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 found out my apartment is illegal, and now my landlord wants to evict me. Can I get rent money back?
Can market-rate tenants get buyouts?
What happens to tenants when a building's 80/20 commitment ends?
Can I have a co-signer on a mortgage when buying a co-op?
I want to move out of my rent-stabilized apartment. Can I get a buyout?
Should we limit the number of rentals in our building if we want banks to lend to prospective buyers?
What kinds of damage are covered by apartment insurance, and what are covered by building insurance?
My landlord didn't tell me my building recently had bed bugs. What can I do?
My friends and I are apartment-hunting together. Do we each need our own guarantor?
A burglar learned about my vacation from my social media posts. Am I still covered by insurance?
How much should I expect my co-op maintenance fees to increase each year?
How do I stop my neighbor's cooking smells from wafting into my apartment?
Is now a good time to refinance my mortgage? How long will it take?
Our renovation was done badly. What do I need to do before I sell?
My landlord wants me to become the superintendent. What do I need to know?
My landlord wants to keep me from opening my window all summer. Is this legal?

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Apartment Insurance

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Jean Brownhill

Jean Brownhill

Founder & CEO Sweeten

Jean Brownhill is the Founder & CEO of Sweeten, an award-winning, free service that matches consumers with the best local general contractors for major renovations, offering personal support through to project completion.

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.