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 An insiders look at all things Downtown and beyond – our neighborhood, our home, our community. October 2022

Out and About With Scout and Archie

Is It A Good Time To Buy? Yes! Besides "How's the market" the next question I get daily is, "Should I buy now or wait?" In past years, I have always had great success with my buyers in the Fall and Winter months. Less buyers are looking and sellers don't want to compete with the new inventory coming on in Spring - deals and discounts happen. Cash purchases in this market with higher interest rates will get you the best deal out there. If you are a cash buyer, now is your time to strike . It’s still a great time to buy even if financing. I am hearing buyers say “I want to see what’s going to happen with interest rates” or “I’m going to wait a few more months and see what happens”. However, here are some important things to consider. Everyone has to live somewhere. You either rent, or you buy. I chose to buy, and I’m glad I did. So did your landlord, and I’m sure they’re glad they did. And I’m sure they’ll be even more glad if you don’t! The focus should be the next 5-10 years, not 5-10 months. Once the Fed signals an end to rate increases, the pent-up demand of buyers will flood the market. If you wait until next spring there will almost certainly be more buyers to compete against. Buying now ensures you have little competition and can negotiate a good price. You date the rate but marry the price. You don’t need to get a permanent mortgage now. You can get a temporary mortgage in the form of an ARM. There is increasingly talk of a pending recession. If that happens, it’s likely that the Fed lowers rates and then you can refinance and get a permanent mortgage. The smart buyers will make a move now. Now is the time to act. When others are scared, remember to act smart and seize the opportunity - where competition is lower and sellers may be more willing to negotiate. There is always a story of should've would've could've. I don’t want you to be that story. Sellers who are listing their properties in the next several months are serious and want/need to sell. Buyers who want to purchase but are concerned about rates have an opportunity to negotiate given the above. The time to buy is when no one else is. Historically speaking, People who bought in economic downturns like 2009-2010; 2001; 1994-1996 purchased at lower prices and had higher appreciation than those 3 years after that period. Most sellers are very anxious as their property lingers on the market so we can take advantage of that with more aggressive negotiations in many areas. Interest rates ARE rising but renting is 100% interest… As a buyer, you’re stepping into the driver’s seat in the housing market for the first time in a long time. While rents and mortgage rates are up now during this inflation surge, rents continue rising regardless, usually around 2-3% a year. It is time IN the market not TIMING the market, that is the key. Now is the time that all buyers have been waiting for! Time to negotiate! Renovation costs have continued to stay high due to inflation and supply constraints. Now is a great time to look at a discounted home that has all your needs that may have had a price reduction.

Neighborhood Buzz

West Village Is the Most 'Coveted' Neighborhood In Manhattan A report looked at the most searched neighborhoods in New York City. The West Village topped the list.  Don't let it go to your heads West Villagers, but the neighborhood just got named the most coveted in Manhattan. Here are the top five for Manhattan. West Village: Median Asking Rent in Summer of 2022 — $4,895 Greenwich Village: Median Asking Rent in Summer of 2022 — $4,500 Chelsea: Median Asking Rent in Summer of 2022 — $4,995 SoHo: Median Asking Rent in Summer of 2022 — $4,750 Gramercy Park: Median Asking Rent in Summer of 2022 — $4,500 The top five most searched neighborhoods in the borough were all in Lower Manhattan. The pricy neighborhoods also all had median rents this summer of at least $4,500. Read More >

Daniel Radcliffe Sells Manhattan Condo to Dutch Apparel Magnate  “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe has off-loaded one of his two multimillion-dollar lower Manhattan condos, taking in $5.3 million on the sale of an 11th-floor unit at One Morton Square, a complex that occupies an entire city block in the far West Village. The busy movie star and stage actor, soon to be seen on the TV as Weird Al Yankovic in Roku’s satirical biopic “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” and soon to take the stage in the “starry” Off Broadway revival of “Merrily We Roll Along,” turned a tidy profit on the not quite 2,500-square-foot spread that he scooped up in 2008 for $4.9 million. Read More > 'Utter Takeover': Pickleball Invasion Prompts Turf War in Village Pickleball, once relegated to middle school gym classes and pensioner clubhouses, is having a moment. But the fastest-growing American sport is also becoming one of the most contentious. In recent months, reports of turf wars – along with arrests, violence, and sabotage – have filled local newspapers across the country. In New York, the battle is currently raging through the West Village. Parents have compared the pickleball players to invaders – “the human version of Blank Street Coffee,” decried one local – accusing them of forcibly evicting their children from playgrounds. Read More >

World-Famous Italian Sandwich Shop Opens Downtown Carriage House is expected open in mid-October in a secret, but not so secret location in the West Village. Here's what to know. A restaurant coming to the West Village billed as one of the "most anticipated" in New York City is opening in a neighborhood townhouse from more than a century ago. Carriage House is expected to open in mid-October in what is supposed to be a secret West Village location. The location, though, has been in part revealed by the restaurant and reported on multiple times as a townhouse constructed in the 1880s on West 10th Street. The fine-dining eatery will serve "reimagined childhood classics" such as upscale peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and TV dinners, reported TimeOut in its list of the most anticipated restaurants opening this fall. Read More >

Sabyasachi Has a New Address in New York’s West Village The Kolkata-based couturier Sabyasachi has a new hot spot in the streets of West Village in New York, where his international clientele can flock to experience his India-rooted world first-hand from the 16th of October. The store, housed in The Archive building at 160 Christopher Street, marks a new journey for Sabyasachi’s couture wares that have had a resounding success with brides and clients on a global scale. While his clothes have found space in retail spaces like Bergdorf Goodman, Browns, and Selfridges, this would be the designer’s first store in international waters. . . Read More > 'American Horror Story' Pop Up Opens In The Village Spooky season is fully upon us and a special pop-up "American Horror Story" shop is serving customers in the West Village. The shop launched last weekend at 328 Bleecker St., and will open against from 4 to 10 p.m. this weekend, and again from Oct. 28 to 30. The shop "will provide fans a safe place to unleash their darkest fantasies and immerse themselves into the world of American Horror Story like never before. Along with Halloween, the opening of the shop is in celebration of the 11th season of "American Horror Story," which is premiering Wednesday and is centered around New York City. Read More >

725 Greenwich St, Unit J3/4 Just Listed and In Contract in 15 days - over asking with multiple offers Only one flight up, this charming home is the only floor-through in the building and boasts soaring ceilings over 10 ft high. Filled with original charm including two marble decorative fireplaces, wide plank hardwood floors, numerous built-ins and ample storage throughout (with wonderful wood doors,) this 1-bedroom coop is a West Village beauty. Read More >

115 Charles St, Unit 10 Just Sold Live The West Village Dream – Renovated 1-Bedroom Home Welcome home to arguably the best street in Manhattan – Charles Street. This stunning 1-bedroom has been completely renovated while keeping the home’s charming character including window shutters and a fireplace. Read More >

*** If you are considering selling your home, I would love to share with you my marketing strategies that made these two sales so successful for my sellers. ***

Scout and Archie's Scoop

Halloween Candy—a Treat For You, a Trick For Your Pet First of all, we hate costumes and people in them. Archie turns into a barking nut and I just wanna hide! Halloween is not our favorite time of year But there are many important things to consider besides costumes and candy to keep your pet safe this Halloween. For a list of great things to remember to keep your pets safe this Halloween and the days after I encourage you to click here to learn more. xo - Scout and Archie

A Bit About Me A New York City resident for over 20 years and a West Village homeowner for over 15, I am passionate about this city and am devoted to making each client interaction an exciting and rewarding experience. It is a passion of mine to assist buyers, sellers, renters and investors to help them achieve real estate success. An expert in marketing, communication and negotiation, I skillfully guide clients with extensive market knowledge and my unfailing can-do attitude. A full-service agent, I work closely with top-tier real estate attorneys, mortgage bankers, financial advisors and stagers to facilitate all aspects of of my clients' needs. For the past 13 years, I have served as a member of my coop board and have a deep knowledge for running a building in NYC. I currently live on Charles Street with my husband, Shuki, and our rescue dogs, Scout and Archie. I am passionate about giving back to our NYC community and continually support and volunteer with many charities and nonprofits include AIDS Walk NY, Cycle for Survival and the Sato Project. I am here to help in any way I can with your real estate needs. Please reach out - I would love to hear from you and buy you a coffee at Blackstone Roasters. I can also connect you or your friends and family with top-notch real estate professionals all across the country.

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