Lauren Kende - Associate Real Estate Broker

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Lauren Kende - Associate Real Estate Broker

When not working, Lauren can often be found playing tennis. Lauren took up tennis in 2006 and it quickly became a favorite activity.

As a former practicing attorney and public relations professional, Lauren has a proven history of helping people navigate through complex and challenging situations, and she brings that experience to bear when helping her real estate clients. Passionate about customer service, she firmly believes that attention to detail, the ability to listen, strong negotiation skills, and a willingness to alway

s go above and beyond are keys to her continued success. Lauren has purchased and sold several properties herself and thoroughly understands the complicated process of selling, buying, and renovating an apartment in New York City. Having served on her Upper West Side cooperative’s board of directors – she has lived on 91st Street since 2002 – she possesses significant insight into the behind-the-scenes nuances that home ownership in the Big Apple involves. Whether working with sellers or buyers, she offers reasoned and insightful perspectives to guide them through the often emotional, stressful, and difficult decisions that a real estate transaction requires. She has been a long-time supporter of the Riverside Clay Tennis Association, the non-profit organization charged with maintaining and operating the only public red clay tennis courts in NYC. She is proud to be a gate volunteer and the sponsor of the ladders/tournaments, as well as of her prior involvement as a board member and sponsor of the summer concert series. She also continues to donate a portion of any commissions she earns from RCTA-sourced business back to this community organization via her Give-Back donation program. Lauren also helped run the U.S. Tennis Association's local Manhattan leagues as a volunteer coordinator for many years and remains active in the USTA as a team captain and player. She has recently added pickleball to her list of favored sports, is an avid snowboarder, and enjoys traveling, going to the theater, and spending time with friends and family.

05/28/2026

What’s the Story with Lot Line Windows in NYC?

Q: What is a lot line window?
A: It is a window located directly on or facing the border of a building’s property line — usually on the side. Such windows risk being blocked or bricked over because a neighboring building may be able to build against them.

Q: Why should a buyer care about them?
A: The natural light, air views, and room count from a lot line window can be lost in the future.

Q: Is this a realistic risk for every lot line window in NYC?
A: No. The location of many lot line windows are such that no construction would take place there as a practical matter. Also, construction is impacted by numerous building and zoning codes, as well as the availability of air rights, which ultimately dictate the location and size of a building.

Q: What are air rights?
A: Air rights are essentially the legal ability to build higher. Some NYC buildings actually purchase the air rights of neighboring lots specifically to protect their light, views and lot line windows long-term.

Q: Do lot line windows affect apartment value?
A: They absolutely can, as light, air and views are important aspects of a property’s value. In addition, a bedroom must have a window to be legal in NYC. The loss of a window that reduces the bedroom count, as well as light or views, would definitely have an adverse affect how much a property is worth.

Q: What can a buyer do to minimize these risks?
A: Checking to see if there are nearby empty lots or parking lots, shorter neighboring buildings, or active development on the block can offer insight about the likelihood of lot line window loss, as is determining whether neighboring air rights still remain available or have already been purchased and/or used.

In NYC real estate, details matter — and this is one buyers should never overlook. 🤍

&A

05/20/2026

Client Love 🤍

Messages like this are the reason I love what I do.

Thank you so much, Pamela, for your kind words and trust throughout the entire process. Selling an apartment in NYC is never just a transaction — there are always emotions, family decisions, logistics, and life changes tied into it.

I’m so grateful I was able to help make this chapter a little easier for you, Juan, and your family.

Knowing how significant and meaningful it was for Juan’s uncle to receive the sale proceeds was truly touching. Stories like this are what make real estate so much more than just buying and selling property.

Wishing your beautiful family all the best in this next chapter, and sending love to your mom as well 🤍

Thank you again for trusting me every step of the way.

05/18/2026

The April numbers are in — and Manhattan’s spring market is showing the activity that looked to be taking shape last quarter.

One of the clearest signs that buyers are actively engaging in the market is the number of contracts being signed. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, contracts signed jumped nearly 20% month-over-month, showing people are entering the market and moving forward with decisions as we head deeper into spring.

At the same time, pricing remained relatively stable overall.
The median sold price held at $1.3M, up slightly from March, showing consistency across the broader market. Meanwhile, the average sold price dipped just 1%, landing at $2.25M — a modest shift that suggests buyers are spending, but with selectivity.

Not unexpectedly given historical trends, inventory increased this month.
Active listings rose almost 12% versus March, bringing more options to the market after a relatively tight winter season. Increased inventory combined with rising buyer activity is creating a more balanced environment, with opportunities on both sides of the table.

Between condominius and cooperatives, there were some month-over-month differences.
Average and median condo prices rose 5.3% and 10%. At the same time, price per square foot softened slightly and average time on market increased to 135 days, suggesting buyers are negotiating more even as pricing trended upward.

Coops showed less pricing strength, with the median increasing only slightly and the average declining. One notable shift: the average discount narrowed from 7% to 6%, a sign that sellers may be gaining slightly more leverage in co-op negotiations OR that they may be pricing apartments more realistically from the get-go, and thereby limiting the amount of downward negotiation needed. 🤍

05/11/2026

More movement behind the scenes 🏙

Very happy to share some recent market momentum for my sellers:

✔️ In Contract
📍357 East 57th Street, Apt. 2D
A spacious corner 2-bedroom (flex 3) home with incredible light, generous proportions, and a flexible layout that truly checked all the boxes. From the oversized living space to the move-in ready condition, it’s easy to see why this one found its buyer.

✔️ Accepted Offer
📍357 East 57th Street, Apt. 5D
Another bright Sutton Place corner home with four exposures, a dramatic 30-foot living room, and a layout that offers endless possibilities for modern living.

✔️ Accepted Offer
📍74 West 68th Street, Apt. 5A
Classic Upper West Side pre-war charm just moments from Central Park. Boutique living, beautiful natural light, and timeless details made this one special.

Every apartment tells a different story — and it’s always exciting to get the right buyer to see what the sellers saw when they first bought their home. More to come soon ✨

05/05/2026

Rent or Buy? The Real Tradeoff No One Talks About Enough 🏙

Lately, I’ve been hearing the same question over and over again in New York City:
“Is it even worth buying right now?”

Honestly — it’s a fair question, given prices, mortgage rates, and carrying costs.

Renting can feel easier. Less commitment, lower upfront costs, more flexibility. Depending on your situation, these advantages can be exactly right for where you are in life.

But here’s the part that doesn’t get talked about enough: What each path does for your future.

When you rent, you’re paying for a place to live — and that’s it. No equity, no long-term return, no asset growing in the background that you can leverage for future investment or borrowing.

When you own, every payment starts to build something that’s YOURS — not your landlord’s.
Not overnight. Not instantly. But consistently. That’s the real difference.

Over time, owning a home is one of the most consistent ways people build wealth, and significantly moreso than renters. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average homeowner’s net worth is 43X greater than that of a renter.

This doesn’t mean that eveyone should buy: Timing, finances, lifestyle — it all matters. You should only buy once you’re ready and the numbers work for you.

But if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, wondering if it makes sense or is even possible, it’s certainly worth talking through your goals, timeline and budget. Even if today isn’t the right time, having a plan means being ready to move forward if and when it does make sense.

04/29/2026

The Co-op Admissions Timing Act — what you need to know 🏙

If you’ve ever gone through a co-op purchase or sale in New York City, you already know — the board approval process can feel like a waiting game with no clear end in sight.

That’s exactly where The Co-op Admissions Timing Act comes in.

Curious about how this affects you?

It’s simpler than you think — just swipe to see the most common questions and answers about this upcoming new law. 👇

Because in NYC real estate, timing matters just as much as location.

04/27/2026

Just Closed — Upper West Side 🏙

This past week brought closure to two very lengthy sales on the Upper West Side:

✨ Buyer Success
Welcome home to 165 West End Avenue, Unit 22D — a Lincoln Towers 3-bedroom, 2-bath co-op with views of the Hudson. Once renovated, this space is going to be truly fabulous! This purchase was a long time coming, with much patience and perseverence needed to get it to the finish line. So thrilled for my buyers to finally wrap up their multi-year quest to get back to the Upper West Side and the lifestyle it has to offer.

✨ Seller Success
Closed at 2 Columbus Avenue, Unit 17C — a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath condo that found its next chapter. Although on the market for a while, when the sale finally happened, it was a seamless transition from my seller to its new owner, exactly how it should be.

Different properties, different stories — but the same constant focus from me on running point to make sure every detail was handled and the client goals reached.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day, NYC 🌎🌱

Every year on April 22, people around the world pause to appreciate the planet we call home. In New York City, this day has an especially powerful history.

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, and New York City became the heart of the movement. In one of the largest environmental demonstrations in the country, nearly one million New Yorkers filled the streets.

At the time, Mayor John Lindsay made a bold decision: he closed Fifth Avenue to traffic and turned it into a park-like gathering space where thousands of people could protest pollution and demand environmental protection.

The city transformed into a giant outdoor rally. Protesters marched, activists organized clean-ups, and large gatherings took place in Union Square. Some activists even carried a net of rotting fish from the Hudson River to highlight severe water pollution at the time.

That day’s energy helped launch the modern environmental movement in the United States.

More than 50 years later, the city that once turned Fifth Avenue into a protest for cleaner air continues to push forward with greener parks, cleaner waterways, and a stronger environmental future.

Take a moment to celebrate Earth Day in NYC by:

• Taking a walk through Central Park or your neighborhood green space
• Joining a community clean-up along the Hudson River Greenway
• Visiting environmental exhibits at the Museum of the City of New York
• Participating in volunteer events organized by NYC Parks

Happy Earth Day 🌍

04/20/2026

Manhattan Market Update — March & Q1 2026

The stats from the first quarter of the year show some dips from Q4 2025 — in the number of contracts signed and the number of closed sales, although the average and median prices of both condominiums and cooperatives increased. This isn’t overly surprising since the data reflects activity that took place from late-Nov to early Jan – traditionally one of our slowest times of the year for real estate activity.

More interesting is the year over year comparison: 2026 is showing a less robust start overall than the same time period a year ago: less new inventory, less units going into contract, more average days on the market, and less closed sales. This too is not surprising, given the combined impact of severe weather, geopolitical issues, stock market volatility, and still compressed levels of new inventory that we faced in early 2026.

That said, the forward-looking signs from the March-specific data show expanding inventory and more activity month-over month. Active listings increased to 5,942 (+7.5%), giving buyers more options. At the same time, activity levels also picked up: contracts signed jumped 21.1% to 918 and homes moved faster, spending less days on average on the market than the month before.

These numbers reflect the “real” start of the spring market March, and signal renewed buyer momentum.

While macroeconomic conditions and interest rate trends will continue to influence buyer sentiment, moves driven by life events are likely to outweigh concerns about past rate volatility. Overall, the market appears poised for stability, supported by sustained demand for well-priced properties.

04/17/2026

New Manhattan Condos to Watch in 2026 🏙

Here are four new developments everyone will be watching.

🔹 80 Clarkson Street — Hudson Square / West Village Waterfront

Rising along the Hudson River waterfront between Hudson Square and the West Village, this two-tower condominium project is one of the most anticipated developments downtown.

Designed by COOKFOX Architects, the limestone-clad towers will rise 37 and 45 stories and contain just over 100 luxury residences. The stepped architecture allows many homes to feature private terraces and loggias, with about 80% offering outdoor space — a rarity in Manhattan.

🔹 262 Fifth Avenue — NoMad

Standing 52 stories tall in the heart of NoMad, this slender tower offers an intentionally limited collection of just 26 residences.

Designed by Meganom in collaboration with Norm Architects, the building focuses on wellness-driven living. Advanced air filtration systems, environmental controls, and carefully engineered interiors create what developers describe as high-rise sanctuaries.

🔹 The Myles — Chelsea

Located on a quiet block in Chelsea, The Myles is a boutique 13-story condominium designed by BKSK Architects.

The building will include approximately 22 residences ranging from two to six bedrooms. Interiors emphasize space and comfort, with features such as custom kitchens, marble bathrooms, fireplaces, home offices, and private terraces.

🔹 500 East 81st Street — Upper East Side

Privacy takes center stage at this discreet development on the Upper East Side. The building offers just ten full-floor residences, each designed to feel more like a private townhouse in the sky.

Homes feature four-bedroom layouts with soaring 10- to 12-foot ceilings, private elevator access, outdoor terraces, and dedicated parking.

Lauren Kende
Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker
M: 646.285.4806
[email protected]

Address

2150 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY
10023

Website

https://www.compass.com/agents/lauren-kende/

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