The Christopher Howard Team at Compass

12/16/2025

Exploring Green-Wood Cemetery: A Legacy of Innovation and Art

Civil War Memorial Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838, was never built simply as a burial ground. It was imagined as a pastoral sanctuary at a time when New York was dense, industrial, and restless. Over time,it. became a spacious celebration of American art, invention and culture. This began long before the city offered parks—long before Prospect Park, Central Park, or public green relief....

Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838, was never built simply as a burial ground. It was imagined as a pastoral sanctuary at a time when New York was dense, industrial, and restless. Over time,it. became a spacious celebration of American art, invention and culture. This began long before the city of...

12/13/2025

Hanukkah: The Nightky Accretion of Light

The Festival of Lights doesn’t arrive all at once.It unfolds. One candle. Then another. Then another. No demand for certainty. No rush toward brilliance. Just the steady practice of adding light to what is already here. That rhythm matters. We live in a culture trained to look for turning points. Breakthroughs. Before and after. But most real change doesn’t announce itself....

A reflective Thresholds essay on Hanukkah as a practice of gradual illumination—how light accumulates

11/28/2025

Thrifting for Apartments: How Gen Z Is Buying NYC Real Estate in 2025

The Gen Z guide to finding character-filled NYC apartments that don't break the bank Real talk: You know that feeling when you find the perfect vintage jacket at a thrift store? The one that costs $40 but would've been $400 new? The one with actual character and a story? That's exactly what apartment hunting in NYC should feel like. While everyone's camping outside luxury buildings in Manhattan, Gen Z home buying in NYC is doing what we do best: finding the hidden gems everyone else overlooked....

Discover how Gen Z is buying NYC apartments for $650K-$850K using the "thrifting mindset." Complete guide to Queens, Brooklyn neighborhoods, co-buying strategies & more.

11/24/2025

Pending Sales Hit a Multiyear High — What That Means for 2026

Inventory and mortage rates go in the right direction HousingWire’s lead analyst Logan Mohtashami closed out the year with a clear message: demand is finally stabilizing. As he noted, total pending home sales have reached a “multiyear high for this calendar week,” and it’s supported by four straight months of year-over-year growth in existing sales. The big driver is straightforward. Mortgage rates have held…...

Inventory and mortage rates go in the right direction HousingWire’s lead analyst Logan Mohtashami closed out the year with a clear message: demand is finally stabilizing. As he noted, total pending home sales have reached a “multiyear high for this calendar week,” and it’s supported by four ...

11/16/2025

Thinking about selling a single-family home in Kensington?

I just published a new piece that breaks down what’s actually happening in this market — the stuff most sellers don’t hear until they're already knee-deep in the process.

This isn’t a neighborhood of turnkey brownstones. It’s older homes, unique layouts, decades of care (or neglect), and buyers who are thoughtful, cautious, and ready to stretch if the home feels like a good long-term bet.

In the article, I cover:
• what today’s buyers look for
• how condition becomes your real leverage
• why pre-listing inspections are a quiet power move
• the pricing strategies that work
• the small prep moves that change everything

If you’re considering selling — or just curious about where the Kensington market is heading — this will give you a grounded sense of what to expect.

🔗 True North Homes NYC Blog:
https://truenorthhomesnyc.com/2025/11/16/selling-a-single-family-home-in-kensington-what-todays-market-really-looks-like/

11/12/2025

🏙️ New Price & Open House — 40 Broad St
The opportunity just got even better.
Now listed at $620,000, this downtown gem at The Setai Wall Street offers exceptional value for luxury living in the Financial District.
📅 Open House: Sunday, November 16 | 12 PM – 1 PM
📍 40 Broad Street , New York, NY
Join us this Sunday to tour the space in person and experience what makes this home stand out.
✨ Refined finishes
🌆 Iconic downtown location
🏢 Full-service condo with resort-level amenities
Questions or want a private showing?
📞 Reach out to Christopher Howard | Compass 347.217.4200
this conversation helpful so far?

11/11/2025

🍁 Thinking about moving this Fall?

Autumn is one of the most overlooked windows in New York real estate — quieter, more focused, and full of opportunity. Serious buyers are still out there, competition drops, and deals move more efficiently before the holidays.

Whether you’re planning to sell or preparing for the new year, this season can give you a real advantage. Let’s talk about how to use it.

📍 Christopher Howard | Compass Real Estate

11/07/2025

Corner light, circular flow, and room to breathe — welcome to 770 Ocean Parkway .
This two-bedroom, two-bath co-op wraps sunlight around your day with multiple exposures, a sunken living room, and a private balcony perfect for quiet mornings or golden-hour views.

Set at the crossroads of Midwood and Kensington, you’re moments from Cortelyou Road cafés, Prospect Park, and the F train at 18th Avenue — a Brooklyn rhythm that moves at just the right pace.

✨ Full-time doorman | Live-in super | Bike storage | On-site parking (waitlist)
📍 770 Ocean Parkway | Offered by Compass | True North Homes NYC

11/06/2025

Queens Market Report | October 2025

Queens remains one of the most value-forward markets in the city. Condo and co-op pricing continues to offer attainable entry points, especially compared with Brooklyn and Manhattan. Inventory tightened this month, down 5.5% from September, which means well-presented homes are drawing focused interest.

The average discount has narrowed to around 4% — a sign that sellers who price thoughtfully are finding qualified buyers ready to move.

For a deeper look at neighborhood-level patterns — not just borough-wide numbers — visit Market in Motion:
truenorthhomesnyc.com/insights/market-in-motion

11/06/2025

This month’s Manhattan market shows a shift toward more available options, with inventory up 3.4% from September. Buyers have a bit more breathing room — but the average discount still sits around 7%, which means negotiation strategy continues to matter.

Condo pricing remains strong at the top end, while co-ops continue to offer meaningful value for buyers looking to enter the market or right-size. The key theme: clarity and timing.

If you’re considering a move — buying, selling, or just exploring possibilities — it’s helpful to understand the market neighborhood by neighborhood, not just citywide averages.

For a deeper look and ongoing market insights, visit:
truenorthhomesnyc.com/insights/market-in-motion

11/06/2025

Brooklyn’s market this month shows a steady, measured pace. Condo prices continue to hold their ground, while co-ops remain a more accessible entry point for many buyers. Inventory is nearly flat from September, and the average discount is holding near 6% — a reminder that strategy and clarity are key.

If you’re considering a move, the question isn’t whether the market is moving — it’s how to move within it.

For deeper neighborhood-level insights, visit Market in Motion on the blog:
truenorthhomesnyc.com/insights/market-in-motion

10/22/2025

This cute studio is back on the market. It's condo under $500k, which is rare. And it has a walk in closet! If you knoiw anyone who would like to see this.