Friday, January 6, 2012

Buying a Pied-à-Terre


Are you considering buying a part-time residence, or “pied-à-terre”, in New York City?  New York is a fantastic place to do more than just “visit”, and owning your own place – without the hassle and expense of a hotel – may be just the right thing for you. 

There are many things to consider and it is important to understand all the factors that affect what, where and how you buy your pied-à-terre.  Some of the more important elements are:

1.  Location.  What neighborhoods best suit you?  Is transportation convenient?  How about restaurants, shopping, museums and the theater? 

2.  Ownership.  New York primarily offers condos, co-ops and private buildings as buying choices.  In most cases co-ops will not work for part-time residents.  You must understand the differences and the pros and cons of each choice.

3.  Financing.  At the time of this writing, mortgage rates are currently at record lows.  Lenders often have different requirements for part-time residents, particularly those who live overseas.

4.  Income/Expenses.  Are you planning to rent out your pied-à-terre?  Do you know what fees, taxes and expenses you will incur?

The list above is not comprehensive and each point above could easily be expanded to a separate blog post, but it is a start.  Because of all the details and the fact that you most likely aren’t intimately familiar with New York real estate, it is vital that you speak with a knowledgeable broker to walk you through the process and help you achieve all your goals.  I recommend that you call or e-mail me if you’re interested in finding out more.  I’m happy to help.  You can find my contact information here.