Lucy Cohen Blatter

On a budget of around $4,800 a month, most of your options in Manhattan are in the one- to two-bedroom range, albeit with extras like a fireplace or a washer/dryer. In Brooklyn and Queens, you're probably more likely to get at least two bedrooms, while in the Bronx and Staten Island, there's nothing readily available in that price range, at least according to a search of StreetEasy and

One of the benefits of getting married is that, if you get divorced or a spouse dies, you have a claim on each other's real estate, even if your name isn't on the deed. That automatic right doesn't exist for unmarried couples, so if you plan to buy an apartment with your partner, it's important to put some protective measures in place, notes DNAinfo. 

If original details and that quintessential Brooklyn brownstone style are your thing, this $1,700/month one-and-a-half-bedroom floor-through apartment in a two-family house in Sunset Park might hit the spot.

It's got nice closet space (it looks like there are three lined up in a row!), hardwood floors, and original details like a fireplace and ornate moldings. Some potential cons: Pets aren't allowed, and Sunset Park doesn't quite have the same cachet as other parts of Brooklyn.

You've no doubt heard that interest rates are at historic lows, making now a smart time for New Yorkers to shop for a mortgage. For borrowers, one of the most important decisions is whether to pick a 15-year or 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, since the time it takes to pay back the bank will influence your rate, your monthly payments and ultimately how much money comes out of your pocket. 

But what exactly are the differences? And why would you choose one timeframe over another? Read on:

YOUR MONTHLY NUT

When it comes to getting your security deposit back in NYC, the general rule of thumb is that as long as you return the place to "move-in condition" before you move, you should get your money back in full.  Often that means you'll need to spend a few hours pre-move applying primer over walls you've painted, and filling in nail holes.