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.

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NYC real estate guides

Start with a complete guide, then go deeper with the articles inside it.

New York security deposit law

Quick answer: In New York, a landlord has exactly 14 days after you move out to either return your security deposit in full or send an itemized list of deductions — not a vague “reasonable time,” a hard deadline. Miss… Read More

Guarantor NYC: Who Qualifies, the Cost, and When to Use One

A guarantor in NYC is a person or company that agrees to pay your rent if you can’t. A personal guarantor typically needs annual income around 80 times the monthly rent, double the 40x a tenant needs, plus strong credit,… Read More

Can You Afford to buy a home in NYC in 2025?

We determine if you can afford a home in NYC by deciding where you want to buy. Then, you figure out what mortgage you’ll qualify for. Here’s what you’ll need to know about the NYC  real estate market. This works… Read More

How Do I Get an Eviction Removed From My Record?

Experiencing an eviction can be a significant challenge. In several states, an eviction can stay on your record for up to seven years, seriously affecting your credit score and making it difficult to find suitable housing. You can continue reading… Read More

10 Largest Cities in California by Population (2025)

California is the most populous state in the country by a wide margin — and after two straight years of decline during the pandemic, its population is growing again. The state added roughly 108,000 residents in 2024 alone, reaching about… Read More

New York Mansion Tax Guide (2026)

If you plan on buying a home in New York, there’s a good chance you’ll be paying a mansion tax, as this tax applies to all homes selling for over $1 million in the state. In 2019, authorities introduced a… Read More

Real Estate Agent Commission in NJ: Rate and Rebates

The real estate agent commission in NJ averages about 5.2% of the sale price, split between the listing and buyer sides. The seller pays it. No rate is set by law, so it’s negotiable, and a New Jersey buyer can… Read More

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage in NYC (2026)

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, give a lender your last 30 days of pay stubs, two months of bank statements, two years of W-2s and tax returns, and let them run a hard credit check. You get a letter,… Read More

Own a rental property under my name or under an LLC?

Do you need a limited liability company (LLC) for a rental property in New York City? This blog will analyze the benefits of establishing an LLC in NYC real estate. We will go over the common issues about this ownership… Read More

Who Pays the Buyer Agent Commission in NYC? 2026 Guide

On most home sales, the seller pays the buyer’s agent commission out of the sale price. That did not change with the 2024 rules. What has changed is that the seller now offers it directly in writing, rather than through… Read More

Assumable Mortgage: How It Works, and the Equity Gap

An assumable mortgage lets a buyer take over the seller’s existing loan: same rate, same balance, same term. FHA, VA and USDA loans are assumable; most conventional loans are not. The buyer still qualifies with the seller’s lender and covers… Read More

NYC Co-op and Condo Tax Abatement: The Real 2026 Tiers

The NYC Cooperative and Condominium Tax Abatement runs 17.5% to 28.1% of your property tax bill, based on the average assessed value per unit in your building. Both co-ops and condos qualify for the same percentage tiers under New York… Read More

2025 NYC Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (“SCHE”) Guide

Everyone knows how expensive living in New York City and New York State is. It’s one of the most expensive cities in America and the world. So, anyone living there must take advantage of every tax break or exemption. One… Read More

Top Celebrities Who Live in NYC

New York City doesn’t do subtle, and neither do the people who buy real estate here. Fashion capital, film backlot, tabloid factory — of course, half of Hollywood eventually ends up owning a piece of it. Below are the celebrities… Read More

What Is Private Mortgage Insurance? PMI Cost and How It Ends

Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is a premium you pay on a conventional loan when your down payment is under 20%. It protects the lender if you default, not you. PMI runs roughly 0.5% to 1.5% of the loan amount… Read More