Roland Li

It's no secret that New Yorkers have very specific tastes. Just listen to one order a Starbucks coffee, or a meal in a restaurant (substitutions much?).

So maybe we shouldn't be surprised to hear how specific some New York City apartment hunters can be about their wishes and requirements. 

That said, below are five dealbreakers we wouldn't have seen coming.

1. Passing the plumbing test

As you've no doubt heard, New York's real estate market is sizzling, with buyers feeling the heat as low inventory constrains options and bidding wars are commonplace.

Here's how experts predict the market will play out this summer--and how you can prepare as a buyer or seller.

The summer 2013 market outlook

Inventory was near a 12-year low in the first quarter of 2013, says Jonathan Miller, president of appraisal firm Miller Samuel. And it's likely to stay that way.