Brick Underground's 2020 real estate forecast, buying vs. refinancing and renovating, & more

This week, readers visited Brick Underground for our 2020 NYC real estate forecast. Renters can expect to see continued rising rents and fewer concessions, while buyers are in a position to trade up, thanks to falling prices and low mortgage rates. Sellers, who are tired of cutting prices and waiting for buyers, are increasingly taking listings off the market. Some are renting them out instead.

Also of interest: One New Yorker's story about leaving Astoria and an active social life for a more tranquil existence in Rockaway Beach.

Here, in full, are this week's top stories.

1) 2020 NYC real estate forecast: Buyers trade up, renters lose advantage, and sellers...quit?

2) Sales of Manhattan apartments slipped (again) in the fourth quarter, but there were signs of stability

3) My co-op board interview: We didn't use a broker, so we relied on the seller's broker to guide us

4) With mortgage rates so low, is it better to buy or refinance and renovate?

5) From Astoria to Rockaway Beach: Leaving a raucous social life for the peace of the ocean

And from this week's sponsors: 

Condos vs. townhouses: Prices, carrying costs, resale values, and other considerations for New York buyers [sponsored]

Ask Sam: Our landlord is renting to a commercial tenant without changing the Certificate of Occupancy. Can we withhold rent? [sponsored]