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The Pinpointe Post
April 2025 Edition
Rachel Fiegler
April 22, 2025
Welcome Message from Josh & Rachel
Hello from the Pinpointe team!
We're excited to bring you our very first newsletter dedicated to helping NYC renters and first-time buyers navigate the complex world of New York real estate. Each month, we'll share our latest insights, neighborhood spotlights, and practical advice drawn from our experiences in the field.
Whether you're happy renting or thinking about making the leap to ownership, we're here to provide clear, honest guidance without the typical real estate jargon or pressure.
Happy reading!
Rachel & Josh
Cofounders, Pinpointe Group
Recent Highlights
From our blog
Podcast Spotlight
We started a podcast called Pinpointe Unfiltered, where we discuss everything your broker never told you about renting or buying in the city. On our very first episode, we talk about how we got into real estate and why we decided to start our own firm. Check it out on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
Our most-shared Instagram post this month featured our guide to navigating the streets of Manhattan. Share it with the friend who still gets lost in the city after all these years, or to the tourists coming to visit you.
🏙️ Neighborhood Spotlight: Chelsea, Manhattan
This month we're highlighting Chelsea – a neighborhood that offers an ideal blend of culture, community, amenities, and reasonable commute times for first-time buyers.
What we love: Diverse dining scene, family-friendly parks, the Highline, and all the different art galleries. Easy access to the A/C/E and 1/2/3 trains lets you get anywhere quickly.
Average 1-bedroom purchase price: $1,050,000
Average 1-bedroom rent: $5,800
Hidden gem: Tucked along the Hudson River, Little Island is a stunning new park built on floating piers, offering lush gardens, family-friendly events, and an open-air amphitheater that hosts concerts and performances for all ages.
💡 Renter’s Corner
With summer around the corner — and rents poised to climb, many renters face the classic question: is it better to renew or look elsewhere? Here's our quick checklist to help you decide:
✓ Renew if: Your increase is less than 6%, you love your location, and your landlord is responsive to maintenance issues.
✓ Relocate if: You're seeing comparable units for significantly less, your building has recurring issues, or your commute situation has changed.
Pro tip: Many landlords are more flexible than they initially appear. Don't be afraid to counter-offer on renewal terms – we've seen success with reasonable negotiation tactics!
📊 Market Pulse
Spring Market: Prices and Competition are Heating Up in NYC
The NYC real estate market stayed strong in Q1 2025, with price growth across all boroughs and a rental market that's still running hot. Here’s what you need to know:
🔹 Quick Hits:
Brooklyn: Record-setting prices — median hit $995K (+4.7%), average now $1.28M (+7.7%).
Manhattan: Sales up 28.8% year-over-year; average price surged 21.1% to $2.23M.
Queens: Tight inventory is fueling bidding wars (1 in 4 sales over ask).
Rentals: Manhattan rents at all-time highs ($4,495 median); Brooklyn and Queens rents also sharply up.
Inventory: More apartments are hitting the rental market — up 23%+ across the board — but demand is still strong.
🔹 What It Means for You:
Renters: If you love your place, renewing early could save you from summer price spikes.
First-Time Buyers: Waiting could cost you — prices and competition are rising across the city.
Everyone: Spring and summer are NYC's busiest seasons. Be ready to move fast and have your paperwork lined up.
🔑 Bottom Line:
If you’re renting, now’s the moment to do the math: renewing early might save you money, but buying could be a smarter long-term play before prices push even higher.
📰 News You Can Use
11 things NYC landlords are required to provide, and 11 they’re not that might surprise you
In NYC, landlords are legally required to provide essentials like heat, hot water, pest control, and working smoke detectors — but there are a lot of things they don’t have to supply. Don’t expect extras like air conditioners, window screens, or even shower rods unless it’s spelled out in your lease. Before signing, double-check what’s included so you’re not caught off guard. Read more here.
Long Island City, already the site of a development boom, could get 14K new homes
Long Island City could see 14,000 new homes under a proposed rezoning initiative aiming to convert industrial areas into residential zones. The development is expected to include affordable housing, but some local critics are concerned it won’t do enough to prevent displacement. This boom in housing could help address the area’s growing demand for homes, but there’s debate on how it will impact the neighborhood’s small businesses. Read more here.
9 negotiating mistakes to avoid when you're buying in NYC
If you’re considering buying in NYC, it's important to avoid common negotiation pitfalls. These include making lowball offers without strong justification, focusing too narrowly on one term of the deal, or failing to communicate after not receiving a counteroffer. A savvy approach to negotiations, along with working with the right broker, can help ensure you get the best deal possible. Want to learn more about how to navigate negotiations? Read more here.
🤝 Connect With Us
Have questions about buying or renting in NYC? We're here to help!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 917-633-6935
What topics would you like to see in our next newsletter? Reply to this email with your suggestions!
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