The Next Brooklyn?

The largest population shift since the rise of suburbia has begun!  Americans, young (especially young…) and old alike are moving back into cities at higher rates.  Whether it’s New York, Los Angeles, or even Kansas City, the city is the place to be.  The repopulation of America’s urban core has led to massive gentrification on a scale never seen before.

Brooklyn Baby!  This borough is the poster child for urban redevelopment.  The rise of neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Bushwick, DUMBO, and so many more, have quickly transformed desolate and often abandoned city blocks into reinvented breeding grounds for the creative class.  While Brooklyn was the first, it certainly will not be the last urban neighborhood to rise from the ashes.

The Real Deal published a great article looking into this phenomenon and asks what’s next.  Whether it’s “Brooklyn by the Bay,” Center City, Philadelphia, or a growing list of other cities, this article helps explain the real estate shifts occuring in this country, and gives great insight in to what is to come.  Take a look at the full article here.

Citi Bike Graph Data That Will Amaze You

As the hoop-lah surrounding Citi Bike begins to calm down, the program is really coming into its own.  Screen shots taken from the program’s website show just how successful things are starting to become.

The first image you see below shows how signups have increased between 600-700% in just the first few weeks of the program.  The program should continue to increase in popularity over the coming weeks as more stations open up.  The cooler weather should also get more tourists on board as well.  This image below shows the rather steady increase in cumulative trips.  The beautiful display will continue to rise as more rides occur and at a higher frequency per day.  In just the two months of Citi Bike, the system has logged over 1.5 million trips!  I saved the best for last.  This graph shows the total miles traveled since the program went into service.  We are now getting very close to the 4 million mile mark in just two months!  No one can argue that this program has and will undoubtedly continue to be a success, especially when we get more stations open and even more New Yorkers on board!

 

Running The Manhattan Bridge

After recently moving to the Lower East Side, I decided to explore the area and go for a nice, long, run.  Manhattan Bridge is an amazing architectural achievement  While the bridge may be the ugly step sister of the Brooklyn Bridge, the views along its running and bike paths are nothing short of amazing.

One building off the bridge gives even the 5 Pointz a run for its money:

The bridge also cuts over East Broadway, allowing for some sick photos of Chinatown.

And If those shots are cool enough, here is what you look at during you 2+ mile long bridge.

Final Section of The High Line Set To Open Soon!

Thanks to Gothamist for the amazing pictures of the soon-to-open (and final) section of The High Line Park.  While still under construction, the amazing success of earlier sections has revolutionized the West Side of Lower Manhattan.  Private tour tickets are being raffled to Friends of the High Line before the section opens later this year.

If this third and final phase of construction holds true to the two previous sections, expect real estate developers to quickly move in and transform this area into a residential paradise for the well-to-do.  I would suggest going to the area soon, taking a look around, and then coming back in five-10 years.  Not only will the park transform this part of Manhattan, but the final phase will complement the new Hudson Yards Project as well.

Here are a few photos from the earlier mentioned Gothamist article.

Life of a New York City Realtor

The glitz and glamour that is often associated with the world of New York City real estate is something that draws thousands into the industry each year.  The funny thing about New York is that not everything is as it seems.  I have found that this city is 100% built on raw talent.  Sure your well-connected parents can get you a job, but it is your job to learn the traits, network, and excel.  The true innovators in this city are aggressive, fierce, and not afraid to speak their mind.  Nowhere else do these statements hold more accurate than in the world of residential real estate.  This is not a business for the light-hearted, easy-going, average Joe.  You have to be willing to send emails at all hours of the day, scavenge, and flat out work.

Many fall into this industry because they see the potential for fast cash.  While that may be true, especially during the summer month’s, the true leaders in this industry have tried and true methods that have landed them listings upwards of $100 million.  This blog is a daily journal of my accounts in real estate.  I try to be as “real” as possible, something that is very easy to get lost in when talking about real estate.  I will put the struggles I have as a realtor, the struggles my clients have as renters, buyers, sellers, and investors, and will also spotlight neighborhoods, cool articles, and trends happening in the city.  Feel free to tag, post, like, share, or suggest anything you feel should be on this blog.  We are connected 24/7 with the Internet always at our fingertips, be sure to let me know what you think!

And remember, a referral is the greatest compliment anyone working in real estate can receive!