The Brick Underground Podcast

Renting in New York City usually comes with some kind of headache—a broken elevator, a rent increase, leaks, mold, the list goes on. In this episode, tenant attorney Sam Himmelstein, a partner at Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph and a longtime sponsor of Brick Underground, sits down for our first live Office Hours. Some of the questions addressed during the event include: Can I be charged fees for late rent payments if it isn't in the lease? What are landlords' obligations for cleaning common areas? Can a landlord increase my rent in retaliation if I complain about conditions? How do I handle mold? Another important issue: How to check if your apartment is rent-stabilized. You can see the video on YouTube. Tenant attorney Sam Himmelstein writes Brick Underground's popular Ask a Renter's Rights Lawyer column.   

Claims about racial bias in appraisals are not new but there are now reports the pandemic has made the situation worse. Recently, researchers digging through millions of appraisals from the Federal Housing Finance Agency found, yet again, evidence of systematic racial bias from appraisers. In a conversation with Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of appraisal firm Miller Samuel, he says this type of discrimination is likely to be as prevalent in New York City as it is in rest of the country and blames the lack of diversity in the appraisal business is a key driver of this bias.   Related links: Employed persons by occupation, sex, race, and gender (U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics) The persistent evaluation of white neighborhoods as more valuable than communities of color (Eruka)    

Appraiser Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel, joins host Emily Myers to discuss what buyers, sellers, and renters in New York City can take away from the real estate data as we head into 2023. Rents are 15 percent higher than they were before the pandemic but concessions (like free rent given by a landlord to entice someone to sign a lease) are actually starting to rise. Meanwhile, apartment sales have slowed because of rising mortgage rates and uncertainty about the economy.  One tip: If you want to follow sales price trends in NYC you need to look at inventory and months of supply—the metrics that tell us how many apartments are available and how quickly they are selling. When months of supply go above eight and a half, buyers get some leverage. Related links: The Elliman Report (Douglas Elliman) Demand for doorman buildings keeps NYC rents stubbornly high (Brick Underground) Can NYC apartment hunters finally push back on asking rents now that winter is coming? (Brick Underground) Nearly a third of sales in Brooklyn went to bidding wars in the third quarter (Brick Underground)      

In this episode, we take a look at the biggest New York City landlords you've probably never heard of—private equity-backed owners. The number of these investor landlords has increased during the pandemic and when private equity is involved in the purchase of a rental building the outcome is rarely, if ever, positive for the tenants living there. Investigative reporter Hannah Levintova talks with host Emily Myers about what she uncovered reporting on this topic for the national publication Mother Jones.   Hannah Levintova's work on this topic includes these articles:  Real Estate Predators Tried to Cash In on the Pandemic. Then Tenants Fought Back Everything Everywhere All at Once: How Private Equity Rules Your World Public data on who owns what in NYC: Who owns what in nyc? For help getting your rent history, contact New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal's rent administration office at 718-739-6400 or by submitting a question online.  

Fires and flooded apartments pose risks for New Yorkers, prompting many to ask: How do I stay safe in my apartment? In this episode, Robert O'Brien, co-owner of New York Fire Consultants and a former F.D.N.Y. firefighter talks with host Emily Myers, offering tips on how to minimize fire hazards, find out if our building is up to code, determine if a basement apartment is legal, and where to look for your building's fire safety plan. The episode touches on personal safety issues and gives some reminders about a landlord's responsibility for looking after residents. 

If you want to rent in NYC right now, what should you expect? Apartments are no longer sitting empty and the balance of power is tipping in favor of landlords. So how do you get the edge? In this episode of the podcast, Adrian Savino, director of leasing and business development at Living New York, joins host Emily Myers to shed light on where the deals are as landlords pull concessions and raise rents.    

If you've ever wanted to put your New York City apartment to work by trading it for a week's vacation somewhere else, this might be the year. Surging demand and fewer listings for short -term rentals are pushing up prices in popular vacation spots and if you're traveling with unvaccinated children you might well be looking for an alternative to a busy hotel. Mary Lowengard, a contributing writer for Brick Underground, joins host Emily Myers to offer advice from decades of experience swapping her Upper East Side co-op for places in Europe and the U.S.    

In this guide to negotiating, Mike Walker, residential sales manager at R New York, joins host Emily Myers to share some practical tips on how to get what you want when you are buying or selling. 

Is it a red flag if a developer has failed multiple building inspections as you go to close on your apartment? What if there's no Certificate of Occupancy? What are you signaling as a buyer if you offer the asking price on an apartment with your initial bid? In this episode of the podcast we discuss your real estate questions as the city's sales market goes into overdrive. Host Emily Myers is joined by Allison Chiaramonte, an agent at Warburg Realty and attorney Shaun Pappas, a partner at Starr Associates.

Even if you've bought real estate in another city, buying in New York will surprise you. Having to compromise on your purchase when you're spending a million or more is one of the biggest shocks for many. Host Emily Myers is joined by Brick Underground's managing editor Jennifer White Karp and Kobi Lahav, director of sales at Living New York, to talk about the often awkward, frustrating and always eye-opening process of buying in NYC. The conversation covers the layers of bureaucracy, the legal wranglings, the broker tricks, board politics, and why buying in NYC holds such an appeal.    

Trends in the Queens real estate market are similar to Brooklyn—there are fewer listings, lots of sales taking place, and prices are going up. In this episode of the podcast, Compass broker Bianca Colasuonno talks with host Emily Myers about buying and selling in Queens as New Yorkers find themselves less tied to a Manhattan commute. If you're selling, the condition of your place is more important than ever because buyers want turn-key places that need little work. There are also tips for buyers in an increasingly competitive market.

Does it matter if I don't get a full copy of the lease returned to me once I've signed it? Can I install a portable washing machine in my rental? What compensation am I entitled to if the only elevator in the building is shut down for maintenance? This episode of the podcast is all about your questions. Host Emily Myers is joined by Corcoran broker Vicki Negron and real estate attorney Steven Kirkpatrick of Romer Debbas to help find solutions to some of the most pressing questions renters and buyers are asking right now.    

As many New Yorkers adjust to an infrequent commute and seek out dedicated office and dining space, they are looking to properties in Brooklyn to meet their needs. Townhouses, in particular, have been in demand as buyers prioritize privacy and space. In this episode of the podcast, Douglas Elliman broker Lindsay Barton Barrett talks with host Emily Myers about Brooklyn's resiliency. She has tips for both buyers and sellers—about how to evaluate a purchase and when to time your sale.     

Slower sales and a huge supply of empty rentals in NYC means finding a new apartment is relatively easy right now but the move itself can still feel like an overwhelming ordeal in what has been an overwhelming 12 months—so how do you move with the least stress possible? Professional organizer Janine Sarna-Jones talks with host Emily Myers about how to get and stay organized ahead of a move. She offers tips on how much time to give yourself, how to pare down your belongings, and even when to time your move to make sure your needs are prioritized.

Whether you've bought in New York City before or this is your first time, the closing process has changed in the last year: We now have video tours, virtual co-op board interviews, and electronic filings. Escrow closings are now the norm, ending lengthy in-person meetings to exchange keys and share certificates. Has buying in NYC become more efficient or more fraught? Real estate attorney Daniel Gershburg, partner at the law firm Konner Gershburg Melnick talks with host Emily Myers about what to expect when you're buying in NYC right now.

Real estate watchers will know there are deals to be had in sales and rentals in NYC right now—but where exactly? And how do you find them? In this episode, John Walkup, co-founder of the real estate analytics firm UrbanDigs, provides some context for what's happening in the market right now. He also has advice to buyers about how to identify a motivated seller. What will the long term impact be of shifts in workplace culture and what changes might it bring to the city's neighborhoods? These are some of the issues explored in this episode of the Brick Underground Podcast.   

In this episode we take a look at new development in NYC. It's an ongoing narrative that the city has a glut of brand new luxury condos and the pandemic has compounded the problem, as privacy and outdoor space are prized over tall buildings with shared amenities. What happens now? What kind of deal can you get if you want to buy and what are the challenges you face if you want to sell? Broker Ryan Serhant, CEO and founder of the real estate brokerage SERHANT joins host Emily Myers to share his expertise.

This episode is all about the numbers. Jonathan Miller, CEO and president of real estate appraisal firm Miller Samuel, joins host Emily Myers to map out how the pandemic shifted buyers towards the suburbs and how renters are now being lured back to the city by deals. Is it a good time to buy? How long will rental concessions last? What is the lasting impact of the pandemic on NYC real estate? These are some of the questions explored in this week's episode. 

How are renters currently protected from eviction in NYC? And what happens when those protections end? These are some of the questions explored in this episode of the Brick Underground Podcast. Host Emily Myers talks to Andrew Scherer, policy director at the Impact Center for Public Interest Law and a visiting associate professor at NY Law School about the impact of the pandemic on the city's renters, resources for tenants, what he anticipates happening in the new year and his hopes for more humane housing policies as a result of this year's public health crisis. 

How do you raise renovation questions in a co-op board interview? Is it possible to get pre-approval to do upgrades from a board before you buy? Are there ways to tell if a board is open to renovations without directly asking? Is now the time to renovate or sell? These are some of the questions tackled in this episode of the Brick Underground Podcast with host, Emily Myers, and Vickey Barron, a broker with Compass who has put together a full day course for brokers to help educate buyers on some of the issues they'll face if they plan to renovate.

When you buy a condo or co-op in NYC, it's important to do everything you can to find out how the building is run. After all, it's is a big investment—so what are the secrets to a well-run building? What are the typical flashpoints between residents and how are they best resolved? These are some of the questions addressed in this week's podcast with real estate attorney Steve Wagner, partner at the Manhattan law firm Wagner, Berkow & Brandt.

Brick Underground's "Take It Or Leave It" column is the subject of this week's podcast. Host Emily Myers is joined by Jennifer White Karp, Brick Underground's managing editor, and Constantine Valhouli, founder of the analytics firm NeighborhoodX, for a discussion of how to read between the lines of New York City rental listings and avoid getting tripped up by, among other things, illegal bedrooms, slick staging, and confusing rent information.

Commute times have an impact on prices and the hunt for affordable housing means people are living further from their jobs. Host Emily Myers and guest, Sarah Kaufman of the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation, talk about some of the city's transit challenges—and surprising recent improvements. Plus, what it means to be a smart city, how New York is competing, and what public data collection can do for your housing goals.

To say it's currently a buyer's market in NYC is to miss the fact that prices for starter apartments are rising much more than at the high end. Host Emily Myers gets into the details of NYC's current market data with real estate appraiser Jonathan Miller, President and CEO of the firm Miller Samuel, exploring “peak uncertainty” in sales and a “cauldron of unaffordability” in rentals. Plus, we look at what impact the 2020 election might have on NYC sales.

Tenants in New York City now have many more protections thanks to sweeping rent reforms passed in June. Host Emily Myers is joined by attorney Sam Himmelstein to consider what the changes mean for New Yorkers. 

New York City has a complicated relationship with Airbnb and other short term rental sites. The city is keen to get out the message that renting your place for less than 30 days when you're out of town is illegal. Host Emily Myers is joined by Matt Murphy, Executive Director of the NYU Furman Center to consider the impact of home-sharing on the city's rents and affordability. Plus, are penalties too steep and how do you stay on the right side of the law as a host or visitor?

If your NYC building has management issues it can be a real headache. Host Emily Myers is joined by Steve Elbaz, president of Esquire Management Corporation, to explore how to look for signs of mismanagement before you buy. Also in the podcast—advice for tenants who are looking for new management as well as best practices, like addressing building violations quickly.

Like any big financial transaction, when you buy or sell an apartment in NYC, you have to pay various fees and taxes. Host Emily Myers gets into the details of closing costs and how they can affect your buying power. In a slower market, you might also see closing credits—the show explores how they work and who they help. Plus, a conversation with the CEO of co-investment company who wants to share in your NYC condo or townhouse purchase. 

Buyers and sellers are out of sync when it comes to NYC real estate. What does this misstep mean for apartment prices and in what ways does it affect the city's rental market? Host Emily Myers explores some of the current market data with real estate appraiser Jonathan Miller from appraisal firm Miller Samuel.

What happens when your New York City neighborhood gets rezoned? Zoning is an important tool when it comes to sharing the city, affecting the population density, the size of buildings, housing, jobs, and infrastructure. Host Emily Myers digs into the details with Christopher Walters of the Association for Housing and Neighborhood Development, a neighborhood advocacy group. 

In the second episode of this season, The Brick Underground podcast takes you into the heart of the co-living phenomenon. Co-living companies remove a lot of the friction involved in renting with roommates—they stock the pantry, clean your linen and provide a ready-made community. Brick Underground reporter Mimi O'Connor shares her research on companies operating in NYC and we get into some of the legal issues that might arise with tenant and landlord attorney, Michelle Itkowitz.

In the first episode of the new Brick Underground Podcast, host Emily Myers takes on affordability now that the rules governing rent control are set to expire. Will the Democratic flip of the State Senate expand rent protections for tenants in New York City? How will changes impact the city's landlords? Urban Planner Moses Gates sheds some light on the possible reforms. We'll also hear from real estate attorney Jerry Feeny about new scaled Mansion Tax which pushes up closing costs for NYC buyers. 

The Brick Underground Podcast brings you everything you need to know about New York City real estate—condos, co-ops, buying, selling, and renting, from politics to practical guides—with tips on how to achieve your housing goals in NYC. Hosted by Emily Myers, the new season tackles affordability, housing policy, rezoning and more, so join us next week for our first episode.

It's the third season of The Brick Underground Podcast. We discuss everything you need to know to enter and hopefully win New York's affordable housing lottery. Hosts Alanna Schubach and Nathan Tempey talk to Max Jaeger of the New York Post, who is living proof that it is possible to land an affordable apartment here in New York City.  

The Brick Underground Podcast tackles New York City apartment living with a pet that suffers from anxiety and aggression. Host Nathan Tempey shares his own cat story and talks to Mary Malloy, a certified dog trainer about how to improve life with your pet. 

In this episode of the Brick Underground Podcast, host Nathan Tempey tackles the topic of buying the apartment next door to combine it with your own. Brokers Peggy Dahan of Siderow Residential Group and Tiga McLoyd of Citi Habitats share their experience from helping apartment buyers achieve their dreams of expanding, and Dahan talks about how she did it herself. 

This month, host Nathan Tempey takes on the ongoing uncertainty in the New York City real estate market. Noah Rosenblatt, founder of the real estate analytics platform Urban Digs, and Donna Olshan, founder of Olshan Realty and author of the Olshan Luxury Market Report, stop by the studio to share wisdom about buying or selling an apartment in the current buyer's market.

New York is a city of renters. In this episode, host Nathan Tempey explores the landlord-tenant relationship. He sits down with Yale Fox, who created the tech-driven site Rentlogic that systematically rates buildings to help renters make informed choices. And Arik Lifshitz of the the family-owned DSA Property Group joins the conversation to offer the landlord's perspective.  

In this episode, host Nathan Tempey takes on a huge topic in New York City real estate: renovation. Whether you're thinking about renovating, have lived through a renovation, or have sworn you will never take on a fixer upper, there's something in this episode for you. Architect Jean Brownhill, founder and CEO of Sweeten, a company that matches New York-area homeowners with contractors, offers professional and personal advice. And photographer Emily Gilbert shares her triumphs and failures after living though her own renovation project.

New York City has a history of giving tenants many legal rights. But enforcing those rights can land renters on the dreaded tenant blacklist. In this episode, attorney James Fishman talks about the blacklist, which isn't a single list at all, and offers advice to tenants concerned about ending up on it.

The Brick Underground Podcast takes a look at what lies ahead for New York City real estate in 2018. Appraiser Jonathan Miller joins hosts Alanna Schubach and Nathan Tempey in the studio to talk about the impact of Republican tax plan, the impending L-train shutdown and more.  

When you've outgrown your Brooklyn apartment, do you leave the city, or try to upgrade? Brick Underground Podcast hosts Alanna Schubach and Nathan Tempey talk to journalist Georgia Kral about her quest for a larger place and how she ultimately decided to stay in her small, fourth-floor walk up with her growing family. The hosts also answer real estate questions from Brick Underground readers.

What's it like to navigate New York City in a wheelchair? And what are the challenges for New Yorkers living with disabilities?   The Brick Underground's late podcast host, Jhoanna Robledo, asked these questions in an interview with Victor Calise, New York's Commissioner in the Mayor's office for People with Disabilities.  It was her final episode, now posthumously released.

The Brick Underground podcast was created by our host, Editor-in-Chief, Jhoanna Robledo.  Jhoanna, who was full of life, died in July after a battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. She was 46 and is survived by her husband and 3 children.   Jhoanna was a remarkable and multi-talented person. She was an extraordinary writer, reporter and photographer with an expertise in New York City real estate.   But she was also a gifted audio storyteller. She started out in radio and was passionate about the podcast.  Jhoanna ensured that the show tackle important issues, including immigrant rights, along with how-to-guides about living well and surviving New York City real estate.    When Jhoanna received her diagnosis, she was working on a podcast about how people with disabilities navigate New York City. Her final episode will post in September.

Every year in spring and early summer, thousands of new graduates arrive in the city--or, if they're at college here, decide to stay--to find new jobs and new apartments. We talk to a few new grads, and share tips and hard-fought wisdom about finding a post-collegiate home with those trading P-sets and dorm food for paychecks and the post-grad hustle.   

Fresh off our successful First-Time Buyers theme week on Brick Underground, our editors walk newcomers through the NYC real estate scene, including the pros and cons and dos and don'ts—plus the many trials and tribulations—of buying an apartment in these five boroughs.   

Description: In December 2016, the New York City Council reaffirmed the city's commitment to being a sanctuary city, a response to post-election angst over the incoming president's stance against undocumented immigrants. But what does it mean to be a sanctuary city? And what type of protections does it offer to immigrants, both with legal status and without? We talk to an attorney who's been working with immigrants, as well as a couple who are struggling to find equilibrium while fearing a possible deportation.      

With his borough increasingly in the sights of developers in search of neighborhoods to build in and newcomers looking for a more affordable place to live, we sat down with blogger Ed García Conde to talk about the Bronx's gentrification woes, its deep and fascinating history, its hidden gems, what it's like to be a neighborhood blogger, and more.

Donald Trump's election; the New York City sales and rental market seesaws; big changes bring on a big debate for HDFC apartments; and many more: Join Brick Underground editors for a look at what was, and what will (may?) be, in New York City real estate in the year ahead.   

It's the most wonderful—and, yes, financially stressful—time of the year: With the holidays come tipping season in New York City. Whether you live in a fifth-floor rental walkup, a prewar co-op, or a luxe new condo, you probably have a list of people to thank this December. But first: Do you have to tip? If so, how much? And what happens if you don't? Brick Underground's founder and editors will guide you through the do's and don'ts of tipping; plus, hear from a Manhattan doorman what working in a NYC building is like during tipping season and throughout the year.   

Description: A roommate search means finding someone who's financially stable, agrees with your philosophy about personal space (household chores, especially), and with whom you share a certain chemistry. In short, it's a lot like dating. Enter Speed Roommating, a roommate meetup event that's a little like speed dating, bringing together roommate-seekers in a bar to see if they hit it off–or crash and burn.