October 25, 2023
What Up Family?
Welcome to The Edit with Aaron Seawood, a lifestyle letter serving a weekly dose of real estate, culture, and wisdom—all in three minutes or less. Let’s dive in.
Real Estate Remix
Last week, several headlines caught my attention as they boldly stated today’s housing market is worse than during the Great Depression. It’s certainly a big statement, so what does it really mean? Here’s my take: buyers have been in a bind all year. The market is poised to record the lowest level of home sales since 2008, and interest rates are at a 23-year high, hovering at about 8.13% for a 30-year fixed. However, I don’t believe interest rates will be coming down to 2-3%. Every buyer who is on the sidelines now will rush to the market as soon as interest rates dip to 5% and home prices will go up as a result. Times like these are always about weighing pros and cons. After all, buying a home isn’t just determined by the market, but by your lifestyle and personal needs. If you’re confused about today’s real estate market and want some honest guidance on your situation, feel free to reach out—simply reply back to this email.
NYC Insider: What’s Happening This Week
Halloween weekend has arrived and there’s no shortage of festivities happening around the city. Personally, the Clinton Hill Halloween Walk was a longtime favorite until my kids got too old for me to join them. Gorgeous homes, tons of candy, and a performance by Dead Zombie Band. It doesn’t get better. Aside from that, Time Out has a great collection of Halloween activities happening this weekend. Classics include the Central Park pumpkin Flotilla and Village parade, but newcomers like Halloween in the Sky (a silent disco on the 100th floor at One World Trade) and haunted Candlelight Concerts sound dope as well.
Weekly Gem 💎
Sometimes we’re tired, and that’s OK.
We’re all allowed days off. It’s so easy to get into a mentality of go, go, go, without ever stopping to check-in with how you’re really feeling. Sometimes you’re tired from a new project, intense work, the news, bad relationships, too many social plans, lack of sleep, or moving homes. Othertimes, you’re tired for no reason at all. Whatever the reason, I want you to check-in with your body and if you’re feeling beat, acknowledge that you are exhausted and that it’s okay. Tomorrow we’ll come back better, stronger, faster. Tonight we rest.
400-Year-Old Gothic Gramercy Townhome Hits the Market For the First Time in 50 Years
Listing courtesy of my Compass colleague, Jim St. André
New to the market for the first time in over 50 years, 135 East 19th Street is one of the last remaining grand architecturally significant townhouses available for private ownership in New York City. Originally built by wealthy Dutch owners in Amsterdam in the 17th century, the home was physically dismantled and shipped to the Upper West Side in 1845…several years later in 1910 it was relocated again to Gramercy Park. Here’s the highlight reel:
- Four stories, six-beds, five-and-a-half baths and almost 7,000 square feet of interior living space (plus an interior mezzanine).
- The European-style living room (pictured above) features a fly, soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling, delicate filigree plasterwork, wood paneled walls, and massive stone fireplace.
- Crystal palace style garden with a working fountain and glass solarium roof.
- Wine cellar and bacchanal tasting room.
- Who wants a tour?
Before you go…
🍴: The article to end all kitchen-related arguments. Turns out there is a right way and a wrong way to load the dishwasher…
🎵: The Rolling Stones return with Hackney Diamonds, their first body of original material in 18 years, minus late drummer Charlie Watts. I’ve been digging their collab with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, Sweet Sounds of Heaven. Sublime.
🏠: This Cabo San Lucas home decor—and views—have me speechless.
⌚: This Complex article ranking Drake’s custom jewelry is highly entertaining. Number 7 gives me chills, we miss you Virgil!
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Looking to Buy, Sell, or Rent? Let’s talk.
Like I ask GOD every day, who can we help next?