The Nest

NestApple's Real Estate Blog

Featuring real estate articles and information to help real estate buyers and sellers. The Nest features writings from Georges Benoliel and other real estate professionals. Georges is the Co-Founder of NestApple and has been working as an active real estate investor for over a decade.

Are Buyer Broker Commission Rebates Taxable in NYC? (2025)

Buyer broker commission rebates are legal in New York, including New York City, and are generally non-taxable income. Therefore, most buyer agents in NYC typically do not issue a 1099 IRS form when providing a buyer broker commission rebate.  In the… Read More

Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Attorney in NYC (2025)

In this article, we will provide an overview of the most important questions to ask your real estate attorney in New York City. By reviewing the following list of questions, you will learn how to interview a real estate lawyer… Read More

NYC Co-op Gift Letter | Why Buyers Need To Document

A gift letter is often necessary when submitting an offer for a co-op apartment in New York City. While not all listing agents require a gift letter as part of the offer documentation, it’s wise to prepare one in advance. This is… Read More

Squatters Rights in New York (2025)

Squatters’ rights in New York City provide legal protections for individuals who occupy property without permission, granting them some form of tenancy status after 30 days have passed. This means that once squatters have lived on a property for a… Read More

Can You Drink Tap Water in NYC? (2025)

Yes, NYC tap water is safe to drink. New York City has some of the cleanest tap water for drinking in the United States. However, it is not vegan and remains unfiltered, meaning that certain chemicals and foreign substances may… Read More

Mitchell-Lama Apartments – NestApple Guide (2025)

Mitchell-Lama apartments are part of New York State’s affordable housing program for real estate. This program allows residents to live in well-maintained buildings with below-market rents or to purchase cooperative apartments at prices that are below the market rate. Currently,… Read More