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.

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 a private mortgage insurance on mortgage in NYC?

When you first apply for financing during your real estate purchase, you will hear many different terms. Along with the various loan types (ARM, conventional, FHA, VA),  you may also listen to whispers about mortgage insurance. If you get mortgage… Read More

How Do Air Rights Work in NYC Real Estate in 2025?

When you have a place like New York City, everything has a protocol, a fee, or even a particular process or concept. Even something along the lines of air or “space above” can have a specific way of being parsed.… Read More

Most Libertarian States in America in 2025

Identifying the “most libertarian” states in the US relies on various factors, such as economic freedom, personal freedom, regulatory policies, and the extent of government intervention. Various sources rank states according to these criteria. Let’s examine some of the states… Read More

Most Dangerous Cities In NJ in 2024

New Jersey may be known as the Garden State but is also quite densely populated. While some cities in the state are notably safe, the most dangerous areas can be frightening. Continue reading to learn about the most perilous towns… Read More

NYC Transfer Taxes in 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Actually Pay

Many NYC sellers focus on the sale price and only later realize how much transfer taxes affect what they actually take home. Transfer taxes alone can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the… Read More

Divorce & Real Estate In New York

How to file for divorce in NYC? Divorce cases are a plethora in New York State. When you first get married, you expect things to last forever. Unfortunately, all the expectations in the world can’t keep couples who are not… Read More

Co-Broking in NYC – Ultimate Guide

Co-broking is when the broker who listed a home and a separate broker representing the buyer cooperate on the deal and split the commission the seller pays. It’s how most NYC resales get done. Since January 1, 2024, the seller… Read More

1031 Exchange in NYC: 2023 tax benefits guide

This post will teach you how to execute a 1031 exchange in N.Y. A 1031 exchange, also known as a “Like-Kind” exchange or a “Starker exchange,“ is a formidable tax-deferred strategy that savvy real estate investors use in real estate… Read More

Rent vs Buy in NYC

Rent vs buy in NYC comes down to two numbers: how many years you’ll stay, and the price-to-rent ratio in your neighbourhood. Buying carries 4% to 6% in round-trip transaction costs, so under about 5 years renting usually wins. Past… Read More

Top 15 Most Dangerous Cities in California (2025-2026)

Emeryville, Commerce, Oakland, San Bernardino, and Stockton remain among California’s higher-crime cities in 2025 — but the picture has shifted meaningfully since 2023, especially in Oakland, which saw its steepest crime decline in decades. Let’s walk through the current, sourced… Read More

What Is a Classic Six Apartment in NYC?

A classic six is a prewar apartment with six rooms: living room, formal dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a former staff room off the kitchen. Six rooms, not six bedrooms. That sixth room runs around 72 square feet, and… Read More

Deadlines in real estate transaction in New York

A buyer (let’s call her Sally Streetwise) works with her broker to find a property she loves in a beautiful coop and begin her real estate transaction. The brokers work with the buyer and the seller to reach an agreement on the purchase price, review the… Read More

What Is a Mother Daughter House?

A mother daughter house is a single-family home with a second kitchen in it, occupied by the owner’s parents or children, and it needs a permit. The Town of Hempstead has defined it in writing since 1973. It isn’t a… Read More