Virginia K. Smith

DUMBO may be one of the city's priciest neighborhoods, but if you're on the hunt for a two-bedroom in the area, you've got bigger problems than potentially bankrupting yourself (and living with constant train noise). A number of the so-called "two-bedrooms" on the market in the neighborhood may be in violation of city regulations, as Crain's New York reports in its most recent issue after combing through listings in the area.

Dear Sam:  I want to secure a rent stabilized apartment, and I meet all the requirements (40x rent, excellent credit, etc).  The landlord originally verbally said one month rent and one month security, but is now asking for two months security, which I don't think he can do on a rent-stabilized apartment. But if I say no, he will likely just refuse me the apartment. Do I have any recourse? Nothing has been signed.

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.