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.
Explore by topic
Start with a complete guide, then go deeper with the articles inside it.
A co-signer for a house shares full responsibility for the mortgage. In New York, a co-signer on a co-op is usually added to the stock certificate and lease as a co-owner. A guarantor only backs the payments, often needing income… Read More
A conventional loan is a mortgage not insured or guaranteed by a government agency. If it fits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s rules and size, it’s conforming; above the 2026 limit of $1,249,125 in NYC, it’s a jumbo. You typically… Read More
Are you interested in expanding your financial portfolio and building your nest egg by getting into real estate? Invest in real estate. Purchasing a vacation rental investment property is an intelligent strategy. Therefore, if you choose a booming market, you… Read More
Guest Blog Post by Matt Lee. Many home sellers get caught scrambling to make significant upgrades before listing their homes to boost the selling price. While major renovations, like flooring, roofing, and HVAC systems, are essential elements to have squared… Read More
The mortgage recording tax NYC buyers see has a 2.05% statutory total below a $500,000 mortgage and 2.175% at or above $500,000 for a qualifying one-to-three-family home or individual condo. The lender generally pays 0.25%, leaving common borrower arithmetic of… Read More
A bridge loan is short-term financing, usually 6 to 12 months, that lets you buy a new home before your current one sells. It’s secured by equity in your old place, and you typically need about 20% equity and strong… Read More
Many people dream of living in NYC. For some, it becomes a reality. Every year, there’s no shortage of supply. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, modern new constructions keep popping up on New York’s skyline. Therefore, the NestApple team has gathered… Read More
The REBNY COVID-19 Health Questionnaire Screening Form was a move from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) to help promote the safety of all participants during a showing. The New York City real estate market, remained limited to… Read More
Title insurance in New York State isn’t automatically required for every co-op purchase. Co-op buyers acquire shares and a proprietary lease, not a deed. TIRSA lists 2 cooperative forms, one for owners and one for lenders. Lien and UCC searches… Read More
Sellers and landlords of NYC buildings built before 1978 must disclose known lead-based paint hazards before a sale or lease. Since August 2025, owners citywide must also complete a one-time XRF test of common areas. Lead paint removal now runs… Read More
Buying a condo in NYC means purchasing real property inside a shared building. Buyers should set a complete budget, secure financing, compare the unit and building, review the offering plan and financial records with counsel, inspect the apartment, close the… Read More
If you want to start and raise a family in New York City, the quality of education is probably at the forefront of your mind. So, what is the NYC public school system like? To begin with, New York City’s… Read More
On June 20th, 2020, the New Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure rules were enacted in New York. This regulation requires both brokers to show the NYS Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure Form to prospective purchasers, tenants, sellers, or landlords upon… Read More
Under contract means the seller has accepted an offer and both parties have signed a purchase agreement. It’s not final. About 6% of contracts nationally fall through within three months, per NAR’s own data, usually over inspection, financing, or appraisal… Read More
Quick answer: No — New York City doesn’t have a single unified MLS the way almost every other US market does, mostly because there’s never been one local board of realtors covering the whole city. Instead, Manhattan runs on REBNY’s… Read More
