Pied-a-terre is a French term, which translates into “foot on the ground.” This is an accurate description. It is not your main home, but it is where you spend some of your time. This is generally not thought of like a vacation home, but perhaps it is a place where you visit quite frequently.
It might make sense for non-city residents to consider, depending on how often he or she comes to New York. In the current buyer’s market, it could present an attractive option. You can purchase a unit in a luxurious building with amenities similar to that of a hotel, such as concierge services and a swimming pool.
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The Pied-a-Terre advantages
If you are a frequent visitor to the city, a pied-a-terre offers you your place. Typically, people think it is small, but that is not necessarily the case in New York City. You can make yourself comfortable and can bypass the hotel staff, although the majority are pleasant. It also means you can enjoy certain benefits such as a refrigerator, kitchen, and space for your clothing.
For these reasons, many find a pied-a-terre cozier than a hotel room. You can weigh the costs of purchasing one against the expense of a hotel over time.
Traditionally, business people have used these apartments. However, it is becoming an option among college students’ parents. Given the high cost of room and board at schools, it can prove economical, and you have the option to sell it when your kid’s graduate. You should keep in mind that short-term fluctuations in the New York City real estate market can impact your resale value, however.
A New York City Pied-a-Terre
New York City has plenty of options available for those seeking a pied-a-terre. A 2014 New World Wealth study showed that the city had the second most number of wealthy people owning a pied-a-terre.
You can find these in a co-op or a condo building. A co-op typically has a lower price tag than a condo. However, it is more difficult to buy one in the former due to the board’s restrictions. These include requirements that the unit is your primary residence. If you are looking to sublet the apartment when you are not there, many co-op boards forbid this practice. Given the house rules prohibiting pied-a-terre use and leasing restrictions in most co-op’s a condo is the prudent choice.
Make sure you check the rules before making your purchase.
Not solely for the rich
Traditionally, pied-a-terre apartments were exclusively for the wealthy. You can still find these in upscale neighborhoods. However, you can also find ones in more modest areas that serve the purpose. These might have fewer amenities, and you also may have to sacrifice convenience due to the apartment’s location.
A potential tax
There has been a conversation about charging a surtax on pied-a-terre owners. The idea was to get more apartments on the market to increase the housing supply. An additional tax could help alleviate this shortage, or if people choose to make it their primary residence, boost the city’s coffers from higher income tax collections.
This was first proposed a few years ago, but those considering a pied-a-terre no longer need to be concerned as the Pied-à-Terre tax did not pass in the 2019 budget.
Initially, it called for an additional tax of up to 4% on values more than $5 million on properties that are not a city resident’s primary home.
