Jennifer Laing

Typically, it’s the broker who advertises an apartment to potential buyers, but desperate times call for desperate measures and New York City’s tight real estate market is leading to some rather creative house-hunting strategies. Take, for example, this eye-catching yellow and red “Condo Wanted” sign spotted recently on the Upper West Side by the neighborhood blog West Side Rag.

Upon relocating from Australia to England, writer, photographer and graphic designer Kate Paillat of the blog Maurice & King decorated her London rental with her two small sons—ages 4 and 2—in mind. It's not New York City, but it does show how you can live beautifully even with young children at home. Here, via Design*Sponge, are a few of her tips for creating a family-friendly abode:

If you’re still entertaining the fantasy of raising a family in a grand prewar building for under a million dollars (!) in Manhattan (!!), then take a gander at this 1400-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath condo asking $930,000 at 779 Riverside Drive in Washington Heights.

Maybe you work from home, or just need a spot to sit while you pay the bills, or want a designated place for the kids to do their homework. Whatever the reason, the home office is becoming more and more of a necessity. But in New York City, where the term “spare room” is pretty much unheard of, where to squeeze in such a space is often a challenge.