investments are most Ideal for someone that can meet the full tax deductibility rules of a vacation home so they can take full advantage of the home from both a price appreciation standpoint as well as from the rental income received while holding the property.

It is also important to have the mindset that owning a vacation home for an investment does not mean its a "vacation" for you- expect all the unexpected that arises when multiple people are rotating throughout the property and treat the property from the "Im on vacation" mindset.

What would be your advice to someone thinking of property hunting this spring and summer?

In the current market in vacation destinations such as The Hamptons, there is more leverage towards the buyer as the seller is dependent on the market one is looking in. We work in The Hamptons because of its proximity to the city and the preferred location for a second home for many NYC residents. If you are considering buying a vacation property in The Hamptons now, it is a buyer's market in the area, especially at high price-points. While there market has picked up a bit on the East End, there remains a large amount of high-end inventory that has been spending a longer time on the market....this works to the buyer's favor.

If you are considering looking for a rental for the summer season, it is always important to be thorough with your search and always start your search earlier than you would expect! When you decide on a property, be sure to double-check items such as who is paying utilities? is it your responsibility as the tenant to pay for expenses such as pool heating, gardner, housekeeping, etc?, Are pets allowed? 

If you are considering a longer-season rental, see if there is negotiability in the price. Owners are often willing to provide a better rate to someone that commits to renting the full season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) vs. someone who wants to rent a single week in July. 

New Construction in Southampton, a popular location for vacation investment homes

Are lenders welcoming to people buying second properties?

Every lender has different "rules", but generally if you are purchasing a second home and are in solid financial condition, the lender should not have a problem providing a loan. Given the increased risk to the bank of having a second mortgage, they may make you provide an increased downpayment so you have some "skin in the game."

What are the tax rules? To get the most tax benefit, do you have to limit your own use of the property?

Rental Property taxation can get complex, and we always refer clients that are looking to make a vacation home purchase decision of tax related questions to their qualified tax advisor. However, we see vacation homes generally fall into 3 types for taxation purposes:

Type 1: Rented more than 2 weeks with substantial personal use. The home was rented more than 14 days in the year and personal use exceeds the greater of 14 days or 10% of rental days

• Type 1 homes are considered personal residences for federal income tax purposes, and thus owners can use the up to $1M worth of mortgage debt deduction (can be used on up to 2 personal residences)
• Rental income for this type is taxable, however, allowable deductions are often able to offset the rental income

Type 2: Rented more than 14 days and personal use does not exceed the greater of 14 days or 10% of rental days

• Type 2 is considered a rental property for federal tax purposes, and generally any rental income will be subject to taxation
• Taxes for a rental property are complex as deductions are limited by the passive loss rule
• If you are on the threshold of a Type 1 vs Type 2 property, it may benefit you to get in more personal days to move into Type 1

Type 3: Rented less than 15 days with more than 14 days of personal use

• Considered a personal residence plain and simple
• Rental income for this type does not have to be reported!
• As a result, you cannot deduct direct expenses in this case
• As one can see, taxes vary on the usage of the home, but it is hard to say which scenario may be advantageous for one vs another. It is important to expect that if you are looking to purchase the vacation home strictly has a rental property, you should expect to pay taxes on the rental income

How Useful is Price Per Square Foot?

Whether you are a real estate pro or a first-time buyer, you have most likely heard chatter about Price Per Square Foot (PPSF). During the search process, there are many factors to consider such as size, location, amenities, and, of course, price. Sometimes, focusing too much solely on price is not the best way to compare 2 properties, especially if you are a value shopper. This is where PPSF comes into play and can help make a more accurate comparison of 2 apartments in terms of price value.

Price Per Square Foot

Cheaper does not always mean a better deal. PPSF is a measurement that tries to level the playing field and allow a prospective buyer to make more of an apples-to-apples comparison of properties.

Consider the following hypothetical scenario:

Property 1: A 2200 sq ft 3-bedroom condo on East 74th Street asking $5,000,000.

Property 2: A 1700 sw ft 2-bedroom condo on East 61st Street asking $4,500,000.

Property 1 one is priced at a PPSF of $2273 ($5,000,000/2200 sq ft) and Property 2 is priced at $2647 a foot. While property 1 is more expensive, the buyer’s dollar goes farther as they are getting more square footage per dollar spent.

While things like location, bedroom count, and price will impact a decision, we can see where PPSF can be a useful measure of whether a property seems like it is priced high or low, and whether it seems like a value compared to another property.

PPSF is influenced by things such as:

• Neighborhood
• Building- is it new construction or not?
• Outdoor Space (generally counted between 30-50% of interior square footage)
• Amenities
• Taxes & Maintenance- buildings with high taxes or maintenance usually have lower PPSF

Is PPSF the End All Be All?

While PPSF is certainly useful when assessing pricing as a buyer, consider a price at which to list when selling, and to identify value as an investor, it is not the end all be all when it comes to what makes a property inherently valuable.

Real Estate titan Louis Sunshine once said that not all PPSF is created equally. For example, some developers might extend measurements to the outside of building walls, include hallway space, etc. which would make the PPSF slightly different than a comparable unit that did not calculate square footage the same. Thus, it is important to take PPSF with a grain of salt and understand that the figure is relevant.

Use it as a factor when analyzing your investment decision to look for opportunities or trends. Is the PPSF in line with comps based on the asking price? Does the PPSF seem to be on an uptrend in the neighborhood? Questions like these begin to unlock the power and importance of this go-to measure for real estate brokers.

Why Amenities Matter

You’ve read about the private wine-tasting rooms, concierge, and underground squash courts that some luxury buildings have, possibly thinking “why would buyers care about this?”. The fact is, amenities have become a distinguishing and differentiating feature of some of the best buildings, and they are highly sought after by luxury buyers.

In metropolitan areas such as New York, were space comes at a premium and overcrowding can be the norm, amenities offers residence another way to “escape” from a hectic city lifestyle. Amenity spaces act as an extension of the home, providing additional space for residents to utilize. Suddenly that 1,200 square foot apartment becomes larger with a residents’ lounge, gym, or screening room in an amenity space.

30 Park Place private lap pool

Amenities not only provide additional space for residents, but they act as an adaption to the modern way of living overall. In a world of connectivity where a work e-mail or text is expected to be answered at any hour, amenities add convenience to a resident’s life. Dry cleaning is only a step away in the lobby, the gym is a 2-minute elevator ride instead of a 20-minute subway ride, and a large dinner party can be hosted right in the comfort of the building. Amenities can offer back one of the last luxuries we all have, time.

The Rise of Amenities

Amenity packages have long been an aspect of many luxury buildings. From 24-hour doormen to concierge and in-building gyms, these are the things that attracted luxury buyers.

Just as tastes and design preferences have evolved, so too, have amenity offerings. During the construction boom after the market collapse of 2008, amenities became a weapon in the toolkit of developers building ultra-luxury skyscrapers.

When every building has the best kitchen appliances, the highest quality finishes, and great views, how do they compete for the same luxury clientele and win? Amenities. We have seen some over-the-top amenities arrive to new development in New York City such as in-room dining from Wolfgang Puck, dog spa services, a private iMax theater, and restaurants for residents and their guests only.

Today’s luxury clientele is ever more discerning, and amenities in luxury real estate markets around the world have adapted to meet those evolving tastes.

Desirable Amenities

255 East 74th Street

Fitness is very important to many New Yorkers, and some buildings offer fitness centers that take it step above your standard gym. One of the leading luxury fitness facilities in New York, Equinox, calls some luxury buildings around town, with the Casa 74 Condominium being one of them.

The Victoria Shtainer Team currently has an exclusive listing in the building- Apartment 24B. When you call Apartment 24B home, a full service Equinox is only a short elevator ride away as it is located in the building.

Equinox has been regarded has a value addition to properties and neighborhoods, sometimes being cited as a catalyst for further neighborhood development and advancement. 196 Orchard Street, a new development on the Lower East Side, will also have an Equinox located inside. Many believe this will be highly transformative for the neighborhood.

One Manhattan Square

One Manhattan Square, a building we identified as changing the Lower East Side, is a great example of developers alluring buyers with not only competitive prices, but also extensive amenities. This building has one of the largest amenities offering we have seen, with total amenity space slated to exceed 100,000 square feet!

A post shared by One Manhattan Square (@onemanhattansquare) on Feb 14, 2017 at 2:36pm PST

The building’s amenities are expected to be so extensive that many people are dubbing One Manhattan Square the “Verticle Village” as residents have everything they could want right on the property. Amenities are slated to include social courtyard, outdoor fire pits, an outdoor kitchen, multi-level fitness center, bowling alley, and screening room.

One Lincoln Plaza

One Lincoln Plaza at 20 West 64th Street offers a great amenity package in addition to its wonderful location. In fact, the building offers an amenity that can still be considered a rarity in New York City, a pool.

Not only does One Lincoln Plaza have a pool, it is located on the roof! This offers a unique experience in New York City where you can enjoy a pool while also taking in skyline views. In addition to the pool, the building has a fitness center, and two outdoor terrace spaces, one with direct Central Park and 57th Street skyline views.

The Victoria Shtainer Team currently has an exclusive listing in the building, apartment 18RS, giving prospects a unique opportunity to live in this coveted building at Lincoln Center. Not to mention, it also has Central Park views from the kitchen and dining rooms!

The Best Wedding Gift You Can Give

Wedding Season is here!

Whether you are about to tie the knot and are looking to setup your registry, or you are attending a wedding in the coming months, consider why saving for a down payment at this major life milestone could be one of the best decisions to make or why helping someone attain this goal is is the best gift to give. 

Forget the Tiffany china and Frette linens as cash is king! Giving yourself the gift of a home is the best gift you can give yourself, so kindly ask for cash in lieu of a registry and let all your guests know you are working towards owning your dream home. 

Attending a wedding soon? While cash me not be your idea of a great gift, consider how much it could help a young couple looking to purchase their first home.

Gifting a Down Payment

A wedding is a great time to gift money towards a down payment. We previously wrote about 10 Ways to Save for a Down Payment, and it is no surprise that gifting was one of the ways to work towards this goal. 

Often times, first-time homebuyers think that a gift cannot be used to make a down payment on a home as it will not qualify them for a mortgage. While it is important to note you must be qualified under normal mortgage lending guidelines to receive a loan, it is also important to stress that, yes, you can use a gift to make a down payment on a home. If you have questions about mortgage approval and how it may relate to a gift, this is a great time to connect with us as we can refer to a qualified Mortgage Broker to discuss specifics as each lender has its own Best Practices. 

You may be thinking that cash sounds like a boring gift or that you do not like to give cash, however, cash is the most valuable gift when it comes to working towards owning a home. It can feel awkward asking people for money, but a wedding is a great opportunity. 

Let attendees know how important owning a home to you is, and that you are diligently working towards it so cash for a down payment is high on your wish list! In fact, the cash for a down payment may more than pay for itself in the long run.

Owning a Home is a Vehicle to Wealth

Owning a home is regarded as one of the biggest contributing factors to accumulating wealth. In fact, a self-made millionaire told CNBC that not owning a home is the single biggest Millennial mistake. Those that own homes are wealthier by a large margin than those who do not own a home. 

Many people, especially Millennials, find themselves in a situation where they are struggling to pay high rent prices in many urban and metropolitan areas which leaves them for little discretionary income to spend, and, more importantly to save. Crippling student debt and credit card loans leave many with no option but to continue to rent. This does not mean, however, that some of these individuals would not be able to qualify for a mortgage. They simply are unable to save money for a down payment given wages vs debt obligations. 

This is where taking the opportunity to receive gifts as cash be can a wise decision as it can boost a "down payment fund" to the next level. Instead of paying rent each month towards something that is not owned, home owners making mortgage payments are paying towards something that will be theirs, something that will increase in value, and thus increase their wealth.