December 2021

Year In Review

This last year has been unprecedented. After not being able to work for over 100 days in 2020, we were very unsure of how 2021 was going to pan out. Our NYC real estate team decided to pivot and move to Compass during an uncertain time. However, looking back this was the move that began our domino effect. As a tiny but mighty-team of three, we did over $25M in sales volume and we cant wait to beat this number in 2022.

Additionally, our squad grew. Our newest daughter Rayna made her arrival in September, just in time for Q4! With Ray joining us earth-side, personally I had to pump the brakes a bit. But our business certainly did not. We are preparing for a jam packed Q1, with multiple new listings coming to market. As well as new buyers eager to pull the trigger. We anticipate 2022 to be just as good, if not better than 2021. Wishing everyone a prosperous year ahead. Happy New Year!

Give Back

This holiday season I wanted to highlight an organization that I've spent some time with, the Soup Kitchen and Pantry at the Church of Holy Apostles located at 296 9th Avenue. Before the pandemic my team and I dedicated one day a month to volunteer here. Once pregnant I took a break due to covid risk but I am excited to get back to our volunteering in 2022. 

Their mission is to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, seek justice for people experiencing homelessness, and provide hope and opportunity to those in need. Help a New Yorker with no place to go for the holidays.

Market Report

The media is finally calling it what it is, a sellers market! With low inventory and multiple offers on each unit - the new year should bring on new prices as well.

We anticipate levels to eventually rise given the supply and demand. 

This year we saw tons of activity and we don't anticipate the traffic slowing down. Bring on 2022!  

Celebrate The Holidays In NYC

Despite the recent spike in Omicron, holiday activities in New York City are not slowing down. Here are a few of my fave things to do during the season.

1. Visit arguably the most famous Christmas tree in America, at Rockefeller Center. The tree will be on display from December 1, 2021, to the 1st week in January 2022. 

2. Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas show, ‘Twas the Night Before… is the collaboration your family and friends will love.

3. Take a stroll through Bryant Park. The Winter Village has hot cocoa, ice-skating, open-air holiday markets, unique gifts, a bite to eat, and even cocktails.

4. Admire stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Macy’s, and Tiffany & Co. as they reveal their Holiday themed-windows in November in elaborate lighting shows along the iconic 5th avenue. 

November 2021

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we approach the holiday where we all overindulge, we want to bring light to an organization that helps so many kids in this country who don't have enough food. No Kid Hungry takes your $1 donation and turns it into 10 meals. There is no shortage of food in America however, the problem is ensuring that children have reliable access to the food they need. Click here to donate.

As a mother of two I I feel strongly about ending childhood hunger; especially during the holidays when we are all fortunate enough to be surrounded by oversupply of food. Thank you in advance for contributing.

On that note, thank you for reading my newsletter, thank you for trusting my team to help buy, sell, and invest in real estate and thank you for continuing to support my brand.

We hope you and your families have a wonderful thanksgiving!

The Signings Don't Stop

Working from home these last few weeks hasn't stopped the momentum in NYC, the team has been getting deals done in Manhattan. The fourth quarter is off to a strong start. There were 1,291 contracts signed in October (up 31% compared to September). Additionally, 198 contracts were signed above $4M- a 50% increase from the previous month. Here are some of our personal stats from this month:

Closed

1. 1160 3rd Avenue #10G

2. 455 East 86th Street #27B

3. 220 East 60th Street #6A

4. 533 East 12th Street #3C 

In Contract

1. 214 Riverside Drive #202

2. 150 East 85th Street #4D

3. 58 West 58th Street #17E

Happy Diwali From Mine to Yours

Diwali is the festival of lights, it signifies good over evil and light over darkness. This year we had a small party for Lyanna's friends to ensure she grows up having the same memories that I had as a kid about Diwali. The house was always full of friends and food and we got to dress in our new Indian clothes. Sparklers or fireworks are always apart of the celebration at dark; and dance parties to end the evening.

Foreign Buyers Are Back

The U.S. will lift the travel ban on about 33 countries for vaccinated visitors, easing restrictions that prevented most foreign real-estate buyers from entering the country to view and buy properties.

Sales data suggests the wave of overseas buyers could generate tens of billions of dollars in added sales.

Foreign buyers spent $267 billion on U.S. real-estate in 2018 and $183 billion in 2019, before the pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors. (CNBC)

As always, the new development and the higher end properties will be the biggest beneficiaries of the foreign buyers returning. In New York, we are seeing Europeans as the biggest demographic of contributors instead of the Chinese since the government has really tightened its restrictions on overseas investing. I can't wait to see the impact on the spring market numbers. We've already got buildings in mind to show our clients coming to NYC after the holidays.

October 2021

Spooky Season

A post-pandemic halloween- here's what to do NYC!

1. The Village Halloween Parade: Each year over 50,000 costumed locals take to the streets of Greenwich Village in Manhattan to celebrate.

2. Haunted Cocktail Soiree: A one-of-a-kind frightening experience exists in a Financial District Townhouse.

3. Pumpkin Flotilla in Central Park: Bring your carved pumpkins to a designated spot in the park to see the City's largest glowing flotilla.

Market Update

The Fall season in NYC is off to a hot start, and all signs indicate that the market's trajectory will stay hot. A whopping 46 contracts were signed the first week of October at $4,000,000 and above.

This initial week's total marks the 11th time this year that 40 or more contracts were signed. Inventory is tightening but the demand remains high, if you are thinking of selling now is the time!

Postpartum Life

The first 3 months of a newborn's life are considered the 4th trimester for a mother. The trauma your body goes through, the healing process, the hormonal changes, the breastfeeding, the lack of sleep all attribute to (in my opinion) the hardest trimester!

The effects on the mother are not talked about enough. We are expected to bounce back to our pre-baby bodies right away and in this country, return to work in 90 days.

I am fortunate enough to have a strong support system with my family and the girls on my team, however not everyone is as lucky.

This is my PSA for the month - if you are around a new mom, offer help. Sometimes as moms we are afraid or don't know how to ask for help because we don't want to seem weak. The pressure of being a super mom and all-star woman takes over and we want to be able to prove to the world that we can do it all.

In reality, we have just created a new life and the impact that this has on our mental and physical state should not be overlooked.

Property of The Month: 150 East 85th Street #4D

IN CONTRACT AFTER ONE OPEN HOUSE

Welcome to this quiet and spacious Manhattan two bedroom, two bath home at the Ventana. With a surplus of floor-to-ceiling bay windows, 4D is drowned in natural light.

This New York City property features a spacious open kitchen, grand living room, dining area, and two sizable bedrooms, this corner apartment also features generous closets. The primary bedroom includes built-in storage, an en-suite bathroom, and comfortably fits a California King bed. With North and West exposures, the apartment is bright all day.

The Ventana is a luxury, full-service Manhattan condominium with 102 units, 15 stories, plus a lower level that includes a fitness room and storage room with individual bins. Ground floor includes an updated grand lobby, concierge, mailroom, and four separate commercial spaces. Enjoy the roof deck patio, a laundry room on every other floor, and live-in super.

Located one block from the green line 4,5,6 express stop and crosstown buses on East 86th Street and Lexington Avenue, the Ventana is a pet friendly building located in one of the most desirable areas in all of Manhattan.

There is an assessment of $444.90 until August 2022 and an assessment of $246.31 until January 2030.