Sue's News and Views,

September 2025

Dear All,

A word about home appreciation and capital gains:

95% of home buyers want to see their homes increase in value - are the other 5% liars? The reality is some homes do not appreciate in value, even over extended periods of time. Owners should be reminded of the following:

1.  You have to live somewhere. Shelter is an essential need. Life goes by fast.

2.  Yes those mortgage interest payments add up, but they still do provide some tax benefits.

3.  Price per square foot matters: ENJOYMENT per square foot matters too. Capital-appreciation is one thing: LIFE-appreciation is often more important.

4.  The alternative - renting - can be cheaper, although over 60 years - the amount of time most of us need shelter as an adult - renting leaves you with zero equity. Home ownership's biggest investment value is that it's a form of forced savings, great for people who live via FOMO-spending habits.

5.  Like stocks, selling at a loss is often a reflection of markets, which allows you to buy at lower pricing too, the ultimate opportunity to upgrade....

If you're selling at 7 times the value you paid for your home 30 years ago (very possible in Manhattan!) - after you've expected 10 times appreciation: Get real. Don't take home appreciation for granted (like so many things in life!). Ask a professional what appreciation you can expect when selling. And, the upside to zero appreciation: no capital gains taxes!

For a capital asset like a home, there is a significant tax exclusion available when you sell your main residence. To qualify, you must have owned and lived in the home for at least two of the five years before the sale. This is great news. Your capital gains tax deduction when you sell: Individual filers can exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from capital gains taxes. Married couples filing jointly can exclude up to $500,000 of the gain. 

In short: Speak to your agent about your expectations, so together we can research if they are real. Managing your expectations is a big part of our job.

Feel free to reach out with any questions before you take any first steps, make sure you have a professional advisor at your side, as some important preparations will need to be done, before you can list your property.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you,

Warmly,

sue

Your August 2025

NYC Market Snapshots are Here!

Curious about the real estate market? I'm here to provide valuable insights into the market so you can stay educated and informed.

I'm pleased to share Compass' August 2025 NYC Market Snapshots, highlighting the prevailing trends shaping the market.

Real Estate in the News

Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High

Believe it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again...

Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters

NYC September Events

September 11-21

The Feast of San Gennaro

The Feast of San Gennaro returns to Mulberry Street, filling Little Italy with festive lights, live music, parades, and Italian specialties. From sausage-and-pepper heroes to cannoli eating contests, this 11-day celebration honors the patron saint of Naples while showcasing the heart and flavor of NYC’s Italian-American heritage.

Click HERE to learn more!

SEPTEMBER 13, 2:30PM

The Silent Clowns Film Series

The Silent Clowns Film Series, featuring Ben Model on live Piano, is New York City’s longest-running regularly-scheduled showcase for classic silent film comedy. Screenings are presented in Manhattan’s Upper West Side at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space and at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts, and in Brooklyn, NY at the Cobble Hill Cinemas.

SEPTEMBER 8-21

NYC Broadway Week

Enjoy a special 2-for-1 ticket offer across nearly two dozen shows, making theater more accessible to audiences. The biannual event, held each winter and fall, gives theater lovers the chance to enjoy Broadway at a fraction of the cost.

Click HERE to learn more!

SEPTEMBER 14, 3-6PM

Fort Greene Park Jazz Festival

Get ready to listen to soulful sounds at the park! The Fort Greene Park Jazz Festival began in July 2010, when musician Eric Frazier realized his long-standing dream to have a jazz festival in his own neighborhood park. It provides live jazz entertainment for families, neighborhoods, communities, and New Yorkers twice annually, typically in July and September each year.

SEPTEMBER 14-22

Brooklyn Book Festival

The Brooklyn Book Festival is NYC’s largest free literary event, featuring a week of author talks, panels, and readings. It all culminates on September 28 with the Festival Day & Literary Marketplace at Brooklyn Borough Hall, where hundreds of writers and publishers gather to celebrate books and ideas.

Click HERE to learn more!

SEPTEMBER 17, 10 AM- 10 PM

Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction

The Theater District transforms into a one-of-a-kind haven for theater lovers – onstage, backstage and in the audience – when the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction returns on Sunday, September 21. Broadway’s biggest day invites fans to revel in the thrill of discovering show-stopping treasures, bidding on unforgettable experiences and soaking in the magic of the theater community.

Click HERE to learn more

SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2025

Schomburg Center Centennial Programming

This spring, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding. It began as the Department of Negro Literature, History and Prints at the 135th Street Library in Harlem. Check out their phenomenal Fall Season Special Events HERE

Lifestyle Tips and Tricks

Behr's 2026 Color of the Year...

Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is the not-so-hidden crown jewel of Behr's 2026 color trends palette

Courtesy of HGTV

5-Minute Tasks That Instantly Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

Enhance your home's value and create a warm, welcoming first impression with quick, expert-approved tips.

Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?

If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity.

Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters

Top 250 Places to Live in 2025-2026

The 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings are in..,

Courtesy of U.S. News

Featured Listings

Hudson Heights

250 Cabrini Boulevard, Unit 5C

2 BD 1 BA $525,000

Upper West Side

293 Riverside Drive, Unit 4B

0 BD 1 BA 305 SF $344,000

Central Harlem

5 East 131st Street, Unit A3

2 BD 1 BA $290,000

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