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The Pinpointe Post
November 2025 Edition
Rachel Fiegler
November 18, 2025
Welcome Message from Josh & Rachel
Hello from the Pinpointe team!
As we head into the colder months, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens rents are still running hot, but there are smart ways to play the market, whether you’re renting or planning your first purchase.
If you find this newsletter helpful, please forward it to a friend or coworker who’s NYC-bound soon. And as a reminder, we offer a $100 gift card for any referral that results in a signed lease or buy/sell deal or for an intro to your HR team or any startup that could use our relocation program.
Happy reading!
Rachel & Josh
Cofounders, Pinpointe Group
Recent Highlights
📝 From our blog
🎙️ Podcast Feature
Buying in NYC is a team sport, not a solo mission. In “The Secret to a Smooth NYC Apartment Closing?” we break down why you don’t just need a broker—you also need the right lender, attorney, and title team all communicating and rowing in the same direction so your deal doesn’t fall apart three days before closing. We got a great team, so call us!
Thinking about a fixer-upper but scared of the renovation budget? Our hottest clip breaks down how an FHA 203(k) loan can roll both the purchase price and reno costs into one mortgage with as little as 3.5% down, so you’re not draining your savings just to demo a kitchen.
🏙️ Neighborhood Highlight: Harlem, Manhattan
What we love: Harlem brings big-neighborhood energy: historic brownstones, major subway lines, real community, and a little more breathing room than downtown. But you can get down there easily with the 2/3, A/C, or B/D trains.
Median 1-bedroom purchase price: $719,000
Median 1-bedroom rent: $2,774
Hidden gem: Wander Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Lenox Avenue for low-key bars, coffee shops, and comfort food that still feel like the neighborhood, not a theme park
💡 Renter’s Corner
Moving here from out of state (or abroad) is its own full-time job if you try to DIY it between onboarding. A little structure turns the chaos into a plan.
Start with the math: use the classic 40x rule (annual income ≈ 40x monthly rent) to set a realistic max rent (aka what you can get approved for).
Expect upfront costs to land around three to four months of rent once you add first month, security, and broker fees or guarantor fees.
Timebox your search: a focused 3–5 business day window in person (or virtual with someone on the ground) beats months of random StreetEasy scrolling.
If you’re relocating for a job, loop HR in early—many companies will cover our relocation services even if they don’t advertise it.
Pro tip: If you’re moving for a new role, ask your employer to introduce us directly—we can often get you housed before day one so you’re not onboarding from a hotel lobby.
📊 Market Pulse: October 2025
The Air is Cold - NYC Market Stays Hot
💸 Rental Rundown:
Manhattan: Median rent hit $4,600, third-highest on record, with vacancy around 2.2%, so pricing is still tight.
Brooklyn: Median rent is $3,850, up about 7% year over year, while new leases fell as more renters stay put.
Queens: Median rent reached $3,598, roughly 7% higher than last year, with a modest bump in new leases.
🧾 Sales Snapshot:
Manhattan: New signed contracts rose across co-ops, condos, and 1–3 families, with co-op deals up about 23% versus last October.
Brooklyn: Condo contracts were up roughly 4% year over year while co-op activity held steady and new listings jumped, giving buyers more options.
Queens: New signed contracts increased across property types, with the standout being 1–3 family homes, which saw a notable jump in activity year over year.
🔑 What It Means for You:
Renters: Prices are still high, but more inventory in Brooklyn and Queens means you can negotiate a bit—especially on units that have been sitting.
First-time buyers: Rising signed contracts signal more people stepping off the sidelines, but rising listings in Brooklyn mean you’re not walking into a frenzy.
📰 News You Can Use
October rental market recap: Manhattan near record-breaking highs
Brick Underground breaks down the latest Elliman data: Manhattan median rent at $4,600 (third-highest on record), Brooklyn rents up with apartments spending longer on market, and Northwest Queens seeing a jump in inventory and new leases—giving renters slightly more leverage than last year. Read more here.
No heat, too much heat? What NYC law actually requires.
Brick Underground walks through heat season rules (when outdoor temps drop below 55, your building must keep your apartment at specific minimum temps) and what to do if your landlord isn’t complying, from documenting the issue to calling 311—before you buy space heaters. Read more here.
New York warns homebuyers about AI-altered listing photos.
The NY Department of State is seeing more listings using AI-generated or heavily edited images that can hide flaws or misrepresent a property; they’re urging buyers to verify details in person and lean on trusted professionals to spot red flags. Read more here.
🤝 Connect With Us
If you’re thinking about renting, buying, or selling—or you’ve got a friend, coworker, or new hire trying to land an apartment—hit reply and we’ll help you game-plan your next move.
And don’t forget: you’ll get a $100 gift card for any referral that turns into a closed deal, or for connecting us with your HR team or a startup that needs relocation support.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 917-633-6935
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