BrickUnderground

1. 80/20 living gets trickier when you're a mom

2. An amenity trend we can get behind: car-sharing for the whole building

3. 5 things you didn't know about Jamaica Estates, Trump's former home in Queens

It might feel like ancient history now, in these inventory-short, market-hectic times in NYC real estate. But in the late 2000s, the market—ours included—was at a standstill, brought to its knees by the colossal popping of a housing bubble created, in part, by loose lending practices, speculation, banking products built around questionable loans, and lack of oversight. 

Yes, Bedford-Stuyvesant is known for its blocks of brownstones and townhouses. But its cache of apartments are pretty charming too (mostly). If you're in the market for one, you're in luck: There are more than a dozen of them up for open house perusing this weekend. Here, a handful to consider for your calendar:

Yet another reason to adore the holidays in New York: there is no shortage of events to get together and celebrate with your neighbors. From menorah lightings to tree-decoratings to sing-alongs, NYC is one big holiday love-in right now, and there are plenty of ways to join in the fun. Start here:

Carroll Gardens is an unquestionably coveted neighborhood in Brooklyn. This five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom sits within its boundaries, but that's not all:  it's also just a few blocks from an equally beloved spot, Cobble Hill. 

Some might call these photos and design choices "charming." Others might go for "baffling."

As always, this week's batch of questionable listings photos comes courtesy of Andy Donaldson, the man behind the Terrible Real Estate Agent Photographs blog and book, complete with Donaldson's own commentary.