Wednesday, August 31, 2016

What's Selling Now: Homes That Sold for $700,000 to $899,999

Recent residential sales in New York City and the region.

International Real Estate: House Hunting in ... the Bahamas

The luxury housing market in the Bahamas is segmented, with different islands, neighborhoods and developments all fetching various prices.

Inequality is widening, even in real estate

We're actually not married to this big homeowner tax break: Mortgage Bankers CEO

Changing the mortgage deduction could be worth considering, says Mortgage Bankers Association CEO David Stevens.

What You Get: What You Get for… $900,000

A brick townhouse in Baltimore, a house in Arkansas and a cabin in Idaho.

Real estate gains new market prominence starting Thursday

Real estate will be given its own investing class on Sept. 1, separating it from the gang within the financials.

How a low-flying, spy plane is setting your apartment rent

CoStar Group is using a reconnaissance plane to gather about twice as much construction data as its competitors.

Mortgage applications up 2.8% but refinancing applications should be higher

The rise came primarily from applications to refinance, which rose 4 percent for the week.

Sales of million-dollar homes swoon

It's not a correction, but the result of stock volatility and an oversupply of luxury homes.

Living In: Riverside, Conn.: Coastal Beauty for a Price

Riverside is really two Greenwich, Conn., neighborhoods when it comes to home prices.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

In Newark, a New Chapter Unfolding

About $2 billion in development is underway in the city, with 1,500 units of housing under construction and another 4,000 planned.

Investors Move Next Door, Unsettling a Black Beachside Enclave

Residents of Sag Harbor’s African-American neighborhoods on Long Island worry that an influx of investors who are sweeping up properties will forever alter the community’s character.

Monday, August 29, 2016

We're in a new housing bubble: Why it's less scary this time

June marked 50 straight months of national home price appreciation, with prices up 33 percent from a 2012 bottom, says a report.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Ask Real Estate: Conflict With a Housekeeper

Altercations in a co-op, timing on buying an apartment and a withheld security deposit.

Friday, August 26, 2016

In Chelsea: Gas Station to Boutique Condo

The six-unit, 11-story Getty, at West 24th Street and 10th Avenue, is rising on a site that for years contained, naturally, a Getty station.

Wealth Matters: Real Estate Strikes Out on Its Own in the Stock Indexes

Experts differ on whether real estate’s move out of the financials category to its own classification will benefit individual investors.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in Brooklyn and Manhattan

This week’s properties are on the Upper West Side, in Greenwich Village and in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in the Hamptons

This week’s properties are six-bedroom homes in Bridgehampton and Quiogue, N.Y.

Shopping Guide: Sconces

Tips on shopping for just the right sconce.

Big Ticket: A West Village Flip for $17.75 Million

An apartment at 150 Charles Street has changed ownership for the second time in six months.

What I Love: Katie Couric on Why House Hunting Is Like Dating

When the news anchor first saw her East Hampton, N.Y., house, she knew it was the one.

Underground and Over the Top in the Hamptons

Finished basements have been a cost-effective way to increase living space, but builders in the Hamptons say restrictions have accelerated the trend.

The Plain-Jane Hamptons

The boldface, gilt-edge Hamptons are to the east of the Shinnecock Canal. But some buyers are refusing to cross over.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Homes in the South of France Have Become Less Costly

Provence has been the most popular French region among international buyers, but that was before "Brexit" and the attack in Nice.

A Home in Sydney, Full of Light With Room to Roam

A house in the suburb of Terrey Hills, Sydney, has grand proportions and plenty of natural light, with multiple areas for entertaining and direct access to walking trails.

The Hunt: Hearts Set on Montauk

Amy and Bobby Reich were worried they were priced out. But they persisted and found a place.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Recent commercial real estate transactions in New York City.

Square Feet: On the Potomac, Change Comes to Alexandria’s Old Town

Plans are going forward for hotels, upscale housing, retail space and riverfront walkways, though longtime residents continue to have some misgivings.

Here are the easiest cities to get a mortgage

It's not easy to get a mortgage, but a lot depends on where you live, according to the Urban Institute.

International Real Estate: House Hunting in ... Buenos Aires

Last year’s presidential election created a pause in the price increases in Buenos Aires’s housing market.

What You Get: $1,400,000 Homes in California, Connecticut and Pennsylvania

A 19th-century farmhouse in Litchfield, Conn., a 1960 house in Los Angeles, Calif., and a Tudor in Scranton, Pa.

Weekly mortgage applications drop 2.1% as rates edge higher

A drop last week in mortgage applications is a testament to just how sensitive borrowers are to tiny rate moves.

Living In: Center Moriches: Small-Town Feeling, Gentle Prices

A hamlet on the South Shore of Suffolk County with a small-town feel and more modest homes when compared with those in the Hamptons.

6 Owner Financing Tips For Sellers In Greenville

If you’re thinking of selling your house using owner financing, make sure you read this blog post to learn the 6 owner financing tips for sellers in … There are many ways to sell your house. You could list it on the market and see what sellers will pay. You could work with a real […]

The post 6 Owner Financing Tips For Sellers In Greenville appeared first on Mason Buys Houses.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Why houses in America are getting smaller

For the first time since the recession, home size is shrinking. Median single-family square floor area has fallen by 73 feet.

Toll Brothers revenue beats estimates on higher home sales

Toll Brothers reported a rise in revenue for the fourth straight quarter, beating analysts' estimates.

US new home sales race to near 9-year high in July

New U.S. single-family home sales unexpectedly rose in July, brightening the housing market outlook.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Friday, August 19, 2016

What I Love: Steve Guttenberg’s Little Home in the Sky

The actor and his girlfriend, Emily Smith, live in a one-bedroom near Lincoln Center.

An Appetite for Harlem Apartments

Prices are lower than in some other parts of Manhattan, and more inventory is being added.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in Brooklyn and Manhattan

This week’s properties are in Morningside Heights, East Harlem and Brooklyn Heights.

Big Ticket: Art Deco Luxury for $24 Million

A four-bedroom duplex at Walker Tower was bought by a founder of the travel website Kayak.com, and was the sale of the week.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in New York and New Jersey

This week’s properties include a ranch in Montgomery, N.J., and a 1914 house in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.

In Newark, a New Chapter Unfolding

About $2 billion in development is underway in the city, with 1,500 units of housing under construction and another 4,000 planned.

The battle to save Langston Hughes' $3 million home

City roof decks raising the stakes on housing

Homeowners are looking up to add value to their properties, by adding roof decks — the more tricked out the better the return.

When the Dog Decides Where You Live

Some New Yorkers hunt for apartments with the needs of a pet uppermost in their minds. This can be expensive.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Michelangelo’s Tuscan Hillside Retreat

After a careful reconstruction over the past 20 years, La Torre di Michelangelo, which dates to 1047, retains an astounding number of its original features.

A Chalet for All Seasons in the French Alps

Chalet Polaris, in Megève, combines alpine vernacular and modern twists.

Nearly 6 million still owe more on mortgages than their homes are worth

Five years after the housing recovery began, 5.9 million borrowers still owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth.

The Hunt: An Unexpected Route to Williamsburg

Kendall Huberman discovered she qualified for a co-op building with an income cap.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Recent commercial real estate transactions in New York City.

Square Feet: Chattanooga’s Innovation District Beckons to Young Entrepreneurs

Using renovated buildings outfitted with high-speed internet, the Tennessee city’s development strategy is designed to bring young tech start-ups downtown.

International Real Estate: House Hunting in ... New Brunswick, Canada

A weak Canadian dollar and retiring baby boomers have helped strengthen the housing market in the St. Andrews area.

What You Get: $1,150,000 Homes in Texas, Maine and Delaware

This week’s properties include a clapboard house in Wilmington, De., a contemporary in San Antonio, Tex., and a loft in Portland, Me.

Playboy Mansion sold for $100 million

Mortgage applications fall 4% even as rates sit near record lows

Even with mortgage interest rates sitting near record lows, mortgage applications failed to make any gains last week.

Living In: Marine Park, Brooklyn: Block Parties, Bocce and Salt Air

In Marine Park, many residents are members of families that have lived in the Brooklyn neighborhood for generations.

Would An Investor Buy My House In Greenville For Close To Asking Price?

Are you looking to sell a house in , the [market_zipcode} zipcode, or anywhere in ? Then this blog post will answer the question, “Would an investor buy my house in for close to asking price?” Keep reading to find out the answer… When it comes to selling your house, you have a couple of […]

The post Would An Investor Buy My House In Greenville For Close To Asking Price? appeared first on Mason Buys Houses.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Homebuilder stocks rise on strong housing data

Homebuilder shares surged on strong housing data Monday.

Homebuilder sentiment up 2 points in August on shortage of existing homes

A shortage of existing homes for sale is boosting the market for newly-built homes, and fueling confidence among builders right along with it.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Friday, August 12, 2016

On the Market: Homes for Sale in Brooklyn and Manhattan

This weeks properties are on the Upper East Side, the Lower East Side and in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in New York and Connecticut

This week’s properties include a five-bedroom in North Stamford, Conn., and a four-bedroom in Bayville, N.Y.

Big Ticket: $21.5 Million for Three Bedrooms at One57

A three-bedroom apartment on the 64th floor of the 90 story skyscraper was the sale of the week.

A Very Tall Rental in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens

A Brooklyn building that got off to a rough start with neighbors, has begun leasing.

Shopping Guide: Trays

Tips on finding handsome and useful trays.

What I Love: Leslie Odom Jr., of ‘Hamilton,’ at Home in Hell’s Kitchen

The Tony Award winner rents a one-bedroom with his wife, Nicolette Robinson, an actor and singer.

An Island in Maine, Four Sisters, Four Houses

Christina Baker Kline’s parents inadvertently started a family compound when they bought a home in Maine. House by house, their daughters joined them.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Square Feet: Downtown St. Paul Makes Room for New Settlers

A 17-story landmark federal building is becoming a mixed-use project at a time of surging housing and entertainment development.

Modest to Majestic: A Look at Hillary and Bill Clinton’s Homes Over the Years

The Clintons’ shift over time from middle class to multimillionaires has been perhaps most pronounced in the places they have called home.

My Space: A Tour of John Derian’s East Village Bedroom

Like his home goods shop, the designer’s apartment feels antique and Old World, with nicotine-stained walls and layers of patina.

A Prized Location, With Culture, on French Riviera

In the seaside village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a clifftop mansion with a distinctive blue roof has a magnificent panoramic view of the Mediterranean.

A Horta House in Belgium With Art Nouveau Appeal

A four-story house by Victor Horta, considered by many to be the most pioneering among Art Nouveau architects, is for sale for 1.7 million euros.

The Hunt: An Army Veteran With a Housing Mission

Daneilia Francis wanted to buy a two-family house in Brooklyn with an apartment to rent out under Section 8.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

International Real Estate: House Hunting in ... Lima

Home sales in Lima have been slow for the last year, with the higher end of the market particularly sluggish, agents say.

Airbnb winning in Rio, even in poorest neighborhoods

Rio, a city that once lacked enough hotels and is living under Brazil's recession, has meant big opportunity for homesharing.

What You Get: $740,000 Homes in Santa Fe, North Carolina and Vermont

This week’s properties are contemporaries in Colchester, Vt., Santa Fe, N.M., and Vermont and Durham, N.C.

Mortgage applications jump 7% as rates drop on weak GDP

Lower interest rates driven by a weak GDP reading for the second quarter boosted mortgage applications last week.

Silicon Valley real estate shows who's winning in tech right now

Despite a slowdown in tech startup funding and a hammering of public tech stocks earlier this year, Bay Area commercial real estate is as hot as ever.

Living In: Stuyvesant Town: An Oasis Near the East River

Stuyvesant Town, and it’s sister housing complex, Peter Cooper Village, once provided housing for returning World War II veterans.

Can Appraisals Affect The Selling Price On A House In Greenville?

If you’re thinking about selling your house then you are probably trying to figure out what your selling price might be. Part of that process is getting an appraisal (or valuation) on your home. So, if you’re wondering, “Can appraisals affect the selling price on a house in ?” then keep reading… When selling your […]

The post Can Appraisals Affect The Selling Price On A House In Greenville? appeared first on Mason Buys Houses.

Monday, August 8, 2016

A Count’s Estate on the Outskirts of Barcelona Goes on the Market

A house in a onetime industrial colony in a Unesco-designated world heritage site still bears traces of the architect Antoni Gaudí.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Friday, August 5, 2016

What I Love: Sara Mearns and Joshua Bergasse, Pirouetting on the 27th Floor

Ms. Mearns, the New York City Ballet principal dancer, and Mr. Bergasse, the Emmy-winning choreographer, at home in Lincoln Square.

New York Buildings With Communal Gardens

Some new residential developments are offering tenants space in on-site gardens, and at least one has created a farm on the building’s property.

Big Ticket: $32 Million Sale on Fifth Avenue

The chief executive of Loews uses a trust to buy a sprawling apartment at 1040 Fifth Avenue, an exclusive co-op designed by Rosario Candela.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in Brooklyn and Manhattan

This week’s properties are in Greenwich Village, the East Village and Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

On the Market: Homes for Sale in New York and New Jersey

This week’s properties include a six-bedroom in Tenafly, N.J., and a four-bedroom in Chappaqua, N.Y.

The big jobs number is a win for luxury housing

A larger-than-expected employment gain in July could boost the recovery in prices for luxury U.S. homes.

Closets as Big as Some Apartments

A must-have feature in some of the city’s most expensive condos might seem mundane in other parts of the country: extra-spacious master suite closets.

New York’s Stalled Residential Construction

Despite a building boom, some residential buildings haven’t gotten off the ground.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Sterling slump knocks London off most-expensive spot for locating staff

Sterling’s slump since the Brexit vote means London is no longer the world’s most expensive city for companies to locate staff, says Savills.

The Hunt: Their Favorite: A Bed-Stuy Two-Family

Seth Burroughs and Elli Papadopoulos searched for a home in Brooklyn.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Underwater in the Las Vegas Desert, Years After the Housing Crash

More than eight years after rotten loans and plunging home values made Las Vegas the center of the housing crisis, thousands of people have yet to recover.

Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Recent commercial real estate transactions in New York City.

Square Feet: The Town Center Regains Significance

Easton, a mixed-use project in Columbus, Ohio, that began construction in 1993, was inspired by principles that distinguish American towns built before 1900.

Critic's Notebook: In Gowanus, a People’s Housing Plan to Challenge the Mayor’s

This Brooklyn neighborhood is joining East Harlem and six other districts that Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration will try to rezone to accommodate more housing.

How Important Is The Asking Price When Selling A House In Greenville South Carolina?

If you’re thinking about selling your house in the [market_zipdcode] zip code (or anywhere in , one of the first things you’ll think about is selling price. How much should you sell the house for? But there’s one question you should understand first, and that is: How important is the asking price when selling a […]

The post How Important Is The Asking Price When Selling A House In Greenville South Carolina? appeared first on Mason Buys Houses.

International Real Estate: House Hunting in ... Gibraltar

Gibraltar’s housing market has remained strong over the last 14 years, except for the year of the 2008 global financial crisis, when prices flattened.

What You Get: $1,250,000 Homes in Hawaii, New York and Indiana

A house in Keauhou, Hawaii, a condo in an Indianapolis church and a contemporary in Austerlitz, N.Y.

Mortgage applications fall 3.5%, even as rates move lower

A slight drop in interest rates was not enough to rejuvenate the mortgage market, although refinances are still elevated.

Living In: Forest Hills, Queens: City Life in a Suburban Setting

Home buyers are drawn to the Forest Hills neighborhood’s transportation, shopping and relatively reasonable prices.

Monday, August 1, 2016

International Real Estate: House Hunting in ... Tuscany

Home prices in Italy fell by as much as 30 percent from 2008 through 2015, but they are now stabilizing, especially at the high end.

Living In: Pleasantville, N.Y.: Front Porches and Easy Strolls

One of several municipalities in the town of Mount Pleasant in Westchester, Pleasantville is 1.9 square miles, which means people walk.

1 million-plus more homeowners can benefit from refi post-Brexit

A drop in mortgage interest rates after the Brexit vote has borrowers rushing to the bank, some hoping to cash in.