The top 10 NYC real estate myths

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but in NYC real estate, even the most basic assumptions turn out to be fantasy.

We're not really positive whether this list features the top 10 most flagrant examples, but we're pretty sure that it can shave a good 5 years off your learning curve if you're new around here:

1. Security deposits will be returned in a timely fashion.
2. The super is on duty 12 months a year (not just Thanksgiving through Christmas)
3. Co-op boards shred applications after reading them (and your net worth doesn't cross the mind of each board member everytime they see you in the elevator thereafter).
4. Brownstones are as quiet as they are charming.
5. Pet-friendly means the dog can stay.
6. Holiday tips are for a job well done.
7. New construction means move-in ready
8. Your broker is working exclusively on your behalf.
9. There are fewer airborne pests on higher floors.
10. Moving to a good school zone means your kid will actually be able to attend that school.

Find Your Next Home

NeighborhoodCentral HarlemEast HarlemHamilton HeightsHarlemHudson HeightsInwoodManhattan ValleyMorningside HeightsMt Morris ParkSugar HillWashington HeightsWest HarlemUpper West SideUpper East SideUpper ManhattanMidtown WestMidtown EastDowntownBattery Park CityCentral VillageChelseaChinatownCivic CenterEast VillageFinancial DistrictFlatironGramercy ParkGreenwich VillageLittle ItalyLower East SideLower ManhattanMurray Hill Kips BayNohoNomadSohoTribecaUnion SquareWest 30SWest VillageBrooklynBay RidgeBedford StuyvesantBensonhurstBoerum HillBrooklynBrooklyn HeightsBushwickCanarsieCarroll GardensClinton HillCobble HillColumbia Street WdCrown HeightsDitmas ParkDowntown BrooklynDumboDyker HeightsEast FlatbushEast New YorkEast WilliamsburgFlatbushFlatlandsFort GreeneGowanusGreenpointGreenwoodManhattan BeachMidwoodPark SlopeProspect HeightsProspect LeffertsProspect Park SouthProspect-Lefferts GRed HookRedhookSeagateSheepshead BaySouth SlopeSunset ParkVinegar HillWeeksvilleWilliamsburgWilliamsburg N SideWindsor TerraceQueensAstoriaBelle HarborBriarwoodCoronaElmhurstFar RockawayFlushingForest HillsForest Hills GardenForest Hills GardensHoward BeachHunters PointJackson HeightsKew GardensLong Island CityRego ParkSunnysideBronxBedford ParkBronxdaleConcourseConcourse VillageFieldstonFordhamHigh BridgeKingsbridgeMarble HillMorrisaniaMott HavenNorth RiverdaleNorwoodRiverdaleSoundviewSouth RiverdaleSpuyten DuyvilUniversity HeightsWestchester SquareLocust ValleyLong BeachUpper Brookville

Priceup to $500,000up to $750,000up to $1,000,000up to $1,250,000up to $1,500,000up to $2,000,000up to $3,000,000up to $5,000,000up to $6,000,000up to $7,000,000up to $8,000,000no maximum

Bedroomsstudios or at least 1 bedroomat least 1 bedroomat least 2 bedroomsat least 3 bedroomsat least 4 bedrooms5 or more bedrooms

Bathroomsat least 1 bathroomat least 1.5 bathroomsat least 2 bathroomsat least 2.5 bathroomsat least 3 bathroomsat least 3.5 bathrooms4 or more bathrooms

Search

Presented by 

Related posts:

Unraveling NYC real estate speak, one white lie at a time

16 things I have learned since moving to Manhattan

9 signs your co-op interview is in the bag

All NYC Real(i)ty Speak columns