Ways to Make Your Rental Property More Profitable

Investing in rental properties is one of the best ways to make some passive income and even, potentially, primary income. Of course, there’s always a catch. You have to be willing to put in some work to maintain the property and make the home attractive. Additionally, you’ll work with your tenants, which sometimes can be harder than the physical work of bringing the property back to life. We understand the challenges, but we also know you’re in this for profit. If you’d like to learn some ways to make your rental property more profitable, we encourage you to read our guide below.

Maintain a professional relationship with your tenants

Put yourself in your tenant’s shoes and try to relate to their concerns. If you’re difficult to work with, or a tenant has to wait weeks to get something fixed on their home, they’re never going to stay. A profitable rental property is all about retention; after all, having the same tenant for five years is better than having a different tenant each year. To retain good tenants, be someone you’d want to work with. Fix problems in a timely manner and relate to your tenants. They’ll be more inclined to stay and pay more down the road if they have a great landlord.

Work out deals with other services

Many renters choose to rent because they don’t want to maintain the home or yard. If you’re new to being a landlord, you’re probably doing a lot of the work yourself. On the other hand, if you’ve been a landlord for a while, it may be in your best interest to make a deal with a local landscaper. For instance, if your landscaper charges $50 per month, you could charge the tenant $60 per month; that way you’re making something out of the deal.

Consider offering unique amenities

With rent prices being so competitive, you really need something––or some things––to make your property stand out. Each location is different, so it's important to consider what people in your city want. For instance, someone in Colorado might want a community-shared garden, while someone in New York City would love to have a parking spot. Use your location to your advantage and offer something unique that people in your area want.

Install quality items that last

When maintaining or developing a rental property, far too many landlords make the mistake of using whatever is cheapest. By doing that, you’re not only devaluing your property, but you’re asking for future repairs that will only cost you more. Instead, you should focus on making your rental durable and low-maintenance by installing quality items. That includes quality floors, paint, light fixtures, and more. You’re only costing yourself more by using cheap items; plus, your tenants will feel like their landlord doesn’t value the property. Prove them wrong.

Investing in rental properties and being a landlord is no easy feat. On top of your own home, you’re responsible for someone else's and answering calls at pretty much all hours. However, with these ways to make your rental property more profitable, you could earn some serious income.

Five New York City Recipes You Can Make In Your Own Home

Caroline Fiske

New York City is known for many things such as Broadway, shopping, apartments, diversity, and of course food. For those of you who do not live in New York City but miss their food like crazy, there is no need to fear! You could easily make your favorite New York City foods in your own kitchen. Below I have five recipes of just some of my many favorite New York City foods that I can bring into my own kitchen in Connecticut. Hopefully, your mouth will be watering by the time you are done reading these recipes.

RECIPE #1: Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo Creds: https://www.modernhoney.com/levain-bakery-chocolate-chip-crush-cookies/

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Cold Butter cut into small cubes

• 1 cup Brown Sugar

• 1/2 cup Sugar

• 2 Eggs

• 1 1/2 cups Cake Flour*

• 1 1/2 cups Flour    

• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch  

• 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda

• 3/4 teaspoon salt      

• 2 cups Chocolate Chips

• 2 cups Walnuts roughly chopped

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 410 degrees.

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together cold cubed butter, brown sugar, and sugar for 4 minutes or until creamy.

• Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one.

• Stir in flours, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.

• Separate dough into large balls and place on lightly colored cookie sheets. They are bigger than you think! You will fit 4 cookies on one large cookie sheet. The dough makes 8 extra-large cookies. For a more inviting and delicious look, using food coloring in your cookies is one of the best ways to make it.

• Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown on the top. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes to set.

Recipe Creds: https://www.modernhoney.com/levain-bakery-chocolate-chip-crush-cookies/

RECIPE #2: New York Style Bagels

Photo Creds: https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1002655/how-to-make-new-york-style-bagels/

Ingredients:

●       2 teaspoons active dry yeast

●       1-1/2 tablespoons white sugar

●       1-1/4 cups warm water (no less than 110 degrees F)

●       3-1/2 cups bread flour (don’t use all-purpose)

●       Dash of salt

Directions:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of warm water with the yeast and sugar. Let sit until it starts to bubble, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and salt into the yeast mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon. Pour half of the rest of the water into the flour mixture. Knead with your hands and add additional water to moisten the dough.

2. Liberally flour a hard countertop. Knead the dough for about 15-20 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

3. Lightly brush a large mixing bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise in a warm place for about an hour. Punch it down and let rest another 10 minutes.

4. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape each one into a round bun. On a floured surface, roll the dough until very smooth and perfectly round. Gently press a finger into the center of the dough to make a bagel shape. Stretch the ring to about 1/3-inch diameter. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Cover with a damp towel and let rest for about 15-20 minutes.

6. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and place the bagels in the water using a slotted spoon. Once the bagels float to the top. Flip them over and let sit for about a minute.

7. Place the boiled bagels on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire cooling rack.

Recipe Creds: https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1002655/how-to-make-new-york-style-bagels/

RECIPE #3: Junior’s New York Cheesecake

Photo Creds: https://www.thespruceeats.com/juniors-original-new-york-cheesecake-recipe-1135432

Ingredients for a 9-inch Cheesecake:

• For the Sponge Cake Crust

• Softened unsalted butter (for buttering the pan)

• 1⁄3 cup sifted cake flour

• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder

• Pinch of table salt

• 2 extra-large eggs (separated)

• 1⁄3 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 2 drops pure lemon extract

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• For the Batter

• 4 (8-ounce) packages Philadelphia cream cheese (use only full fat, at room temperature)

• 1 2⁄3 cups sugar

• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• 2 extra-large eggs

• 3⁄4 cup heavy whipping cream

Ingredients for an 8-inch Cheesecake:

• For the Sponge Cake Crust

• Softened unsalted butter (for buttering the pan)

• 1⁄4 cup sifted cake flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• Pinch of table salt

• 2 extra-large eggs (separated)

• 1⁄4 cup sugar 3

• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla

• 2 drops pure lemon extract

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• For the Cheesecake Batter

• 3 (8-ounce) packages Philadelphia cream cheese (use only full fat, at room temperature)

• 1 1/3 cups sugar

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• 2 extra-large eggs

• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Make the Sponge Cake Crust:

1. Heat the oven to 350 F.

2. Generously butter the bottom and side of a 9- or 8-inch springform pan, preferably a nonstick one. Wrap the outside with aluminum foil, covering the bottom and extending it all the way up the side.

3. In a small bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together.

4. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks on high for 3 minutes.

5. With the mixer running, slowly add 2 tablespoons of the sugar and continue beating until thick, light-yellow ribbons form in the bowl, about 5 minutes more.

6. Then, beat in the extracts.

7. Sift the flour mixture over the batter and stir it in by hand, just until there are no remaining white flecks.

8. Blend in the melted butter.

9. In another clean bowl, using clean, dry beaters, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high until frothy.

10. Gradually add the remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the whites will stand up and look glossy, not dry).

11. Fold about 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then the remaining whites. Don’t worry if you still see a few white specks, as they’ll disappear during baking.

12. Gently spread the batter over the bottom of the prepared pan and bake just until set and golden (not wet or sticky), about 10 minutes. Touch the cake gently in the center. If it springs back, it’s done. Watch carefully and don’t let the top brown.

13. Leave the crust in the pan and place on a wire rack to cool. Leave the oven on while you prepare the batter for the cheesecake.
    

Make the Cheesecake Batter:

1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, if your mixer has one, beat 1 package of the cream cheese, 1⁄3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch together on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl several times.

2. Blend in the remaining cream cheese, one package at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each.

3. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat in the remaining sugar, then the vanilla.

4. Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

5. Beat in the cream just until completely blended. The filling will look light, creamy, airy, and almost like billowy clouds. Be careful not to over-mix.

6. Gently spoon the batter over the crust.

7. Place the cake pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes halfway (about 1-inch) up the side of the springform.

8. Bake until the edge is light golden brown, the top is light gold, and the center barely jiggles about 1 1⁄4 hours. If the cake still feels soft around the edge, let it bake for 10 minutes more (the cooking time will be about the same for both the 8- and 9-inch cheesecakes).

9. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours (just walk away—don’t move it).

10. Then, leave the cake in the pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until completely cold before serving, preferably overnight or for at least 6 hours.

To Serve:

1. Release and remove the side of the springform, leaving the cake on the bottom of the pan.

2. Place on a cake plate. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Slice with a sharp straight-edge knife, not a serrated one, rinsing the knife with warm water between slices.

4. Enjoy!

Recipe Creds: https://www.thespruceeats.com/juniors-original-new-york-cheesecake-recipe-1135432

RECIPE #4: New York Style Pizza

Photo Creds: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/new-york-style-pizza.html

Ingredients for the Pizza:

•         22 1/2 ounces (about 4 1/2 cups) bread flour, plus more for dusting

•         1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

•         .35 ounces kosher salt (about 3 teaspoons)

•         2 teaspoons instant yeast

•         3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

•         15 ounces lukewarm water

•         1 batch New York Style Pizza Sauce

•         1 pound grated full-fat dry mozzarella cheese (about 4 cups), placed in the freezer for at least 15 minutes

Ingredients for the Sauce:

•         1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

•         1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

•         1 tablespoon unsalted butter

•         2 medium cloves garlic, grated on Microplane grater (about 2 teaspoons)

•         1 teaspoon dried oregano

•         Pinch red pepper flakes

•         Kosher salt

•         2 (6-inch) sprigs fresh basil with leaves attached

•         1 medium yellow onion, peeled and split in half

•         1 teaspoon sugar

Directions for the Pizza:

        1. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 3 to 4 times until incorporated. Add olive oil and water. Run the food processor until the mixture forms a ball that rides around the bowl above the blade, about 15 seconds. Continue processing 15 seconds longer.

        2. Transfer the dough ball to a lightly floured surface and knead once or twice by hand until a smooth ball is formed. It should pass the windowpane test. Divide dough into three even parts and place each in a covered quart-sized deli container or in a zipper-lock freezer bag. Place in the refrigerator and let rise for at least one day, and up to 5.

        3. At least two hours before baking, remove dough from the refrigerator and shape into balls by gathering dough towards the bottom and pinching shut. Flour well and place each one in a separate medium mixing bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise at warm room temperature until roughly doubled in volume.

        4. 1 hour before baking, adjust the oven rack with pizza stone to the middle position and preheat the oven to 500°F. Turn the single dough ball out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press out dough into a rough 8-inch circle, leaving outer 1-inch higher than the rest. Gently stretch the dough by draping over knuckles into a 12 to 14-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the pizza peel.

        5. Spread approximately 2/3 cup of sauce evenly over the surface of the crust, leaving 1/2 to the 1-inch border along the edge. Evenly spread 1/3 of cheese over the sauce. Slide pizza onto the baking stone and bake until cheese is melted with some brown spots and crust is golden brown and puffed, 12 to 15 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board, slice, and serve immediately. Repeat with the remaining two dough balls, remaining sauce, and remaining cheese.

Directions for the Sauce:

        1. Process tomatoes and their juice through a food mill, pulse in a food processor until pureed, or puree with a hand blender. Puree should not be completely smooth but should have no chunks larger than 1/16 of an inch. Set tomatoes aside.

        2. Combine butter and oil in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Add garlic, oregano, pepper flakes, and large pinch salt and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil sprigs, onion halves, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to the lowest setting (bubbles should barely be breaking the surface), and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by 1/2, about 1 hour. Discard onions and basil stems. Season to taste with salt. Allow to cool and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Creds: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/new-york-style-pizza.html

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/new-york-style-pizza-sauce.html

RECIPE #5: Manhattan Clam Chowder

Photo Creds: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/256170/quick-manhattan-clam-chowder/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1613&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub

Ingredients:

●       1 tablespoon olive oil

●       1 onion, diced

●       4 ribs celery, diced

●       1/2 (16 ounces) package baby carrots, diced

●       1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, or to taste

●       1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste

●       Black pepper to taste

●       3 (14.5 ounces) cans stewed tomatoes

●       4 (6.5 ounces) cans minced clams, undrained

●       2 (8 ounce) bottles clam juice

●       1 (14.5 ounces) can whole potatoes, drained and diced

●       1 dash Worcestershire sauce, or to taste

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion, celery, carrots, basil, garlic, and black pepper until vegetables are tender for about 10 minutes. Transfer 1/2 of the vegetable mixture to a food processor.

2. Stir 2 cans of stewed tomatoes into the pot. Drain the remaining can of stewed tomatoes and add to the food processor. Blend the vegetable-tomato mixture until smooth. Stir pureed mixture into the pot with vegetables.

3. Mix clams, clam juice, and potatoes into the pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer soup until heated through 15 to 20 minutes. Season soup with Worcestershire sauce.

Recipe Creds: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/256170/quick-manhattan-clam-chowder/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1613&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub

 Even though these recipes at home may not be the same as eating these foods at the actual New York City restaurants, the strong aroma of warm chocolate chip cookies or baked pizza dough will be in your own home! And since we are living in a temporary new normal, making these and many more New York City-inspired recipes is what people like me who do not live in New York City can do. One day restaurants and life will be thriving again, but until then we must make the most of the present, and bringing New York City into our kitchens is a start. 

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Walk Through This Crown Heights Home Under A Million

This week we are taking a virtual look through 658 Park Place, Unit #8 is an expansive and beautifully restored condo in Crown Heights listed for $995,000. With city views and abundant character this is an exceedingly rare pre-war home on a gorgeous tree-lined block.

Image Credit: Warburg Realty//Jamie Fedorko 

Located in a boutique building with only nine homes, Apartment 8 is a nearly 1,100 square foot floor-through two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with excellent light from three exposures and Manhattan skyline views. Some of the standout features include a sprawling living room and dining room with character-filled whitewashed exposed brick walls and bay windows overlooking Park Place. The open plan windowed kitchen and living space flow down the hallway to two large, well-lit, and quiet and rear-facing bedrooms, including the master with its ensuite bathroom and walk-in-closet, and your own in-unit washer/dryer. 

Virtual Tour Credit: Asteroom

658 Park Place is a well-run condominium that offers video intercom, bike storage, stroller storage, private storage units, tax abatement, and an enviable location just off of Franklin Avenue, on which shopping and dining options abound. 

Listed for $995,000 by Jamie Fedorko of Warburg Realty, this home is a seamless blend of pre-war elegance and modern convenience in a prime Crown Heights location.

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Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Five New York City TV Shows To Binge-Watch

Caroline Fiske

Binge-watching has become a lifestyle for pretty much everybody due to the coronavirus. Binge-watching helps us escape from reality and kill time during this difficult year. New York City is my favorite place in the whole wide world. Since I cannot go there during this time, I am doing what I can do to immerse myself in that place. Many TV shows take place in the Big Apple and the more I watch them the more I love the City that Never Sleeps. If you love New York City as much as I do, you will love these TV shows too! Below are just a few of my recommendations for NYC TV shows to binge-watch during the coronavirus pandemic.

TV SHOW #1: Friends

Photo Creds: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-friends-cast-got-1-million-per-episode-salary-2016-10

The iconic TV show of six friends navigating through life after college with many love, family, work, financial, and of course friend obstacles is my all-time favorite TV show. It proves that no matter how tough life gets, your true friends will always be there for you. They will be there for you when the rain starts to pour. They will be there for you like they have been there before. Friends has a total of ten seasons and it was on NBC from 1994 to 2004. The six friends are Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courtney Cox), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), and Joey Tribianni (Matt LeBlanc). You can currently binge-watch the series on HBO Max. If you have not watched the series yet I will tell you just how amazing it is in the wise words of Janice Hosenstein (Maggie Wheeler), OH! MY! GOD!

TV SHOW #2: Gossip Girl

Photo Creds: https://www.eonline.com/news/1057518/gossip-girl-is-getting-a-reboot-where-are-the-original-stars-now

Gossip Girl here! Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite! This CW series from 2007 to 2012 is about an anonymous online blog called “Gossip Girl” that reveals all of the secrets of the lives of Manhattan’s most privileged people on the Upper East Side. The four people that Gossip Girl bashes the most are Serena VanderWoodsen (Blake Lively), Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), Nate Archibald (Chase Crawford), and Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). The outsiders from Brooklyn who immerse themselves into the lives of Serena, Blair, Nate, and Chuck are Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgely), Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen), and Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr). This show has so much thrill, drama, romance, action, and of course scandal. It will always keep you on your toes and you just don’t know what is coming next. Just like New York City, Gossip Girl is unpredictable. You can currently binge-watch the series on Netflix.

TV SHOW #3: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Photo Creds: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5788792/

Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is your typical New York City housewife in the late 1950s, she has the perfect husband, the perfect children, and the perfect apartment on the Upper West Side. Until one day, her life turned completely upside down! When Midge’s husband Joe Maisel (Michael Zegen) cheats on her and they get a divorce, Midge discovers her hidden talent for stand up comedy. Midge tries to make this hidden talent into a career by performing at various cafes and nightclubs in Greenwich Village. Midge’s agent is Alex Borstein (Susie Myerson) and throughout the series, she encourages Midge to go above and beyond everyone’s expectations. This show first premiered in 2017 and it has been renewed for a fourth season but the premiere date of that season is delayed due to the coronavirus. You can currently binge-watch the series on Amazon Prime.

TV SHOW #4: You

Photo Creds: https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/you2018-review/

Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley stars as Mooney’s bookstore manager Joe Goldberg who falls in love with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) when she walks into Mooney’s one day. You can say it was love at first sight… This plotline may sound like one of those cliche love stories at first, but you are so wrong for thinking that! Joe starts to form this toxic obsession over Beck (her nickname in the show). Joe starts to stalk Beck on social media and in real life to make sure that they end up together. Joe stops at nothing in order to keep Beck all to himself. They say that love makes you crazy! The first season premiered in 2018 and in the second season, Joe moves to Los Angeles in order to escape his New York City past. The third season is coming out in 2021. You can currently binge-watch this series on Netflix.

TV SHOW #5: Seinfeld

Photo Creds: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098904/

New York City stand up comedian Jerry Seinfeld (played by himself), his best friend George Costanza (Jason Alexander) and his friend/ex-girlfriend Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) live their crazy daily lives in an apartment on the Upper West Side. Seinfeld is often described as “a show about nothing.” Jerry, George, and Elaine face many challenges throughout the show including their crazy neighbor across the hall Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards). This was the original series before Friends that revolved around a friend group going through whatever their New York City lives threw at them together. Seinfeld went on for nine seasons and it premiered on NBC from 1989 to 1998. You can currently binge-watch this series on Hulu.

These five shows are just some of the many remarkable TV shows that take place in New York City. There is really no other place in the world like New York City and that is exactly why so many TV shows revolve their character’s lives around this city. So what are you waiting for? Start binge-watching!

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

5 Things You Can Still Do In The Hampton's

Catherine Doolan

The Hamptons are still kicking off the start of summer amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and quarantine. As places slowly open on the tip of Long Island, New York, here are a few ideas that your family and friends can look forward to!

Take-out

from your favorite spots. Many restaurants are offering curbside pickup so that you don’t have to miss out on your favorite dishes. John Scott’s Surf Shack in Westhampton Beach is still open giving its customers their favorite fresh seafood!

Image source: www.facebook.com/JohnScottsSurfShack

Walking and Hiking

Many parks and outdoor areas are still open for people to enjoy exercising and breathtaking views. The Elizabeth A. Morton Wild National Wildlife Refuge is open for hikes. Hike through forests and fields and along ponds and beaches.  Bird lovers will see many different species.  Other wildlife to view are turtles, deer, frogs, and osprey.

Virtual wine tasting at Wölffer Estate

Wölffer is offering an online 45-minute tasting with a wine expert. Customers get to choose from a Rose Package or White Horse Package. The wine will be delivered to your door. Virtual tastings are done on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and requests can be taken upon availability. For more information go to www.wolffer.com.

Image Source: www.27east.com

Go to the beach

The beaches in the Hamptons are now open for the summer. Hither Hills and Cupsogue Beach County Park, among many others, are now operating with 50 percent capacity monitored by parking lots to ensure social distancing is being followed. Parking for beaches in the Hamptons can be tricky. For more information, you can see Beach Parking in the Hamptons: What You Need to Know.

Image Source: www.longislandleisure.com

Biking

Biking is one of the best ways to see the beautiful scenery of the Hamptons. Biking Dune Road and Montauk Highway are some of the best routes to see beaches, magnificent houses, and quaint towns.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Bucket List Vacations to Plan During COVID-19

Everyone’s sense of normalcy changed within a blink of an eye because of COVID-19. Most of us didn’t expect this outbreak to last as long as it has and, with that, everyone’s ready for a vacation. So, between staying home and state-ordered lockdowns, you probably have a lot more time on your hands than usual. Why not take advantage of this extra time to look into bucket list vacations to plan during COVID-19? If you need some ideas, take a look at our list below.

Go see Europe and all its beauty

We’ve never met someone who doesn’t want to see Europe at least once; we can’t blame them because Europe is beautiful. If you’re looking for natural beauty and unreal scenery, you need to check out Scandinavia. If you’re more of a city-dweller, you’d like London. If you’re looking for a comfortable mix of all the above, you can’t go wrong with Western Europe, such as Germany, France, or the Netherlands.

How about something tropical?

After being stuck inside for so long though, you may be ready for a more tropical vacation that includes beaches and snorkeling. If you don’t want to take too long of a flight, Mexico is beautiful. If you want to take your vacation one level further, you should visit Jamaica. Jamaica has tons of beautiful beaches and unique excursions, from hiking the mountains to water adventures. Of course, if you want to visit an amazing country and you’re willing to take on the flight, consider visiting Australia or New Zealand.

Take a cross-country road trip

Of course, you may feel uncomfortable traveling internationally for a while, even after we get through COVID-19; we can understand your hesitation. Luckily, we live in a country with a lot to see and do. If you haven’t taken a cross-country road trip, why not plan one now? You’re staying domestic, and you’ll get to see the beautiful country we call home. Plus, there are several reasons why road trips are better than flying. We’ve all heard about America’s “fly-over states,” like Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, and so on, but those states are actually packed with beauty and history.

Everyone has a different definition of a perfect vacation, but the locations on this bucket list vacations to plan during COVID-19 should be on your list if they aren’t already. You can’t overlook the U.S. as a bucket list destination; there’s a lot to see, so if you don’t want to travel internationally, you have plenty of options here.

Rare Wines And Spirits To Get Dad This Father's Day

When it comes to Father’s Day, a good wine will always be his first choice. While he may have his favorite on hand wines and an inventory that keeps bringing you home, Father’s Day is the time to give something truly rare for his top-shelf. Not sure what is worthy? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with the perfect gift to bring to Dad.

Joseph Phelps Vinyards’ Insignia - $300.00

This past September, the Napa Valley vineyard released their highly rated and world class, estate-grown flagship blend Insignia 2016. The 2016 vintage is the perfect blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc Elegant. Complex with a supple, creamy texture and bold tannins, this wine will carry through a savory dinner and on to a post-meal cheese spread or delightful desert.

Antica Terra’s Antikythera - $150

Antikythera, the pinot noir from the Willamette Valley’s Antica Terra, is the perfect light red to enjoy on those summer evenings, offering an abundant fruit and cinnamon stick aroma, with a dose of oak and a lightly tannic finish. 25% of proceeds will go towards First Responders First in support of frontline health workers and their families.

Santa Teresa 1796 - $44.99

From the oldest Venezuelan rum brand, Santa Teresa 1796 is one of the first super-premium rums to employ the Solera Method, an artisanal processing method featuring a blend of light, heavy and pot still rums aged 4 to 35 years. Santa Teresa 1796 features a palate that hearkens back to scotch and whisky, with notes of tobacco, leather, molasses and dark chocolate. Dark and bold with rich notes of molasses, vanilla and cherries, the Venezuelan premium rum has a similar flavor palate to the finest dark spirits on the shelf. Packaged in a stylish cylindrical tin, Santa Teresa 1796 makes gift wrapping a breeze.

Stags’ Leap Winery 2016 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon - 115

A darkly intense, multilayered, rich and approachable wine with depth of fruit, plushness and creamy richness; offers blackberry, blueberry and macerated strawberry aromas, with subtle baking spice notes of cinnamon, milk chocolate and coffee, alongside more savory notes of black olive and chaparral herbs.  On the palate, there is elegance, freshness and complexity, showing lifted dark blackberry, blueberry and black raspberry fruits followed by hints of espresso and black pepper spice.

Dom Pérignon’s Vintage 2008 - $175

Pop open Dom Pérignon Vintage 2008 which releases a mingling of white flowers, citrus and stone fruit aromas, as the final notes offer spicy, woody and roasted scents during Father’s Day celebrations. As Dom Pérignon Vintage 2008 touches the palate, the fruit is pronounced and clear, mainly aromatic, grey, smoky and highly promising. Vintage 2008 enjoys duality: warmth & freshness, meat & iodine pairings, cooked & raw. Spices enhance and accentuate 2008’s effervescence and densify the wine.

The Macallan Estate - $250

The Macallan Estate is the whisky maker’s tribute to our heritage and home. It is an extremely special single malt containing rare spirit from a proportion of the barley grown at Easter Elchies estate, which is distilled just once a year over the course of a single week. The Macallan Estate is a celebration of the single malt’s peerless provenance and heritage and will make the perfect gift for your whisky loving dad this Father’s Day. 

PATRÓN Reposado - $60

Carefully distilled in small batches at Hacienda PATRÓN distillery, Patrón Reposado is handcrafted from the finest 100% Weber Blue Agave. Aged in oak barrels for at least two months, Patrón Reposado offers the clean taste of PATRÓN Silver with the oaky flavor of Patrón Añejo.

Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2006 - $349

Dom Pérignon latest Rosé Vintage 2006 is committed to bringing out the thrilling red characteristics of Pinot Noir, opening with dark notes of spices and coca and followed by the fruity flavors of roasted figs, apricots and candied orange. The latest rosé pairs well with simple, authentic food originating from France, Spain or Italy, playing on the mellow and rich textures which the wine complements perfectly.

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Riedel Winewings - $35

Tell Dad to toss out his old wine glasses, and it’s time for the upgrade he needs. The Riedel Winewings Collection spurred from a project tasking Riedel with designing the ultimate glass for the “king of grapes,” Cabernet Sauvignon. The ensuing glass was the first of the Riedel innovation to buck the norm of the traditional egg-shaped wine glass. The bowl is pushed upward to create a wider, bulbous base, creating the largest in-glass surface area and aeration space in any of Riedel’s collections. The top of the Riedel Winewings bowl acts as the varietal specific guide, concentrating the aromas and flavors of a wine to the palate. The collection reimagines varietal-specific shapes for seven styles: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo, Syrah/Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Champagne

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Hilary Swank's Former Townhouse Sells For $9,794,000

The former West Village townhouse previously owned by Oscar winner Hilary Swank has now been closed (virtually) on May 20th for $9,794,000 from Macy's President Harry A. Lawton III, He had previously purchased the home in 2017 for $10.5 Million.

Located at 33 Charles Street, the townhouse mixes much of the original woodwork with very modern touches. Sunlight pours into this house and every floor feels very open and inviting with landmark townhomes in front of residential, tree-lined and historic Charles Street and a garden in back.

Right in the heart of Greenwich Village. the townhouse built in 1899, offers 10 rooms with 3,736 square feet of living space.

The property was listed by Halstead’s Christopher Kromer and Nora Ariffin.

Our favorite listing this week is 508 West 24th Street, Unit 5th Floor, home to NBA Player Carmelo Anthony. The ten-time NBA All-Star, has listed his New York City condo. The home is the largest unit in the Cary Tamarkin designed building at 508 W 24th that overlooks the High Line and is walking distance from world-class shopping and prominent art galleries.

251 East 51st Street, Unit 2M, listed on the market as a Compass "Coming Soon," is a recently renovated, perfect pied-a-terre (and ideal one bedroom for all the rest of us). What truly sets this pad apart from the rest is the dreamy outdoor terrace with endless possibilities and city views. Accessed by the living room and overlooked by the bedroom, this 24x12 outdoor space is an oasis in the center of the Midtown hustle and bustle.

Our last #openhouse roundup will you be checking out this #parkslope home? #nycrealestate #brooklynrealestate #milliondollarlistings #luxuryhomes #OffTheMRKT

DNA Development announced that closings have commenced at 350 West 71st Street, the successful Upper West Side luxury conversion that seamlessly combines two historic pre-war buildings into one stunning contemporary condominium with a classic façade. As construction nears completion, the seven-story building’s 38 elegant residences and bespoke amenities are coming to life, as DNA welcomes its first residents.

Our favorite listing this week is located at One West End, the sculptural glass residential tower designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli within Riverside Center. At $19.5 million, 29B offers 5,302 square feet of interiors space, with four bedrooms, five and a half baths, a media room, lofted library, and a double height great room leading out to a 3,000 square foot terrace with impeccable views.

WoodSpoon The New App That Delivers Chef Cooked Meals To Your Home

The newly launched WoodSpoon app connects customers with New York City’s best home chefs to deliver delicious homemade food across Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.  WoodSpoon is a new community-based, two-sided online platform that facilitates the process of ordering a variety of dishes from local cooks. The app’s respected lineup of chefs and home cooks are given a platform to share their culture and passion with others, creating an inclusive culinary experience for all.

Chef Chen Levy - Meringue cookies

Oren Saar and Merav Kalish Rozengarten are the co-founders of WoodSpoon, which officially launched the app this week after beta-testing since the fall of 2019. Saar took his experiences working at Google and Boston Consulting Group after graduating from MIT, to create WoodSpoon, which has served over 3,500 diners since inception.

There are over 100 home chefs on the WoodSpoon app including Israel's Bake-off winner Shay Golan, Xiomara and her husband Aiman Reyes, who was a noted chef in Tel-Aviv for over a decade, plant-based chef Rachel Hazen, Neapolitan culinary star Giuseppe Amato and Kevin Martinez who helms from the Dominican Republic and previously worked at Jean Georges and Nobu.  Diverse dishes available for purchase range from Salmon Sushi Bowls and Challah Bread, to Shakshuka Baguettes, Chicken Quesadillas, and everything in between. WoodSpoon provides the opportunity to taste dishes as varied as a decadent Middle Eastern custard called Mahalabi and Tunisian Fricassee. 

Users can receive 15% off their first three orders by using the code Launch2020.

Download the app on Apple or Google.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

The Stanton Hoch Team Moves To Compass

Jordan Hoch and Wesley Stanton

Compass, has announced that Wesley Stanton, Jordan Hoch, and their seven-member team (The Stanton Hoch Team) have joined the firm. They transacted over $85 million in sales in 2019 - ranking first or second in total transaction volume at Douglas Elliman over the last two years. 

"We're confident that Compass will enable us to more effectively service our clients' needs in today's ever-changing landscape," said Jordan Hoch.

The team specializes in marketing new developments and has a niche professional client base ranging from doctors and lawyers to bankers. 

"We joined Compass for its collaborative ethos and unparalleled commitment to technological innovation," said Wesley Stanton. 

Compass agents have access to the company's technology platform of tools and services that is regularly updated and empowers them to work via their mobile devices from any location.

The team will be onboarded virtually and eventually work out of the  Upper West Side Office at 2150 Broadway. 

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Naftali Group Closes on Biggest Land Transaction in NYC Post-COVID-19

Naftali Group, a leading privately held, global real estate development and investment firm run by CEO and Chairman Miki Naftali, announced today the acquisition of 470 Kent Avenue, one of the last large developable sites on the Williamsburg waterfront, for $102.38 million. This purchase is the largest land transaction recorded since the city’s shutdown earlier this spring.

"We believe in the future of New York and are invested in this great city," said Miki Naftali. “While we recognize the difficult times that we are facing from the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City will come out of this crisis stronger and better than before – just as we have done in the past. Our long term plans reaffirm our views of the strong residential market here. These types of projects take years to design and develop and we look forward to completing and occupying 470 Kent when the market recovers.”

Credit: Google Maps

HSBC, whom Naftali Group has a decades-long relationship with for project development financing, provided funding for 470 Kent. Naftali later added, “Banks are incredibly important during this time and we appreciate HSBC’s continued support.”

470 Kent will transform a rare waterfront parcel overlooking the East River. Adjacent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and located on the prominent corner of Kent Avenue between South 11th Street and Division Avenue in South Williamsburg, 470 Kent is within walking distance to the water’s edge, which offers commuter services to and from Manhattan in less than 20 minutes from the South Williamsburg Ferry Terminal, as well as a host of subway lines including the J, M and Z trains. The Williamsburg Bridge, with easy access to Manhattan, is nearby.

The JLL Capital Markets professionals represented the seller in the transaction of 470 Kent.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Virtual Tours Across Some of New York's Most Luxurious Buildings

While Covid-19 has impacted in-person visits to sales galleries and tours of buildings, technology is being deployed to host virtual sales tours for interested International and domestic buyers to showcase each development. Now’s a better time than ever to view some of the most luxurious buildings in Manhattan that you weren’t able to before.

111 West 57th Street

111 West 57th Street, is a bold yet graceful residential tower that soars perfectly centered over Central Park in Midtown Manhattan. The tower is the second tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere and recently topped out at 1,428 feet following the installation of a 300-foot decorative steel crown, paying homage to the most iconic and celebrated skyscrapers of Manhattan’s pre-war Golden Age. Architecture by SHoP Architects and interior architecture by William Sofield. With only one residence per floor, the design of each of the tower’s 46 full-floor and duplex residences maximize the astounding park and skyline views.

The XI

The XI features architecture by Bjarke Ingels. It is a mixed-use residential and commercial development realized through an extraordinary collaboration between the world’s most visionary minds, including BIG, Gabellini Sheppard Associates, Gilles & Boissier, Enzo Enea, and Six Senses. Soaring above the Hudson River and the High Line and occupying one square block between 17th and 18th Streets between 10th and 11th Avenues, TheXI is comprised of two towers clad in travertine and bronze. The XI offers 236 luxury condominium residences, as well as the first US hotel destination by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (awarded World’s #1 Hotel Brand by Travel + Leisure in 2017, 2018 and 2019). 

11 Hoyt

Featuring architecture designed by critically acclaimed Jeanne Gang and interiors by Michaelis Boyd Associates, 11 Hoyt is a 57-story tower that rises 660 feet and spans almost an entire city block with frontage along Hoyt, Livingston and Elm Street. Located in downtown Brooklyn, one of the building’s distinctive features is an elevated, private park for residents that surround the building. Measuring nearly 27,000-square-feet it is built atop a two-story base that houses 40,000 square feet of retail space. The building includes 481 residences ranging from studio to four-bedrooms and an expansive collection of more than 55,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities.

The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria

The Towers of The Waldorf Astoria: Model Residence by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing

The Waldorf Astoria has been a beacon of timeless glamour for nearly a century—home to Hollywood’s elite, host to countless world leaders, and the site of famed cultural events and galas. The property is in the midst of an unprecedented restoration, undertaken with care by developer Dajia Insurance Group and renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The wide variety of residences at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria range from gracious studios to opulent four bedrooms and penthouses, many with unique floorplans and private outdoor spaces. Privacy and security are paramount, with a discrete residential experience separate from the hotel, two fully-staffed entry lobbies, a porte cochère with 24-hour valet service, and concierge closest into the entryway for every residence, allowing for secure delivery of packages and room service.

565 Broome SoHo

565 Broome SoHo is Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano's first residential building in NYC and the tallest residential tower in SoHo. Renzo's vision for the building is shaped by light, which led him to design conjoined glass towers with curved corners and a unique "low-iron" glass with a crystal-like sheen that allows the facade to take on the color of the weather, as well as to create clear views from the interiors. 

565 Broome SoHo features 17,000 square feet of amenities, highlighted by a 92-foot tall indoor conservatory with live green walls and three full-grown black olive trees; 55-foot long saltwater pool; private gated porte cochere that leads to the automated parking system (located above ground and encased in glass so cars are visible from street level). Residents also have access to a children’s playroom, 24-hour concierge and attended double-height lobby, fully equipped fitness center, and landscaped outdoor terrace.  

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Bubby's Tribeca Reopens With Takeout

Bubby's is back! Bubby's Tribeca location is now up and running daily for curbside pickup and delivery. Customer favorites like pancakes and pies are on the menu, along with a special family feast of fried chicken with all the trimmings, as well as some new items.

Bubby's Chef/Owner Ron Silver states “We closed Bubby’s in late March because we wanted to take extra measures to protect our staff and customers. With the city and state making progress in numbers of cases and increasing protection methods, we decided it was the right time to come back. We’re starting slowly and know there’s a very long road ahead, but you have to start somewhere”

“By reopening Bubby’s Tribeca for delivery/takeout, we’re excited to reengage with the community. We hope to provide the same friendly, comforting place that they’ve always been able to count on. We are longing for the busy, bustling experience just as much as everyone else, but until then we hope our food will provide some reprieve. We’re also introducing new menu items in the coming weeks like pie dough balls, pie making kits, frozen biscuits and other items customers can make at home to keep the Bubby’s experience alive even if they can’t dine inside the restaurant” said Bubby's Chef/Owner Ron Silver

You can currently place an order by delivery and curbside pickup available by calling 212-219-0666. Specials include Grab yourself a family feast of fried chicken, coleslaw, buttermilk biscuits, creamy mashed potatoes, chicken gravy and choice of pie. Serves 4 for $100.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.