Rents in New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. average $2,090 and are among the highest in the nation, running as much as 218% higher than in other major metro areas, according to Movoto.com, which tracks sales and rental prices in the 40 largest U.S. cities. “This fact is common knowledge throughout our dear land and… [Read More]
A TRASHY TALE….
Have you ever noticed the trash in front of some buildings (a system that appears more in keeping with 19th century technology) while other buildings do not have to succumb to placing large bags of garbage in front of their buildings? “It is truly amazing that in the 21st Century, with a world full of… [Read More]
BRACE YOURSELF: 2010 WALL STREET BONUS BONANZA COMING!
2010 Bonus pay on Wall Street is on pace to break a record high for a second consecutive year, according to a study conducted by The Wall Street Journal……so brace yourself for a real estate boost this coming Winter in New York. About three dozen of the top publicly held securities and investment-services firms—which include… [Read More]
RACY REAL ESTATE: THE STANDARD HOTEL INSPIRES BAD BEHAVIOR?
Does real estate with a racy image expose you to potential legal hazzards? Does it inspire bad behaviour? An Australian businessman acquitted of trying to rape a maid at The Standard is suing the Meatpacking District boutique hotel for $10 million, charging that its racy atmosphere contributed to the false charges filed against Matthew Moorhouse, 42,… [Read More]
WEEKEND HOMES: NEW THINKING? NEW LOCATIONS?
The Financial Times reports that weekenders are becoming more adventurous in their quest for a second home. Where once a cottage in the countryside was de rigueur, today’s budget airlines mean that a new breed of buyer can get to the house of their dreams quickly and cheaply. “In the UK,” says Georgina Richards of… [Read More]
BANK OF AMERICA EXITS RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE MARKET
As first reported on LUXURYBLURB a few days ago, Bank of America has exited the wholesale residential lending market, cutting off its business with mortgage brokers, the bank announced yesterday. “After receiving $ 45 BILLION in TARP funding from the US Governemnt/taxpayers, BOFA was one of the first banks to re-pay this debt,” says Leonard… [Read More]
"WE ARE CHIMPANZEES WITH NO MEMORY"- QUOTE OF THE DAY
Ken Fisher, head of Fisher investments, made what we think to be the most defining comment of our time to-day: “WE ARE CHIMPANZEE’S WITH NO MEMORY” How apt. While power-hungry, self-serving politicians, panicked individuals, self-serving commentators, ratings starved media, and generally paranoid humans exploit this moment in the current cycle, constantly over-analyzing the current conditions,… [Read More]
REAL ESTATE RUSH
Real estate sales in Manhattan generally pick up after Labor day, although in the past 3 years, the pick up was rather tepid. This year however, the pick up is certain, and aggressive. “We are seeing a level of activity and bidding that we have not seen in many, many months,” says Leonard Steinberg, managing… [Read More]
IS BANK OF AMERICA ABANDONING RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES?
Just to-day, Bank of America withdrew a loan that had been completely signed off on and referred it to another lending institution…..word on the street is Bank of America may be exiting the residential mortgage market….. “Its amazing how many smaller banks and untraditional lenders are eating away at the market share of the more… [Read More]
ZOMBIE BUILDINGS…..DOES NEW YORK HAVE ANY?
In this morning’s Wall Street Journal the subject of Spain’s 1,5million vacant apartments in ZOMBIE BUILDINGS is addressed: do we have ZOMBIE BUILDINGS in Manhattan? Two that come to mind are 1 Madison Park and 245 Tenth Avenue, both really wonderful buildings caught in the financial storm of 2008/2009. “The difference between these two buildings… [Read More]