Virginia K. Smith

If you're a co-op tenant, you can bring in a roomie without the usual application process (Habitat Magazine)

Interest rates rising, a boost to the mansion tax, and more predictions for 2015 (The Real Deal)

Small apartments in the city's most prestigious buildings are cheaper than you might think (relatively speaking, that is) (NYT)

Meet Padspin, a new app that aims to minimize broker's fees (DNAinfo)

If it's a doorman you're after, the Upper East Side will be your best bet, but if you're hoping to buy in a building with an accepting pooch policy, it's worth heading downtown, according to a report released today by StreetEasy that zeroes in on where in Manhattan you're most likely to find popular building amenities, like doormen, elevators and laundry.

One reason to be grateful this year: your apartment is (hopefully) bigger than 100 square feet (Apartment Therapy) 

Keep your apartment safe if you're heading out of town (My First Apartment)

Good lighting can make or break an apartment just as much as a dinner date—everything looks better under the golden glow of candle flames. But rather than filling your apartment with tea lights, or undergoing a major overhaul that your landlord might not like, consider the third option: custom lampshades.