Looking for a new house in New York can be as exciting as it is stressful. In a seller’s market, however, there may be multiple offers on the same house. If you’ve got your eye on a home that has a lot of competition, you should know how to give an offer that might...
Real Estate
Three common issues to watch out for when closing on a new home
New York remains one of the most popular places in the United States. If you can find available property in this state, it's understandable to feel excited. During the closing process, the last thing you want to deal with is bad news. To help you out, here's a closer...
The “know before you owe” rule in real estate
"Know before you owe" is a rule about mortgage disclosure that anyone buying a home in New York should be aware of. Before you finally close on the mortgage, it gives you three business days to ask whatever questions you need to and look over your closing disclosure....
Can you request a mortgage modification?
Over the years, you might have trouble paying off your mortgage in New York. If you get too far behind, the lender might threaten to foreclose on your house. Fortunately, you could avoid this situation by requesting a mortgage modification. What is a mortgage...
What to know about changing the terms of a mortgage
New York property owners may have the ability to alter the terms of their existing home loans. If you are struggling to stay current on your mortgage, it may be a good idea to inquire about a modification. However, if you're simply looking for a way to take advantage...
NEW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
On April 1st an amendment to New York Executive Law Sec. 296 will require every owner or managing agent of housing accommodations in the State of New York to provide a notice to all residents of their rights to request reasonable modifications and/or accommodations...
Landlords Accused of Housing Bias in Federal Lawsuit
A caller was a woman looking to move with her boyfriend into a studio apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, advertised for $1,751 a month. The man who answered, the real estate broker on the listing, said he would be happy to show them the place. The woman,...
Enforcing a lien on a home
Liens make it possible to hold someone's property until they pay a debt on it. Liens are sometimes placed on residences in Brooklyn, New York. Sometimes, the government is the lienholder. This is the case with a tax lien. In that situation, a lien is placed on a home...
Bill would legalize “granny flats” in New York
During his State of the City address last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio pitched legalizing basement apartments citywide. That proposal hasn’t progressed much, but state officials are now taking steps to push that vision forward. A recently introduced bill would require...
These startups want to guarantee your rent
Companies like Flex, Till and NestEgg have raised cash to put renters on flexible payment plans. Flex and NestEgg have gone as far as fronting monthly payments to landlords. And San Francisco-based rental marketplace Zumper followed suit this summer when it rolled out...