An insiders look at all things Downtown and beyond – our neighborhood, our home,

our community.

March 2024

Out and About With Scout and Archie

What's Real About the Recent Real Estate Headlines?

As you may have seen or heard, there is a proposed settlement by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). While the settlement still requires final approval, there have been plenty of headlines in the media causing confusion. To clarify some of the misinformation about the settlement, I want to provide a few facts:

Sellers retain, as they always have, the discretion to offer compensation to buyer’s brokers. The proposed settlement does not prohibit their ability to do so.

Commissions have always been and will continue to be negotiated through transparent conversations with our clients. We believe strongly in transparency around broker compensation.

Commissions have always been negotiable and are not set by law. Reduced fee alternatives have been and will continue to be available for consumers seeking those options.

The proposed settlement would require that every buyer represented by an NAR-affiliated agent sign a Buyer Representation Agreement outlining the relationship between the buyer and broker before touring a property, something that is already required in many states for over a decade.

Buyers deserve representation at every income level. Our experience has shown that transactions flow more smoothly when there is professional representation on each side, creating open lines of communication which benefit all parties involved.

Compass agents provide tremendous value to our clients. As a result, we will continue to encourage a transparent commission conversation that reflects the time, effort, expertise, and support we invest in each transaction.

Compass is fully prepared to adopt the changes laid out as part of the settlement. We see these updates as being positive both for our clients and for the brokerage community, as they provide additional transparency and clarity and will encourage the most professional agents to thrive.

f approved, the terms of this settlement will undoubtedly impact certain facets of the residential real estate industry. Our hope is that any changes will provide an opportunity to enhance the professionalism of the industry across the country and elevate Realtors® to the standards we at Compass have always held ourselves to.

Real Estate is a relationship-based business, and the trust we’ve earned with our clients is something we greatly value. Together, we will navigate any changes to rules and regulations in our industry while continuing to provide our clients with the same exceptional service we always have.

If you have any questions as additional details surface, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Neighborhood Buzz

Alaluna Opens in NYC’s Village

Since opening late last year, the brazenly named Travelers, Poets and Friends has been enticing discerning New Yorkers through the doors of its West Village market-style space to shop premium Italian-inspired produce. This week, however, the concept is being taken to the next level with the launch of Alaluna – an elegant, seafood-forward ‘New Italian’ restaurant.

Brought together by partner and executive chef Riccardo Orfino (under One More Hospitality i.e. the group behind Alice, Osteria57 and Pamina), Alaluna will act as the final puzzle piece in the Travelers, Poets and Friends jigsaw, which aims to offer an all-encompassing taste of Italian hospitality, rooted in sustainability.

This Luxury Wellness Center is Opening its First-ever NYC Location

Offering members “an intentionally exclusive community” with help from artificial intelligence, Continuum is a new, luxurious wellness center set to debut its flagship location in New York this May.

The new club takes over 25,000 square feet of space inside the historical Archive Building at 676 Greenwich Street by Christopher Street and will be staffed by a team of folks who will actually use artificial intelligence to create a “well-rounded, individually tailored” experience for all guests.

The Best Place to Eat a Slice of Pizza, Probably in the World

In 2022, Frank Tuttolomondo bet his life savings on Mama’s Too. His popular pizzeria had been open on the Upper West Side for five years, and although it had received several recognitions, including a coveted review in the New York Times, many of its customers lived further downtown. So, when a space opened up on a prominent street in the West Village, he signed the lease.

Then, something funny happened. Tuttolomondo was having dinner with a friend at L’Industrie, another popular slice shop, when the owner, Massimo Laveglia, approached him with some news: L’Industrie was expanding. Where exactly? A block away from Mama’s Too. Neither owner knew the other was opening. Had they known, one of the best blocks for pizza never would have happened.

111 Charles Street Wraps Up Construction

Construction is finishing up on 111 Charles Street, a seven-story residential building in Manhattan’s West Village. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects who received LPC approval for the facade design and built by BKSK Architects who also did the interiors, the 63-foot-tall structure spans 48,535 square feet and yields 19 rental units, as well as 6,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and cellar levels. Titanium Construction Services was the general contractor, and Belden Tri-State Building Materials was the brick supplier for the project, which is alternately addressed as 540 Hudson Street and located at the corner of Hudson and Charles Streets.

Recent photographs show the scaffolding and sidewalk shed removed from the building since our last update in April, revealing the completed look of the wavy brick façade and grid of rectangular windows with protruding gray frames. Some of the residential units appear occupied, as is the retail space along Hudson Street, with signage present for veterinary care center GoodVets. Only the entrance at the rounded southeastern corner of the building remains to be completed.

Lady Bunny:Where I Eat, People-watch, Play in the WV

In between international gigs, actress, comedian and drag legend Lady Bunny lives where the West Village meets Chelsea. Lonely Planet correspondent Brian Healy recently talked with her about why she loves people-watching, where she enjoys the best late-night tacos in town and how you can blow a lot of money in the Meatpacking.

I get together with friends in the park. I never thought I would be old Lady Bunny and literally sit in the park every morning, but one of my favorite things to do is watch the fountain at Jackson Square Park. I know that doesn’t sound like a fancy night out – but I just like to be in the mix!

The Toughest Reservation in NYC Right Now and How to Get One

At any given time, there are a handful of New York City restaurants where trying to get a table feels like chasing the end of a double rainbow. Right now, these are those restaurants. The spots on this list aren’t necessarily the best restaurants in the city, but they are the hardest ones to get into—and we want you to know if they’re actually worthwhile.

We also want to help you get a reservation, so you don’t have to sit at home and write sad songs about how you’ve never been to Lilia. Below, you’ll find our verdicts on the busiest places in the city, along with some info that’ll help you get that table (or bar seat). Check back for regular updates.

Closed -

88 Horatio St, # 3C

(Representing the Sellers)

Charming Studio Apartment with Modern Elegance.

Welcome to your own piece of Manhattan magic! This beautifully designed studio apartment in the heart of the West Village offers a perfect blend of classic charm and contemporary convenience.

Contract Signed -

91 Leonard St, #6A

(Representing the Sellers)

Welcome to 91 Leonard Street, where luxury living meets unparalleled convenience in the heart of Tribeca. At nearly 1500 square feet, this stunning condo offers a perfect blend of modern elegance and comfort, boasting 2 bedrooms and 2 and 1/2 bathrooms.

Contract Signed -

450 Washington St, TH5

(Representing the Buyers)

Townhouse 5 is a spacious Four-Bedroom Maisonette overlooking the tranquil garden designed by Hollander Design, with its lush plantings, lawn and specimen trees.

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If you are considering selling your home, I would love to share with you my "front loading"marketing strategies and staging ideas.

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Scout and Archie's Scoop

I Gotta Get My Teeth Cleaned

Well, I hate going to the vet - HATE IT! Archie seems not to mind it as much as he likes the treats.

In April, I'm getting my teeth checked and cleaned as one is giving me some problems. I am not happy about this but as my Dads told me, good oral health is very important to my overall health. And as an older gal, I need to stay as healthy as possible.

To learn more about why dental health is so important for us pups, click here.

xo - Scout (and Archie)

A Bit About Me

A New York City resident for over 25 years and a West Village homeowner for over 18, I am passionate about this city and am devoted to making each client interaction an exciting and rewarding experience. It is a passion of mine to assist buyers, sellers, renters and investors to help them achieve real estate success. An expert in marketing, communication and negotiation, I skillfully guide clients with extensive market knowledge and my unfailing can-do attitude. A full-service agent, I work closely with top-tier real estate attorneys, mortgage bankers, financial advisors and stagers to facilitate all aspects of of my clients' needs.

For the past 13 years, I have served as a member of my coop board and have a deep knowledge for running a building in NYC. I currently live on Charles Street with my husband, Shuki, and our rescue dogs, Scout and Archie. I am passionate about giving back to our NYC community and continually support and volunteer with many charities and nonprofits include AIDS Walk NY, Cycle for Survival and the Sato Project.

I am here to help in any way I can with your real estate needs. Please reach out - I would love to hear from you and buy you a coffee at Blackstone Roasters. I can also connect you or your friends and family with top-notch real estate professionals all across the country.

Click here to read my Google reviews.

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