Lucy Cohen Blatter

In an uncommon move, the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission has filed a lawsuit against the owner of a dilapidated 133-year-old house on Harlem's historic Astor Row, reports DNA Info.

Leanne Brown moved to New York City from Canada about three and a half years ago to earn a masters in food science from NYU.  While at NYU, the 30-year-old author set out to create a cookbook full of recipes anyone could make on a budget of just $4 a day to help those in SNAP, the federal government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

New York may be a city of renters, but I, for one, wouldn't mind setting down roots and becoming an owner. I've done the math; buying an apartment wouldn't necessarily mean higher monthly costs — remember, the rent is too damn high here after all — and there would be some major tax benefits involved. But there's one hurdle I can't seem to get past: the down payment.

Even once your offer's been accepted, there are several things that can still cause a mortgage deal to fall through. 

Here are the top culprits, according to the New York Times.

If the idea of Brooklyn Heights conjures up images of charming apartments, this $2,800 studio located at 89 Hicks Street (between Orange and Pineapple!) shouldn't disappoint.

Among the pros: There's a separate, well renovated kitchen (complete with a built-in microwave, a dishwasher and a washer/dryer under the counter), plus a dining alcove well-suited for a small table.