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BEHIND THE BRICKS ™

A Blog from Peter Von Der Ahe & the NYM Team

Blog PostMarket Insights

2023: A Decision-Making Year

As we move further into 2023, we are getting a better idea of what the remainder of the year will look like for the NYC multifamily market. To figure out what the future holds it’s often helpful to study the past. I’ve assigned a “theme” to each year: 2019 = HSTPA; 2020 = COVID; 2021= revitalized economy; 2022 = rising rates; And 2023 = decision making....

Blog PostMarket Insights

2023: Unknowns, Questions & Predictions For the Year Ahead

2022 finished much slower than it started with Q4 bringing a lot of uncertainty and trepidation to the market. Brokers woke up every Monday morning not knowing which deals would sign and close and which deals would fall apart. Calling a buyer on a Monday was like calling the doctor for your test results – you knew you had to do it, but you were nervous with what they might say. But alas, 2022 is in our rearview mirror it’s time to look at 2023 and make some predictions with where our business is headed....

Blog PostMarket Insights

Rising Rates & Inflation: What Should You Do?

The most common question clients ask me is: what’s happening in the market today? I answer this question with comparable context. Let’s review how interest rates, property taxes and compliance in the beginning of 2022 are different from the end of 2021.

Spoiler Alert! The factors we’ll run through have negative impacts on value, but the result of my findings is that values have remained remarkably stable.

Blog PostBronxMarket Insights

The Three Most Influential Factors Impacting Upper Manhattan & Bronx Apartment Buildings In 2022

The most common question clients ask me is: what’s happening in the market today? I answer this question with comparable context. Let’s review how interest rates, property taxes and compliance in the beginning of 2022 are different from the end of 2021.

Spoiler Alert! The factors we’ll run through have negative impacts on value, but the result of my findings is that values have remained remarkably stable.

Blog PostMarket InsightsSuccess Story

Selling Manhattan Trophy Properties for $100,000,000 + During the Pandemic

In spring 2020, NYC was the national epicenter of COVID-19. And while people and the city are starting to recover, the economic and real estate impacts of the pandemic are still being felt.

All property operators, sellers, and buyers are affected by recent changes and have questions about how to navigate the obstacles and opportunities of the real estate landscape right now.

Market Insights

How COVID-19 Will Affect Multifamily in the Next Year

In spring 2020, NYC was the national epicenter of COVID-19. And while people and the city are starting to recover, the economic and real estate impacts of the pandemic are still being felt.

All property operators, sellers, and buyers are affected by recent changes and have questions about how to navigate the obstacles and opportunities of the real estate landscape right now.

Market Insights

Today’s Obstacles & Opportunities in NYC Multifamily

In spring 2020, NYC was the national epicenter of COVID-19. And while people and the city are starting to recover, the economic and real estate impacts of the pandemic are still being felt.

All property operators, sellers, and buyers are affected by recent changes and have questions about how to navigate the obstacles and opportunities of the real estate landscape right now.

Market Insights

New York Multifamily Team Uses Extensive Network to Quietly Close $37 Million Tribeca Asset

In order to successfully sell this building, the owner of 186 Franklin St. needed to work with a real estate team that had connections with buyers who could pay the high price for a property like this one. That’s why they went with New York Multifamily.

Our team closed on this Manhattan building in May 2019 for $37.4 million. Here’s how both the buyer and seller found what they were looking for.

Market Insights

NYM Monthly Metrics – August 2019

NYM had an active month in August with a total of $197,710,000 in activity! This month we closed 6 deals for a total of $46,275,000 and listed 22 properties totaling $113,215,000.

We recently listed a 10-unit protected tax class 2B opportunity at 51 East Houston Street in NoLiTa for $10,950,000. We also brought to market 610-614 Crescent Avenue in the Bronx, a 49-unit property in prime Little Italy location right off of Arthur Avenue for $7,200,000.

Market Insights

5 Questions YOU Should Ask Post 2019 Rent Reform

Living in NYC will be dramatically reshaped. The "2019 Rent Reform Act" immediately implements state-wide rent caps on rent stabilized apartments and more strict landlord controls, as the government vastly increases its power over these buildings.

The political change which allowed the bill to pass, was created when Democrats took control of the New York State Senate, which has been typically held by Republicans. In a way, this change is the result of “anti-trump” votes that flipped those senate seats in the mid-terms of 2018. This effectively created a 1-party rule throughout New ...

Market Insights

Jeff Bezos Has An Answer for the Future of RE Tech

All participants in commercial real estate are hunting for a competitive advantage. Whether you are an investor, broker, or other player, you have probably explored technology to improve your success. And technology is a great tool. But, there is much more to the story.

When talking about the future, you may be surprised to know that Jeff Bezos advised us to “focus on what doesn’t change.”

Market Insights

NYM Monthly Metrics – June 2019

June was a monumental month for the entire NYC multifamily industry as owners, operators and professionals digest the impact of the new rental laws. The NYM team is conducting market research in order to give our valued clients a better understanding of what this means for the market and all NYC multifamily owners. I will be in touch with our unique insight as it becomes available.

Despite the shake up, we had an active month. In June we had $212,394,573 in activity at NYM! This month, we closed 11 deals for a total of $53,494,573. We also listed 16 properties totaling $133,275,000.

Market Insights

Queens Building Sells for $36,375,000; Owner Increases Cash Flow & Reduces Management

In New York City today, there’s a growing movement of owners looking to sell large, prewar multifamily assets. These owners have typically owned the building for over 30+ years

and are hoping to take the next step in their personal or investment lives. Recent rent legislation has only increased this desire. 

Market Insights

Experience and Presence in Submarkets Help Close $112M Brooklyn/Queens Portfolio

In New York City, it’s always challenging to close the sale of a multifamily portfolio. It’s especially challenging in 2019 when the properties are spread across 2 boroughs.

The New York Multifamily team of M&M closed such a portfolio of assets in Brooklyn and Queens — a $112,000,000 portfolio of 6 properties representing 423 units and 426,749 square feet. The portfolio ultimately sold to a single buyer. Here’s a look at how this deal came together, and the challenges faced on the path to closing.

Market Insights

How Multifamily Owners Can Take Advantage of Opportunity Zones

When the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed, accountants, investors, entrepreneurs and others scrambled to understand the implications- for multifamily owners there is one clear benefit, the creation of Qualified Opportunity Zones.

This month, I have asked Michael Hurwitz and Abe Schlisselfeld of The Real Estate Group at Marks Paneth LLP to provide some insight about these Qualified Opportunity Zones (“QOZ”).

Market Insights

$60,000,000 Manhattan & Bronx Portfolio Sale Maximizes Equity

Every NYC multifamily portfolio transaction comes with its own unique set of challenges. In some cases, multiple partners own a portfolio, which can make it difficult to gain alignment among the various interests. In others, the buildings are located in separate neighborhoods, making it difficult to find a single buyer.

And further, properties within a long-term portfolio often have deferred maintenance, violations or other non-conforming uses, that can impede a sale.

Market Insights

5 Reasons to Purchase Repositioned Assets

The secret to long term investing is figuring out how to be active in every market. It’s all about having a “line in the water.” Today, most NYC multifamily investors have been pushed to seek higher yield, and sometimes more risk, in their investments.

This has kept pricing very competitive in the value-add segment of the NYC multifamily market, while pricing on repositioned and finished assets have softend since 2015. Some observers call this a “mispricing of risk.”

Market Insights

Hybrid Marketing Key to 350 Unit, NYC Portfolio Sale for $91,900,000

New York’s real estate market beats to an entirely different rhythm to any other in the world. Here, we have everything; fast-paced transactions with property which changes hands rapidly sitting next to ancient buildings which have been held by the same families for generations.

The recent sale of the a family’s Greenwich Village portfolio perfectly represents the antique side of New York – the low-velocity, long cycle of property which rarely changes hands and are often the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.

Market Insights

7 Habits of NYC’s Most Successful Real Estate Entrepreneurs

I’ve met countless NYC multifamily owners and entrepreneurs. All types. Those that own 12 units, and others with yuge 5,000-unit portfolios.

As a by-product of working with them, I have become a student of their success. They all share similar qualities. Regardless of your stage of life or industry, these habits transcend real estate and have something to teach us all.

Market Insights

$16,850,000 in Upper Manhattan Buys a 107-Unit, Affordable Housing Portfolio.

New York’s real estate market beats to an entirely different rhythm to any other in the world. Here, we have everything; fast-paced transactions with property which changes hands rapidly sitting next to ancient buildings which have been held by the same families for generations.

The recent sale of the a family’s Greenwich Village portfolio perfectly represents the antique side of New York – the low-velocity, long cycle of property which rarely changes hands and are often the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.

Market Insights

Learn These 5 Insurance Clauses, OR You’ll Regret it When Renovating In NYC

There are any number of reasons to separate from a real estate partnership. One partner may need to free the capital for other purposes – such as retirement or education funding.

The investment’s performance may not be living up to expectations. The property owned by the partnership may require more upkeep, maintenance, or repair than anticipated, or management responsibilities may be proving burdensome.

Market Insights

7 Reasons Why NYC RE Investors Will Like the New Tax Law

December 20th, 2017 marked the passage of the first major overhaul of the tax code in decades. This event ends a year of uncertainty. It will have wide-reaching effects on the economy.

Although not everyone is happy with the new tax code, real estate investors will find that it provides them with favorable tax treatment with large tax cuts for corporations and pass-throughs such as LLCs.

Market Insights

$75,930,000, 18-Building Portfolio Is Brooklyn’s Largest Sale In 2017

New York’s real estate market beats to an entirely different rhythm to any other in the world. Here, we have everything; fast-paced transactions with property which changes hands rapidly sitting next to ancient buildings which have been held by the same families for generations.

The recent sale of the a family’s Greenwich Village portfolio perfectly represents the antique side of New York – the low-velocity, long cycle of property which rarely changes hands and are often the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.

Market Insights

NYM Team Sells 7 Building West Village Portfolio for $110,260,000

New York’s real estate market beats to an entirely different rhythm to any other in the world. Here, we have everything; fast-paced transactions with property which changes hands rapidly sitting next to ancient buildings which have been held by the same families for generations.

The recent sale of the a family’s Greenwich Village portfolio perfectly represents the antique side of New York – the low-velocity, long cycle of property which rarely changes hands and are often the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.

Market Insights

3 Crucial Considerations When Dissolving a Real Estate Partnership

There are any number of reasons to separate from a real estate partnership. One partner may need to free the capital for other purposes – such as retirement or education funding.

The investment’s performance may not be living up to expectations. The property owned by the partnership may require more upkeep, maintenance, or repair than anticipated, or management responsibilities may be proving burdensome.

Market Insights

It’s Not What You Make, It’s What You Keep: Tax Savings for NYC Multifamily Owners

It's not what you make, it's what you keep. While helping New York City owners buy and sell investment properties, the ultimate objective is very clear: either improve cash flow or increase appreciation.

Becoming more tax efficient is a very important part of that strategy. This month, I have asked Rob Rahner from Cost Recovery Solutions to explain cost segregation and why it's beneficial for New York City multifamily owners.

Market Insights

Behind the Bricks – The Podcast

Behind The Bricks is the #1 podcast on New York City Multifamily Real Estate Investing. Through discussions with the most influential NYC apartment building owners, we get a deeper look into this exciting investment industry.

The goal of these talks is to go behind the transactions and explore what drives these individuals and the investment choices they make.

Market Insights

5 Multifamily Strategies for a Flat Market

Stock market trading activity is very low. According to a WSJ article because the economy is not too hot, and not too cold, investors are acting as if the best move is not to make any move at all. In the world of investing, is holding cash (and not investing) a good investment?

For NYC multifamily, after the pricing peak in late 2015 and subsequent transition (where prices declined between 5-8%), pricing has been somewhat flat in 2017. Multifamily investors are asking the same question: what is the right move in a flat market?

Market Insights

3 Ways Lenders Are Impacting the NYC Market

Anticipation and fear of significant changes in the lending market have been on people's minds for the last 9 months. It's been the big talk among anyone in NYC interested in real estate. But has anything really changed? In order to answer that question, I asked Andrew Dansker from our Capital Markets team to highlight current financing trends as they relate to the NYC market. Lets hear from Andrew…...

Market Insights

Midtown: Owner Sells for $33,000,000 and Doubles His Passive Income

I was more than pleased with the brokerage services provided by Peter, Joe, and the rest of the New York Multifamily team. After owning our midtown asset for many years, I was also delighted that the team was able to assist me in a 1031 exchange and subsequent purchase of multiple NNN (triple-net) properties.

As a result of their work, my cash flow has more than doubled. For anyone looking to make this transition, I would highly recommend using them.

Market Insights

The Asking Price: When Asking Less Gets You More

The selection of an asking price can cause a lot of confusion among sellers, their brokers and buyers. Using an appropriate asking price is a huge strategic advantage for sellers, and requires navigating topics like trust (are they truly representing me?), competency (do they know the market?) and capability (can they get it done?) with your broker. Therefore, it can often seem like the interests of the seller and broker are not aligned.

I can recall a time when Rose, an elderly widow, forced me to price her $30MM Brooklyn portfolio 25% over market, saying “Sometimes you got to ask a...

Market Insights

3 Reasons the NYC Multifamily Market Is More Active Than Predicted

So far 2017 has been the opposite of what the experts’ predicted. When compared to one year ago, our teams’ inventory and transaction volume is substantially higher. Why? With the new government and rate increases wasn’t the market supposed to be slower? Lets explore…

The first major trend emerging is more product is coming to market. This is showing up as more potential sellers are asking for “opinions of values” and our listing inventory is up approximately 35%. To understand why, consider the mindset of the sellers. Five months ago, interest rates moved up for the fir...

Market Insights

Harlem: Steve Sold on 139th Street, Doubled his Cash Flow, and Reduced Management… How?

“It is my pleasure to acknowledge Joe Koicim, Peter Von Der Ahe, and Seth Glasser on their selling of my buildings on 139th Street in Harlem. Not only do I commend their ability to execute the objective in selling our assets, through their extended team, they were able to locate Triple-Net (NNN) buildings which allowed me to do a 1031 exchange and increase my cash flow significantly. Without hesitation I recommend them and keep them in the highest regard.”

-Steve, Former Owner of 515 & 526 West 139th Street

Market Insights

Brooklyn: Overcoming Loft Law Hurdles to Sell Building for $1,000,000 / Unit

“I was fortunate to meet Shaun Riney and the New York Multifamily team who were extremely professional and diligent at every step of the process. After having been in the business since 1985, I have never experienced this level of competency, toughness, honesty and dedication through every twist and turn as was exemplified with this team.”

-Gina, former owner of 35 Claver Place

Market Insights

3 Ways to Guide Foreign Investors in the NYC Market

Foreign capital has always influenced the New York City market. They love it. Once while walking a foreign investor through the Upper East Side, we passed two identical buildings: the first, 100% occupied and the other, vacant with boarded up windows. The out-of-town investor looked at the vacant building and said "maybe I should buy that one..." assuming a discounted price.

This is one of the nuances of the NYC multifamily market: vacant buildings are often more valuable than occupied because they are not encumbered by leases. As one client put it, "In the Midwest I am trying to keep ...

Market Insights

Winning in New York City’s Rental Market

The dynamics of the rental market in New York City have changed. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Real Deal, and others are running articles about the shift in rents. Let's take a deeper dive...

How did we get here? Market rents in NYC have risen dramatically over the past five years. In many cases, year-over-year increases were in the double digits as owners and developers realized a very strong demand from millennial renters who "paid up" for high-quality renovations and building amenities.

Market Insights

NYC Multifamily Owners: What are the 3 R’s of 2017?

Welcome to 2017! This year we look forward to the growth that (hopefully) comes from a more favorable business environment. The past 12 months have been marked by uncertainty as prices, rents, financing, equity, and government regulations all changed. We hope the year ahead will bring resolution where needed--and looking forward--we focus on three categories: Rates, Rents, and Regulation. These are the "Three R's of 2017."

Rates: Interest rates have started to rise and indications are such that we should anticipate moderate future increases. To hold its value, a property's rents must ...

Market Insights

Who is Joey 1 Cap? (And Why do NYC Properties Sell at 2% Cap Rates?)

When I first started in the real estate business, I remember a distinct conversation I had with one of the titans of the NYC real estate industry. This owner currently controls over 10,000 units, and he shared a piece of his investment philosophy with me. He did so by telling a story about the appropriate time to harvest fruit from a newly planted tree, which he said should not be done in the first seven years.

I have thought about this conversation many times when new-to-market buyers ask me, “Why do properties in New York sell for 2% cap rates?” Let’s discuss four primary reason...

Market Insights

The 4 Mindsets of NYC Multifamily Investors

2016 was a transitional year in many ways for the New York City multifamily business. Financing, buyers' mindsets, pricing, rents, and other aspects of the business changed. To gain a better understanding of our clients, we surveyed several thousand owners and investors about various market topics. I think you'll be surprised at some of the answers I'll share with you below.

Are you Buying Next Year? Many investors pointed out that we are in the late stages of a market cycle, and are therefore more selective about what they purchase. That said, our first question was: "Do you pla...

Market Insights

5 Election Takeaways for NYC Multifamily Investors

What does the election mean for New York City Multifamily owners? Will it impact values? Will rents go up or down?

Our research team at Marcus & Millichap released a special report highlighting the impact that Trump’s presidency will have on multifamily owners.  The election results may redefine the playing field and it is important to understand the implications involved in this governmental change.

Market Insights

DUE DILIGENCE: How has it Changed for New York City Multifamily Owners?

The political and regulatory environment for New York City Multifamily owners is becoming increasingly complex. The real question is, how has it affected values and transactions?

One direct impact is the process required to sell a building has changed. Instead of due diligence being a formality, it has become a major part of the process and critical for the seller to maintain pricing.

Market Insights

Want to Increase Cash Flow? Let’s Talk (ROE) and (NNN)

Recently I was asked by a New York City property owner why so many of our clients sell their New York apartment buildings and buy triple net (NNN) properties? While I encounter individuals who would never make this transition, for those that do, there are consistent patterns in their thinking. They want the same things: less complexity, more free time, and increased cash flow. What we are really looking at here is something called the "return on equity" (ROE). Simply defined, your return on equity can be found by dividing your net cash flow – (net of all expenses and mortgage payments) –...