An insiders look at all things Downtown and Beyond – our neighborhood, our home,
our community.
April 2021
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Buyers vs. Sellers
The tulips and cherry blossoms are in bloom and the dogs and I are back sitting on the stoop. Spring is finally in the air. And now that we no longer need to wear masks outside if we are fully vaccinated, we can soon see each others smiling faces again. We have come a long way in the past year!
And speaking of smiling, if you are in the real estate market in NYC - there are many smiling because of the great opportunities for both buyer and sellers in the very hot market that is hitting NYC. Rarely do we find ourselves in a market that has so many opportunities for both buyers AND sellers.
What you should know as a buyer and seller:
Buyers:
- once in a life time low interests rates - and rates will be going up with demand in the coming months
- hoping to still get some kind of Covid related deal
- larger homes are back in demand and homes over $4M are going into contract putting buyers at ease that NYC real estate is coming back
Sellers:
- buyers are back - and excited to be back in NYC. As so many homes are going into contract, buyers have fewer to choose from. The bidding wars are back on many well priced homes.
- pricing is key and must be on target for top price
- staging / styling still a must, virtual staging is not doing the trick
- Spring is always the hottest market of the year - and it started early this year. We expect it to continue through the rest of the year.
- It is a GREAT TIME TO SELL!
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Meryl Streep’s Former Village Home Sells for Half of Original Ask
A West Village townhouse that Meryl Streep once called home sold for just about half of its former asking price.
Frozen food mogul Elisabeth de Kergorlay originally listed the Greek Revival townhouse at 19 West 12th Street in 2016 for $35 million, according to the New York Post. It sold to a limited liability company, 19W12 LLC, for $17.25 million, according to property records. It was last listed for $22.5 million.
Streep purchased the property for $2.1 million in 1995. She sold it to the late heiress Libet Johnson for $9.1 million about a decade later, according to the publication. Johnson then rented it to Diandra Douglas, Michael Douglas’ ex-wife, before de Kergorlay acquired the home in 2008 for $13.5 million in 2008.
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NYC Apartment Costing $2.5k a Month Mocked As You Can't Open the Oven
And it seems this West Village pad may be about to join their ranks, after a photo was shared to Twitter, by a man named Nick, who said: "The kitchen on this $2,650 NYC apartment is killing me."
The photo shows a tiny nook which has been converted into the kitchen, with a sink, full sized cooker and fridge crammed onto an L-shaped space. While the appliances may be full-sized—a rarity in the city—people were quick to notice the location of the refrigerator meant it was near-impossible to open the oven door.
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In This Idyllic Village Apartment, Collectible Design Is Thriving
When the pandemic ground the typical design-world social gatherings to a screeching halt, suddenly the industry’s primary avenue to unveil new launches disappeared. Wanting to showcase the work of his favorite makers during a period of uncertainty and creative lag, the interior designer Olivier Garcé decided to transform his West Village apartment into a makeshift collectible design gallery created specifically for the pandemic age. The setting is idyllic enough: a light-flooded one-bedroom apartment in a pre-war brownstone that Garcé, the former director of Pierre Yovanovitch’s acclaimed design practice, settled into when he relocated from Paris to establish the firm’s New York branch in 2019.
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Two New Village Pizzerias and an Old Favorite Vie for
Cheese Slice Supremacy
Since the 70s, there’s been a pizzeria at the corner of Perry Street and Seventh Avenue South in the West Village, the only one around for many blocks in the last few years. Occupying a wedge-shaped space in the same building as the famous jazz club Village Vanguard, Rivoli Pizza offers the most predictable menu imaginable, spotlighting pizzas sold by the slice in 10 or so permutations, garlic knots, heroes, and pasta dishes. But suddenly, two more pizzerias have arrived less than a block from Rivoli.
There’s a new place in town for vegan slices
These two pizzerias observe certain modern notions about pizza, which stand in sharp contrast to Rivoli’s approach: in one case that pizza ought to be vegan, and in the other that it must be dirt cheap. One place appeared north of Rivoli at the corner of West 11th with the zippy name of Zazzy Pizza, advertising “plant based” on its awning, selling vegan slices in addition to the usual cheese and meat options.
The other place is located diagonally across the intersection from Rivoli, a NY 99¢ Fresh Pizza belonging to the dollar-slice genre that appeared around 2013.
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Inside the Reopening of Cubbyhole, One of NYC's Last Lesbian Bars
At this time last year, Lisa Menichino was in bed sipping a constant cycle of bourbon and frozen push pops — often mixed for the sulkiest, sweetest drink she could imagine — while fretting over the future of her bar. Today, the phone at Cubbyhole on a picturesque West Village intersection, 281 West 12th Street, won’t stop ringing as regulars are eager to reserve a seat outdoors at the city’s only open lesbian space to reopen.
After Menichino’s month or so of brooding during 2020’s first shutdown in March, messages from guests reminded her of Cubbyhole’s unique status: It’s one of Manhattan’s last two lesbian bars. A place where the queer community could meet partners, grieve, and gather safely.
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A Tribute to the Sandwiches That Are Getting Us Through the Pandemic
Throughout the pandemic, sandwiches have been our salvation. What other satisfying meal can be wolfed down while standing up? During an era when eating indoors was at times prohibited, and many considered outdoor dining in temporary structures dodgy, sandwiches have been something you could eat without worrying where to sit down. No utensils necessary!
In previous decades, sandwiches were often underappreciated, and I can remember literally not having eaten one for years at a time. During the height of the carb-phobic era, even bread was suspect, and where would a sandwich be without bread? But during the pandemic, sandwiches have proven their utility when we needed them most. And you can get them anywhere, from the ubiquitous corner deli to effete restaurants that use expensive ingredients and charge a bundle.
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The data clearly shows a very active Downtown market and we are on track to break the total number of apartments sold in a calendar year. But will sellers who have been holding back finally take the leap? Due to low inventory, it is a great time to list your home.
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Spring... and Ticks
We are loving the spring weather - and have been taking advantage of all our extra time hanging out on the stoop and look forward to getting in the car and going for some hikes up state.
But with spring, comes those horrible ticks that can cause so much illness like canine ehrlichiosis, canine anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
It is important to make sure your furry friend have excellent tick protection. Take a look at this amazing list of the best tick treatments - according to vets (ps - I hate, hate and HATE the vet).
For treatment options, click here.
xo - Scout (and Archie))
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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, architects, financial advisors and stagers to facilitate all aspects of of my clients' needs.
For the past 11 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 The Elk.
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Have an idea for the next SLICE? Email me here.
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