Your Guide to Vacation Rental Properties in Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is a small country located on the French Riviera, south of France. It has an area covering just about two square kilometers. Monaco is one of the smallest independent states in the world. Located in street Monte Carlo and near the Port Hercules, this guide will introduce you to choosing the best luxurious Monaco vacation rental properties during your travel.

Think About Affordability

When you travel as a tourist, one thing that makes your travel experience as pleasant as it can be is finding an affordable travel package. Traveling is not enough to have a good time for your travel experience. You also need to find the right place to stay and the best travel packages that fit your budget. Not everyone has the same price range when it comes to travel packages. You might be a student, a young professional, or a retired person still looking for a place to travel to. This is precisely the reason why travel packages are available in different budgets. It all depends on what you want to travel to and where you plan to go. Just make sure you properly research where you're booking as internet crime is on the rise. This kind of crime is when people use the Internet to make false or fraudulent claims to customers.

How Convenient Is the Property?

Many people travel for business and travel during long holidays with their family and kids. When traveling, especially if your travel is for more than a day or two, you need the property close enough to places of interest. If you travel for business, travel is convenient when you stay in a vacation rental property in the city. When you travel for business, your time is very limited. Being close enough to work reduces travel time and thus increases travel convenience.

Consider a Spacious Facility

One of the most important factors determining your sleeping quality is the room size when you travel. How big or small your room size will greatly impact sleep quality. When choosing a property for rent, look at the sleeping arrangements of the whole house. This will give you an idea of what types of rooms are available in the property you want to rent. If there are only single rooms in the house, you might consider renting a property with large rooms. On the other hand, if there are some double rooms, you may want to go for smaller sized rooms so that your travel costs can be cut down.

Consider the Amenities of a Facility

When you travel and stay in a place with great amenities, rental vacation properties make travel convenient. Such properties offer all the travel essentials needed for traveling with your family. Vacation rental properties are available globally. People travel from one country to another to stay at these accommodations. As popular as it may be, choosing a vacation rental property is not easy. Some properties have simple amenities. Others have more advanced ones, such as Universal property insurance. Before booking a vacation property, you may want to visit the place and look at its features. The choice will depend on your travel, location, and how many people are traveling with you. For Monaco, you may want to stay at a property with a view of the F1 city circuit that crawls through the streets. In races, there are shorter tracks and speedways that usually are about 0.5 to 2.5 miles long. The Monaco track falls in this category, as it is about 2 miles long.

Choose a Property That Is Close to Nature

As more people choose to live without screens and close contact with nature, many investors and developers see the opportunity to provide these homes. Vacation rentals that include hiking trails, natural beauty, and clean air are highly demanded. In today's modern world, many people appreciate the natural world. Some choose to live in houses surrounded by trees and grass. Others prefer a more modern style of living. However, everyone agrees it is important to spend time outside in nature. With this in mind, people should settle for properties that provide their guests with access to nature.

Where you travel to can make all the difference in your travel experience. Traveling to Monaco means that you will be surrounded by beautiful beaches, castles, and other monuments. Visiting the beautiful city isn't something you should put off, as over 1 million Americans will live in senior communities by 2030, research suggests. Take advantage of your youth and visit Monaco today!

What You Need to Know Before Selling Homes Outside the City

Working in real estate can be rewarding when you find the right path and learn the ways of the trade. If you've been selling homes in the city and want to venture and try selling outside of the city, there are a few things you will need to keep in mind. Here are some of them to give you an easy time when you start.

Work With Local Agents

If you haven't put up many houses for sale in the area before, you may not be aware of the right protocols and methods. For this reason, you need to work with local agents so they can help guide you. If you're working with a firm, find out if they have an intranet on which you can communicate with fellow agents. This will be helpful as they may already have buyers who want to move into the area and so your job will become a bit easier. With 70% of all business partnerships failing according to statistics, you want to make sure you partner up with the right agents so it's a beneficial relationship.

Social Media Can Be Helpful

In the current age where a large population is on different social medial platforms, your best method to reach potential buyers is by looking for them on social media. Create accounts on different platforms and start to work with them to reach new potential buyers. You will also benefit from learning catchy techniques to get people's attention, like attaching relevant hashtags, posting at the right times, and more. You will have an easy time reaching more people if you use geotagging in your posts, so try it out and you will have a better reach than you would have had.

Know the Most Important Amenities

In different areas, people will have different needs and as such, they will value different features and amenities more in certain areas than in others. Take time to know your market base and find out what they want the most. This will help you know what you need to focus on when looking for houses to sell as well as the features to play up when you're marketing and staging your houses. For instance, if you are selling houses in one of the over 13 million households in the United States that rely on private wells for their drinking water, you will have an easier time selling a house with a functional well than one without it.

Hosting Open Houses is Important

People like having a feel of the type of house they're buying before they make a commitment. In different locations, especially outside of the city where it's a lot more easy-going and relaxed, it will be important for people looking to buy a house to have access to it and look around. Make this opportunity for your clients so that you don't miss out on a sale just because a buyer who may have been interested in it was unable to view it in detail.

Staging Can Make a Big Difference

Finally, while you host open houses, remember to stage the homes you're trying to sell. Find the right balance of cozy warmth and professional personalization so that you appeal to buyers. Don't push them away by creating an air that's more like having them in someone's home rather than in a home they should picture as their own. While you're playing up the good features of a house, remember that landscaping can add up to 14% to a home's resale value and also work on it.

These considerations will make it easier for you to sell homes outside the city successfully. You will enjoy catering to a different niche of clients and will find that all you need to do is understand their needs better.

Sales At Flatiron House Begins

NYC-based real estate development firm Anbau, together with Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, today announced the launch of sales at Flatiron House, a new luxury condominium located at 39 West 23rd Street in the heart of the Flatiron District, moments away from Madison Square Park. With architecture and interiors by COOKFOX Architects, a leader in biophilic design, the development utilizes a number of guiding principles that promote health, wellbeing, and indoor-outdoor living.

Flatiron House comprises two distinct buildings connected by a shared interior garden with a total of 44 residences. The Tower features 37 one-to four-bedroom residences with a separate entrance on 23rd Street, while the Loft offers a collection of seven one- to five-bedroom residences and an entrance on 24th Street, many of which are full-floors with direct elevator entry. Sitting at the center of both structures is the lush garden, which provides a verdant focal point and a tranquil outdoor gathering space landscaped with native flowering plants and trees.

Many residences offer Juliet balconies and terraces that feature a unique, decorative railing design and a self-watering irrigation system, allowing plants to bloom and grow through the balconies’ latticework. Designed in collaboration with Brooklyn based landscape architect Future Green Studio, plant species include Periwinkle, Thyme, Oregano, Lavender, alpine strawberries, and lowbush blueberries. 

“We worked closely with COOKFOX Architects to ensure the residences at Flatiron House featured spacious floor plans with a direct connection to the outdoors and nature. Our collaboration resulted in a wide array of serene landscaped spaces that are both an extension of the home and a visual amenity as well” said Stephen Glascock, Chairman of Anbau.

“Flatiron House allows us to rethink how people interact with urban buildings and nature. We wanted to balance contemporary design with hallmarks that speak to the distinctive character of the nearby landmarked buildings, while also promoting wellness through biophilic and sustainable design,” explained Rick Cook, Founding Partner of COOKFOX Architects.

Each residence features lofty ceilings, wide-plank oak floors, custom millwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that fill residences with abundant light and frame views of cast iron landmarks, the Empire State Building, The Clocktower, the Flatiron Building, and beyond. Residents enter their homes through an American Walnut residential entrance door with Hamilton Sinkler hardware in an antique bronze finish. All residences include custom kitchens featuring a suite of Gaggenau and Thermador appliances, sleek Dornbracht fixtures, and generous storage spaces. Kitchens also feature timeless rift oak and white lacquer cabinetry accented with textural ribbed glass and bronze metal hardware. Primary bathrooms are outfitted with Arabescato marble and walnut vanities against a backdrop of Greek Naxos marble and also feature mosaic marble flooring and cast iron tubs. Select residences feature expansive terraces and offer 360-degree views sweeping from Midtown to the expanse of Downtown Manhattan

Residents will have access to the COOKFOX-designed amenity spaces surrounding The Garden, which provides a verdant focal point and a tranquil gathering space landscaped with native flowering plants and trees. Amenities including a 24/7 attended lobby featuring dramatic full-height bronzed metal doors and a patterned canopy, clad in American Walnut and handsome limestone; a second level wellness suite includes The Gym with a yoga and stretching studio and adjoining landscaped terrace; The Game Room featuring billiards, a film screen, and space for private dining and entertainment; and The Lounge which offers a space for intimate gatherings. Onsite parking and storage are available for purchase, and residents will also have access to bicycle storage and a commercial size laundry room for oversized items.

Flatiron House is moments from Madison Square Park and exists at the nexus of Michelin-starred restaurants, Italian food and wine emporium Eataly, boutiques and specialty shops, and cultural institutions. The High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and Chelsea’s art galleries are only a few blocks west.

Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is the exclusive sales and marketing agent for the building. For an onsite tour of the building, contact 212-221-3923. Prices range from $1.98M to over $13M. For more information, please visit the website at flatironhousenyc.com, and follow @FlatironHouseNYC for project updates.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

How to Deck Out Your Apartment for Entertaining

When you have a place built for entertaining, you create the chance to fill your life with fun and excitement. Even small spaces have abundant functionality when you take a certain approach to design. After all, living in smaller urban homes has never stopped New Yorkers from enjoying a good party.

To make the most of your apartment for friendly entertainment, here are a few ideas to take with you.

Maximize Seating for Dinner Parties

You may not have the room for a large dining table that seats eight people. Instead, take what you have and create seating for everyone throughout the entire apartment. 

Many apartment dwellers stick to the stand-and-mingle party arrangement. However, you can still set up a dinner party with seating arrangements in the living room and the kitchen. Rely on your kitchen island, existing tables and other surfaces to provide creative eating space for guests.

Then, set up other party stations away from eating areas to free up room for plates. Create a makeshift bar area with stools for endless drink options. And if you have an outdoor space available, be sure to place a table on the deck so guests can get a breathtaking view.

Decorate for Comfort and Drama

You'll want to create the perfect entertainment space for all types of guest activities, including sitting, standing, and conversing. If you’re a major entertainer, you’re probably looking to impress your guests with your design chops — so combine functionality with drama in your furnishing and decorating choices.

Make your space more inviting by using leather sofa seating to create a comfortable seating area for an upscale cocktail lounge. Vegan leather couches are easy to keep clean and provide various prints for a classy look.

Consider layering options with lighting. Decorative chandeliers and modern wall sconces can add functionality and dimension to the overall space.

Optimize Counter Space

Tiered trays and cake stands are your best bet when it comes to maximizing countertop space. They're perfect for serving up your favorite finger foods and making your countertops feel bigger.

Another way you can accommodate guests is to try cocktails and hor d'oeuvres instead of a full, formal dinner. Think about offering fine wine and staple liquors or beers for entertainment. Once guests arrive, you can create an accessible self-serving area for refreshing drinks and light bites.

You could also consider adding a moving cart when you need additional counter space. While this creates the added space, it also adds class to your apartment. Plus, bar carts are practical for any situation because they're compact and roll away easily for storage.

Declutter With Storage

Entertaining guests can get messy, especially when people have a good time. In that case, it's always a great idea to incorporate stackable storage units for keeping areas neat and making more room.

Multifunctional furniture and storage spaces help you keep the entertainment stuff – like games and magazines – out of the way, so guests have a spot to set their drinks. Having everything in its proper place keeps your apartment organized. Plus, it makes it easy to clean up afterward.

Rearrange Your Furniture

The more floor space you have, the better it is for entertaining guests. You can move your furniture to suit guests for mingling when holding a cocktail party. Consider moving furniture up against the walls and removing bar stools for the evening.

Place the extra seating in your bedroom or ask your neighbor to keep them for you overnight.

You can also swap furniture if you're hosting a dinner party. By moving the dining table into your living room – and shifting living room lounge chairs in the dining area – you can make the table the focal point of your apartment. This creates more space and a better flow for a great party.

Create an Overall Ambiance

A successful party can entirely depend on the mood you create for your guests. So, when you don't have room for a ton of décor, try getting creative. Add scented candles around the room and hang up color-changing LED strip lights for a fun effect.

Make the music quiet enough that people can talk over it but also hear it simultaneously. When the party mood evolves, switch up the music from time to time so guests can stay engaged.

Also, if you want to keep the noise from disturbing your neighbors, consider adding paneling, carpets, and thick curtains. This will keep the noise to a minimum and provide great sound quality throughout your apartment.

Choose a Place for Hanging Coats and Bags

The colder months mean you'll need a space to hang heavy coats, boots, and bags. Try to pick a spot so guests won't have to carry their stuff or wonder where to set their things.

To make the most room, consider using your bedroom. Or, clear out a space in the front closet so guests can hang their things.

Decorate Your Apartment for Entertaining Guests

Be sure to set aside time so you can plan everything out carefully. When you plan, you get more done before the party. And once it starts, you get to relax more as the host. Once you've successfully decorated your apartment, it's time for the fun to begin.

Author

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her real estate work has been published by the National Association of REALTORS®, Rental Housing Journal, and other online publications.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

How to Extend the Life of Your Home

Keeping your home well-maintained is the easiest way in which you can have it age well, keeping its value over time. If you want to find out how you can get more use out of your home and the appliances and spaces you have in it, read on to see what to do to extend its life.

Never Skip Regular Maintenance

While you may feel like your appliances and equipment are all functioning well, this is not a reason to have you skip having them maintained if they're due for maintenance. Regular maintenance is what will ensure that they keep working that way, as there are components that may need changing every now and then. To keep enjoying them for a long time to come, always follow the manufacturer's timelines on how often to have them maintained and keep in mind the procedure needed for the maintenance. Doing this will keep them in good shape for a long time and will have them working well for the entirety of their lifespans. Take an example of a tank water heater which typically lasts from 10 to 13 years, and imagine the joy and savings of keeping the same water heater for this duration that you can experience when you simply maintain it regularly.

Make Repairs as Soon as They're Necessary

Another tip to help you get the most out of your home is to work on repairs as soon as they become necessary. When you wait for a long time before working on repairs, they worsen and end up needing more time and resources to restore. They may also end up affecting their surroundings and calling for more extensive work to be done, which may have a domino effect over time. Things like the roof are especially important to keep in good condition and be repaired whenever there's an issue like a leak, given the sheer scale of the investment that they are. If you have a flat one, you can keep it for more than 20 years if you perform proper maintenance on it.

Work With Professionals

Whenever you need to have something done, you should work with professionals who have experience in the area. This will help you avoid guesswork that may leave the job you're trying to have done in a worse state than it was to begin with, costing you more time and money. Always do your research on the necessary procedure for a given job and shop around for the right expert rather than settling for the first one you come across. When you have a good idea of what you need to have done, you will be better placed to make a good call when interviewing the person to do it, and you will know the right questions to ask as well as the expectations you need to have. The bigger the job, the more important it is to find a qualified person or company to do it, and you will get great results that will be worth every penny.

Have Regular Inspections Done

Finally, you need to schedule regular inspections of things around your home to have them stay in the best condition for as long as possible. This will enable you to spot issues long before they get out of hand and lead to irreversible damage, such as that caused by termites to about 600,000 American homes each year. Set the inspection dates and have reminders for them so that you don't forget about them. Schedule them for a time in which you will be able to have them carried out without them affecting your regular schedule too much so that you're not inconvenienced while trying to have them done.

With the four tips above, you can enjoy living in a home that's in good condition for a long time to come. Keep them in mind and it will be effortless after a while, leaving you with an enviable home that's in an amazing state for its age.

Our Favorite Open Houses This Weekend

Looking for a new place to live or just curious about what's on the market? Check out our favorite homes you should make an appointment for this weekend. 

Have a listing you think should be featured? Submit your open house or contact us to tell us more!

Hudson Heights

WHERE: 120 Bennett Avenue, Apartment 4L

COST: $699,000

WHEN: January 23, 2022 by appointment only

Description: Meticulously gut renovated, this rare 2 Bedroom/ 1.5 Bathroom, with stunning southern light that floods the sunken living room, is perfectly situated in prime Hudson Heights. The windowed Chef's kitchen features maple cabinets, quartz countertops, GE professional series appliances, a wine fridge, and a coffee station. There is ample space for dining in either the raised entry foyer or the spacious living room.
The primary bedroom with an ensuite bath has been reconfigured to include tons of closet space. The second bedroom has direct access to the full bath and can also make for a perfect office or guest room, as it is peacefully quiet and welcoming. Top-of-the-line air conditioners and perfectly restored historic arches complete the renovation touches.
The Bennett Arms features iconic Art Deco detail, including original murals, curving forms, and smooth polished surfaces that harken to the exquisite craftsmanship and modern style of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. This coop was built in 1939 with 84 units and boasts features and amenities including a part-time doorman, elevator, garden, bike room, storage, central laundry, and resident Superintendent.
The A train is around the corner, and the home sits between Fort Tryon Park, Bennett Park, and all the restaurants and coffee shops Washington Heights has to offer.
There is a 1% flip tax payable by the seller, and dogs, unfortunately, are not permitted, The building allows for 90% financing.

Bedroom : 2

Bathroom: 1

West Village

WHERE: 130 Jane Street #1/2B

COST: $3.095,000

WHEN: Sunday, January 23rd, 12pm -2pm.

Description: Be the first to enjoy this pristine two bedroom plus home office perfectly executed! This chic and elegant duplex offers a loft-like living/dining space adorned with an open kitchen plan with top of the line appliances, cement counters and breakfast bar that seats four comfortably! Exposed brick and beams compliment the design throughout! South-facing patio with a teak deck is awaiting your landscaper’s eye!

The inspiring stairs and burnt steel banister leads you upstairs to two bedrooms and a home office which can easily double as a guest bedroom. The primary bedroom faces south enjoying a large walk-in closet. The clever, en suite spa-like bathroom features sophisticated finishes, a double vanity and pocket doors. The other bedroom is generous in size with ample closets throughout. Central air/heat, white oak floors, and Bosch washer/dryer plus the garden patio complete this amazing home!

Bedroom : 2

Bathroom: 2.5

Upper West Side

WHERE: 200 West 109th Street #B8

COST: $650,000

WHEN: Sunday, January 23 from 11am-12:30pm

Description: Unit B8 features a head-to-toe update while still retaining the classic charm of its pre-war roots. The spacious brand new kitchen is accented with a Whirlpool stacked washer and dryer, LG Fridge, Bosch dishwasher, and Frigidaire stove. This windowed kitchen also features a gorgeous quartz marble countertop, white subway tile backsplash, and new tile flooring. The pristine bathroom houses a new standing glass shower, vanity, and toilet.

Down the hall leads you to the living room and bedroom, where you’ll find some of the original beauty of this pre-war unit. With two windows and a large closet, the living room has plenty of room for lounging or entertaining, as well as a work area. French doors open into the king-sized bedroom with beautiful bay windows that let in plenty of sun; you’ll have space for a dresser, nightstands, and there is a large bedroom closet for easy storage.

Facing west, this apartment is on the third floor of an elevator and part-time (5pm-12am) doorman condo building with a spacious entry foyer, highlighted by beautiful stained glass windows and marble. There is a live-in super and bike storage is available. Pets are welcome per board approval.

Bedroom : 1

Bathroom: 1

Two large Compass teams jump to SERHANT

Abigail Palanca-Main Photo credit is: SERHANT. Studios.

SERHANT., a multidimensional real estate brokerage that sits at the intersection of media, entertainment, education and technology, today announced that The Palanca Team and the Bogard New York Team, both formerly of Compass, have joined the firm.  Inclusive of both teams, a total of 30 agents have committed to joining SERHANT. in the first few weeks of the new year, representing 35% growth in the first month of the new year.

The Palanca Team focuses on the Brooklyn real estate market and was founded five years ago by 10-year industry veteran and Brooklyn native Abigail Palanca.  Since its inception, the team has closed over $245 million in total sales volume and completed $110 million in sales in 2021 alone.  Members of The Palanca Team include: seasoned real estate agent Courtney Smelter; Nicole Bilu, an active real estate agent and entrepreneur who owns the Goodroom and GoodBar in Greenpoint, and the boutique hotel the Glen Falls House in the Catskills; and Malika Rose, a former professional tennis player.

Mallory & Brandon-LoRes. Photo credit is: SERHANT. Studios.

“The pandemic has shifted the way we do business and we are seeing an uptick in sight-unseen sales,” said Palanca.  “Residential real estate transactions are trending more and more towards video marketing and social media marketing - SERHANT. was built to support business in that way.  In thinking about the best way to serve clients now and moving forward, SERHANT. was the only brokerage with something different to offer.”

The six-person Bogard New York Team, led by husband and wife Brandon and Mallory Bogard, sells luxury real estate across Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. With a combined 15 years selling real estate, the Bogards founded their team two years ago and have since signed and sold over $200 million in real estate inventory.  Members of the Bogard New York Team include: Lucia Cousins, a former production director for Vanity Fair Italia who now specializes as a buyers’ agent; former professional women’s lacrosse player Katie Hertsch; Zachery Brink, an up-and-coming real estate star who completed a record-breaking rental deal on his second day as an agent; and Caitelin McCoy, former Executive Assistant for a global casting company.

“When we looked at our five year plan, we realized our business goals were best aligned with those of SERHANT.,” said the Bogards.  “SERHANT. is in line with where the market is going and have built a brokerage that was designed to support branding and media strategy in today’s new age.  SERHANT. isn’t copying any existing business models, it is the future of real estate and we’re excited to be a part of it.”

An additional 20 agents have or will join SERHANT. this month, either as individual agents or as new members to existing teams at the brokerage.  SERHANT. is also growing its presence across Long Island with the addition of The Michael Sadis Team and The Rachel King Team, and has plans to expand into new markets across the U.S. later this year.

SERHANT. closed out 2021 by completing nearly $2 billion in total sales volume.  The firm was founded in September 2020 by Ryan Serhant, top luxury real estate broker and star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York, as a content-to-commerce real estate ecosystem that is mobile first, with a first-of-its-kind in-house film studio for organic lead generation, creating customer acquisition for its two core businesses: brokerage and education.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

How the Pandemic Is Changing Luxury Amenities

As the coronavirus pandemic swept through nations and battered major U.S. hubs, the way people live has likely changed for the foreseeable future.  

Apartment building amenities once viewed as luxury must-haves, such as gyms and indoor congregate spaces, are now a thing of the past. In this brand new world of remote work, social distancing and outdoor living, tenants have other essential luxury amenities in mind when choosing a place to settle in.

Throughout the last two years, the idea of luxury living has become less of an aesthetic component and more of a design that predicts our lifestyle needs. Here are six ways the pandemic is changing luxury amenities.

1. Practical Layout

A recent survey conducted by HR consulting firm Mercer found that 70% of companies intend to implement a hybrid working model in a post-pandemic world. In another study released by Future Workforce Report, 36.2 million Americans will work remotely by 2025, double the pre-pandemic number.

With at-home careers growing in popularity and necessity, apartment building owners must explore ways to improve unit layouts and account for their remote working tenants. 

For example, architects must consider whether units provide functional space for one or more renters to spread themselves out. They may also look at making room for a desk or if the kitchen setup functions well as a multipurpose cooking, eating and working area.

Building renovations in the past couple of years point to the growing importance of functional spaces. Last year’s conversion of 212 West 72nd St, for example, focused on extending practical storage space and using floor plans that could adapt easily to owners’ individual needs. Beauty and practicality go hand in hand as more New Yorkers shift to fully remote work and need their homes to shift with them.

2. Workspace Rental

In addition to reworking the layout of apartments and condominium units to accommodate remote work, some developers may also convert rentable space into workspace rentals. 

Shared workspaces through companies like WeWork and Impact Hub have grown exponentially, with an estimated 158% increase in coworking spaces by 2024 worldwide. As the pandemic persists and more people find themselves working from home, excess rentable space could become micro-offices.

Some people prefer the feeling of leaving home to go to their jobs, and the solution to this may be providing in-building leases for a self-contained workspace. 

3. Outdoor Space

Rooftop terraces, decks, balconies and other outdoor amenities have become a luxury most tenants are unwilling to compromise. As more people confined themselves to solitary living during the pandemic, time spent in the fresh air suddenly became something to be cherished. 

Developers and building directors will have to cater to this demand, improving their outdoor living spaces into safe oases for their tenants to enjoy. 

Elements of luxury amenities we may see more of soon will likely include comfortable seating, fire pit tables, outdoor kitchens, picnic tables, rooftop gardens and internet access for working outside.

4. Bringing Nature Indoors

For as popular as outdoor living space is during the current and post-pandemic worlds, more tenants are looking for ways to bring nature indoors, as well. 

Paint can easily create a nature-inspired interior. When mental health has become increasingly fragile in these times, apartment buildings can use earthy color palettes that invoke a sense of peace and well-being in their residents. 

A more drastic design element in the changing luxury amenities is incorporating living walls. Living walls — or "vertical gardens" — are most likely to appear in building lobbies. Although living walls are an attractive, sustainable feature, their presence following the pandemic will be more practical than anything else.

Living walls that include herbs and vegetables could help prevent frequent trips to the grocery store. This will be convenient for tenants who go to great lengths to avoid infection and have found themselves cooking at home more often.

5. Pet-Friendly Properties

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), one in five households adopted a dog or cat since the pandemic began. That equates to approximately 23 million Americans based on the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau. 

While many apartment buildings have maintained "no pets" clauses in the past, there are many reasons why landlords could allow animals in apartments following the pandemic. Due to the increase in pet ownership since the coronavirus crisis, there is the potential for an expanded pool of renters who can afford higher rents. Generally, pet owners are responsible tenants, as well, and more likely to renew their leases.

It's highly improbable that pet owners would be willing to give up their pets to move to a new place. Instead, they'll probably focus their search for dog- and cat-friendly apartment buildings.

6. Germ-Fighting Surfaces

The coronavirus has shed light on hygiene and health, which could very well carry over to the types of materials used during construction.

Antibacterial and antimicrobial building materials could become a luxury amenity that's rather appealing to tenants. This could include Silestone countertops and even cork flooring. 

Copper fixtures, like faucets, knobs and drawer pulls, also have antimicrobial properties that reduce the spread of disease. Copper is aesthetically-pleasing, as well, and could enhance the luxury design of apartment buildings.

Health-Minded Changes for Luxury Living

The pandemic has drastically changed our lifestyles very quickly. When stay-at-home orders and social distancing became the norm, it challenged people to face how they were living and find new ways to make life simpler and healthier. Luxury amenities are sure to follow the cultural shift towards cleanliness, an escape to nature and interior comfort.

Author

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her real estate work has been published by the National Association of REALTORS®, Rental Housing Journal, and other online publications.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Your Inside Look At Magnolia DUMBO

Last week was the launch of the luxurious, amenity-rich rentals at Magnolia DUMBO today, launching in the midst of one of the hottest rental markets in recent NYC history.

Who doesn’t want to live in DUMBO, Brooklyn? But if you’re renting, it was basically impossible… there were only six available apartments on Streeteasy until the launch of Magnolia DUMBO, a 320-unit luxury rental property at 160 Front Street in the sought-after Brooklyn neighborhood.

With architecture inside and out by the renowned Morris Adjmi Architects, and a name that nods to the beautiful tree-lined colonnade entrance on Front Street and York Street, the property will be exclusively leased by Douglas Elliman Marketing Group. Though subject to change, initial [gross] pricing will begin at around $3,800 for studios, $3,900 for junior one-bedrooms, $4,880 for one bedrooms, and $7,100 for two bedroom residences.

(There are also 408 condos at the property known as Front & York, where a buyer just dropped $16M on a combo - the most expensive ever in DUMBO. To clarify, those are owned by a different entity, but Magnolia DUMBO is owned by RXR, a leading real estate owner, operator and developer in New York City, who just closed on the rental portion for $220 million - one of the largest deals of its kind in the past years.)

The introduction of rental residences in the sought-after neighborhood couldn’t come at a better time in the market, as inventory is an a historic low and prices continuing to rise. Douglas Elliman just released their rental market reports today, revealing that Brooklyn’s net effective median rent reached its fourth-highest rate on record for the month of December. New lease signings rose year over year for the sixteenth consecutive month, and listing inventory fell at its highest annual rate on record.

Residents at Magnolia DUMBO will have access to over 100,000 square feet of amenities space across three levels, including the largest private park in DUMBO, a 23,000 square foot interior park designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh, the award-winning landscape architect of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Magnolia Club also includes a rooftop pool and resort deck with iconic bridge and skyline views, a Game Room, with billiards and large screen console, a Terrace Lounge with its signature outdoor fireplace, and the Magnolia Lounge, ideal for private entertaining. They will also have access to onsite Life Time™ Fitness, the largest fitness destination in Brooklyn, which includes an indoor pool with full-service spa, a full-size indoor basketball court, expansive fitness floor with multiple movement studios, and a full-service café.

For more information, check out the teaser at Magnolia-Dumbo.com and the Instagram page @MagnoliaDumbo

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Our Favorite Listings For The Week

Looking for a new place to live or just curious about what's on the market? Check out our favorite homes you should make an appointment for this week. 

Have a listing you think should be featured? Submit your open house or contact us to tell us more! And be sure to view our new Listings Calendar

---

30 Main Street, PHB - DUMBO, NY | $4,500,000 | Agents: Nadia Bartolucci, Rachel Altschuler and Ian Murphy of Douglas Elliman

Expansive three bedroom Penthouse with private roof terrace in DUMBO. Residence PHB was fully renovated to the highest level of precision and detail. Enjoy 18 windows offering breathtaking panoramic vistas of the East River and the entire Manhattan Skyline. The almost 1,100 square foot private roof deck is fully equipped with water and electric to allow entertaining at any time of year. The open Chef's kitchen boasts a Viking range, Subzero refrigerator, Bosh dishwasher, modern open shelving and plenty of custom cabinetry which offers ample storage. The kitchen opens to a spacious dining area which easily accommodates large dinner parties. The great room boasts 10' ceilings and leads into a primary suite with a large dressing area outfitted by California Closets. The primary bathroom is complete with elegant marble tile, double vanity a deep soaking tub and separate shower. The other two bedrooms, one offering an en-suite five fixture bathroom, are located on the other side of the loft. Both bedrooms provide ample storage and oversized windows. Additionally, there is a powder room in the entry foyer as well as a laundry room doubling as a large storage closet.

The Sweeney building is a full-service loft building located in the heart of DUMBO and offers a full time doorman, fitness center, storage and common roof deck. The famed Brooklyn Bridge Park is right outside your door as well as several notable boutiques, restaurants, and everyday conveniences. Located within minutes of the A/C/F trains, Citi bike and the Water Taxi, allowing access to Manhattan within minutes. Showing by private appointment or open house by appointment only.

---

107-02 Queens Boulevard #5H | $1,625,000 | Agents: David Chi, Fenny Li and Daniel Rash of MNS Real Estate

Welcome to residence 5H at The BLVD. Enter this impeccable layout and you will first be greeted with larger-than-life windows and sunshine, which you can enjoy from your private outdoor terrace! This two bedroom and two bathroom home is filled with all of the thoughtful and elegant features you expect in a new development. Here you will find oak flooring, an elegant marble kitchen, deluxe spa-like bathrooms and ample closet space. Your luxurious kitchen is graced with custom Linea Decor cabinetry, Bosch appliances with a fully integrated refrigerator and dishwasher, and marble counters and backsplash with an exceptional waterfall detail. As an added bonus, you can enjoy your morning coffee on your private balcony. Each bedroom has ample closet space with additional storage available in the large washer and dryer closet.

The primary, en-suite bathroom creates a spa-like feel, with Carrara marble walls, custom vanities, glass enclosed shower and a full length Robern medicine cabinet. Central heating and cooling, solid core doors with custom millwork frames and baseboards and Hinkley lighting are just some of the other notable details you will find impressive at The BLVD. The impeccable amenities package at The BLVD features both indoor & outdoor amenities to meet all your needs.

---

100 West 93rd Street, Apartment 19F | $1,995,000 | Agents: Maria Daou and Adjina Dekidjiev of Coldwell Banker Warburg

This three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and comprises 1,351 square feet of living space. And the oversized terrace is just the beginning — every room of the unit is outfitted with six-inch-wide wood plank floors, custom millwork, and open views of the city outside. Owners are greeted by a large living room, with exposures to the north and west. Adjacent is the kitchen, outfitted with new appliances and custom quiet-closing cabinets. A long hallway connects the main living area to the three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The primary bedroom, at the end of the hall, has sweeping, west-facing views, ideal for taking in the sunset. It also comes with a walk-in closet and an en-suite marble bath. The other two bedrooms boast views of their own, and the condo even has in-unit laundry facilities.

---

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

2022 Technology That Can Change the Real Estate Industry

The real estate industry is one of the most important globally, housing more than half of the overall global assets. So many people have embraced buying homes in the past few years. The home purchasing power has increased immensely between 2020 and 2021 by 21%. The industry's value has been estimated to be at $217 trillion worldwide, and it accounts for 7% of global GDP. This means that there is no way for this industry to be left behind in today's rapid technological advancements. The following are some of the technologies that, when used together or individually, can change the way we sell and buy property forever:

Blockchain (Distributed Ledger Technology) and Cryptocurrencies

In real estate, blockchain allows buyers to purchase property via cryptocurrencies. For example, Australia has recently seen its first Bitcoin real estate transaction, with a 1,400-square meter plot of land in Melbourne being sold for BTC equivalent to $250,000.

Blockchain has been recognized as one of the most promising technologies today, and it's also planned to be used by various other governments around the world. Some countries have even gone so far as to start developing their proprietary blockchain applications for real estates, such as the case of Sweden.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

AI is a branch of computer science concerned with developing intelligent machines. Machine learning uses statistical techniques to allow computers to 'learn' from data without being explicitly programmed. In short, AI is about making computers behave like humans, while machine learning will enable them to learn independently. Most real estate companies are already starting to use AI to find patterns in data and analyze potential customer behavior. Lenders who work in real estate are even able to make use of tools like lead management software for mortgage brokers to automate parts of this process to make sure that potential customers still get great service, while freeing them up to concentrate on the tasks that really do need the human touch.

Real Estate Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding, the practice of funding projects or ventures by raising money from many people who each contribute a relatively small amount of money, is also a growing trend in the real estate market. Several websites have been helping creators raise funds for their projects by allowing users to donate on a monthly or project basis - but now some crowdfunding sites are trying to implement this formula in real estate.

Real estate crowdfunding is a new concept, but it still shows many potentials. This could be especially beneficial for investors looking to diversify their portfolio with properties in big cities, and since they'll own part of the equity, they can also expect regular income from rental payments.

P2P Filesharing

The practice of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing initially became popular in 1999 with Napster's invention. It is an interesting technology that can benefit many industries. However, real estate is one of the biggest industries that can benefit from peer-to-peer file sharing. Here's how peer-to-peer file sharing could benefit this industry;

Reduced costs for companies and consumers. Many people believe that buying a home is far too expensive and out of reach for most individuals. However, this is not true in many cases. Many real estate companies and individual homeowners could benefit greatly from implementing a peer-to-peer video conferencing system.

This is because both parties would be able to save thousands of dollars on hosting costs and time spent traveling to host a video conference. This cost reduction could help more people become homeowners, lowering the number of homeless individuals.

Landscaping Technology

There is a growing trend in which many new developments are going green in real estate. In fact, 'green' may be becoming the new standard for developers when planning out their projects. One technology helping this transformation is called Landscaping Technology (LT). LT is being used so heavily because it increases the value of a property, reduces energy use, increases workers' productivity, and more.

Landscaping Technology is the concept of using technology to automate landscaping tasks, such as incorporating natural flagstones in homeowners' backyards. Natural flagstone is a sedimentary rock that has been disintegrated into layers and utilized for landscaping.

Technologies used can vary, including drones for mowing, GPS systems to guide vehicles along pre-mapped routes following specific procedures, automated irrigation systems, etc.

The technology discussed in this article is changing how real estate companies operate and how people can buy homes. Many of these technologies have reached a point that could be described as being market-ready, while others are still in their early days or are brand new ideas that may or may not work out.

Melissa Ziweslin Brings Corcoran Sunshine to the Sunshine State

Melissa Ziweslin

Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group has announced the expansion of Senior Managing Director Melissa Ziweslin’s role to include leading the marketing and sales strategies for new development projects throughout Florida, adding to her existing scope of work in New York City and expanding the firm’s presence in this key luxury market. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group has most recently represented the Four Seasons Private Residences at The Surf Club in Surfside, FL among other premier South Florida new developments. 

Ziweslin has worked with some of the finest development teams and partners including Silverstein Properties, GID Development Group, Extell Development Group, The Carlyle Group and ADIA. With 15 years of experience focused on luxury new development in New York City, including two of the city’s most successful projects – Four Seasons Private Residences at 30 Park Place and Waterline Square– Ziweslin has overseen more than $5 billion in property sales.

“Since joining Corcoran Sunshine, Melissa has been a valued member of our team,” said Pamela Liebman, President & CEO of The Corcoran Group. “Her deep experience with many of the industry’s preeminent development partners and her successful track record in New York City will be a great asset when growing Corcoran Sunshine’s presence in an important luxury market like South Florida.”

“With Melissa’s extensive ultra-luxury experience in branded condominium sales and her forward-thinking strategies in master plan work, it was an easy decision for her to lead our expanding presence in South Florida,” says Kelly Kennedy Mack, President of Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.

“As the most respected and recognized industry leader in new development, it’s an honor to lead Corcoran Sunshine’s portfolio in Florida,” says Melissa. “My goal is to continue to build on nearly two decades of trust that Corcoran Sunshine has established with renowned architects, developers and designers to positively influence the high demands of the booming South Florida luxury market.”

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.