Over the past year, a sharp decline in condo sales lowered the overall average and median Manhattan apartment sales prices over the past year. 

Condo closings feel 24% from the 4^th Q2010 accounting for only 40% of all apartment sales.

The economic and financial turmoil that began in the late summer led to fewer transactions than a year ago. 

While there was stagnation in hiring recently, New York’s recovery remains well ahead of schedule.  This combined with a relatively low rate of available apartments has led the Manhattan market to continue to outperform the rest of the nation.

Click Here to read Halstead Property’s Manhattan 4th Quarter 2011 Market Report

Every winter and every summer New Yorkers and its visitors are treated to the most incredible three-course meals at the best restaurants in Manhattan for just $24.07 for lunch and $35.00 for dinner.

In its 20th year NY Restaurant Week offers you 20 Days of dining out from January 16th - February 10th (Monday - Friday.)

View these fabulous participating restaurants and make your reservations early! To learn more and to make your reservations visit http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek

If you’re thinking of moving to Manhattan, it’s not only a great way to try out our incredible restaurants, but it will help you relax over a sumptuous meal after browing apartments all day to decide where you want to live. 

NYC Restaurant Week Tips:

Research – Get recommendations from friends and search the Internet for ratings. Most of the participating restaurants are the best that New York has to offer.

Reservations should be made in advance.  DO Reserve Early – Normally, getting a reservation at these restaurants is difficult. Plan ahead. Reservations early in the week are usually easier than Thursdays or Fridays. Call to see if there were any cancellations as well.

Dress Code – When dining in New York’s best restaurants, dress your best.

Tip Higher – Tipping more than 20% will get you first-class service that New Yorkers expect from these top restaurants.

Get your palette ready for the 21 Club, Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro and Wine Bar, Aureole Bar Room, Bice,
Ça Va Brasserie by Todd English, Cafe Bolud, Chez Josephine, Cipriani Dolci, Club A Steakhouse, David Burke Townhouse, Fives at The Peninsula New York, Indochine, JoJo, Le Cirque, Le Perigord, L'Ecole, The French Culinary Institute, Michael's, Morimoto, Nice Matin, Nobu, Nougatine at Jean Georges, One If By Land Two If By Sea,  Orsay, The Palm Court at the Plaza, Patroon, The Post House, Red Rooster Harlem, Remi,  Riverpark – A Tom Colicchio Restaurant, Tao -- and many, many more!

Dear Santa,

It's been a long chaotic day. Dragging myself home in my Jimmy Choo stilettoes, I saw all of Christmas decorations in stores and all of the last minute shoppers scurrying to buy presents.

I started thinking about Christmas and began daydreaming of all the things I'd like to see under my tree this year.

So Santa, here goes:

I'd like to ask you for a silver Jaguar, a fabulous penthouse at 15 Central Park West, mansions in the Hamptons and Santa Barbara, a villa in Italy, a cottage in the South of France, and a trip to Tahiti with George Clooney  ... but I think I should be practical and ask you for things that are really important such as (not in any particular order):

Jobs for those who lost theirs, the end of outsourcing and bringing jobs back to the U.S., homes for those without one, free college educations for deserving students who crave an education, affordable health care for those who can pay for it and free health care for those who can't, a cure for all cancers and other diseases, a congress that agrees with each other and the President, for ALL of our military to come home and stay home, a healthy real estate market with serious buyers and sellers who listen to my professional advice (I’m not telling them to do things just to talk – I’m telling them to do things that will sell their apartments), businesses that thrive and are not forced to close, CEOs who can lead a company without being ridiculously overpaid, a safe and ecology-wise environment, healthy children, parents who love and nurture their children, children who can go to school in a safe, bully and violent-free atmosphere,  a world where kids don’t take their lives because of how others treat them, child predators who live on an island and are never near children, animals who are not harmed, friendly relations with foreign countries, no more disasters, a world with no guns with the exception of law enforcement and the military, no stigmas on child abuse, mental health, dementia and the things that people don't want to talk about, a world where everyone is friendly with each other like they were after 9-11, no terrorism, and a very healthy economy.

And Santa, could I ask you for just one more thing?

Could I please have a world without the Kardashians and those media hungry housewives from all of these reality shows?

I've been a good girl all year long Santa. I hope you can help me!

Happy holidays,

Ross Ellis

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This is a repost from my Annual Manhattan Tipping Guide.

 The holiday season is here and it's time to start thinking about tipping for services in our apartment buildings.

For those living in Manhattan, holiday tipping is the norm and can seem endless.

While it's important to be generous, it's also important to be realistic about what you can afford. Especially in our current economic climate.

Some Manhattan apartment buildings pool tips so the workers receive one lump sum. Most leave it up to the individual resident.

I hope you will find the information below useful when tipping in your apartment building this holiday season!

These are suggested tips for Manhattan. Most importantly -- give what you can. If you are giving less this year, include a postscript saying "Wish it could be more" and your gift will be very appreciated.

For a more detailed Manhattan Tipping guide visit Brick Underground's Holiday Tipping 2010 Guide by Teri Karush Rogers and her great Brick Underground blog.

During this holiday season, remember to take time for yourself so that you're not frazzled when entertaining.

And keep in mind - if you're planning on putting your apartment on the market, the holidays are a great time to do this. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers! Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

Wishing you all the  magic and blessings of the holiday season,

Ross Ellis
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Halstead Property, LLC

Ask me about Love Our Children USA, STOMP Out Bullying and Brokers Build at Habitat For Humanity

With the holidays upon us, it's a time to give gifts to our loved ones, friends and customers.

In a volatile economy gift buying could decrease for some. And at the same time there are wonderful groups doing important work whose donations are suffering.

This holiday season, rather than buying expensive gifts, I will be making donations to charity in the names of my loved ones, friends and customers. It's like giving twice!

Here is a list of top registered charities you may want to consider:

Alzheimer's Associaton 
To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

American Heart Association
Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do.

America's Second Harvest (New name is FEEDING AMERICA)
The nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity

Brokers Build
Brokers Build is a campaign for real estate brokers to raise $1M to build homes with Habitat For Humanity in New York City
(Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is a Broker Who Builds) 

Darfur - Not On Our Watch
Focusing global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities around the world.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.

Feed The Children
Feed The Children provides food, medicine, clothing, educational materials and other essentials to children and their families domestically and internationally.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Love Our Children USA
The national nonprofit leader in breaking the cycle of violence against children. It has become the ‘go-to' prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S. 
(Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is the founder and chief executive officer of this charity)

March Of Dimes
Dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

MS Society
The MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now-to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. They help each person address the challenges of living with MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

North Shore Animal League
North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world.

ONE
ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly. All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay.

Stand Up To Cancer
Stand up to cancer raised funds for research in unprecedented effort to end cancer's reign
as a leading cause of death

Starlight Starbright Childrens Foundation
Enhancing the lives of critically and terminally ill children through granting wishes and hospital programs
(Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is a past volunteer with this Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation)

STOMP Out Bullying

A national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens is a signature program of Love Our Children USA, the national nonprofit leader in fighting violence against children since 1999. Created in 2005, STOMP Out Bullying™ focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns. An additional focus educates parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online. (Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is the founder and chief executive officer of this charity)

Susan G. Komen For The Cure
The largest grassroot network of people working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care, and energize science to find a cure.

UNICEF
Raises funds for programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, they are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives.

For other registered charities please visit www.guidestar.org

More than four years after the death of society heiress Brooke Astor, her apartment has sold – at last! With an asking price of $46 million the Park Avenue duplex is being sold.

This remarkable duplex at 778 Park Avenue on the 15^th and 16^th floors reflects the renowned personal style of the late Brooke Astor, philanthropist and doyenne of New York society.

Designed in 1931 by Rosario Candela, New York's most celebrated luxury residential architect, this home has 4 brilliantly sun lit exposures. The architectural assets lend its charm to this home.  There are 15 large and beautifully proportioned rooms, 10 of which have at least 2 exposures, many with partial views of Central Park. 

French doors open to 6 terraces, and there are 5 fireplaces with antique mantels, elaborate and original moldings, antique parquet de Versailles floors and high ceilings.  The entertaining rooms radiate off a 30 foot long gallery with 18th century oak floors and include a grand living room with fireplace and a wall of bayed windows looking up and down Park Avenue. 

The home’s oversized formal dining room has a fireplace and 2 sets of French doors to a small terrace.  The red lacquer and brass trimmed library was designed by Albert Hadley and is likely the most photographed room on Park Avenue.  This room features a fireplace and 3 sets of French doors opening to a large, square south facing terrace. The private quarters are on both the 15th and 16th floors.  The 16th floor boasts a charming oval study with French doors to a small terrace. The remarkable master bedroom has three exposures including Central Park, a fireplace and 2 sets of French doors to a terrace, this master bedroom is truly enchanting.  Before reaching this incredible master bedroom, there is a guest room and a hallway powder room.

The 15th floor boasts another master bedroom almost identical to the one above, with all the same features, with a smaller 4th bedroom and bath.

The service area has a large servants' hall, kitchen and pantry with 3 maid's rooms and a bath with remarkable light and views to Central Park.

This is truly a home of grand style!

In contract at $24,900,000, the apartment still has to close -- as a few years ago, a Swiss businessman made an offer on the apartment — but was rejected by the building’s co-op board.

Will this new buyer pass the coop board and make this their new home?

After a slight drop in prices at the beginning of the year, the Manhattan real estate market has stabilized in the past three months, with prices rising slightly and sales volume increasing with an expected spring surge in home buying.

Market reports that the city's largest brokerage firms released today showed that the increase in the average sale price was largely attributed to more robust sales of larger and more expensive apartments, while studio and one-bedroom sales lagged slightly.

The 2nd Quarter 2011 market reports were release today by all of the major residential firms in Manhattan showing the average Manhattan apartment sale price of $1,430,432 was up 5 percent from last quarter and up 4 percent from the same period in 2010.

According to the report, sales over $5 million, particularly coop sales over $10 million were responsible for driving the average price higher. The median price, which measures the middle of the market and is not as impacted by high-end sales, fell 1 percent over the past year to $835,000. At 2,115, the number of reported sales was down 7 percent from a year ago.

The average price for coops sold during the second quarter of 2011 was up 14 percent from a year ago, to $1,214,047; this was due to increased sales in 3-bedroom and larger apartments. On the East Side, average price for all sizes apartments except two-bedrooms rose, led by three-bedroom and larger apartments which were up 15 percent over last year. Prices for all sizes of apartments, except those 3-bedrooms and larger, were down slightly on the West Side. In both the Midtown East & West markets condo prices were steady and co-op prices rose for prewar and dropped for postwar. Downtown prices rose for all size categories except one-bedrooms. The average condominium price was $1,670,908, down just 1 percent from a year ago.

Data from sister firms Halstead Property and Brown Harris Stevens show mixed but healthy indicators. In a still strict lending environment, it comes as little surprise that the best performing sectors of the market -- the top end of the market where buyers are wealthiest, and the bottom end of the new development market where units qualify for Federal Housing Authority-approved loans -- were those where financing came easiest.

According to a Bloomberg news report lenders are easing credit requirements on jumbo loan limits and narrowing the gap on rates compared with government-backed loans.

Manhattan's residential market is definitely looking up.

See Halstead Property's 2nd Quarter 2011 Market Report 

If you live in Manhattan you already know about NY Restaurant Week. If you're new to Manhattan or thinking about relocating to this great city, New York Restaurant Week is definitely something you want to know about! 

Every year, twice a year, New Yorkers and those visiting Manhattan get the opportunity to dine in some of the "best of the best" restaurants for a three course prix-fixe lunch at the amazing price of $24.07. Some restaurants even offer a three course prix-fixe dinner for $35.00.

This summer's Restaurant Week takes place between July 11th -24th.

Dine at the best New York City restaurants with the best chefs! Whether it's at 21 Club, Abboccato Ristorante, Ai Fiori, AJ Maxwells Steakhouse, Aquavit, Arabelle, Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro and Wine Bar, Asia de Cuba, Atlantic Grill, Aureole, B. Smiths Restaurant, Bar Boulud, Barbetta Restaurant, Barbuto, Ben Bensons Steak House, Benoit Restaurant, Bice Ristorante, BLT Bar & Grill, Blue Fin, Blue Smoke, Blue Water Grill, Bocca Restaurant, Bond 45, Brasserie, Brasserie 8 ½, Ca Va Brasserie by Todd English, Café Boulud,  Capsouto Frères, Carlyle Restaurant,  Chez Josephine, Chin Chin Restaurant, Cipriani Dolci,  Cipriani Wall Street, Circus Restaurant,  Club A Steakhouse, Colicchio & Sons Tap Room, Craftbar, David Burke Townhouse, Esca, Fishtail by David Burke, Fives at Peninsula New York,  Forty Four, Gotham Bar and Grill, Indochine, Industria Argentina. Isabellas Joe Allen, JoJo, Le Cirque, Le Perigord, LEcole, Restaurant of French Culinary Institute, Loeb Central Park Boathouse Restaurant, Lupa Osteria Romana,  Mesa Grill, Michaels Restaurant, Modern-Bar Room, Morimoto,  Mr. Chow New York-57th Street, Mr. Chow New York-Tribeca,  Nice Matin, Nobu New York City,  Nougatine at Jean Georges, Ocean Grill,  One if by Land, Two if by Sea,  Orso,  Osteria del Circo, Palm Court at Plaza,  Palm Restaurant,  Patroon Restaurant , Perry St., Persephone,  Plaza Food Hall by Todd English, Post House, Primehouse New York,  Quality Meats, Red Rooster Harlem, Redeye, Remi Restaurant,  River Café, Riverpark-A Tom Colicchio Restaurant , Russian Tea Room,  Sant Ambroeus-West Village,  Spice Market New York, Stadium Grill by David Burke,  TAO Asian Bistro, Terrace in the Sky, Tribeca Grill, Union Square Café, Victors Café,  Water Club, or any of the other restaurants offered, you can't go wrong. You'll not only save a lot but have a gastronomic feast.

New York City Restaurant Week Summer 2011 to view restaurants and make reservations visit nycgo.com/restaurant week

If you're thinking of moving to Manhattan, it's not only a great way to try out our incredible restaurants, but it will help you relax over a sumptuous meal after browing apartments all day to decide where you want to live. 

NYC Restaurant Week Tips:

Research - Get recommendations from friends and search the Internet for ratings. Most of the participating restaurants are the best that New York has to offer.

Reservations should be made in advance.  DO Reserve Early - Normally, getting a reservation at these restaurants is difficult. Plan ahead. Reservations early in the week are usually easier than Thursdays or Fridays. Call to see if there were any cancellations as well.

Dress Code - When dining in New York's best restaurants, dress your best.

Tip Higher - Tipping more than 20% will get you first-class service that New Yorkers expect from these top restaurants.

The High Line runs through three of Manhattan's most dynamic neighborhoods: the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea, and Hell's Kitchen/Clinton. When the High Line was built in the 1930s, these neighborhoods were dominated by industrial and transportation uses. Now many of the warehouses and factories have been converted to art galleries, design studios, retailers, restaurants, museums, and residences.

Last week the highly-anticipated second phase of the High Line opened to the public.

The expansion of the freight rail turned promenade between Gansevoort and 20th Streets opened two years ago. It spans 10th Avenue between 20th and 30th Streets, doubles the length of the existing park. New features include the High Line's first lawn, elevated catwalks and a 30th Street cut-out that lets visitors view the traffic rushing beneath their feet.

The one-mile garden in the sky winds 30 feet above the street through the Meatpacking District, Chelsea and Hells Kitchen.

Onlookers who wandered the grounds were thrilled with the spectacular view, the beautiful landscaping and more places to sit, such as the teak Seating Steps beside the 23rd Street Lawn. The Lawn also offers the High Line's only river-to-river vantage point.

The High Line's second phase features a temporary public plaza beneath 30th Street dubbed "The Lot" which serves beer and wine from Colicchio & Sons. A rotating fleet of food trucks such as The Taco Truck and Red Hook Lobster will also serve the square.

Vendors of the High Line's first phase include: People's Pops at the Chelsea Market Passage, on the High Line near West 16th Street who returns to theHigh Line after their successful debut during a trial run in 2010. They create Greenmarket fruit-based ice pops and shaved ice, transforming local, sustainably grown fruits and herbs into creative and delicious home-made treats. Also a favorite is La NewYorkina atThe Lawn, on the High Line near West 23rd Street. Inspired by the flavors of the chef-owner's native Mexico, La Newyorkina has taken the old and made it new with paletas (ice pops) in flavors that range from mango-chili to hibiscus to fresh coconut.

Now on view at the High Line you can see public art exhibits which include:SARAH SZE, STILL LIFE WITH LANDSCAPE (MODEL FOR A HABITAT)
June 8, 2011 - June, 2012
On the High Line, between West 20th and West 21st Streets

Sarah Sze presents a an elaborate architectural sculpture that allows park visitors to physically enter and pass through the space it outlines, while also attracting birds, butterflies, and insects with perches, feeding spots, and birdbaths.

JULIANNE SWARTZ, DIGITAL EMPATHY
June 8, 2011 - June, 2012
Located within the water fountains, elevators, and public bathrooms on the High Line

Julianne Swartz presents a sound piece that greets visitors with messages of empathy and love in the park's bathrooms, water fountains, and elevators.

LANDSCAPE WITH PATH
JOEL STERNFELD, A RAILROAD ARTIFACT, 30TH ST, MAY 2000
June 2 - 30, 2011
Billboard east of the High Line at West 18th Street

LANDSCAPE WITH PATH
JOEL STERNFELD, A RAILROAD ARTIFACT, 30TH ST, MAY 2000
June 2 - 30, 2011
Billboard east of the High Line at West 18th Street

An iconic photograph by Joel Sternfeld presents the first work in Landscape with Path, a series of three commissioned banners for a billboard next to the High Line.

KIM BECK,SPACE AVAILABLE
March 4, 2011 - January, 2012
Rooftops along Washington Street, between Gansevoort Streets and West 13th Streets

Kim Beck presents three sculptures resembling the skeletal framework behind advertising billboards.

STEPHEN VITIELLO,A BELL FOR EVERY MINUTE
June 23, 2010 - June 20, 2011
14th Street Passage

Artist Stephen Vitiello presents a multi-channel sound installation for which he has recorded bells all over New York City and beyond.

These exhibits make the High Line a cultural art center.

Whether you choose to visit the High Line for its parks, views, art, design studios, retailers, museums, restaurants and food trucks -- or to live there, the High Line is one of New York City's interesting new neighborhoods enjoyed by New Yorkers and its visitors.

WATCH THIS GREAT INTRO VIDEO TO THE HIGH LINE 2

Some people dream of living in a mansion, some on a yacht and then there are some who dream of living in a castle.

Greystone Court, a gray granite castle in Yonkers boasts 6 bedrooms, 7 baths, 11 fireplaces and 8,421 square feet of living space. The remainder of its 6,027 square feet includes a wince cellar, a basement, the attics, staff apartments and a two-story garage. More than half of the rooms in the house were imported from Europe.

Local businessman James Beemer had the core structure built around 1882 and then expanded twice in the early 20th century. Almost ready to be torn down due to being in disrepair in 2001, Kohle Yohannan a writer bought the castle for $469,000.

Yohannan spent his eerie first night in the house on Halloween 2001 with his rescued pit bull, Handsome. Wind blew through broken windows, and raccoons wandered into the Baroque ballroom, where he had set down a mattress.

He raised the money for the multimillion-dollar renovation by renting out the house, in the Woodstock Park area, as the backdrop for photo shoots to Vogue; the TV show Boardwalk Empire and the films including Mona Lisa Smile. He even rented it out for music videos, including Beyoncé's Irreplaceable.

The renovation took 10 years to complete. While renovating, he found history in the nooks and crannies of the castle such as traveling trunks and costumes that belonged to Michel Fokine, a choreographer for the Ballets Russes, a Russian company that performed in the 1920s. Fokine and his wife lived in the house in the 1930s.

Now that the renovation is complete Yohannan is relocating to Los Angeles to work on a film. Mr.Yohannan owns a loft in TriBeCa that he is keeping.

So if you've always dreamed of living in a castle and you have a spare $4.95M - here's your chance!