Tag Archives: buyers
Waterline Square construction update
Waterline square the 3 building development on the West side from the exterior looks to be finished. The buildings are designed by the starchitects Rafael Vinoly, Kohn Pedersen Fox and Richard Meier.
Prices start at just over $1.8 million for 1 bedrooms with occupancy expected in Spring of 2019.
Previous coverage of Waterline Square
Available properties in Waterline Square
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.
Thinking of moving to Hamilton Heights?
CurbedNY takes a look at the Hamilton Heights neighborhood and gives you the lowdown on it.
I agree that it is a wonderful place to live with some of Manhattan’s most beautiful tree lined blocks. If you are looking to purchase very little is available below $2 million right now. For a property that needs work but you can live in, the starting point is just north of $2 million. Recently, I had a chance to show property to a buyer client that had many historic details in place and was a 2 family home that could have been purchased for $2.1 million.
Thinking of buying in a Manhattan building with a tax abatement expiring soon?
I am constantly searching for apartments for clients and occasionally come across buildings that are tax abated. Generally speaking apartments above 96th street had 20-25 year tax abatements and below 96th street the length of the abatement was only 10 years. As a result, in the last several years, the abatement is phased out, and the taxes go up substantially.
When the monthly numbers are lower, buyers will pay more for the apartment which helps developers of new condos make more profits. But how do you analyze the value of a condo with a tax abatement expiring shortly and how much time is enough that is left on a tax abatement?
Continue reading Thinking of buying in a Manhattan building with a tax abatement expiring soon?
Manhattan closing costs for buyers and sellers
Here is a look at the closing costs for buyers and sellers of Manhattan real estate.
For the Seller:
Coops,Condos,residential 1-4 family
Brokerage Commission negotiable typically 6%
NYC Transfer tax:
1% of price for purchases up to $500,000
1.425% of price for purchases over $500,000
NYS Transfer tax
$2 per $500.00 of sales price
Attorney fee $1500 and up
Flip tax (depends on building) 0-5% COOPS*** Continue reading Manhattan closing costs for buyers and sellers
Manhattan luxury residential market keeps momentum going
There were 26 contracts signed last week at $4 million and up according to the Olshan Realty’s weekly report. The most expensive was a co-op on Fifth avenue that was asking $20 million. This is an especially good week considering the recent snowstorms and that it was Easter week.
As Manhattan new development sales slow, developers offer incentives
Developers do not like to lower prices in their Manhattan offerings so when sales slow, they offer incentives. A TriBeCa condo with an unsold penthouse is offering a free parking space to go along with their nearly 5000 sqft penthouse. At 71 Laight street, the only unsold unit is offering a 12 by 24 spot below the lobby as an enticement.
At 1 West end avenue (1WEA) 80% of the units are sold and the developers is offering $25,000 in custom closets for potential buyers on the remaining units to entice buyers. 1 WEA launched about 1 year or so ahead of the Waterline Square development just to it’s west which has a shared amenity space called the Waterline Club, a starchitect pedigree, and better views of the Hudson due to it’s location.
At the Beekman Residences downtown, the condo connected to the famed Beekman Hotel, the sponsor is offering $10,000 towards services in the adjacent hotel.
Developers in buildings with unsold units prefer to offer these incentives (instead of reducing prices) which are not recorded on a deed so that it will not affect the future sales of other units in the building.
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.
First time buyer in Manhattan?
Here are some basic steps in purchasing a Manhattan apartment for the first time.
1- Decide on a Manhattan neighborhood
2- Get a pre approval
3- Co-op or condo?
3- Find a buyer broker
Also I would add to choose your real estate attorney well. Usually your buyer broker can help you with that. A real estate attorney usually chages around $2500 or so but some that do excellent work can be found for as little as $1700 depending on the price range of the property.
Additionally, beyond getting the pre approval make sure that the bank will finance in the building that you choose. Some buildings have sponsors that still own more than 10% of the shares(co-ops) or the apartments(condos) or a higher than usual percentage of tenants. This can complicate financing and is an area very often overlooked by many real estate brokers. This as a buyer can cost you time and money and add stress. So vet the building with your lender to avoid all of that! What are your tips for a first time buyer?
Closing costs for Manhattan property
For the Seller:
Coops,Condos,residential 1-4 family
Brokerage Commission negotiable typically 6%
NYC Transfer tax:
1% of price for purchases up to $500,000
1.425% of price for purchases over $500,000
NYS Transfer tax
$2 per $500.00 of sales price
Attorney fee $1500 and up
Flip tax (depends on building) 0-5% COOPS*** Continue reading Closing costs for Manhattan property
Real estate representation simplified
So you walk into an open house and there is a broker at the open house, who does he represent? What should you tell him or not tell him? You meet an agent who you emailed through streeteasy about a loft in Soho, who does she represent? In whose interests is she working? An email through trulia.com yields a flurry of calls from agents wanting to “work for you”, are they really working in your best interests?
A real estate transaction is complex and can be made even more challenging by ambiguous representation. Legally, the agent has to disclose to you in writing who they are representing be it for a purchase, or a rental.
NYS agency disclosure form with explanation
For Manhattan real estate, typically, the agent represents the buyer, seller or both. Huh? How can an Manhattan real estate broker represent both the buyer and seller? Well, they can not give undivided loyalty to either but they can practice what is called dual agency.
The broker can represent the buyer in which case she negotiates on the behalf of the buyer, trying to convince the other side as to why the terms of the buyer are appropriate and should be accepted. Represent yourself as a buyer? Usually, this is a mistake because the agent at the open house likely is representing the seller and will negotiate the terms most favorable to the seller.
In the case of the agent at the open house, most likely they are representing the seller and will secure the best terms for the seller. For example, if you tell the seller’s agent that you will offer a price but are prepared to go higher, by law, the broker must tell the seller that. So be careful what you say to a seller’s agent. It is the same if you tell the seller’s agent that you need to move in a one month because of a job transfer, they will tell the seller that information and that may weaken your ability to negotiate a better sale price.
In all cases, the real estate broker that represents you will among many other things owe you confidentiality. So anything that you disclose can be kept to himself unless you instruct him otherwise.
So next time you meet an agent for the first time, see if they disclose to you who they represent and if they do not, ask them. It is the law.