The Experts

Our experts are standing by to answer your NYC apartment and real estate questions in BrickUnderground's weekly 'Ask an Expert' Q&A

I lost my job and got severance. Will this affect my NYC housing lottery application?
I want to fix up my NYC rental apartment. What kinds of upgrades can I do?
We have headaches and breathing problems because of smoke from my neighbor's fire pit. What can we do?
What’s the best way to find an accessible NYC rental building for someone with a disability?
What do the new energy efficiency building grades mean to NYC apartment buyers?
I just found out my new 'landlord' doesn't actually own my apartment. What should I do?
My co-op is the same size as my neighbor's but we have unequal shares. Can I challenge my allocation?
What fees will I have to pay when refinancing my NYC co-op mortgage?
Can I review my buyer's application before it goes to the co-op board?
Will my maintenance fees go up if I renovate my co-op?
I want to buy in a new development. Where will I get better value: Manhattan or Brooklyn?
Why do renters need liability insurance, and how much coverage should we get?
What do we need to tell our co-op board about our learning pod?
Rents are dropping in my building. Can I negotiate a lower rent?
Should I do a cash-out refinance or a home equity loan on my NYC co-op apartment?
Why are my apartment insurance rates going up so much?

Can't find what you're looking for?

Ask an Expert

meet our experts

Apartment Insurance

sponsor

Jeffrey Schneider, Gotham Brokerage

Jeffrey Schneider

President Gotham Brokerage

Jeffrey Schneider is the president of Gotham Brokerage Co., Inc., specializing in apartment and homeowners insurance coverage for co-ops, condos, rentals and all types of homes.

Appraisers

Jonathan Miller

President Miller Samuel

Managing agents

Thomas Usztoke

Vice President Douglas Elliman Property Management

Mortgages

sponsor

Robbie Gendels

Robbie Gendels

Senior Vice President National Cooperative Bank

Robbie Gendels is a senior vice president and mortgage loan officer at National Cooperative Bank in Manhattan.

Pest Control

Gil Bloom

President Standard Pest Management

Real estate agents

Shirley Hackel

Associate Real Estate Broker Compass

Real estate agents

Deanna Kory

Real Estate Agent The Corcoran Group

Real estate agents

sponsor

Blair Sheehan

Real Estate Agent Prevu

Blair Sheehan is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Prevu, a new smart online brokerage in New York City.

Real estate lawyers

sponsor

Sam Himmelstein

Sam Himmelstein

Partner Himmelstein, McConnell, Gribben, Donoghue & Joseph LP

Sam Himmelstein, Esq., represents NYC tenants and tenant associations in disputes over evictions, rent increases, rental conversions, rent stabilization law, lease buyouts and many other issues.

Real estate lawyers

Jeffrey Reich

Partner Schwartz, Sladkus Reich, Greenberg, Atlas LLP

Real estate lawyers

Dean Roberts

Partner Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.

Real estate lawyers

sponsor

Steven R. Wagner

Steven Wagner

Partner Wagner Berkow

Steven R. Wagner is a real estate attorney specializing in litigation, transactions and all aspects of coop and condo law at Wagner Berkow in Manhattan.

Renovation

sponsor

Fraser Patterson, Bolster

Fraser Patterson

Founder & CEO Bolster

Fraser Patterson is a former general contractor and the founder of Bolster, a 4-year-old company that has designed a transparent and enjoyable process for homeowners in NYC doing major renovations.

Renovation

sponsor

Aaron Popowsky

CEO & Founder Gallery Kitchen & Bath

Aaron Popowsky is CEO and founder of Gallery Kitchen & Bath