Emily Myers

With a mortgage assumption, you take on a seller's mortgage exactly as it was when they originally borrowed from the bank, with the same rate and terms. If this sounds unlikely, it is.

And, a look at the cost and sustainability of living off the grid.

With insurance premiums running into the tens of thousands of dollars per year, make sure your building is getting its money’s worth. Unfortunately, co-op and condo boards are often given very little time and few options when it comes to renewing insurance coverage for the building. Carve out as much time as possible to review a quote and possibly bring the cost down.

The experience of Heather Graham, a pseudonym, is emblematic of apartment hunters in New York City today: She lost places to other renters willing to pay more than asking and sign leases sight unseen. Graham finally signed a lease for a $7,250 a month, way more than she’d originally budgeted for. Here's her advice for others looking for rentals in NYC.

And, the city's doormen, supers, and building staff push for wage increases and improved benefits as a labor agreement expires.

It’s illegal for New Yorkers who live in buildings with three or more residential units to rent their apartments out for fewer than 30 days unless the owner or leaseholder is present during the stay.