New York Real Estate Center, the leading platform for virtual continuing education courses, was proud to feature Wall Street Journal real estate reporter Katherine Clarke on January 27, 2021. Hosted by real estate attorney Michael J. Romer, “Behind the Headlines” shared Ms. Clarke’s favorite real estate stories of 2020 and insights on the key market influences of 2021.

Among several topics, Ms. Clarke and Mr. Romer discussed the juxtaposition of the New York City real estate market as compared to areas around the country at the height of the pandemic, noting a buyer shift from secondary to primary homes in the Hamptons, upstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Looking ahead into 2021, Ms. Clarke commented, “It will be interesting to see whether there is any buyer’s remorse or if people want to change their lives permanently, and how much the vaccine is going to play into that.”

Both Mr. Romer and Ms. Clarke agreed that the re-opening of restaurants, entertainment, and retail is poised to have a positive impact on the residential market.

“I am of the opinion that New York, and Manhattan in particular, real estate is one of the soundest and safest investments over the long term that you can make,” said Mr. Romer.

“Over the past couple of months, especially as all the vaccine news has come out, we are seeing contract activity pick up. Anecdotally a lot of agents are telling me that they are working with buyers again, and even if those buyers might not be here today, they are expressing interest,” said Ms. Clarke.

“We have seen a large influx of activity in the last few months, which is a huge sign of positivity,” Mr. Romer echoed. “It is showing us that even without all of the social things that attract people to Manhattan, there is still people coming that want to be here because they believe in New York City.”

A member of the Wall Street Journal editorial team since 2017, Ms. Clarke reports on the luxury housing market for the publication’s Mansion section. She previously covered real estate for the New York Daily News and The Real Deal and is currently working on a book for Crown Publishing on the rise of Manhattan's Billionaire's Row. A native of Northern Ireland, Ms. Clarke is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University School of Journalism.

New York Real Estate Center is a dynamic platform that serves as a resource for the residential and commercial real estate community. Subscribers have access to a full catalog of courses and information taught by leading real estate professionals, including Mr. Romer and Pierre E. Debbas, managing partners of Romer Debbas, LLP and principals of New York Real Estate Center. The innovative courses offered through New York Real Estate Center satisfy state real estate agent and broker licensing requirements.

The latest in the popular Pro Shop series, “Behind the Headlines” is available on the school’s website, nyrecenter.com.

About New York Real Estate Center, LLC (www.nyrecenter.com)

New York Real Estate Center, LLC, was launched by Michael J. Romer and Pierre E. Debbas as an extension of Romer Debbas, LLP’s commitment to education in the real estate community. An affiliated and licensed School for Continuing Education, New York Real Estate Center, LLC, offers a wide variety of accredited continuing education classes which satisfy real estate agent and broker licensing requirements. Several of the firm’s attorneys are Certified Instructors by New York Department of State.

About Romer Debbas, LLP (www.romerdebbas.com)

Led by Michael J. Romer and Pierre E. Debbas, Romer Debbas, LLP is a New York City-based law firm uniquely focused on commercial and residential real estate transactions, development projects and litigation, with clients in local, national and international markets. Their practice also extends to include Bankruptcy, Corporate and Business Law, Immigration, Litigation, Taxation, Trusts and Estates.