Category: News + Insight
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The Line: The Fed Cut Rates Another 0.25%
Today, The Line tries to fight through a nasty stomach virus to bring you the latest from the Fed. The Fed Cut Rates Another 0.25% By a 9-3 vote, the Federal Reserve approved a 25-basis point reduction in the federal funds rate. It’s worth noting that the last time 3 committee members dissented was September 2019. In case you’re curious, two of the dissenters were against…
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From Purpose to Plan: A 90-Day Approach
We’ve talked about the importance of and steps to take to find your “why” in the real estate business. Now that you’ve identified why you want to succeed, it’s time to take action. I like to start with a 90 day plan. This window is long enough to allow for real progress and short enough…
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How Long New Yorkers Hold Onto Their Homes (And What It Means for 2026 Real Estate)
A new report from PropertyShark offers a detailed look at how long New Yorkers stay in their homes, and the results show a noteworthy divide. While Manhattan and Brooklyn tend to see faster turnover, homeowners in Queens and the Bronx hold onto their properties for significantly longer. For buyers and sellers alike, understanding these patterns sheds…
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The Line: Private employers shed 32,000 jobs in November
Today, we try to explain the current state of the labor market without any help from the BLS. Private employers shed 32,000 jobs in November That’s the headline of ADP’s latest employment report. Sounds scary, but at least October’s job growth was revised up to 47,000. ADP also said that job growth in the second half of the year has been flat while…
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Bess Freedman: The Big Bamboozle of Private Listing Networks
This article first appeared on Inman News, December 5, 2025. By now, many of you already know my stance on private listing networks. I have been incredibly vocal about their dubious nature, penned numerous opinion pieces, been threatened with lawsuits, and warned against them on television and in print. I’ve cited studies showing why PLNs hurt…
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The Biggest Oversights in New Construction and Home Renovations
Brown Harris Stevens New Development has represented the sale of thousands of new homes, and over the years I’ve personally renovated three of my own in three different cities, supported by teams of exceptionally talented collaborators. And yet, even with all the expertise, guardrails, and best intentions, the same simple, quality-of-life improvements are consistently overlooked.…
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Fall in Review
Manhattan delivered its strongest fall season since 2021—and its second-best in 11 years—with rising demand, stable inventory, and early signs of price firming. The fall market (which I define as the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Thanksgiving) tends to follow a familiar seasonal rhythm. New listings come to market in a wave…
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The Line: September Job Growth Much Higher than Expected
This week, we finally have a BLS Employment report, but unfortunately it’s for September. Welcome to the “you get what you get, and you don’t get upset” edition of The Line. September Job Growth Much Higher than Expected Payrolls rose by 119,000 in September, which easily crushed the50,000 Dow Jones estimate. Here are the other highlights of the report:…
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How to find your WHY in real estate
Real estate can be a wild ride. Some weeks you’re crushing it. Closings, calls, referrals. Other weeks… nothing. I’ve been there. And what’s kept me consistent through it all isn’t luck, or even motivation. It’s knowing my “why.” Recently, I was invited by RISMedia to share my thoughts on why defining your “why” matters in real estate. The response…
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50-Year Mortgages Explained: Why They Likely Won’t Apply to NYC Buyers
The proposed introduction of a 50-year mortgage, discussed recently by the White House, is generating a lot of conversation nationwide. Supporters argue it could help improve affordability for first-time buyers, while critics warn it may extend debt burdens and inflate home prices even further. But one question matters most for New Yorkers: Would a 50-year…