NYC Housing Market Brings Demographic Changes

The NYC housing market is ever-changing and the demographic changes by neighborhood are certainly no different. Between 2000 and 2010 there has been a lot of movement within the boroughs - as certain demographics (categorized by race, age and income) have shrunk in some areas and grown in others.

According to the Citizens Housing & Panel Council, 5 major trends can be highlighted:

1. In 2010, the largest population cluster (1 million residents) includes low-income families and singles, majority-Hispanic. 
2. The black middle class declined by 18%, with an overall 5% decline of the city's overall black population.
3. Majority-white upper-middle class areas have become whiter. 
4. Traditionally diverse areas are becoming increasingly occupied by high-income white, mostly single, households. 
5. Asian populations have expanded into areas preciously dominated by white populations. 

Learn more about these housing market changes here »

IAS accredited and experts in NYC construction and applicable building codes, AM & Associates is comprised of professional engineers, architects, certified inspection technicians and more. Our clients own and manage over 100 million square feet of space in NYC, including high rise office buildings and other major complexes. 

Tips for Avoiding Illegally Converted Apartments

Choosing safe and legal living conditions in New York can be tough if you don't know the kind of requirements to look for. To ensure both the safety of yourself and your family, use these tips below for eyeing an illegally converted apartment:

• Educate yourself on market prices. Rent that seems too low for the area in which the building resides could be illegal. 
• Look for certain keywords in postings. "Basement," "attic" and "flex" are all red-flags for conditions that would not provide adequate exit options. "Utilities included" may also be a sign that the landlord does not want another name connected to the property for maximum occupancy reasons. 
• If the address is not disclosed on the listing or mail can not be delivered directly, the landlord is likely afraid to expose the exact location due to illegal features involved. 
• Never rent a room with very small windows or locked doors. Residents should have access to efficient light, escape options, and all available exits. 

As always, New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 if they become aware of unsafe construction conditions. 

Alan Margolin & Associates has been proving engineering services to the New York area for over 30 years. Focusing our craft on special inspection, we are experts in the New York City Department of Buildings' requirements and ensure all construction is built properly and to code. 

Our IAS accreditation is proof that we operate at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Visit our website for more information on our credentials and a complete list of services we provide. 

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An "Urban Bowl" Penn Station?

Plans for a new Penn Station are in the works but it does require some negotiating with the long standing Madison Square Garden. NYC architects and city planners hope to reveal a drastically improved Penn Station by 2023 which, in recent years, has been an extremely overcrowded transit hub. 

To make this dream a reality, "the Garden would need to relocate to the Morgan postal facility between 28th and 31st streets and Ninth and Tenth avenues." Solutions that do not require the removal of the Garden from its current location are also in the works but sources of funding still need to be discussed. 

For more on the potential transformation of Penn Station visit ny.curbed.com. 

Alan Margolin and Associates is your New York City special inspection agency. For a complete list of services we provide to support a bigger, brighter and safer metropolitan area, visit our website. 

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Homeowner and Tenant Tips for Winterizing

While we ensure your building is built properly and to code, there is also plenty you can do to help yourself and your safety - especially during these colder months. If you are an NYC homeowner or tenant, here are a few things you can do (or talk to your landlord about doing) in order to winterize your home:

• Weatherproof doors and windows to prevent heat loss.
• Check your attic for proper insulation or have better insulation installed.
• Schedule your routine heating system maintenance. Clean and/or replace filters. 
• Keep space heaters away from flammable items and never leave the house or apartment with one left on. 
• Remove snow and rainwater form roofs and drains regularly to prevent the formation of leaks. 
• Shut valves to outdoor water pipes and properly insulate all other pipes to prevent freezing and/or bursting. 

AM & Associates is proud to deliver quick and quality service to all of our clients. With over 30 years of experience or certified inspectors, architects and engineers help bring safe and unique construction to New York and the surrounding metropolitan area. 

Keep up with the latest industry news and New York City happenings by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and connecting with us on Google+.