IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This is NOT legal or tax advice. Consult with your qualified legal or tax advisor before any transaction.
Elite NYC Fiduciary
Valerie Sebbag
High-Value Residential & Commercial Advisory. Specializing in Luxury Brooklyn Townhomes and Strategic 1031 Exchange Sourcing.
Live Intelligence
Daily Market Pulse
Median Townhouse (Brooklyn)
$1.94M
3.2% YoY
Price Per Sq Ft (Park Slope)
$1,352
9.1% YoY
Commercial Availability
14.6%
-2.7% YoY
Luxury Inventory Supply
3.8 Mo
-1.2% YoY
Brooklyn Heights Active
Park Slope Off-Market
1031 Exchange Window Open
Luxury Townhomes Sourcing
Commercial Assets NYC
Brooklyn Heights Active
Park Slope Off-Market
1031 Exchange Window Open
Luxury Townhomes Sourcing
Commercial Assets NYC
Principal Broker
Valerie Sebbag
"Transitioning equity between high-value real estate classes requires discretion, speed, and market dominance."
As the principal of 555 Properties LLC, I act as a dedicated real estate fiduciary for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and commercial investors. My focus is on sourcing off-market assets and executing complex tax-deferred exchanges that protect and grow your capital in the New York market.
Connect Directly
Market Portfolio
Core Asset Specialization
Luxury Residential
- The Heights Portfolio Brooklyn Heights
- Park Slope Limestones Park Slope
- Cobble Hill Brownstones Cobble Hill
- Clinton Hill Estates Clinton Hill
- Fort Greene Townhomes Fort Greene
Commercial Assets
- Multi-Family Portfolios Brooklyn Wide
- Mixed-Use Corridors Bed-Stuy / Bushwick
- Retail Strip Centers Brooklyn / Queens
- Industrial Conversion Gowanus / Red Hook
- Development Sites Emerging Markets
1031 Exchange Sourcing
- Identification Strategy 45-Day Window
- Replacement Sourcing Off-Market Access
- Equity Transition Tax Deferral
- Portfolio Valuation Underwriting
- Qualified Intermediary Network Access
Expert Knowledge Base
New York Real Estate Intelligence (50+ Q&A)
The most comprehensive repository of NYC-specific real estate questions for buyers and sellers. Search below for verified answers with neutral government and legal sources.
1. What is the NYC Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT)?
A tax paid by the seller on the transfer of real property in NYC. For residential sales over $500,000, the rate is 1.425%.
Source: NYC Department of Finance
2. What is the NYS Real Estate Transfer Tax?
A state tax of 0.4% on the sale price, usually paid by the seller.
Source: NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
3. What is the "Mansion Tax" in NYC?
A tax on residential purchases of $1 million or more, ranging from 1% to 3.9% depending on the price.
Source: NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
4. How do I verify a broker's license in New York?
You can search the official state database via eAccessNY.
Source: NYS Department of State
5. What are the fiduciary duties of an NYC real estate agent?
Reasonable care, undivided loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience, and duty to account.
Source: NYS Department of State
6. What is the 45-day rule in a 1031 exchange?
You have 45 days from the sale of your property to identify replacement properties in writing.
Source: IRS.gov
7. What is the 180-day rule in a 1031 exchange?
You must close on the purchase of your replacement property within 180 days of your sale.
Source: IRS.gov
8. What is "Like-Kind" property for NYC investors?
Broadly any real estate held for investment or business use.
Source: IRS.gov
9. How do I check for NYC building violations?
Search the DOB Building Information System (BIS) or DOB NOW.
Source: NYC Department of Buildings
10. What is a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)?
A document certifying a building's legal use and occupancy.
Source: NYC Department of Buildings
11. What is the "Fair Housing Act" in NYC?
Laws prohibiting discrimination in housing based on protected classes.
Source: NYC Commission on Human Rights
12. What is the Mortgage Recording Tax in NYC?
A tax paid when recording a mortgage, ranging from 2.05% to 2.8%.
Source: NYC Department of Finance
13. How do I appeal my NYC property tax assessment?
File an appeal with the NYC Tax Commission during the challenge period.
Source: NYC Tax Commission
19. What is a "Qualified Intermediary" (QI)?
A neutral third party that holds 1031 exchange funds to prevent "constructive receipt."
Source: IRS.gov
22. What is "Local Law 97" in NYC?
Carbon emission limits for buildings over 25,000 square feet.
Source: NYC Sustainable Buildings
41. What is "Air Rights" in NYC?
The right to develop the space above a property.
Source: NYC Department of City Planning
42. What is "Landmark Status" in NYC?
Designations for buildings with historical significance.
Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
50. What is "Closing Date" in NYC?
The day ownership is officially transferred.
Source: NYS Unified Court System
Market Dominance
Elite Brooklyn Advisory
Unmatched marketing for your listings and private access to replacement properties that never hit the public market.
Confidential Review- Luxury Townhome Disposition
- Off-Market Commercial Sales
- 1031 Replacement Sourcing
- Asset Portfolio Valuation
Valerie Sebbag: 1031 Exchange Buyer Specialist
Securing Crown Heights Brownstones & Brooklyn Replacement Properties
Prime Replacement Assets
- Crown Heights Luxury (Primary 1031 Focus)
- Cobble Hill (High Yield Townhomes)
- Brooklyn Heights (Wealth Preservation)
- Boerum Hill (Multi Family Income)
- Park Slope (Blue Chip Brownstones)
1031 Exchange Services
- Replacement Identification (45 Day Strategy)
- Like Kind Portfolio Transitions
- Tax Deferred Wealth Strategies
- Capital Gains Mitigation
- Off Market Asset Sourcing
Commercial & Legacy Growth
- DUMBO (Elite Waterfront Lofts)
- Williamsburg (Mixed Use Assets)
- Bedford Stuyvesant (Growth Corridors)
- Manhattan Beach (Private Enclaves)
- Clinton Hill (Legacy Mansions)