Month: August 2026

The ongoing global memory crisis has made upgrading an existing PC or building a new one a lot more expensive, with RAM, SSD, and graphics card prices all climbing in recent months. However, gaming monitors have become far more affordable than they were just a couple of years ago, especially when it comes to OLED. If you are looking for a new display for your setup, you could consider the Gigabyte GO27Q24A, a 27-inch QHD 240Hz QD-OLED monitor which is currently down to just $299.99 from its usual listed price of $449.99 on Newegg.

The monitor offers pretty decent specs for the asking price including a third-gen 27-inch QD-OLED panel with a 2560×1440 resolution, which is considered the sweet spot for most gaming setups. It also offers a fast refresh rate of 240 Hz and a response time of just 0.03ms GTG, which makes it perfect for fast-paced games without compromising on the visual fidelity. For esports lovers, the monitor comes with a feature to quickly switch display resolutions or swap to a specific aspect ratio (such as a 4:3 ratio or a dedicated 24-inch custom format size) with a single click using a dedicated physical button.

---

In terms of color, Gigabyte claims up to 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut with support for up to 10-bit color and a factory calibrated Delta E<2 rating. With a peak brightness of 400 nits in HDR, expect lower brightness levels at SDR, though it should be enough for most indoor use cases. Gigabyte has also added Black Equalizer 2.0 which essentially improves visibility in dark scenes by enhancing shadow detail without over-exposing the rest of the image.

As for connectivity, you get two HDMI 2.1 ports and a Displayport 1.4, meaning you can hook this up to your console alongside your PC or laptop. There’s even a standard 3.5mm earphone jack to plug in your headphones or speakers.

For $299.99, the Gigabyte GO27Q24A is one of the most affordable ways to step into OLED gaming without sacrificing key features like a high refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and a 1440p resolution. It may not be the brightest QD-OLED gaming monitor on the market, but at this price, it’s hard to complain.

If you’re looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, gaming chair, or CPU Deals pages.

If you own a luxury house, you’re in a stronger spot than most sellers right now. While much of the market has cooled, the high-end tier hasn’t. Sale prices and buyer demand are both up. So if you’re considering selling, now could be a great time to make your move.

Luxury Is Leading on Price

Let’s start with prices. But before we get into it – what actually counts as a luxury home? Generally, these are homes in the top 5% price range for the area, so it varies depending on where you live.

But what’s interesting is that according to the latest data from Redfin, sale prices for luxury houses have risen about three times faster than for non-luxury.

Right now, the typical home’s sale price is up about 1.5% year-over-year. But high-end homes? Their sale prices have gone up nearly 5% since last year (see graph below):

That’s a bigger deal than it sounds like.

Despite all the talk about slowing price growth lately, sale prices in this segment of the market may be rising faster than you’d expect based on the headlines. That’s going to be a good thing if you’re thinking about selling. And rising sale prices are only half the story.

Buyers Are Showing Up, Too

While so many headlines are talking about how buyers are pulling back, that’s not necessarily true when it comes to luxury homes. In fact, right now, it looks like the higher the price point, the more active the buyers.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“The luxury market has really performed better compared to the lower price point. . . . if we look at price points, any home priced under $250,000, virtually no change in unit sales from one year ago. Then you go into the upper price category, and home sales are up about 10% from one year ago. But the million dollar-plus homes, it is up by 18% from one year ago.“

Basically, more homes are selling on the upper end of the market. A big reason is that high-end buyers tend to feel less of the affordability pressure weighing on many households today, so they keep buying even when the wider market slows.

That demand also means that luxury houses don’t stay on the market as long as they used to.

Luxury Houses Are Selling Relatively Quickly

According to the most recent data from Redfin, for luxury homes the median number of days on market is under 50. That’s much faster than pre-pandemic norms going even as far back as 2014 (see graph below):

That means you probably won’t spend a ton of time sitting in limbo wondering when you’ll get an offer.

Bottom Line

Selling a high-end house is a big decision, and you deserve to feel confident going in. With sale prices climbing and buyers active at the top, this is a strong window to make your move.

When you’re ready to cash in, connect with a local real estate agent to talk strategy.

---

AMD is expected to unveil its next-gen Zen 6 platform at CES 2026 with Ryzen 10000 series processors. While we’re looking forward to IPC and clock speed improvements, it seems like more subtle, under the hood changes could end up upgrading the gaming experience in a big way. According to a tip received by Videocardz, AMD is implementing various per-core optimizations to ensure foreground tasks get priority over background applications. Each new feature is supposed to more smartly manage the power and thermal budgets at the silicon’s disposal, so let’s go over each of them.

First up we have CPPC Performance Priority — CPPC stands for Collaborative Processor Performance Control and its responsible for communication between the silicon and the OS. It lets the firmware sitting in between decide the performance of each core separately. This feature has actually existed since the Ryzen 3000 series, but it doesn’t work perfectly. Zen 6 CPUs are apparently supposed to apply a bandaid fix and improve its effectiveness.

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you.

The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn

For the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.

While a couple months of data doesn’t necessarily mean this will be a lasting trend, there are some other signs that this could continue.

For example, fewer markets are seeing prices decline. According to ResiClub and Zillow, about 36% of the 300 largest housing markets had falling prices as of the middle of last year. Since the start of this year, that share has been shrinking. Now? Only 23% are experiencing those mild dips (see graph below):

When fewer markets see prices falling, that means more markets are seeing prices rise again.

And forecasts suggest this shift has room to run. On average, experts project home prices will rise about 2.3% nationally this year. And for that to happen, price growth would have to pick up a bit in the second half of 2026.

But Remember, Real Estate Is Local

While it looks like national prices may be starting to pick back up a tiny bit, that doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening in your neighborhood.

National home prices are really just an average of hundreds of local markets. Some are climbing faster. Others are still cooling. But one reason the national average may be looking up is because a growing number of metros may actually be net positive for prices this year.

Not long ago, the major metros were split about 50/50 – half seeing prices rise and half seeing them fall. Now, that balance looks like it’s starting to tip in a more positive direction. Just last month, more than half of the major metros saw prices go up, according to Redfin (see graph below):

As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, explains:

“. . . local markets continue to tell very different stories. Annual home price growth has changed little since the start of the year, but some markets, especially those supported by strong job and income growth in the West and more affordable Midwest markets, have seen notable acceleration in price gains.”

What This Means for You

Home price headlines can be confusing because they don’t always tell the full picture. Lean on an agent to understand what’s happening in your local market and what the early signs say for where prices may go from here.

That’s the best way to stay one step ahead of the market.

If you’re buying: slower price growth has worked in your favor. You’ve had more room to negotiate and a budget you could plan around. If price growth is picking up in your area, buying now may mean paying less than you would later this year.

If you own a home: you’ve been gaining equity all along, even while growth moderated. If growth keeps picking up, those gains could speed up, too. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), projects the typical homeowner will gain roughly $16,000 in housing wealth this year. And if you’re thinking about selling, this shift is a good early sign for you. Just remember, the market is still pretty balanced and buyer-friendly in a lot of areas right now.

Home price growth slowed way down, and now it’s showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you’re buying or selling, let’s connect so you can see exactly what prices are doing in our local market and what that means for your plans.

Bottom Line

Home price growth slowed way down, and now it’s showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you’re buying or selling, connect with a local real estate agent so you can see exactly what prices are doing in your local market and what that means for your plans.

---

If buying a home is on your radar, you’ve probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance. 

Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it’s become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that’s especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.

The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here’s what buyers should know.

Home Insurance Costs Have Gone Up

You’ve probably heard stories from friends or family about their premiums going up. And that’s not really a surprise when you consider data from the Pew Research Center shows 71% of homeowners say their insurance costs have gone up over the past few years.

While no one likes rising costs, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead. Your first insurance payment is typically included in your closing costs, but after that it’ll become part of your monthly housing expenses.

Getting an insurance quote early can help you build a more realistic budget and avoid surprises later.

Premiums Are Rising, But Not as Fast as They Were

Most of the headlines focus on how home insurance is getting more expensive. And that’s true. But here’s the part that’s easy to miss.

Insurance premiums are still rising.

But they’re not rising as fast as they were.

According to the latest report from Rate Insurance, 2025 saw the first slowdown in annual premium increases since 2019 (see graph below):

 

That doesn’t mean premiums are getting cheaper. It simply means the rapid increases of the past several years may finally be starting to ease – a small but welcome step in the right direction.

But what you’ll pay in one part of the country can look very different from what someone pays somewhere else.

Where You Buy Can Make a Big Difference

Insurance costs vary because some parts of the country experience more claims than others. That’s why it’s important to look at what’s happening locally.

Your premium will depend on things like where you’re buying, the home itself, and the coverage you choose.

Forbes data can give a rough idea of your state’s typical premiums. Check out the map below – the darker the blue, the higher the costs tend to be in that state:

Ways To Lower Your Costs

While you can’t control every cost that comes with buying a home, you can control how prepared you are. If you’re crunching the numbers and trying to find ways to save, Insurify and NerdWallet offer these tips that can help you get the best insurance price possible:

• Shop Around – Compare quotes from multiple companies.

• Bundle Policies – Combine home and auto to see if a bundle price is cheaper.

• Ask If There Are Discounts – Don’t miss out on savings you may qualify for.

• Highlight Upgrades – Features like a new roof or storm windows can cut costs.

• Improve Your Credit – A stronger credit score can mean better premiums.

One of the smartest things you can do is get an insurance quote before you make an offer. That way, you’ll know what your monthly housing costs are likely to be before you commit.

An insurance professional can walk you through your options and help you find coverage that fits both your needs and your budget.

Bottom Line

Homeowners insurance has become a bigger part of the homebuying conversation. But it doesn’t have to become a bigger source of stress.

The key is knowing what to expect before you buy. Get an insurance quote early, factor it into your budget, and lean on trusted local professionals to help you make the most informed decision possible.

---

This summer’s extreme heat serves as a reminder to all New Yorkers that air conditioning is not just an issue of comfort, but one of health and safety at its most fundamental level. NYC passed new legislation that will require landlords to provide AC, however the law will not be enforced until 2030.

Still, there may be some instances in which your landlord can be required to come up with a solution for your AC right now.

“If your apartment came with the air conditioning unit when you moved in, or if the lease explicitly guarantees it, then the landlord has to provide AC,” Altagracia Pierre-Outerbridge, attorney and founder of Outerbridge Law representing residential tenants, condo owners and landlords, said. “But, if you brought the AC unit, it might be a bit harder to force your landlord’s hand.” 

Here’s how it works: Rent-stabilized tenants are entitled to any amenities that were provided to them upon move-in, whether that’s air conditioning, an elevator, or an intercom system. “Rent-stabilized tenants can file a complaint with the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) if their landlord refuses to return the amenity to its original condition,” Pierre-Outerbridge said. “DCHR would be able to formally compel the landlord to reinstate service, or provide a rent reduction.” 

All tenants regardless of stabilization are entitled to air conditioning if provided by the lease terms. “The landlord would be in clear breach of contract if air conditioning is part of the lease terms but they’re preventing you from installing it,” Pierre-Outerbridge said.

New law to the rescue?  

A new NYC law may offer some recourse if your lease doesn’t guarantee air conditioning.

“Starting in 2030, landlords will be required to provide air conditioning to tenants that request it,” Pierre-Outerbridge said. “This law was meant to fill in the gaps, so if you’re one of 90 percent of NYC households that already have air conditioning, not much will change for you. But New Yorkers without air conditioning will finally have a legal bolster protecting them from extreme heat exposure in their homes.” 

Pierre-Outerbridge gave a glimpse at how this could play out if taken to court. “Prior to this, your best option would have been to argue that not being able to install an AC unit breaches the warranty of habitability,” Pierre-Outerbridge said. “It’s not a surefire argument, you’d have to be prepared for your landlord to argue that the roughly 10 percent of NYC households without air conditioning aren’t taking issue with habitability.” 

“But if it’s not included in the lease terms, your argument for habitability may have gotten stronger,” Pierre-Outerbridge said. “Though enforcement won’t begin until 2030, you have a law on your side that mandates AC for all. A lawyer can help you position this new law as leverage if you need to make a case legally.”   

Steps you can take

A portable unit may offer you temporary reprieve, but it may not be enough, especially during a heatwave.

“Don’t be a martyr for your cause,” Pierre-Outerbridge said. “Find a way to keep your apartment cool, whether that’s with fans or a portable unit, but remain persistent with your landlord to find a permanent solution that guarantees AC. This new law’s delayed enforcement will make it hard for tenants alone to demonstrate that landlords need to provide air conditioning immediately, but an experienced lawyer can help you maneuver the law and the legal system to bring you relief.” 

Pierre-Outerbridge said it will be interesting to see how landlords contend with the new AC law. “I’d wager that most landlords will give their tenants window units once enforcement begins,” she said.

However, since other tenants in your building have central air, your landlord may upgrade your unit too, she said. Wall-mounted mini split units are a typical choice for rental apartments.

---

Altagracia Pierre-Outerbridge, Esq. is the owner of Outerbridge Law P.C, focusing primarily on tenant representation. The firm represents all sides in landlord-tenant litigation and transactional matters such as month-to-month holdovers, nuisance cases, licensee cases, harassment claims, repair cases, tenant buyouts, succession claims, DHCR overcharges and rent reductions and more. Pierre-Outerbridge has 15 years of experience litigating in Supreme, DHCR, and Housing Court. To submit a question for this column, click here. To contact Outerbridge Law P.C. directly, call 212-364-5612 or 877-OUTERBRIDGE, or schedule a meeting today.

 

For countless budget-conscious renters in New York City, temporary walls have long offered a way to subdivide an apartment and create an additional bedroom to split the rent with a roommate. After all, it can be hard to meet the stringent income requirements that landlords have for living here if you’re shouldering the rent alone. 

These nifty partitions also allow you to avoid having to find a larger apartment when baby makes three—or if you work from home and need a designated office space. 

Although pressurized temporary walls offer greater privacy, they are not permitted in many NYC rental buildings. On the other hand, freestanding bookshelf-style walls that are not permanently attached to the ceiling, walls, or even the floor can be an acceptable alternative. They are also more popular and customizable than ever.

---

[Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was published in July 2025. We are presenting it again with updated information for July 2026.]

---

How do bookshelf walls make renting affordable?

Moving, even two blocks away (or two floors up), can cost a small fortune in NYC. There’s usually a security deposit on top of the first month’s rent, plus the cost of a moving company if you don’t plan on doing the schlepping yourself. 

That’s why temporary bookshelf walls can help you avoid being priced out of your current or target apartment. Even basic models will allow you to carve out more space from your existing square footage, whether that means splitting a bedroom or sectioning off part of the living room (such as for a nursery).

And in addition to at least some semblance of privacy, bookshelf walls offer something else NYC renters are forever short on: vertical storage that doesn’t swallow your floor plan.

What kind of approvals do you need for bookshelf walls?

It helps to know the potential pitfalls of using this type of room divider. Even well-established management companies can be confused by what constitutes a temporary wall that will pass muster with the Department of Buildings. Pressurized walls may require permitting, and landlords can be reluctant to go through the process—and being compliant with the DOB is of the utmost concern.

That’s because dividing apartments with pressurized walls to create illegal bedrooms—rooms that are too small, lack windows, and have only one means of egress, for example—has led to tragic consequences in the past. (There are, however, ways to install a pressurized wall safely. For information, check out Brick’s “From 1 room to 2: The insider’s guide to temporary pressurized walls.”)

According to Adam Stone, a real estate attorney at The Stone Law Firm who also manages rental buildings through Stone Realty Management, “assuming they are truly freestanding, bookshelf walls are not actually walls but rather bookcases used to divide space, and you do not need permission from a management company to furnish your apartment.”

Even though bookshelf walls are technically furniture, you should always check with your building’s property manager to see if they are allowed. 

What kinds of bookshelf walls are allowed in NYC?

Based on responses from the management companies contacted by Brick Underground, the requirements can run the gamut, and approval is often decided on a case-by-case basis. 

Among those who typically allow bookshelf walls, for example, most require 12 inches of clearance below the ceiling and 36 inches between the partition and a permanent wall; if doors are permitted, sliding or pocket doors are often the only allowable options. 

“I’d say 75 percent of buildings do not allow any door, just an opening,” said Eddie Sapienza, owner of Wall 2 Wall NY, named Best of New York 2019 in its category by New York Magazine. 

It’s important to speak to your landlord before contacting a wall company. However, Sapienza said he has worked with many NYC management companies and has a “general understanding of what is and is not allowed at their buildings, though the landscape changes all the time.” And if he doesn’t know a landlord, he makes sure to send over the specs before constructing anything; in at least a few instances, the landlord has required Sapienza to build a model before approving the installation.

Such are the vagaries of NYC rentals—better to be safe than spend money on something that won’t be allowed. Ask the property manager before signing a new lease and before installing a bookshelf wall in your existing apartment. Preserving the landlord-tenant relationship is always the best course of action.

How much does a bookshelf wall cost?

Once you know the landlord’s parameters, you can begin exploring the different options. Prices range from $1,000 to $1,500 for basic models—by far the most popular and economical choice—and exceed $2,000 for custom configurations.

Like all things related to construction, the cost of materials fluctuates—and by a lot, Sapienza said. “We are still trying to keep it within $1,200 to $1,300 for a basic wall, plus more for doors, plexiglass, closet, and other additions.”

If your building allows you to add doors, consider using sliding or pocket doors so you can place furniture against the bookshelf on either side. Same for the “floating” door with special hinges offered by Wall 2 Wall, which Sapienza created for the most conservative buildings, where nothing is allowed above or below a door within the 36-inch clearance, rather than a transom. (Note that the higher cost of the special door hinges makes this option more expensive now, too.) Bi-fold doors require a 20-inch clearance, swing doors need 36 inches.

Be sure to ask about any fee to remove the bookshelf wall; most wall companies will do this free of charge within a specified period, usually two to three years. After that, you will need to remove it yourself.

Read on for Brick Underground’s roundup of bookshelf walls for NYC apartments.

Wall 2 Wall only makes open-shelving walls (with optional closets or doors) that are 12 inches deep.

“Even tenants who initially balk at the depth and shelving end up thanking me, saying how much they appreciate having all that extra storage, and vertical storage at that,” Sapienza said. “We can also make pretty much anything anyone wants and can afford, completely out of wood.”

For example, the unit shown above has double French doors flanked by bookshelves on either side and costs around $1,980.

If your landlord does not allow doors, see about getting approval for Wall 2 Wall’s freestanding bookcase with a floating door that pulls from behind and has nothing above or below it. This typically runs upward of $2,000, given the higher cost of the special hinges right now, but it might be worth it for the added privacy.

Removal is free during the contract, provided at least 30-days’ notice is given.

1DayWall started in 2013 doing interior remodeling and renovations, transitioning full-time to temporary wall installations in 2019. Installations range from $1,100 to $3,500.

The standard wall is 4.75 inches thick; a three-inch-thick wall, which is helpful in especially tight spaces, is available upon request. Factory-style glass windows can be built into the installation and are one of the features that set their walls apart.  

The company’s bookcase walls come with shelves and optional doors in many styles, including a standard door with a lock. The sliding-door version, shown above, costs around $1,200 for a 12-foot wall.

Removal is available for a one-time fee of $350 plus tax. Payment is by certified check only.

If you are particular about matching the color of the partition to your apartment walls, Manhattan Pressurized Walls lets you choose between Benjamin Moore White or any other custom color or finish for an additional price. 

The cost for a straight divider with shelves and a sliding door, such as the one shown above, starts at approximately $1,495. An L-shaped divider with shelves and a sliding door (shown at the top) begins at roughly $1,850, including tax. 

Removal is free with four-weeks’ notice as per the contract; otherwise, a $420 removal fee applies.

The company’s Bookcase Partition comes in two basic options: a 12-inch-deep wall with shelving or six-inch-deep units when storage isn’t required. Options include different door types, closet rods, and a wardrobe with a sliding mirror front (shown above).

The system can be modified to meet the room’s requirements. You can even have two units stand back-to-back, with different shelving or other components facing each side (as in this entertainment center). The bottom portion is typically left open to free up floor space, though that’s up to you. 

Removal is free of charge within three years of purchase.