Sue's News and Views

June 2025

Hi All,

80% of buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop below 5%. Meanwhile, home prices have jumped 15% since they started waiting.

The Real Numbers Right Now:

• Current rates: 6.78% (down from 7%+ earlier this year)

• Historical 50-year average: Over 7%

• Forecast for rates below 5%: Not happening anytime soon

What Smart Buyers Know:

The inventory you see today won't be there when rates drop. We're seeing the highest inventory in 5 years right now, but lower rates = more buyers = bidding wars return.

Three Strategies Working Right Now:

1. Rate Buydowns - Get effectively 6% today

2. ARM Products - Start lower, refinance when rates drop

3. Buy Now, Refi Later - Secure the house, optimize the rate when possible (source: Julie Teitel, Guaranteed Rate)

   
   

Don't be the buyer waiting for mortgage rates to drop until you're priced out of the market. There is attractive inventory out there now, that will go into contract and sell. Many media headlines around the US are screaming that it's a BUYER'S MARKET.... that may be true in some areas, but like all real estate, things are always hyper-localized and specific. Generalizations and averages are useless. Instead, speak with a consultant who knows the specific market you're looking to buy in - with me.

The next update from the Federal Reserve (Fed) regarding interest rates will be on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. This decision will be made during the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Along with the interest rate decision, a Summary of Economic Projections will also be released. The Fed announces its interest rate decisions eight times a year.

Welcome summertime!

Warmly,

sue

Real Estate in the News

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left a lot of people wondering what’s next – and whether now is really the right time to move. There is one place you can turn to for answers you want the most. And that’s the experts.

Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters

NYC Weekly Luxury Reports of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens

May 25, 2025

click into the respective image to read the report

NYC June Events

JUNE 3, 6:30-9:30PM

Riverside Revue - Fundraiser for the Riverside Drive Park Conservancy

Support and Celebrate Riverside Park and its myriad events and activities by attending the Riverside Revue on June 3, featuring performances by Samoa Wilson, The Hot Toddies Jazz band feat. Hannah Gill, Charles Turner & Uptown Swing and Cassidy Haley Productions.

Sakura Park 122nd Street & Riverside Drive

Tickets HERE

Happy City Index 2025

The Happiest Cities in the world ranked # 1 - # 200:

Copenhagen, Denmark ranks on place #1, Zürich, Switzerland is #2, New York City, USA #17, London, UK #31.

Cities around the world ranked in terms of happiness criteria such as education, inclusive policies, the economy, mobility and environmental protection. Do you find your city?

JUNE 7, 7 PM

Good Night And Good Luck airs on CNN

There is nothing like a LIVE theatre performance - and George Clooney has been nominated for multiple awards for his performance in Good Night And Good Luck, a play adapated from the 2005 film by the same name (written by George Clooney and Frant Heslove, directed by David Cromer). For everyone who missed it on Broadway - don't miss your chance to see it from the comfort of your couch: LIVE on CNN on June 7, 7 pm.

opening June 7-8,

EXHIBITION through June 22

Photoville

Opening Weekend

Photoville 2025 returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park with its opening weekend on June 7–8, 2025. This free, outdoor photo festival features open-air exhibitions, artist-led walking tours, workshops, and more, highlighting powerful visual storytelling from around the world. In addition to the Photo Village in Brooklyn, installations will also appear in NYC Parks and public spaces across all five boroughs.

Click HERE for more information!

JUNE 8, 8 PM

The 78th Annual

TONY Awards

The 78th TONY AWARDS will air on Sunday, June 8 on CBS and Paramount+ at 8pm ET - or, if you want to experience them LIVE:

At Radio City Music Hall

Tickets HERE

JUNE 13, 7:30PM

The New York Library After Hours: Pride

June is Pride Month! Join for a special Pride edition of The Library After Hours! Enjoy live performances in the Rose Main Reading Room and special displays from the Library’s collections spotlighting queer lives in the workplace. Plus: dancing, games and puzzles, crafts, snacks, and more!

Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Tickets HERE

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month

Time to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Caribbean Americans and their descendants. This month-long observance, established in 2006, is a way to recognize the impact of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants on American society. A plethora of events celebrating Caribbean American Heritage June you'll find HERE.

JUNE 15

Father's Day

“It is a wise father that knows his own child.”

William Shakespeare

JUNE 19, 11 AM - 6 PM

Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States. The Harlem Juneteenth Celebration, held on June 19, 2025, from 11 AM to 6 PM at Marcus Garvey Park is a free festival celebrating African American heritage. You’ll hear live jazz, gospel choirs, and spoken word performances on the main stage, featuring local poets and youth bands.

JUNE 20

Summer Solstice

The summer solstice, occurring around June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the longest day of the year and the official start of astronomical summer. It's the point where the Northern Hemisphere is tilted most towards the sun, resulting in the most daylight hours. 

June 21

The 43nd Annual Mermaid Parade

Coney Island USA presents the 43rd Annual Mermaid Parade; it begins at 1:00 PM, rain or shine, kicking off at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue. Known as the nation’s largest art parade, this vibrant celebration features imaginative costumes, hand-made floats, and an outpouring of creative expression. Following the parade, a beach procession will march to the ocean, where the official beach ceremony will open the summer swimming season. Spectators and marchers alike are welcome to join the post-parade festivities.

Click HERE for more information!

Free Outdoor Shows & Performance Festivals This Summer in NYC

Shakespeare in the Park .... Lincoln Center's Summer for the City... Little Island.... Battery Dance Festival..... are just a few of 16 FREE fantastic open air performances and festivals to be enjoyed in NYC from June through August! Lets go!

June 27th

Free Movie at the Intrepid Museum

Join the Intrepid Museum’s Summer Movie Series for a special screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest on the flight deck. Inspired by the museum’s new exhibition, Mysteries From the Deep, this ocean-themed movie night offers stunning views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with last entry at 8:30 PM.

Click HERE for more information!

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Home Projects That Boost Value

Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter – and not all upgrades offer the payoff you might expect.

Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters

Is It a Buyer's or a Seller's Market?

With home prices rising faster than rents, a dearth of supply and other factors, the national market favors sellers, although some local markets buck that trend.

Courtesy of Real Estate US News

17 Realtor-Approved Moving Day Tasks to Keep You Organized

Avoid feeling overwhelmed during your big move—use this realtor-curated checklist to keep track of moving day to-dos.

Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Foolproof Paint Colors That Will Sell Your Home

Find out the best interior and exterior paint colors to sell your home.

Courtesy of HGTV

Featured Listings of the R-Team

Washington Heights

790 Riverside Drive,

Unit 2LX

2 BD 1 BA 859 SF $679,000

Washington Heights

790 Riverside Drive,

Unit 5F

1 BD 1 BA $549,000

Hudson Heights

100 Overlook Terrace, Unit 85

1 BD 1 BA $365,000

MOUNT VERNON, NY 10552

415 Gramatan Ave,

Unit 2C

1 BD 1 BA 842 SF $ 169,000

Thanks for reading and subscribing! Ready to achieve your next real estate goal?

Sue Mathys

Licensed as

Susanne Mathys-Huerzeler

Lic. R.E. Salesperson

The R-Team

M: 917.667.9407

sue.mathys@compass.com