Selene Plastiras’ Search for a Home in New York
A Move from California to the Big Apple
Selene Plastiras, an in-house lawyer for an engineering firm, arrived in New York from California in April 2022 to fill in for a colleague on maternity leave. Her company put her up in corporate housing in TriBeCa for a few months. Within a week, she knew she wanted to stay.
Falling in Love with New York
“New York was such a good fit,” she said. “It was the energy I was missing. The people are really friendly because a lot of people are transplants and no one is sitting in their cars.”
From Rent to Own
It was easy enough for Ms. Plastiras, a Bay Area native, to transfer to the city permanently. After the TriBeCa place, she rented a one-bedroom in a fifth-floor walk-up on the Upper West Side for herself and her dog, Hula, paying just under $4,000 a month.
The Drawbacks of Renting
That’s when she learned what didn’t fit: She thought she’d get used to the stairs, but never did. Her portable air-conditioner was no match for the summer heat. The windows faced Columbus Avenue, filled with sirens, garbage trucks, and crowds. And at the trendy corner ice-cream shop, “there was always a line no matter what the season,” she said.
Considering Brooklyn and Beyond
So last spring, Ms. Plastiras, 36, considered moving to the relative calm of Brooklyn. “I’ve been on the East Coast for only two and a half years, and it seemed like half of the friend group left New York and the other half left Manhattan for Brooklyn,” she said.
Buying a Home
When she investigated the costs of buying, she found that with a budget of between $600,000 and $800,000, her monthly outlay would be roughly the same as rent. Online, she saw reasonable options with outdoor space, which she craved.
The Importance of Location
In New York, she said, “you’re not in nature much and it’s hard to get out of the city.”
Meeting a Real Estate Agent
When she had owned a condo built in 1974 back in Marin County, Ms. Plastiras had endured replacement projects for the roof, elevator, and railings, with their accompanying assessments. So she wanted a building that was brand new. With the help of Tami Kurtz, a licensed salesperson at The Agency, she hunted in and near Bedford-Stuyvesant, filled with new condo developments with sponsor units for sale.
The Hunt for the Perfect Building
“The units were pretty cookie-cutter and looked pretty similar,” Ms. Kurtz said — boxy one-bedrooms in boutique buildings.
Insider Tips
Ms. Kurtz warned Ms. Plastiras against first floors, because of flood risk. “Even if you don’t have a flood, every time there is a leak in the building, it ends up worse for the first-floor unit,” she said.
Conclusion
After her experience, Ms. Plastiras learned the importance of considering the details when buying a home. With the right guidance, she found a new place to call her own, trading in the hustle and bustle of the Upper West Side for a peaceful and modern condo in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
FAQs
Q: What motivated Selene Plastiras to leave her corporate housing in TriBeCa?
A: She knew she wanted to stay in New York and decided to transfer to the city permanently.
Q: Why did Selene Plastiras consider moving to Brooklyn?
A: She thought it would be quieter and more peaceful than Manhattan, but ultimately decided to stay in Manhattan.
Q: What was Selene Plastiras’ budget for buying a home?
A: She had a budget of between $600,000 and $800,000.
Q: What was the most important factor in Selene Plastiras’ decision to buy a home?
A: She wanted a brand new building with outdoor space.
Q: Why did Tami Kurtz, the real estate agent, recommend avoiding first floors?
A: Because of flood risk and the potential for worse damage to the unit in the event of a leak in the building.
