The Difference Between Violations and Complaints
In New York City, anyone can make a complaint about a building via anonymous call to 311 or through the online portal for 311. If the Department of Buildings (DOB) investigates the complaint, there are several potential outcomes. One of those outcomes is a formal DOB-ECB violation. Tenants and the public can make complaints for…
What Are School Attendance Zones?
A school attendance zone is an outline of where students will attend public school. They can be determined in a variety of ways, depending on the state or city to which they apply, but generally speaking they will cover elementary school, middle school or junior high, and senior high school. About attendance zones School attendance…
Property Research Essentials: How to Find Building Permit Records
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 27 August, 2025. While some may view building permits as a regulatory burden that complicates building or renovation, they nevertheless remain an integral step of the process. That’s because permits ensure that work is done according to a code that’s designed for the safety and security of residents…
The Difference Between Tax Abatements and Tax Exemptions
Tax abatements and tax exemptions can be granted to city developers and home buyers to promote development and occupancy rates. While there are similarities, they are two very different programs. What is a tax abatement? A tax abatement is a reduction in property taxes for a specific period of time. It is most commonly applied…
How NYC’s 421a Tax Exemption Is Helping Increase Affordability
In New York City, the 421a tax exemption program has gone through recent changes, but remains in effect to help encourage developers to build affordable multifamily housing. The basics of the 421a tax exemption The 421a exemption is a property tax exemption given to real estate developers. The purpose is to encourage them to build…
The Big Chill – Why You Should Freeze Your Credit Now That It’s Free
With data breeches affecting everyone from retailers and banks to credit bureaus, it seems like protecting your personal data has never been more important. Thanks to recent changes to the Dodd-Frank act, it is now free for consumers to freeze their credit – one of the most efficient ways to protect against identity theft and fraud….
What Are Common Charges?
In condominium setups, the entire building is commonly owned among those who own individual units. Common charges are designed to cover all the shared costs of amenities and services available in the building. This can include management fees, operating costs, amenities and staff salaries. It does not include taxes, as condo owners receive separate tax…
What Are Maintenance Fees?
Housing cooperatives are membership-based legal entities that own one or more residential buildings. Unlike condominiums and single-family homes, co-ops are not owned outright as real property. Instead, buyers purchase shares within the co-op association and receive exclusive use of a specific unit. Co-op living comes with its own set of peculiarities, among them being maintenance…
The Pros & Cons of Timeshares: Evaluating Shared Vacation Ownership
Thinking about buying into a timeshare? Make sure to explore our comprehensive guide on the pros and cons of timeshares in 2025.
Why Certificates of Occupancy Are Important
A certificate of occupancy is issued by a government agency or a building department. The purpose is to certify that a building is in compliance with building codes and that it is suitable for occupancy. It is issued by local government agencies and the process of certification varies based on the rules of the issuing…
What Is a Lien? Understanding Lien Types, Implications & More
The simplest way to define what is a lien is that it’s a legal claim a person or entity has on another’s property as collateral for unpaid debt.
Types of Home Loans & Everything You Need to Know About Them
From VA, USDA, balloon and bridge loans to conventional, conforming mortgages and ARMs, here’s all the loan types you need to know about.
How to Get a Co-op Board’s Approval – Tips & Tricks for Buyers and Sellers
There are many reasons that buyers choose to buy into a co-op, and there are many reasons that a person chooses to sell. Regardless of which side you are on, figuring out how to get a co-op board’s approval for the purchase or sale can be confusing. Though the stringent co-op board screening process was…
How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Although not mandatory, getting pre-approved for a mortgage can reveal how much you can borrow and give you an edge over other buyers.
Co-op Housing Pros and Cons: What to Know Before Buying Into a Co-Operative
Thinking about co-op living? Learn how this ownership model works and whether its affordability and stability outweigh the rules and resale limits.
How to Evaluate the Price of a Multifamily Property
An accurate evaluation of a multifamily property is fundamental for the profitability and long-term success of an investment. Multifamily investments can be financially rewarding if done right but can also backfire if a lack of understanding leads to mistakes. However, many of the common mistakes are avoidable with the right knowledge. So, what’s the first…
11 + 4 Hidden Homebuying Costs to Keep in Mind
Hidden home-buying costs can surprise both first-time and season buyers, be they one-time expenses or part of the standard costs of ownership.
How to Run an Accurate Condo Appraisal in NYC
See how to perform accurate condo appraisals in NYC using precise comparables, comprehensive for-sale inventories, foreclosures, maps & more.
How to find more leads among condo owners
As a residential broker, building long-term relationships with clients and finding prospects is essential for success in this business. Maintaining a steady flow of leads is closely connected to how much exposure you gain and how you manage to reinforce your presence on the market. Direct-mail is still a very efficient marketing channel when you…
How to Research Condos in NYC: Find Building Management & Contact Details, Condo Declarations, Owners & More
Find out how to research condos in New York City the easy way: find management information, unit owners, sales records, condo declarations and more.
Want to stay on top of the real estate market?
Access comprehensive property data and ownership information with intuitive research tools.