These markets could see the sharpest drop in home prices during coronavirus pandemic

Both homebuyer and seller demand have weakened dramatically in the last month, as Americans hunker down to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

While some are still shopping online, doing virtual tours, the spring season was essentially over before it started. Although sales are way down, home values may not suffer as much, except in certain markets.

Home prices were very hot at the beginning of this year and heading into the crisis, and the expectation is that while the gains in values will likely slow, prices will not fall nationally. That is because unlike during the subprime mortgage crisis, when there was a serous glut of homes for sale, there is now an increasingly severe shortage. Home values fell as much as 50% in some markets a decade ago, but market dynamics are far different now, and the supply-demand imbalance favors stronger prices.

In the first two weeks of March, new listings were up 5% annually on average. By the second week of April, they were down 47%, according to realtor.com. April is usually the strongest month for new listings.

more “These markets could see the sharpest drop in home prices during coronavirus pandemic”

Governor Cuomo Releases Plan to Reopen NYS Economy • The plan will be implemented in phases, and based on regional analysis and determinations.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today outlined a phased plan to re-open New York and re-imagine a new normal for the state starting with construction and manufacturing. The plan will be implemented in phases and will be based on regional analysis and determinations. Based on CDC recommendations, once a region experiences a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate they may begin a phased re-opening. The State is closely monitoring the hospitalization rate, the infection rate and the number of positive antibody tests, as well as the overall public health impact, and will make adjustments to the plan and other decisions based on these indicators.

more “Governor Cuomo Releases Plan to Reopen NYS Economy • The plan will be implemented in phases, and based on regional analysis and determinations.”

New! Fort Green Listing, 168 Lafayette Avenue, 2 | $7,975

Click here for a virtual tour.

Exquisite 4BR 2.5Bth Triplex

This fabulous 4BR – 2.5Bths triplex is approx. 2700 sq ft. This generous layout has been completely restored to an incredibly high standard with level five finishes. Soaring ceilings let fantastic light pour into the large rooms through original shuttered windows. Stainless steel appliances and high end light fixtures abound in the beautiful contemporary kitchen. Four huge bedrooms will all fit a king bed and have original mantel pieces and restored moldings. Fifteen large closets, including three walk ins and built in book shelves provide plenty of storage. The baths have lovely claw foot tubs with Carrara marble counter tops and sparkling new subway tile. The apartment boasts a laundry room with full size washer and dryer. These top three floors have a private entrance and tree lined street views. Split System Air. Heat is included. This large Brooklyn townhouse allows for a sweeping staircase that rises slowly and leads up to a sun filled skylight, an elegant entry into your new home. All electrical has been upgraded, CAT5 and an alarm system is also available. Pets upon approval. Close to all transport, great restaurants like Olea and Fort Greene park. Nestled in cultural center of Brooklyn including BAM, the Harvey Theatre and Mark Morris.

168 Lafayette Avenue, 2 | $7,975

Key Details Fort Greene, New York
New Listing
Rental $7,975
 | Date listed: 5/13/2020 | ID: 20142719

Residence Information
Type: Triplex | Rooms: 8.0 | Bedrooms: 4 | Full Bathrooms: 2 | Half Bathrooms: 1.0
Windowed kitchen: Yes | Air conditioning: Central Air | Washer and dryer: Yes

Building Information Period: Post-War | Building Type: Brownstone | Pets allowed: Yes

Call today or send me a message on my contact me page today.

more “New! Fort Green Listing, 168 Lafayette Avenue, 2 | $7,975”

Tips for Health & Safety during Covid-19

Good information is key during these times, and so we want to reiterate that the best place to get your news is from verified government sites that update their content on a regular basis. While we are all involved in social media and the news, now is not the time to expose ourselves to speculation and opinion.

The best ongoing resources are:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

New York State Department of Health

New York City Department of Health

We strongly encourage you to practice social distancing and prioritize your own health above all else. Reach out to us any time if you have questions or concerns and we will help in any way we can.

Brooklyn Comedy Festival

March 30 – April 5
Each year, the festival gives both established and up-and-coming performers a chance to tell stories through standup, improv, podcasts, and film. In addition to shows, guests can enjoy panel discussions and after parties throughout Brooklyn. Buy your tickets today! public programs, making it an unmissable art event.

Coronavirus fears cause mortgage rates to plunge to 8-year low

  • The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage hit 3.34% on Monday, according to Mortgage News Daily. That is for borrowers with strong financials and credit scores.
  • “Aggressive lenders will be at 3.25% today, and 3.375% will be the new going rate for the average lender,” said Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily.
  • Applications to refinance a home loan are up around 165% annually, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

    As coronavirus fears hit financial markets, U.S. bond yields are tanking, pushing mortgage rates that loosely follow the 10-year Treasury yield toward an eight-year low. They could sink even lower.

    The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage hit 3.34% on Monday, according to Mortgage News Daily. That is for borrowers with strong financials and credit scores.

    “Aggressive lenders will be at 3.25% today, and 3.375% will be the new going rate for the average lender,” said Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily.

    That rate hit 3.34% for one day in the summer of 2016, before spiking much higher that fall. Before that, rates were this low in 2012. While rates generally follow the 10-year yield, there are certain market factors that keep rates above a certain level.

    “When rates fall this quickly, it’s not so much that big banks draw the line on mortgage rates, but rather, the underlying Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) market refuses to improve as quickly as the Treasury market,” said Graham. “Both mortgages and Treasuries are feeling the impact of coronavirus panic. That’s pushing rates lower. But mortgages also become less valuable to investors if they get paid off too quickly.”

    And those payoffs, or refinances, are surging right now. Applications to refinance a home loan are up around 165% annually, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

    Mortgage applications to purchase a home have not been as strong, due to the severe shortage of homes for sale. Builders, however, may be getting a boost, especially those putting up more affordable homes.

    Another barrier to entry for some buyers is still-tight lending standards. Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst Holdings, which does have a mortgage arm, said tight lending is why his company got into the single-family rental business.

    “Unless you have a large down payment or unless you have a very solid amount of free cash flow that’s underwritable, and we forget about this because the Uber driver might not have income that is fungible from a mortgage lenders perspective, or the people working 3 or 4 jobs, or the contributors to CNBC who contribute to a few places, they may literally have trouble qualifying for a mortgage,” said Dobson.

New Listing! 401 Eighth Avenue, 43 Park Slope

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

This park block, large and elegant co-op is located on 8th Avenue and 4th Street in Park Slope. 401 8th Ave, Apt 43 represents the rare opportunity of owning a four-bedroom home zoned for PS 321 with Prospect Park as your backyard. Located on the 4th floor of a lovely six story pre-war elevator building, this apartment boasts gorgeous parquet wood floors and decorative molding throughout, with a total of twelve windows, one double in the living room; both the master and the second bath have the original stained glass panes. This 26-foot long living room with dining area adjoins a coveted open kitchen. The kitchen has built in cabinets of a hefty quality with Brooklyn-made butcher block in addition to granite countertops. Gas stove and piano-black appliances include a large refrigerator and dishwasher too. The Roosevelt Arms is an elegant 30-unit elevator coop building, pet-friendly, professionally managed and maintained. The building has an accessible ramp entrance, a live-in super, plus large storage cages, a complete laundry and a bike area in the basement. This central Park Slope location is close to great restaurants, shopping and transportation.

New Listing
Cooperative $1,675,000 |
 Maintenance/CC: $1,459 | Financing Allowed: 80%
Date listed: 2/18/2020  | Last updated: 2/28/2020  | ID: 19971236

Rooms: 7.0 | Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 2.0
Period: Pre-War | Built: 1922 | Building Type: Elevator

Call today or send me a message on my contact me page today.

New! Brooklyn Heights Henry Street 2 & 3 Bedrooms!

Two amazing opportunities.

Fabulous Top Floor

Fantastic 3BR – 2Bth available on one of the most desirable blocks in Brooklyn Heights.

This completely new renovation is light-flooded with light. This large 3BR has a huge living room with 10ft ceilings. Ornate original details such as crown molding, tall mirrors, and an original decorative fireplace, give this apartment a wonderful character. Large open plan kitchen has extra tall cabinetry, a gas stove and dishwasher. Large windows running across the front of the home from the living and dining room. All Bosch appliances including a W/D. Rent will be discounted to $6500 until roof deck will be added, rent will then increase to $7000 Hardwood floors throughout and two brand new baths, one with tub and one with a glass shower stall. High end finishes throughout and split system A/C make up this approximately 1300 sq ft. home. Close to the ferry’s at Pier 6 and all trains 2 3 4 5 N & R A & C at Borough Hall . Close to all the great restaurants and shops in Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill such Sahadi’s, Trader Joes and the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Pets upon approval. Come see the best Brooklyn has to offer!


293 Henry Street, 5 Brooklyn Heights, New York|$6,500

Rental $6,500 | Date listed: 1/23/2020 | ID: 20028370

Rooms: 6.0 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 2.0 | Windowed kitchen: Yes | Outdoor space: Roof Garden
Decorative fireplaces: 1 | Washer and dryer: Yes

Period: Pre-War | Building Type: , Townhouse

 Call today or send me a message on my contact me page today.


Fabulous Parlor Floor

Fantastic 2BR – 2Bth available on one of the most desirable blocks in Brooklyn Heights.

This completely new renovation is flooded with light.

This very large 2BR has a huge living room with 10ft ceilings. Ornate original details such as crown molding and two original decorative fireplaces, give this apartment a wonderful character. Large open plan kitchen has extra tall cabinetry, all new appliances including a gas stove and dishwasher. Large windows run across the front of the home from the living and dining rooms. All Bosch appliances including a W/D. Rent will be discounted to $6500 until roof deck will be added, rent will then increase to $7000. Hardwood floors throughout and two brand new baths, one with tub and one with a glass shower stall. High end condo finishes throughout and split system A/C make up this approximately 1300 sq ft. home.

Close to the ferry’s at Pier 6 and all trains 2 3 4 5 N & R A & C at Borough Hall . Close to all the great restaurants and shops in Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill such Sahadi’s, Trader Joe’s and the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Pets upon approval. Come see the best Brooklyn has to offer!


293 Henry Street, 4 Brooklyn Heights, New York|$6,500

Rental $6,500 | Date listed: 1/23/2020  | ID: 20028349
Rooms: 6.0 | Bedrooms: 2 | Bathrooms: 2.0 | Outdoor space: Yes |
Decorative fireplaces: 1 | Washer and dryer: Yes

Period: Pre-War| Building Type: , Townhouse


Call today or send me a message on my contact me page today.

Call today or send me a message on my contact me page today.

The 10 NYC neighborhoods where home prices increased the most over the past decade, ranked

New York city’s real estate market has grown increasingly expensiveover the past decade.

In fact, in November 2019, the city’s median recorded sales price reached just below $670,000  which is 49% higher than 2010’smedian recorded sales price of $450,000.

A recent report by real estate listing platform StreetEasy, reveals the 10 neighborhoods in New York City where median recorded sales prices increased the most from 2010 to 2019. Those increases range from just above 100% to over 200%.

Eight of the neighborhoods on the list are located in Brooklyn which is no surprise considering the borough’s popularity — and by extension, its price tags  — have increased astronomically since the 1940s.

The only two non-Brooklyn neighborhoods to make the list are the Lower East Side, which saw a 168% increase in its median recorded sales price, and Gramercy Park, which saw a 109% increase in its median recorded sales price.

10. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Williamsburg increased 107%

shutterstock_504921937

Mihai Speteanu/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $834,115

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $2,591,446


9. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Gramercy Park increased 109%

Gramercy Park

Gabor Kovacs Photography/Shuttertstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $694,500

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $1,450,000


8. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Prospect Heights increased 110%

shutterstock_408363241

Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $535,791

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $1,125,000


7. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Carroll Gardens increased 115%

shutterstock_1601945746

James Wagstaff/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $715,000

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $1,540,000


6. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Fort Greene increased 118%

Fort Greene

James Wagstaff/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $574,041

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $1,250,000


5. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Prospect Lefferts Gardens increased 132%

Screen Shot 2020 01 14 at 4.07.05 PM

Google Maps

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $373,195

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $865,000


4. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Bedford-Stuyvesant increased 159%

Bedford-Stuyvesant

CAVORT/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $363,000

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $938,486


3. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price on the Lower East Side increased 168%

Lower East Side

Jannis Tobias Werner/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $521,000

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $1,395,000


2. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Greenpoint increased 192%

Greenpoint

Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $539,713

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $1,578,287


1. From 2010 to 2019, the median recorded sales price in Cobble Hill increased 211%

Cobble Hill

quiggyt4/Shuttertock

Median recorded sales price in 2010: $834,115

Median recorded sales price in 2019: $2,591,446

Reported by Business Insider By Libertina Brandt