The FARE Act (Fairness in Apartment Rentals) is a NYC law that took effect in June 2025. The bottom line: if a landlord hires a broker to list an apartment, the landlord pays that broker — not the renter. For decades, NYC was an outlier in pushing 12-15% one-time broker fees onto renters who never asked for the broker in the first place. That's largely over for landlord-listed units. Renters who hire their own broker still pay that broker. Here's what's actually changed and w

The right Manhattan broker is not the one with the most Instagram followers, the most billboards, or the loudest team brand. The right broker is one who closes regularly in your price band and your neighborhoods, will tell you "no" when you should walk away, knows building-level details (board reputations, financial health, recent flip taxes), and has time to actually pay attention to your deal. Below are the questions to ask, the answers to listen for, and the red flags that

What Paris, Vancouver, and London tell us about the proposal now moving through Albany. The Roebling Report · Issue No. 135 · April 29, 2026 · Corey Cohen On April 15, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed the pied-à-terre tax: a recurring surcharge on luxury second homes valued above $5 million — a version of a proposal first introduced by then-State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal more than a decade ago and pronounced dead and revived across several budge

Dear Friend, New York can launch a global brand overnight, but it still takes years to approve a new apartment building. Experts say we need 50,000 new homes per year to stabilize rents. Most years, we build half that. The real drag isn’t ideology or land - it’s the approvals process. Built in the 1970s, when New York was shrinking, the system assumes housing is risky and rare. Add decades of procedural layering and the result is slow, uncertain, and expensive. 2026 could mar

Two competing visions are shaping New York’s future. On one side, the business community - anchored by JPMorgan Chase, major law firms, global tech firms, and a surge of AI startups - is doubling down on Manhattan. On the other, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani proposes an aggressive affordability agenda: rent freezes, fare-free buses, and higher corporate and high-earner taxes. The tension between these forces will determine how the city grows, who it attracts, and how its real es

Deciding between a co-op or suburban house in 2030? Discover the pros and cons of NYC co-op living versus suburban homes. Explore now!

Luxury co-ops and condos in NYC are facing rising costs and stricter regulations in 2025. Local Law 97 fines are now in effect, operating expenses are climbing, and banks are tightening lending standards. Buyers and sellers alike need to navigate compliance requirements, reserve levels, and transparency to protect value in today’s market.

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s bold rent freeze proposal could reshape NYC’s housing landscape. From affordability relief for tenants to pressure on market-rate rents and real estate values, explore how this mayoral frontrunner’s housing-first vision may affect the city — and your next move.

The FARE Act just rewrote NYC’s rental playbook. Tenants no longer pay broker fees when the landlord hires the broker — a major shift that slashes upfront costs. But with rising rents and shifting strategies behind the scenes, the real impact is just starting to unfold. Here's what renters, landlords, and brokers need to know.

A new proposal could raise the SALT deduction cap for some NYC homeowners, offering modest tax relief and potential buying power for mid-market buyers.

New York City is transforming vacant office buildings into apartments to address its housing shortage. With Manhattan’s office vacancy at 16.5% and a need for 560,000 new homes by 2030, developers are converting outdated workspaces into residences, particularly in the Financial District, Midtown East, and Brooklyn’s DUMBO. Incentives like the 467-m tax exemption and zoning reforms are driving progress, despite renovation challenges. Featured Projects Manhattan 25 Water Street

Amid rising tariffs and market uncertainty, even NYC’s luxury real estate is feeling the strain. A $10.25M Lenox Hill deal just collapsed, reflecting buyer hesitation. With mortgage rates spiking and construction costs climbing, now more than ever, broad listing exposure is key.

Manhattan’s office market is booming in 2024, with record leasing, AI firm growth, and shifting hybrid work trends reshaping the city.

Navigate 2025’s real estate shifts: higher rates, SALT cap buzz, soaring costs, and new rules.

Discover how the City of Yes is transforming urban living. Learn about the City of Yes initiatives and their impact on communities.

Trump’s proposed SALT cap repeal could boost luxury real estate markets, benefiting affluent buyers with increased purchasing power.

Challenges Facing Cooperatives and Condominiums in Manhattan Amid Maintenance Fee Increases in 2024

This is Corey Cohen, founder of The Roebling Group, and here's a glimpse into recent real estate news. Good Cause Eviction Law and IAI Changes Shake Up Landlord-Tenant Dynamics Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed significant legislation affecting New York’s rental market, including the Good Cause Eviction Law. This law, effective April 20, 2024, requires landlords to have "Good Cause" to evict tenants and applies to all NYC residential apartments (with the option for other

Dive into NYC real estate trends, Dorchester Towers sale, and the latest market shake-ups."

Living in uptown Manhattan can offer several benefits compared to downtown Manhattan, including: Lower Cost of Living: The cost of an apartment in uptown Manhattan is generally lower compared to downtown Manhattan, which can make it a more affordable option for individuals and families on a budget. Access to Better Schools: Uptown Manhattan is home to some of the best public and private schools in the city, including prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and Ba