Many Events Over the Years Have Altered Our Real Estate Market.

A Steady Hand Makes All the Difference.

Like many markets, the New York City real estate market is cyclical. When we experience tough times, naysayers love to dismiss the future of New York City and the strength of its real estate market.  Sometimes this is with good reason - but the extreme views tend to be just that - extreme, and ultimately unrealized predictions.   

I’ve experienced many industry-altering events over a real estate career that spans 21 years. These include major calamities like Hurricane Sandy, Covid, the financial crisis of ‘08…along with fluctuating interest rates, tariffs, bank collapses, and Mansion Tax and SALT deduction reforms that have directly impacted buyers and sellers. Yes, the PAUSE button has been pushed on a number of occasions. But our real estate market has always rebounded, rising above setbacks and the buzz about folks fleeing the city.

Guiding clients through the ups and downs of an ever-changing market. Real estate is real life. Headlines close to home or across the globe can keep buyers on the sidelines, or warehouse listings until a clear picture of the market emerges. But here’s what I’ve learned over two decades: Opportunistic transactions are always out there. Mastering the market is a proven fusion of research, timing and negotiation know-how. Exactly what every client deserves.

Gearing up for the year ahead.

A brand new mayor takes office on January 1st. Casting aside voting preferences, we can all hope for a city that remains vibrant, safe and prosperous. We all want our great city to thrive. To bring out the best in all of us. On that optimistic note, I wish you a holiday season filled with abundant cheer and health…and homes that make you very happy.

NYC Leads the US in Office-To-Residential Conversions — with Thousands of Homes to Flood One Famous Nabe

One major Manhattan neighborhood’s skyline is being reused — rather than reshaped — by an office-to-residential conversion boom.

67 Irving Place

9 Interior Design Trends Still Chic for 2026 —

And the Ones on Their Way Out

Minimalism is out. Color drenching is in. Luxury should be livable. Farmhouse has fallen out of favor. The interior design trends of this year were anything but restrained, and, in many ways, it’s been the comeback year for bold design—the year of “more.”

133 West 22nd Street, 6A

Luxury Condo with Soaring Ceilings and an Outdoor Pool

Status - Closed

96 North 1st Street, 3

2 BR Williamsburg New Development

Status - Closed

305 East 85th Street, 5B

Full-Service Boutique 2 BR Condo

Status - Closed

130 West 30th Street, 3B

Elegant Pre-War Loft at the Cass Gilbert Condominium

Status - Closed

215 East 19th Street, 2C

Luxury 3 BR Condo at Gramercy Square Tower with High Ceilings

Status - In Contract

21 E 61st Street, 7B

Sun-Filled 2 BR Condop at The Carlton House

Status - Rented

*The rates below are based on a $3,000,000 Condominium Purchase with a 20% down payment

10-year arm interest only or interest and principle: 5.50%

30-year fixed rate: 6% 

Data provided by Aaron Ritter of Citizens Bank

Q3 2025

Manhattan Recorded Sales:

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

M: 646.320.7745

j.rubinstein@compass.com

Justin Rubinstein is a 21-year veteran of the real estate marketplace, who quickly gained attention from industry veterans and clients alike as a motivated and knowledgeable professional whose focus is on providing the best customer service possible while negotiating and protecting his clients with dogged tenacity. This tenacity and hard work ethic has proven fruitful as he has successfully negotiated over $1B in real estate transactions to date. Justin has enjoyed representing buyers and sellers of trophy properties such as the Time Warner Center, 56 Leonard, The Apthorp, One Madison, landmarked West Village townhouses, and new development penthouses. In each instance, his clients come away from the experience with a strong appreciation for his dedication and expertise - for more on this, please see his testimonials page.

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