Category Archives: Amenities

Amenities, Harlem, Investment, Manhattan, Marketreports, Rentals, Upperwestside

Most sought after and least supplied amenity in a Manhattan rental is?

Apartmentlist.com did nationwide research to see what amenities were most sought after by renters and compared that to what is most supplied by landlords. Interestingly enough in the NYC market, 39% of the renters were looking for an in-unit laundry while only 10% of the apartments had it. This coincides with the on the ground data of my past rentals where many tenants ask if the unit has an washer/dryer in the apartment and most do not.

When you do a search on streeteasy.com for 1 bedrooms for rent on Manhattan’s upper west side, you find 204 listings but when you check the box for washer/dryer, the number goes down to only 8!

In Central Harlem, under $2,500 per month, you find 59 listings with at least 2 bedrooms and when you only look at apartments with washer/dryers the number goes down to 7!

Full coverage from Apartmentlist.com

The Author-  Brian Silvestry , a licensed real estate broker, has been selling residential and commercial real estate since 1999. He has sold in every Manhattan market from Battery Park City to Washington Heights.

Amenities, Investment

Should your building install a roof deck?

I have been in many Manhattan buildings that have roof decks and it’s a wonderful place to enjoy especially a well designed one with a view. It’s difficult to say how much a roof deck adds in value to an individual apartment but it does add some value but probably not more than 5% more or less. However, for residents, it can be an urban retreat, a place to interact with neighbors or to entertain friends.

However, there are many items to consider including cost, changing of the buildings certificate of occupancy, reinforcing of the roof and design aspects including decking materials and how to secure items to the roof. The Cooperator takes a more in depth look at the factors that will affect your decision making process.

The Author-  Brian Silvestry , a licensed real estate broker, has been selling residential and commercial real estate since 1999. He has sold in every neighborhood from Battery Park City to Washington Heights.