Brick Underground named Best Real Estate Website by the National Association of Real Estate Editors for the second year

Permit us to turn the spotlight on ourselves for a moment, because we have some big news to share: The National Association of Real Estate Editors named Brick Underground the Best Real Estate Website in a national journalism competition honoring excellence in real estate journalism. It is the second year in a row that Brick won gold for best website.

The awards were presented on Wednesday evening during a virtual presentation of the organization’s annual conference, which had been rescheduled from the spring because of the pandemic.

The judges said, "This indispensable website delivers useful, money-saving tips for anyone renting, buying or selling a place to live in New York City. Renters can read pieces like '8 ways to negotiate your rent when renewing your lease.' Packed with advice, the site also provides a gross rent calculator tool and produces a podcast. It’s also timely and engaging, with first-person 'Inside Stories,' like Kelly Kreth’s ode to her Upper East Side doorman who died of Covid-19. It’s easy to see why Brick Underground is essential reading for New Yorkers."

The award is for our work in 2019 and it is very exciting to be recognized again for our efforts. We are a tiny team of three writers/editors and several dedicated freelancers, and this puts us in esteemed company with some of the biggest publications in the U.S. that were honored for their real estate reporting.

Brick was recognized in other categories as well: We won silver for our podcast “NYC’s complicated relationship with Airbnb” by senior writer and podcast producer Emily Myers.

The judges noted that “Myers deftly addresses the complicated legal issues New York Airbnb hosts face in this information-packed and well-produced podcast. She also explores whether Airbnb helps or hurts the NYC housing market. The bottom line: Airbnb hosts in New York City are earning only about $5,000 a year renting out apartments, often illegally. Is it worth the risk?”

In the category of best online residential real estate story, we won honorable mention for “Brick Underground’s guide to co-living spaces in NYC: How to tell the communal disruptors apart” by contributing writer Mimi O'Connor.

The judges commented, “This is everything you wanted to know about the booming trend of co-living in New York City, including the amount of investor money pouring into new projects. But the real value is in O’Connor’s comprehensive, entertaining, and user-friendly guide to the top 10 co-living companies in NYC.

In the competition for best real estate column, we won honorable mention for “Would you rent this one bedroom in Little Italy, where you have to cook on a hot plate?”

Here's what the judges said: “Karp mixes great statistics … and an engaging writing style with great service journalism. She lets snarky, saucy New Yorkers (one runs a real estate research firm) give their opinion on whether a no-gas apartment is worth it for a 10 percent rent credit. Learn something and smile.”

Looking ahead, we will continue our mission to help you navigate New York City's expensive and competitive real estate market with articles, for example, on how to find a no-fee apartment, negotiate a lease renewal, or deal with a difficult roommate.

This year, the pandemic has impacted all aspects of real estate and in response we have undertaken updates of our guides and advice pieces to make sure you have the most up-to-date intel. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for our 2021 forecast so you can accomplish your real estate goals in the new year.

Lastly, a special thank you to our Brick readers. Your comments and questions contribute to shaping our coverage of real estate in New York City and keep us on our toes. We hope that in this very difficult year, we were able to give you some answers to help make your real estate decisions a little easier.

Jennifer White Karp,
Managing Editor