Author: admin

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.

Skip to content

What’s New?

Updated 3 hours ago

Latest

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.

Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Technologies Inc., shared his company’s quarterly earnings report dated July 31, 1984, saying, “This one page changed my life.” The billionaire said on his X post that the numbers on that piece of paper convinced his parents that they didn’t need to go back to college. He started the company in 1984, originally known as PC’s Limited, in his dorm room at the University of Texas at Austin, upgrading PCs and building clones of IBM PCs from stock parts.

As we see from his X post below, his venture seemed to be successful from the get-go, with Dell selling almost a million dollars’ worth of parts and computers, which resulted in a net income of $134,762.75 for just one quarter — equal to $433,150.05 in 2026 dollars. This is an achievement for any startup not backed by millions of dollars, much less by a 19-year-old college freshman backed by just $1,000, with the investment returning 13,500% in less than a year.

Skip to content

What’s New?

Updated 22 hours ago

Latest

The September 2025 announcement wasn’t just another iPhone launch. Apple unveiled a lineup that signals a fundamental rethinking of what the company believes its customers actually want. The iPhone 17 family introduces four distinct models, each targeting a specific user profile with surgical precision. Most notably, the thin-obsessed iPhone Air replaces the Plus model entirely, suggesting Apple has finally accepted that bigger isn’t always what people are asking for.

After spending weeks with these devices and synthesizing professional reviews, real-world testing data, and technical specifications, a clear picture emerges. This isn’t about incremental upgrades. Apple has made deliberate trade-offs across the lineup, and understanding which compromises you’re willing to accept will determine which model deserves your money.

The iPhone Air Paradox: When Thin Becomes the Feature

At 5.6mm thick and weighing just 165 grams, the iPhone Air represents the most extreme design Apple has attempted since the iPhone 6. The device feels almost impossibly light in hand, prompting the inevitable double-take that every thin device inspires. That Grade 5 titanium frame with its mirror-polished finish doesn’t just look premium. It solves the structural challenges that plagued earlier attempts at ultra-thin smartphones.

The engineering behind this thinness deserves attention. Apple redesigned the internal architecture entirely, creating a raised plateau on the back that houses the camera system, speaker, and Apple silicon. This isn’t aesthetic flourish. By consolidating components into this plateau, Apple maximized space for a high-density battery that delivers up to 27 hours of video playback. For a device this thin, those numbers should be impossible.

Real-world battery performance tells a more nuanced story. Professional reviewers consistently reported getting through a full workday, but just barely. CNN Underscored’s testing showed approximately 11 hours of mixed use, which translates to reaching for a charger by early evening rather than before bed. The optional MagSafe battery pack extends usage to around 40 hours total, but that addition defeats the portability argument somewhat.

The single 48MP fusion camera represents the most significant compromise. Where the standard iPhone 17 offers dual lenses and the Pro models pack three, the Air relies on computational photography alone. For most social media and everyday photography, this works fine. For anyone who regularly zooms beyond 2x or shoots in challenging low-light conditions, the limitations become apparent quickly.

Performance never feels compromised. The A19 Pro chip handles everything from 4K video editing to demanding games without thermal throttling, despite the minimal internal volume. The 12GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, and the 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion at 120Hz delivers the visual experience you’d expect from a flagship device.

The question isn’t whether the iPhone Air works well. It does. The question is whether thinness matters enough to justify a $999 price point when the standard iPhone 17 starts at $799 with more camera versatility and better battery life.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Aluminum Returns, Performance Peaks

Apple made a surprising material choice this year. After years of titanium Pro models, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup returns to aluminum. This isn’t a cost-cutting measure. Aluminum offers superior heat dissipation properties, which matters when you’re pushing the A19 Pro chip and its 6-core GPU to maximum performance.

The new unibody aluminum frame incorporates a vapor chamber cooling system, a first for iPhone. During extended gaming sessions or 4K video recording, this thermal management prevents the performance throttling that plagued previous generations. The phone stays noticeably cooler under heavy workloads, which translates to sustained peak performance when you actually need it.

Camera upgrades define the Pro experience this year. All three lenses now feature 48MP sensors, creating what Apple calls eight pro lenses in your pocket when you factor in different focal lengths and computational modes. The standout improvement is the new telephoto lens with its next-generation tetraprism design and 56 percent larger sensor. The jump from 5x to 8x optical zoom at 200mm provides genuine reach for distant subjects without resorting to digital crop quality.

The front-facing camera deserves specific mention. The 18MP Center Stage camera uses a unique square sensor that captures images in any orientation without requiring phone rotation. For video calls, this means the camera can keep you centered while you move around, mimicking the experience of professional conferencing systems. The Dual Capture feature that records simultaneously from front and rear cameras opens creative possibilities for content creators who want reaction shots without separate equipment.

Battery life on the Pro Max reaches new heights. Early testing suggests this is the longest-lasting iPhone ever made, with capacity increasing approximately 9 percent over the previous generation despite similar physical dimensions. Combined with the more efficient A19 Pro chip and new N1 networking chip, all-day battery life becomes an understatement. Heavy users report two-day stretches between charges under normal usage patterns.

Storage configurations start at 256GB for both Pro models, doubling the base storage compared to last generation. The Pro Max now offers up to 2TB, though that configuration hits a steep $2,000 price point. For professional photographers and videographers who shoot extensive 4K ProRes footage, that capacity becomes justifiable. For everyone else, the 512GB option at $1,399 provides ample headroom.

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099, while the Pro Max comes in at $1,199. That $100 premium over last year’s pricing stings slightly, but the doubled base storage softens the impact somewhat. These remain expensive devices positioned for users who demand maximum capability and are willing to pay for it.

Standard iPhone 17: The Smart Middle Ground

Priced at $799 with 256GB of base storage, the standard iPhone 17 makes a compelling case as the sensible choice for most buyers. This year’s model receives features previously reserved for Pro devices, most notably the 120Hz ProMotion display with Always-On functionality.

The display upgrade alone changes the daily experience significantly. Scrolling through social feeds, navigating maps, or switching between apps all feel noticeably smoother compared to previous 60Hz standard models. The Always-On display shows time, widgets, and notifications without requiring a screen tap, matching Pro functionality at a lower price point.

The A19 chip, while a step down from the Pro’s version, still delivers flagship performance. The 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU handle any task most users throw at it, from photo editing to gaming to multitasking across demanding apps. With 8GB of RAM supporting Apple Intelligence features, the phone feels future-proofed for software updates through at least 2029.

The dual-lens camera system uses 48MP sensors for both main and ultrawide lenses. While missing the Pro’s telephoto reach, the 2x optical quality zoom through sensor cropping provides enough versatility for everyday photography. Low-light performance has improved meaningfully, producing cleaner images with less noise in challenging conditions.

What the iPhone 17 lacks compared to its siblings is the Pro’s advanced telephoto capabilities and the Air’s statement-making thinness. For anyone who isn’t specifically seeking those attributes, the standard model delivers essentially the same daily experience at a significantly lower cost.

The N1 Chip and Connectivity Revolution

Every iPhone 17 model benefits from Apple’s new N1 wireless networking chip, representing a major shift away from Broadcom components. The N1 enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity while improving power efficiency across all wireless operations.

Wi-Fi 7 support matters more than it seems on paper. In congested environments with multiple competing networks, Wi-Fi 7’s multi-link operation and improved channel utilization deliver noticeably more consistent performance. Theoretical speeds reach up to 46Gbps, though real-world scenarios rarely approach those peaks. Still, file transfers and streaming feel snappier on compatible networks.

Personal Hotspot and AirDrop both benefit from the N1’s improved efficiency. Battery drain during hotspot usage drops measurably, and AirDrop transfers complete faster with fewer interruptions. These aren’t revolutionary changes, but they smooth out daily friction points that accumulate over thousands of interactions.

The Pro models retain Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem for 5G connectivity, while the iPhone Air uses Apple’s new C1X modem. This split approach suggests Apple isn’t yet confident in its modem technology for flagship devices but is willing to test it in the Air where network performance matters slightly less to the target demographic.

Software and Apple Intelligence Integration

iOS 26 ships on all iPhone 17 models, bringing the full suite of Apple Intelligence features to devices with sufficient RAM. The writing tools, image generation capabilities, and enhanced Siri functionality work identically across the lineup since all models meet the 8GB RAM minimum threshold.

The new Bright Photographic Style customization offers more control over how photos look straight from the camera, reducing reliance on post-processing. Live Translation in Messages, Phone, and FaceTime works surprisingly well for supported language pairs, though accuracy still varies depending on accent and speaking speed.

Memory Integrity Enforcement, a new security feature enabled by the A19 chips, runs automatically to prevent memory-related exploits. Most users will never think about this feature, which is precisely the point. It operates invisibly while meaningfully improving device security against sophisticated attacks.

Color Options and Aesthetic Choices

The iPhone Air comes in Sky Blue, Midnight, Silver, and Lavender, all with that distinctive polished titanium finish that catches light dramatically. These colors feel more expressive than previous years, though fingerprints accumulate quickly on the mirror-like surface.

The Pro models offer Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver in brushed aluminum. The Cosmic Orange particularly stands out as a departure from Apple’s typically conservative Pro color palette. It’s bold without being garish, and early sales data suggests it’s the most popular Pro color by a significant margin.

Standard iPhone 17 colors include Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, Black, and White with aluminum frames. The matte finish resists fingerprints better than the Air’s polished titanium but lacks that premium jewel-like quality.

Ceramic Shield 2 and Durability Improvements

All models feature Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, providing three times better scratch resistance compared to previous generation. After weeks of real-world use without screen protectors, professional reviewers noted meaningfully fewer micro-scratches compared to earlier iPhones.

The iPhone Air additionally uses Ceramic Shield on the back for the first time, offering four times better crack resistance than previous glass backs. Combined with the titanium frame’s flex characteristics, the Air withstands pocket stress and accidental drops better than its extreme thinness would suggest.

Drop tests from various tech outlets confirm these durability claims. While no phone is indestructible, the iPhone 17 family shows improved resistance to the types of damage that occur during normal daily use.

The Verdict: Choosing Your iPhone

The iPhone 17 lineup forces a choice between competing priorities more clearly than previous generations. The standard iPhone 17 offers the best overall value, delivering flagship performance and features at a reasonable price. Most buyers should start here unless they have specific needs that justify the additional cost.

The iPhone Air appeals to a particular user profile. If you value aesthetics and portability above all else, and you’re willing to accept slightly shorter battery life and a single camera, the Air delivers on its promise. It’s genuinely impressive engineering. Just understand what you’re trading for that thinness.

The Pro models make sense for photography enthusiasts, content creators, and power users who push their devices hard. The telephoto reach, improved low-light performance, superior thermal management, and extended battery life justify the premium for users who leverage those capabilities daily.

What’s notable about this lineup is that there are no bad choices. Every model succeeds at what it sets out to accomplish. The question is which set of trade-offs aligns with how you actually use your phone rather than how you imagine using it.

Pre-orders began September 12, 2025, with devices shipping September 19. Availability remains strong across all models and storage configurations through Apple’s online store, retail locations, and major carriers.