Virginia K. Smith

Do you live on one of the most expensive blocks in the city? No need to rub it in (StreetEasy)

Let this listicle convince you to get more plants in your apartment, stat (Buzzfeed)

Donate to this Kickstarter if you want the Lowline to happen (CurbedNY)

Mapping a decade's worth of NYC rent increases (Harlem prices have spiked 90 percent!!) (Community Service Society via Gothamist)

Q: We came across our apartment in Williamsburg via an acquaintance who was moving out. We immediately wanted it, so they put us in contact with building management, who then required us to pay a broker fee with a check made out to their own company!

Is that legal? It seems like a conflict of interest to be building management and the broker, not to mention that we didn't even find the apartment through the broker.

So, will you be adding a "baby cage" to your window? (Gothamist)

Tips on avoiding classic, unfortunately common rental scams (Curbed NY)

Groceries are actually a better deal if you live in the big city (City Lab)

When diving into the New York real estate market, it can be easy—even comforting—to fall back on generalizations or shopworn cliches, whether it's "location, location, location," or the assumption that you'll have to shell out half your income (or more) per month to live here. But the reality is that New York real estate is as dynamic and individual as the city itself, and a little research can go a long way towards clearing up misconceptions (and sparing you from ending up in an apartment you're less than thrilled with).