The Minute DC | NY: 

Washington & New York on Your Doorstep 

 

Andrea Saturno-Sanjana  

 

Capital to Capital.  A Higher Standard.  Bespoke Service.

     

Licensed in DC | MD | VA | NY | (212) 888-0550 | (202) 696-0701 | asaturno-sanjana@eversco.com 
Visit me on the web!  DC | NY 

   Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our profile on LinkedIn   Find us on Pinterest   View on Instagram  

June  2016
Prime Property | DC
Stunning City Views | Lofts of Columbia Heights
This bright, corner two-bedroom home has a loft-like feel with southern and eastern exposures, stunning city views from every room and exposed ductwork and concrete ceiling.  Lofts of Columbia Heights
features a contemporary lobby with concierge.  The star attraction is the rooftop deck with 360-degree panoramic views of the city and the monuments and ample seating.  Just three blocks from Columbia Heights Metro, Gala Theatre, Washington Sports Club, Capital Bikeshare, Target, Pete's Apizza and other restaurants and shops.  Stately and lush Meridian Hill Park nearby.  Move-in ready. 
Click here to learn more
Prime Property | DC
Classic and Contemporary Townhome | Burleith-Georgetown
Classic 1926 Burleith townhome renovated with
contemporary flair, just a few blocks away from Georgetown University and Hospital and the heart of Georgetown. Light-filled open kitchen, dining and living rooms on the main level lead to
a deck, expansive yard and parking pad for two cars.  Two upper bedrooms and state-of-the-art bathroom on the upper level.  Elegant finished lower level with backyard entrance, spacious bedroom and remodeled bathroom.  Near Glover Archbold Park, Safeway, Bistrot Lepic, CafĂ© Divan and Wisconsin Avenue shops and restaurants.  Available for rent.  Shown by appointment.
Lifestyle and Health | Water Feature
Since ancient times, humans have assigned healing and transformational properties to water.  In early Rome, baths were an important part of cultural life, a place where citizens went to
find relaxation and to connect with others in a calming setting.  In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicinal wisdom, and traditional Chinese medicine, the water element is crucial to balancing the body and creating physical harmony.  Rivers have long been seen as sacred places, and in a number of different spiritual contexts, water has symbolized rebirth, spiritual cleansing and salvation.  Today, we still turn to water for a sense of calm and clarity.  Scientists have proven that living by the sea can increase your happiness levels. (The Huffington Post)


 
While some of us are fortunate to live by the sea, either during the holidays or all year round, even city dwellers can enjoy the positive effects of water, either along a river, near a stream or creek or with the creation of a garden with a koi pond or a fountain.
 
Har bour Square, a Washington, DC, community built in the 1960's, has both Potomac River views and a central courtyard with reflecting pool.  (There is also an indoor swimming pool.)  Chloethiel Woodard Smith (1910-1992) was the architect of Harbour Square and one of the first women to become a fellow in the American Institute of Architects.  Harbour Square successfully integrated existing townhomes from the 1790's into the Modern design and appears on the US National Register of Historic Places.
 Photo Credit:  Claire O. Gudewich
NYT | Four Not-So-Obvious Things to Consider When Deciding to Buy or Rent
Whether to buy or rent a home is among the biggest financial decisions most of us make. It is basically a complex math problem in which the reward for getting it right can be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars--and the punishment for getting it wrong similarly enormous.
 
Fortunately, there are many tools to help you work through the math, including The New York Times's excellent calculator. However, there are some dimensions of rent versus buy that are really important but difficult to account for in dollar terms. These dimensions have inherent but hard-to-calculate value.
(The New York Times Click here for full article

Washington, DC
Washington Market Summary for May 2016
( RBI )
New York City
Manhattan Residential Sales Market Report May 2016
       
Overall sales were down compared to last May, with declines in both the condo and co-op markets.  For the second month in a row, both average and median prices were down year-over-year for condos and co-ops.  Reflecting a large amount of overall inventory growth, days on market increased market-wide from last year.  In addition, the difference from last ask to sale increased for both condos and co-ops year-over-year.  (Citi Habitats)


Brooklyn Residential Sales Market Report May 2016
May 2016 was marked by steady average and median sale prices compared to the same time last year. Inventory was down slightly from a year ago, but contract activity was down a significant 21% versus the same time period. 33% of sales in May were below asking price compared to 24% of sales a year ago. Time from list date to contract date was 44 days, 14% shorter than last year.
(Citi Habitats)

 
Manhattan Residential Rental Market Report May 2016
The report found that when compared to April, rents increased slightly across the board, while the borough's vacancy rate fell.  Meanwhile, the percentage of landlord concessions declined slightly, but is still comparatively high - especially for May.
 
In May 2016, the average monthly rental price for a Manhattan studio was $2,344. For one-bedroom homes, the average was $3,155.  For two-bedrooms, the average rent was $4,157.  Finally, the average three-bedroom apartment rented for $5,376.
 
When compared to April, pricing increased for all apartment categories.  Average rents rose 4% for studio apartments, while rents for one-bedroom units increased 3%.  Meanwhile, pricing for two- and three-bedroom homes rose 2% for both categories.
 
In May, the borough-wide vacancy rate fell to 1.68% from April's rate of 1.81%, reversing the recent trend of month-over-month vacancy rate increases.
 
When examining concessions, 17% of rental transactions brokered by Citi Habitats offered a free month's rent and/or payment of the broker fee to entice new tenants in May, down slightly from 19% in April. 
 
In fact, the percentage of concessions hasn't been this high in the month of May since 2010 - during the 'Great Recession.'  That month, a full 34% of new leases included a move-in incentive.
 
"Owners felt confident raising asking rents during May as it's the start of the summer season, where conditions are typically in their favor.  And they're right, demand is increasing. Despite the near record-high rents, the vacancy rate fell to a level not seen since last September," explained Gary Malin, President of Citi Habitats. "However, concessions are still-effectively-boosting the market.  Most likely, the picture would not be nearly as rosy for landlords without them." 
( Citi Habitats)
 
Click here for the May 2016 Manhattan Rental Market Report                                 

NY | Al Fresco Dining
From casual back patios perfect for enjoying the fresh air and sunshine to formal gardens perfect for marking special events, New York offers al fresco dining options for every occasion.  Here are three options for this summer.
Manhattan | Barbetta
Barbetta is the oldest restaurant in New York that is still owned by the family that founded it. Barbetta is also the
oldest Italian restaurant in New York, and the oldest restaurant in New York's Theatre District.  The Barbetta garden, New York's most romantic garden, is one of the city's most sought-after sites for summer dining. Exuberantly verdant with century-old trees and flowering with the scented blooms of magnolia, wisteria, oleander, jasmine and gardenia, it is more the setting of a grand country estate than a city garden.  Click here for Barbetta

 
Brooklyn | Toro Ironworks Kitchen & Bar
The back patio at Toro Ironworks is a great place to enjoy a refreshing beer, wine, margarita or authentic
Mexican soda. 
An oasis in the heart of Greenpoint and across the street from live music venue Warsaw, Toro Ironworks features Mexican classics with a twist.  Tacos, salads and enchiladas rule with the expected--al pastor and chicken mole--and the surprising--Koreano steak (with kimchi and Korean BBQ sauce) and vegan jackfruit.  Click here for Toro Ironworks Kitchen & Bar

 
Queens | International Night Market
Now in its second year, The Queens International Night Market is a large, open-air night market in Queens, featuring independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food and featuring small-scale cultural performances and entertainment, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens.  From Ecuadorian juices and Caribbean jerk chicken to Japanese Okonomiyaki and Romanian-Hungarian chimney cake, there is something new and something familiar for everyone.  Click here for The Queens International Night Market

I would personally like to thank you for taking the time to view this email.  If you're thinking of buying or selling, you need an agent who knows my hometown of Washington and my adopted home of New York like no one else.  I'm that agent.  It would be my pleasure to assist you with all of your real estate needs.

I pride myself on cutting through the hassles of buying or selling and providing my clients with exceptional customer service.  Let me earn your business.


Sincerely,
 
Andrea
Licensed in DC | MD | VA | NY | (212) 888-0550 | (202) 696-0701 | asaturno-sanjana@eversco.com 
Visit me on the web!  DC | NY 

   Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our profile on LinkedIn   Find us on Pinterest   View on Instagram