Month: November 2020

Categories
Buying Guide

What is NYC 421-A Tax Abatement?

Are you planning to invest in real estate in New York City? We guarantee that you’ll love the NYC 421-A tax abatement program, especially if you, like most people, are not a fan of taxes. So long as you are a property developer in NYC, you can easily get the NYC 421-A tax abatement, but your goal must be to offer affordable housing for the city’s residents. The program reduces your property tax bill for a specific duration. In most cases, it lasts for ten years, but yours could be 15 or 25 years, depending on the code it is registered with. For instance, codes 5117 and 5110 provide a ten-year term, while code 5114 comes with a 25-year period.

If you’d love to know more about the NYC 421-A Tax Abatement, read on!

We’ll start with the program’s history.

The History of the NYC 421-A Tax Abatement

The NYC 421-A Tax Abatement began in 1971. Its objective was to encourage NYC property developers to make the most out of underutilized land in New York City by investing in affordable residential buildings for families. The program prompted the construction of thousands of condos in Manhattan and other NYC boroughs. Today, the NYC 421-A tax abatement is still incredibly popular. The buildings benefitting from this tax abatement are twice as many as those with other property tax programs.

Home buyers will be delighted to know that the buildings they plan to purchase come with a 421-A tax abatement. Research all the essential information about this program because it has six codes, each offering a different property tax reduction percentage. Some people have often wondered if buying a building with an NYC 421-A tax abatement is an excellent idea. The answer to this is; it depends solely on the buyer’s preference.

What to Expect When Investing In a Property with a 421-A Tax Abatement?

A property with tax abatement is undoubtedly better than one without, but things could get a little complicated. For starters, expect most home sellers to sell apartments with a 421-A tax abatement at a higher cost upfront. They already know that you will spend a lot less on property taxes. While this might not be a problem for real estate investors with a high and flexible budget, those with low, tight budgets may not see it that way. You should always evaluate the home seller’s asking price for a property with tax abatement and the cost of one without. When that’s done, ask yourself the question; Is it really worth it?

When buying a house with tax abatement, you should also anticipate dealing with certain risks. A home seller could choose to sell their co-op or condo because the 421-A tax abatement period is close to expiring. If you purchase the property blindly, you might not enjoy the tax reduction benefits you hoped for.

After reading through this article and understanding the NYC 421-A tax abatement, you could take advantage of it as a real estate investor. The main advantage of purchasing a property with this tax abatement is that your property’s tax bill will be considerably reduced. Ensure that the apartment or condo you are buying is worth it. Before paying for the residential property, ensure that there are a good number of years left in the tax abatement. 

Categories
Rentals

How to Get a No Credit Check Apartment [Post Covid]

If you are a New York City resident, you probably already know that excellent credit history is required when applying for most city apartments.  It maximizes your chances of getting the right apartment for you and your family.

What if you don’t have credit? This could be because of several reasons. You may never have possessed a credit card for personal reasons. You could also be a student, a recent graduate, or a foreigner. Fortunately, your lack of credit can’t stop you from landing your dream apartment in NYC.

Below are a few things you can do to get a no credit check apartment in NYC.

Finding a Guarantor for Your Apartment

This is one of the things you should do when you don’t have a credit check and still need one of NYC’s classy apartments. Getting a guarantor assures your landlord/landlady that they will get paid even if it’s not by you. Your rental guarantor could be a parent, relative, or close friend, and they must cosign the rental apartment agreement. They must also meet the qualifications set by your landlady/landlord. In most cases, they are required to earn at least eighty times your monthly rent.

If you are a foreigner, ensure that your guarantor is a New York City resident. NYC landlords/landladies don’t accept foreign-based guarantors.

References

To land a no credit check apartment in NYC, you could also ask your previous landlords to write reference letters for you; they should preferably be located within New York City. With them, the apartment owner might be willing to let you rent their property. Each reference letter should state that you always paid your rent in full and on time, even though you don’t have credit. It could also emphasize your other great traits, such as reliability.

Attach the reference letters to your cover letter. In the latter, you could explain your current credit situation. Additionally, state what you do and why you are confident that you can afford the apartment you are applying for.

Work With a Broker

A trusted real estate broker in NYC may also help you get a no check apartment situated in the city. They can advocate for you and tell the landlords they know that you deserve their vacant rental apartment despite your lack of credit. You should be comfortable with your broker. This allows you to explain your current situation with ease since they might be hesitant to vouch for you if they don’t know what you’re going through. It’s best to pick a broker who focuses on the NYC neighborhood you wish to live in. They know the landlords who accept clients without credit, and they’ll point you in their direction.

NYC is a great place to live. You can still get an apartment you like without credit, but you have to be smart when looking for it. The tips above should serve as a guide to those looking to rent their dream apartments without credit. However, it would be best if you carried out extra research to avoid embarrassment.

Categories
Buying

New York City Mansion Tax Guide [2021]

Are you a potential homebuyer looking to purchasing a home or apartment in New York City? You must have heard of the NYC mansion tax, a closing cost that many property buyers in the city have incurred. Supposing that the residential property you wish to buy is worth more than $1 million, prepare to pay this tax, which dates back to 1989, the year this tax was created by former Gov. Mario Cuomo. The NYC mansion tax was meant to enhance the New York State’s budget, like all other taxes.

If you’re a first-time property buyer, it may all be a little confusing, but you need not worry. This guide provides essential information about the famous NYC mansion tax. Read on.

Who Pays the NYC Mansion Tax? And how much is it?

As a homebuyer, it is prudent to know the mansion tax you have to pay before becoming a legal homeowner in New York City. It helps you to manage your budget correctly. The value of your home determines the tax rates.

If your property’s cost is $1-$1.999 million, the tax rate is 1%, meaning that the tax amount will be $10,000. The percentage soars as your home’s value increases. For instance, should you be buying a house worth $20-$24.999 million, the NYC mansion tax rate will be 3.75%.

Remember that this tax is payable during the closing on your new home, but you can also pay it within the first fifteen days of closing. If you don’t do it by then, the home seller will also be in trouble.

After calculating the NYC mansion tax amount, you are required to pay, begin the process of paying it.

How to Pay the NYC Mansion Tax?

Since the NYC mansion tax is considered a real estate transfer tax, the necessary tax documents must be submitted together with the Form TP-584. The title company can hand in the filing on your behalf, regardless of whether you buy a condo or townhouse. If you are purchasing a housing cooperative (co-op), work with your real-estate lawyer when submitting your tax fillings.

NYC Mansion Tax Rates

$999,999.00 or Less0.00%
$1,000,000.00 to $1,999,999.001.00%
$2,000,000.00 to $2,999,999.001.25%
$3,000,000.00 to $4,999,999.001.50%
$5,000,000.00 to $9,999,999.002.25%
$10,000,000.00 to $14,999,999.003.25%
$15,000,000.00 to $19,999,999.003.50%
$20,000,000.00 to $24,999,999.003.75%
$25,000,000.00 or more3.90%

How to Avoid Paying NYC Mansion Taxes?

The NYC mansion tax can be insanely expensive, especially for home buyers who have just enough money to purchase their new one or two-bedroom home. Like many others, you must be wondering if there is a way you can avoid paying this tax. Unfortunately, there isn’t. The law requires you to pay the NYC mansion tax to be a legal homeowner in the United States’ most populous city.

Even so, there are exemptions when it comes to homebuyers paying the NYC mansion tax. When a government body purchases a residential property, the organization doesn’t have to pay the tax. The same case applies to closings that are as a result of federal bankruptcy.

This guide aims to shed more light on the NYC mansion tax for homeowners looking to invest in your dream residential property in New York City. Make sure you pay the tax during the closing, or at most 15 days later. Otherwise, you and the home seller will be held responsible. It is worth noting that houses with a value of less than $1,000,000 are exempted from this tax.

Categories
Rentals

The Most Expensive NYC Rental Neighborhoods [2021]

New York City is the US’ most populous city. It is famous for its state-of-the-art facilities, excellent infrastructure, diversity, and beautiful neighborhoods. Undoubtedly, this city is a fantastic place for renters. If you’re looking for a rental apartment in NYC, consider the best ones available in the city’s five boroughs.  Here we will discuss the highest rent neighborhood in NYC.

Renting in NYC’s most expensive neighborhoods is definitely an upgrade every affluent individual should consider. Of course, you have to determine the amenities and services you need. This helps you to narrow down the perfect apartments for you.

To make the right call, you should know the most costly NYC neighborhoods for luxury renters. Below are some that you could take into account.

Union Square, Manhattan

The median rent in Union Square is around $4,637, making it ideal for renters looking for houses in the most expensive NYC neighborhoods. There are several posh shopping locations in the area; you’ll have plenty of options whenever you are looking to buy gifts, clothes, foodstuff, or household items. Another alluring thing about Union Square is the year-round greenmarket that gives luxurious apartment renters the chance to sample local farmers’ produce.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg’s median rent is about $3,500. If you crave a somewhat dense suburban feel, this neighborhood is for you. The public schools in the region are some of the top-rated ones in NYC. The fancy restaurants, bars, and coffee shops here are countless. There is also a long list of parks you can visit whenever you need to relax or hold picnics with family and friends. Easy accessibility is another thing that makes Williamsburg convenient for renters. Feel free to use the L train, the East River Ferry Service, Uber or Lyft, and personal cars or bikes for transport to different parts of Brooklyn or within the neighborhood.

Long Island City, Queens

This affluent neighborhood, whose median rent is approximately $3,270, welcomes luxuriant apartment renters all year round. It boasts an ever-developing art community and fascinating nightlife. The neighborhood is also home to magnificent waterfront parks and museums. Hence, you’ll never run out of exciting places to visit while living in your classy rental house.

Additionally, the transport system in Long Island City is pretty impressive. There are eight subway lines, countless bus routes, a few Citi Bike stations, and two NYC Ferry stops.

Riverdale, Bronx

Riverdale (Median rent – $2,295) ranks high with regards to the most expensive and beautiful NYC neighborhoods. It is ideal for renters looking to live a quiet life near NYC’s most urban regions. This attractive quasi-suburban enclave offers scenic jogging trails, elegant eateries, and picturesque parks. Safety is another thing that draws renters to Riverdale. Also, the neighborhood hosts top-notch educational facilities. When you secure an elegant rental apartment in this neighborhood, you’ll also get the chance to view some pretty famous mansions such as Greyston, Stonehurst, and Alderbrook.

As seen above, you have many options when looking for luxury apartments in NYC’s most expensive neighborhoods. Note that the four provided in this article are our top picks as there are numerous luxurious neighborhoods in New York City. It would be best if you took explored the other neighborhoods and widen the scope of your search. This will undoubtedly help you land a fantastic apartment that’s worth your money.