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.