Virginia K. Smith

Bill de Blasio gave his second annual "State of the City" speech earlier today, with a heavy focus on affordable housing. (As any New Yorker could tell you, the state of our city and the state of our limited, expensive housing, are very closely linked.) The mayor harkened back to a lot of his "Tale of Two Cities" rhetoric from his campaign days, but what does it all mean for your actual housing (or commute) situation over the next few years? Below, a few highlights:

Gaze upon these DIY misfires, feel better about your own botched weekend projects (BuzzBuzzHome)

Passive aggressive notes aren't just for roommates: some landlords leave 'em, too (The Billfold)

Hanging onto a precious rent-stabilized apartment can feel tenuous enough as is, and if the landlord kicks the bucket while you're living there? Well, we'd understand why a tenant would get nervous.