Helpful COVID-19 resources for you

Creating an Office for Your Home-Based Business

Image via Pexels There are plenty of benefits of working from home: your commute disappears, you can work in your pajamas if you want to, and the hours are far more flexible than if you were in an office building. However, one major drawback for some home-based business owners is lacking a dedicated office space. If you don’t have space in your home for an office, make it a priority so you can be more productive and successful as a…

Renters Insurance, do I need it?

In order to make the decision on whether to get a renters insurance policy, it is important to know what’s covered, the three types of coverages typically available, and what to watch out for when purchasing your own policy. Please note that each insurance company has different exclusions and coverage limits. Problems and frustrations can arise down the road if you don’t fully understand what’s included and excluded in your policy.  There are three essential types of coverage: 1) Personal…

U.S. Orders Up To A Yearlong Break On Mortgage Payments

Homeowners who have lost income or their jobs because of the coronavirus outbreak are getting some relief. Depending on their situation, they should be eligible to have their mortgage payments reduced or suspended for up to 12 months. Federal regulators, through the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are ordering lenders to offer homeowners flexibility. The move covers about half of all home loans in the U.S. — those guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie. But regulators expect that the entire mortgage industry will quickly…

One Click Away From NYC Rent Stabilized Apartments

One Click Away From NYC Rent Stabilized Apartments Quick Recap On NYC Rent Stabilized Apartments When the lease for a NYC rent stabilized apartment is up, the rental increase is regulated and you are guaranteed to get a renewal lease.  After the initial approval of the application, the landlord of the apartment is basically stuck with you forever because they have no recourse in getting you out of the apartment barring some illegal activity or lack of payment that would void…

This Is How You Find An Apartment In NYC Without A Broker

This Is How You Find An Apartment In NYC Without A Broker At this moment, you are contemplating finding an apartment in NYC on your own without the help of a broker and you are second guessing if it is even possible having read everywhere how difficult it is.  Regardless, you’re going to explore the possibilities and take your shot because you’re finding a difficult time finding a reputable broker or you literally do not want to pay the thousands…

The New Rent Laws: What You Need To Know (For Now) by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum

The new rent laws that went into affect in June 2019 have been overhauled to protect tenants. Landlords and management companies are scrambling to be law abiding and stay profitable. As with any new system, there’s a learning curve. Landlord feedback is that the laws skew too highly in favor of tenants. How pushback will alter these policies remains to be seen. Whether you’re a rent stabilized or market rate tenant, read on to see what these changes are and…

A Student’s Guide to Renting in NYC

Congratulations! You’re attending school in New York City! Going off to college is one of the most exciting things you do in life, especially when it’s coupled with moving to a new place. But it can also be daunting. Whether you’re moving right into an apartment your freshman year or are looking to move out of your dorm hall, I’m here to help you navigate your way through renting as a student in NYC. I went to NYU in 2010…

How to Land Your Dream Apartment in New York City

Apartment searching anywhere can start out being very fun and quickly turn into a very time-consuming and daunting process. Looking for apartments in New York City, specifically, can leave seekers feeling very helpless due to higher rents, smaller living spaces and the need to be near the ‘perfect train.’ I would know, by 30 I had lived in midtown East, the Upper East Side, Midtown West, Queens and two stints in Brooklyn. Why is NYC so desirable? • Proximity to mass transportation:…

What Should You Plan To Spend On Rent in New York City Neighborhoods

So you want to move to The Big Apple? Quite an exciting prospect, isn’t it? It goes without saying that New York City is certainly a great place to live. But, let’s face it- the city is also known for having notoriously expensive rental costs. According to the Expatistan Cost of Living Index, only eight cities in the world have managed to surpass the home of the Jets, Yankees, and Giants. It’s currently ranked 9th with a price index value…