Fly on Faith 🕊️

January 15, 2025

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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 

Looking at the bright side is beyond challenging when faced with extreme destruction. While I know my calling is to be a light in my community, the events of this past week have me feeling down. I know I stand with everyone here when I say I’m heartbroken and devastated at the travesty that’s befallen our neighbors in Southern California (particularly with me being born and raised in San Diego). While we’re not strangers to horrible events, something about this wildfire’s sheer force and magnitude just hits different. As events continue to unfold, I’d like to share some resources that might be helpful: 

• Follow @iolovesyou on Instagram, who has been sharing helpful information on navigating this tragedy from insurance to accounting to taxes and better understanding your rights.  
• There are a lot of GoFundMe’s and fundraisers going around that are helping to raise funds for those affected. It can be tough to cut through the noise, but here’s what I’ve found helpful: 
  • Charity Navigator has listed all the reputable agencies with specifics on where the money goes.  
  • GoFundMe has created a centralized hub covering all verified fundraisers related to the fires. 
  • The American Red Cross is always a safe bet. I like that they make donating a breeze—you can simply text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate. 

 

NYC Insider: What’s Happening This Week ❤️‍🩹

It’s heartwarming to see the NYC community rally together to support those impacted by the wildfires. Ray’s Bar (with locations at 177 Chrystie St and 905 Lorimer) is holding a fundraiser tonight from 5-10 pm, with the $20 entry fee being donated to World Central Kitchen (which is distributing hot meals to the public in LA). Additionally, if you have clothing to donate (specifically unused shoes, socks, underwear, and children’s clothes) or toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc), you can bring those in, and Ray’s will make sure they get to the right place. Other fundraisers can be found here. Let’s make sure to support our California neighbors and spread the word. 

 

Weekly Gem 💎

Fly on Faith 🕊️

Throughout life, we are faced with many challenges, some of our own doing, many out of our control. It’s hard to make sense of it all and can have us questioning life at every turn. Given recent events, I want to be very respectful as survival mode outweighs any perceived ‘positive spin’ on an absolute tragedy. I will say that faith is required to overcome anything that presents as the ultimate obstacle. It’s the second gear we must go to when all feels hopeless. It’s that place we have when the road ahead is littered with delays, disappointments, and despair. For many, it will take time to process and even be in the mindset to believe again. For others, it will be their auto-pilot and a critical component of their rebuild. Sending so much love and good energy to our people in California. And to anyone feeling stuck, faith is that last stronghold. So fly on faith…when you’re ready.

 

The Best Homes on the Market This Week  

Here are three of my favorite fly listings in NYC across all price points. Because Team Carte Blanche is all about the people, not the price.  

	455 W 19th St, 3N  $9,500,000   3 Bed / 3.5 Bath   Chelsea Welcome to the ultra-modern, full-floor condo spanning 2,560 SF of interior space with a spectacular 1,225 (!!) SF private terrace directly off the great room. The entertaining space is crazy, with a sliding floor-to-ceiling ionic door system and custom open-concept chef’s kitchen. What a home.    Listed by Stephen Ferrara
	579 5th St $4,800,000    7 Bed / 6 Bath    Park Slope This 20’ wide Tudor-style townhome sits on a 100’ deep lot right in the center of the coveted Park Slope Historic District. Built in 1903, this home has evolved from a stately single-family home into the three-family home that it is today.    Listed by Jeff Montana
	5 Riverside Dr, 3B  $895,000   1 Bed / 1 Bath    UWS This spacious pre-war home offers a rarely available floor plan in a prime UWS location! The northwest exposure has treetop views of Riverside Park and glimpses of the Hudson River. It’s offered in estate condition and thus a blank canvas for someone with a vision.     Listed by Wendy Tsang

 

Who wants a tour?

Before you go…

🎂: Turns out there’s something called the Birthday Paradox, and it’s WILD and lowkey unbelievable…what do you think about it??  

🎵: According to scientists, this is the most relaxing song ever. Did it calm you down? 

🌎: Zillow has ranked this housing market in upstate NY as the hottest in the U.S. for a second year in a row! Can you guess which other cities made the top 5? 

🍕: The best pizzerias in NY were ranked by Eater. Here’s who made the cut. Send me a note, and I’ll tell you my fave.

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Looking to Buy, Sell, or Rent? Let’s talk.

Like I ask GOD every day, who can we help next?