Brick Underground

First-time renovators Patrick and Julie share advice on renovating a landmarked Brooklyn brownstone with the help of Bolster, a data-driven, design-build firm.

Renters are staying put because chances of getting a lease with some kind of concession, like a month free or no broker fee, have dropped considerably, according to Douglas Elliman’s October rental market report for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Concessions fell in Manhattan for the seventh consecutive month, and Brooklyn saw the largest year-over-over drop in concessions so far this year.

“Greenpoint is clearly still Brooklyn, with that creative vibe that distinguishes the borough,” says Macie Barnes, a real estate agent at Prevu, a full-service brokerage that offers buyers a rebate of up to 2 percent of the purchase price. “Residents of Long Island City have more of a Manhattan mindset, and the neighborhood has some of the best dining and art experiences in the city.” Here's a guide to deciding between the two neighborhoods.

Bolster is on a mission to eliminate risk from major home renovations by being radically transparent across everything they do. Bolster’s vertically-integrated team and commitment to resourcing puts them in the unique position of being able to financially guarantee that all renovations are delivered beautifully and on-budget.

Property taxes differ depending on how they’re calculated, the commercial tax base in a particular town, and state & local budgetary decisions

A Park Slope landmarked brownstone was bursting with original details, including pier mirrors and stained glass windows, but it was sorely lacking in modernized infrastructure. The top priority of this renovation with Bolster was bringing the home up to code.