These are certainly good times for the buyers in the land of new development condominiums here in NYC. That is if you have 20% down, good credit, a job and you are looking to buy in a building that is nearly, if not 100 percent complete. Prices are down precipitously, high inventory is providing abundant choices, interest rates are at a 45 year low, and developers are providing incentives on top of their incentives. As a broker leading one of these projects, 125 North 10th Street, it feels like running a booth at the bazaar in a third world country. Every weekend I am not sure if people are showing up to practice their haggling skills or are actually looking for a new home. (more…)

Safe to say that Brooklyn is Hot! The Boom Borough, as it is affectionately called, has experienced many noteworthy advances over the last decade. Brooklyn’s green spaces are part of its allure. This series will focus on the development and design, continued maintenance, and history of green space, both existing and proposed, in the borough of Brooklyn, with a focus on the western shore from Greenpoint to Redhook.

Green space, especially in the form of parks and nature preserves, are integral parts of every American city. By offering opportunities for recreation, reflection, and relaxation, parks improve community health and increase property values. They provide habitat for numerous species of animals and plants, and cool city air through transpiration and evaporation.  Brooklyn’s green spaces includes famous parks such as Olmstead and Vaux’s jewel, Prospect Park,  which while perhaps not quite as famous as it’s big brother Central Park,  is arguably a finer park. (more…)