Welcome to It Happened One Weekend, our weekly roundup of The New York Times real estate section...
1) Rich people. What are they spending millions of dollars on? What are they complaining about? This is What's Up With Rich People?
Among certain species of rich people, sustainable green is of paramount importance, and a building that's secured LEED certification is now an extremely desirable amenity. The Times looks at Alfa Development's "Green Collection" of projects, including the brand new Village Green West. From 2009 to 2013, prices in the original LEED gold Village Green almost doubled, from $1,100 to $2,000 per square foot, due in large part to the building's commitment to sustainability. However, developers are also setting their own parameters for green living, going above and beyond LEED certification. ["Aiming for Truly Sustainable Buildings"
2) Every "The Hunt" column begins with the Hunters describing the apartment they want, and ends with them rationalizing whatever they came away with. This is The Hunt: Dreams vs. Reality
The Hunter: Brooklyn high school sweethearts looking to buy their first apartment
Price
Dream: $300,000
Reality: $325,000
Neighborhood
Dream: Canarsie
Reality: Bed-Stuy
Amenities
Dream: bank-owned
Reality: dishwasher, washer-dryer, gym, private garage
Summary
This was another nice change of pace for The Hunt, with a couple looking for a relatively affordable place in the (outer) outer boroughs. They originally had their heart set on a bank-owned property in Canarsie, where Mrs. Roman grew up and still has family, but after dealing with terrible bank people and Sandy (Canarsie is in a flood zone), they decided to look at newer developments in Bed-Stuy. They eventually paid $325,000 for a two-bedroom condo in The Shelton. [The Hunt/"After Second Thoughts, a First Home in Bedford Stuyvesant"]