Violations of Loft Law Put Landlords In Jeopardy Throughout NYC

A new article by Real Estate Weekly highlights the jeopardy landlords are placed in by violating the Loft Laws.  As many as 339 buildings throughout the City are sanctioned as a result of the law and 264 buildings lack a Certificate of Occupancy meaning that tenants can withhold rent until the buildings are brought up to code.  This has led to many landlords not receiving rent for years resulting in bankruptcies, pre-emptive sales and buyouts by tenants.  It has also led to deteriorating conditions in the buildings due to revenue not being produced to fix repairs.

According to the article, the states interim multiple dwelling (IMD), has given tenants of illegally-converted lofts a tremendous amount of leverage over the process of getting the units compliant with the law.  Property owners have complained about renters not assisting with allowing access to the units for the necessary fixes.  Also tenants must agree to the improvements that must be made by the landlords.  Landlords have nine months to complete the first phase of compliance, which includes compiling reports about the present state of the building and how it will look once improvements are made.  Jason Frosch, a Loft Law specialist at the law firm Borah Goldstein says that a building owner on average will have a year to obtain a certificate of occupancy before tenants can go on perpetual rent strike. However, since most of them former factories and warehouses that’s nearly impossible to do. He states that “the requirements of the Loft Law are costly and time-consuming.  The law doesn’t acknowledge that reality and it requires owners to front those costs while allowing the tenants to deprive them of a revenue stream that is necessary to pay those costs by withholding rent. And it creates a perverse incentive for certain tenants to delay the process and obtain a windfall for doing so."

The IMD drafted in the 1980's was initially aimed warehouses in Soho, Chelsea and Tribeca.  The new updates to the IMD from 2010 also targets warehouses in what is deemed industrial sites located in Williamsburg, Dumbo, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Fort Greene, Park Slope and Long Island City.
Senator Martin Malavé Dilan, a Democrat from northern Brooklyn has introduced a bill allowing owners more time to make improvements before tenants could withhold rent. That bill was not voted for by the legislature and owners are hoping that they will open a special session to vote on it.  It is uncertain whether they would have the votes to have it pass at this time.

Blue Harbour Property Management is a full service NYC property management company servicing the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx.  Whether it be a 1 bedroom condo or multi-family building we are able to assist our clients maximize their investments.

http://www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com/violations-of-loft-law-put-landlords-in-jeopardy-throughout-nyc/

North Brooklyn Home Prices Increase to $1.5 Million. Significant Uptick in Traffic

A New Report for the Fourth Quarter was released by Ideal Properties Group.  There is a need for a subscription to view the report however, we can share with you some of the important details of the report.   The report indicates that average prices are approaching historic amounts and will eventually hit $1.5 million per home. It is being reported Brooklyn brokers are seeing a significant uptick in year-end buyer traffic.  They expect increased interest with new developments in the core neighborhoods in North Brooklyn and Brownstone.

There is a  $1.49 million average for townhouses, co-ops and condos in neighborhoods such as Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope.  This is a  2.6 percent increase year to year .  Townhouses led the market in those areas with an average price of $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.  That is a  4.1 percent decrease from the same period in 2015.  Condo prices  had an average sales price of $1.5 million, which was a 24 percent increase over the fourth quarter of 2015.

North Brooklyn and Brownstone continues to be a seller's market as stated in the report,

" Ending the year in testament to enduring buyer interest, the majority of all properties sold in the closing quarter of 2016 (52 percent), sold either at, or above list price. This quarter’s sales at a discount from asking price settled at the 48 percent mark, echoing the findings of previous quarters of 2016. Thirty-nine percent of all residential properties sold this quarter in Brownstone and North Brooklyn traded above the price".

North Brooklyn consists of Greenpoint and Williamsburg.  Brownstone consists of Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Clinton Hill, Cobble Hill,  Downtown,  Dumbo, Fort Greene,  Gowanus,  Park Slope,  Prospect Heights and  Windsor Terrace.

With increase levels of activity and interest, we expect property management in North Brooklyn to continue to be strong.  If you need property management assistance in Brooklyn or anywhere in the NYC region, you can contact Blue Harbour Property Management.  With over 20 years of experience, we will maximize the revenue potential of your real estate investment.

http://www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com/north-brooklyn-home-prices-increase-1-5-million-significant-uptick-traffic/

Visit us at www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com

Prices Rise and Sales are a Mixed Bag in Brooklyn According to Third Quarter Report

A new report suggests that the Brooklyn Real Estate sales market has now come down to the 5 year average this quarter.  The main reason for the conditions has been rising prices of all properties throughout Brooklyn.  According to the Corcoran Report for the 3rd quarter of 2016 "buyers have greater options with more listings on the market, however the additional inventory has been largely at the high end. Transactions are also taking longer to complete, verified by a higher days on market figure."

Overall real estate closings on properties were down 19% from 3rd quarter of last year and the average days of the market has increased from 58 days to 67 days totaling a 16% increase.  The average price has increased 27% from $728,000 to $926.000.  This increase may be one of the indicators on why properties have stayed on the market longer than the same quarter in 2015.  With respect to supply  Corcoran states

"After nearly three years of declining inventory since the peak in Second Quarter 2011, available inventory has increased year over-year for eight of the nine past quarters. There were 2,236 listings available during Third Quarter 2016, 7% more than last year. The year-over-year increase was driven by resale condo and new development listings, as resale co-op inventory was 3% lower. This is the fifth consecutive quarter of annual co-op inventory decline. New development inventory rose by a significant 40% compared to last year. 2016 new development introductions have already surpassed 2015 just three quarters into the year. This influx of new development units helped total condo inventory to claim a 58% market share, the highest seen since First Quarter 2011".

Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Cobble Hill and Downtown remain a hot spot for activity as sales increased 17% while prices increased 11% to an average of $1,100,000.  Park Slope and Gowanus has seen an increase in inventory of 64% from the same period last year while median prices have increased year over year as well.

Most believe that the pace of submitting offers will pick up after the election season.  Many believe that offers were not being submitted in the quarter because the Presidential candidates have differing opinions of core tax principles which would affect homeowners.  Expect prices and sales increase in 2017.  Property management activity in Brooklyn should remain strong heading into 2017.

http://www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com/brooklyn-remains-hot-spot-property-sales-according-third-quarter-report/

Visit us at www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com