Rachel Ostow Lustbader
Real Estate Professional
Licensed Assoc. Real Estate Broker
Licensed As: Rachel A. Ostow Lustbader
A consecutively ranked top producing broker at Warburg and most recently ranked in 2020, Rachel Ostow Lustbader was born and raised in New York City., Rachel Ostow Lustbader was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from the Fieldston School in Riverdale, New York, received a B.A. summa cum laude from Tufts University in Boston, and then returned to Manhattan to attend Columbia University School of Law where she was a Kent scholar and received a J.D. in 1978. She practiced labor law at two of the city's most well-respected corporate law firms, Weil Gotshal & Manges and Graubard Moskovitz McGoldrick Dannett & Horowitz.

For over twenty years Rachel has successfully applied her expertise in negotiation and her high degree of integrity and professionalism to the Manhattan residential real estate market. She has consummated sales in a wide range of properties throughout the city, including townhouses and large family apartments in cooperative and condominium buildings on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, downtown in Gramercy Park, Greenwich Village, Tribeca, the West Village and NoMad, and in many areas of Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Boerum Hill, Fort Green, Bushwick and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.

Rachel is married to Brian G. Lustbader, a partner specializing in Construction Law at Venable LLP. Brian is also a former President of the Park Avenue Synagogue. They live on the Upper East Side and have two daughters, Sarah, a graduate of the Fieldston School, Stanford University, and NYU Law School, who is currently a Criminal Defense Attorney at the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, and Ilana, an alumna of the Dalton School and Pomona College, who holds Masters’ Degrees in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from New York University. Rachel serves on the Board of Trustees at the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan and has devoted herself to numerous other fundraising and other philanthropic activities on behalf of her children's schools, the Park Avenue Synagogue, and Kids of NYU Medical Center, a group devoted to improving the quality of pediatric care and facilities at one of New York's most renowned hospitals.

Licensed as Rachel A Ostow Lustbader

Press

2.21.23
Brick Underground
If you are contemplating staying in a furnished short-term rental in New York City, you likely have lots of questions and concerns. How do you go about finding one? What do they cost? Are they even legal? And… More
1.3.23
Next Avenue
While home ownership has long been considered a component of the American dream, you don’t truly own that home until you make the very last mortgage payment. Doing so, and finally being free from mortgage payments… More
11.1.22
Apartment Therapy
After they walk through the front door, it’s not uncommon for buyers to make a beeline right to the kitchen — the living room can wait. “The kitchen is the heart of the home,” says New York City real… More
10.28.22
Inman
Even as home prices and rates hit record highs, it’s still possible to attract multiple offers when a property stands out or it’s priced to sell. “We priced it right — right away,” one agent told… More
10.3.22
Brick Underground
It can be tricky if there’s a gap between your apartment leases. In your case, the best option is to talk with your landlord to arrange a way for you to remain in the apartment until… More
9.27.22
Apartment Therapy
In Manhattan, Parisa M. Afkhami, another agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg, says the prime apartments in one building on East 70th Street are actually on the lower floors so the neighbors can do some serious peeping —… More
6.30.22
Brick Underground
New York City brokers are bracing for an “absolutely dead” sales market this summer but that could be good news for buyers who are unscathed by current economic conditions. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/how-buyers-can-take-advantage-slow-summer-sales-negotiate-discount-pricing-condo-co-op-nyc
6.17.22
Real Simple
In a hyper-competitive housing market, prospective buyers are pulling out all the stops to close bids on new homes—and for some, the winning tactic is a cash offer. In February 2022, 25 percent of home offers were… More
6.3.22
Luxury Daily
Real estate inventory is climbing, but the market remains unpredictable.  https://www.luxurydaily.com/new-york-real-estate-market-may-be-shifting/
2.14.22
Apartment Therapy
Christopher Totaro and Rachel Ostow Lustbader comment. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/pros-cons-middle-unit-37036670
2.3.22
Brick Underground
Rachel Lustbader & Kate Wollman-Mahan comment https://www.brickunderground.com/improve/install-closet-system-custom-modular-apartment-brownstone-NYC
11.25.21
Apartment Therapy
Kate Wollman-Mahan, Christopher Totaro and Rachel Lustbader comment. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/brand-new-home-buying-mistake-36998087
10.18.21
Brick Underground
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/international-foreign-buyers-return-nyc-sales-market-condos-luxury
10.5.21
Apartment Therapy
Rachel Lustbader, Mihal Gartenberg, Steve Gottlieb, Jeremy Kamm, and Hala Lawrence comment. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/make-bathroom-look-more-expensive-36983416
9.28.21
Forbes
Rachel Lustbader, Allison Chiaramonte, Tania Isacoff Friedland, Bonnie and Lisa Chajet comment, 300 Central Park West, Apt 24G & 255 West 84th Street by Allison Chiaramonte and Tania Isacoff Friedland, and 30 East 85th Street PH30… More
8.29.21
Forbes
Ellen Sykes, Sarah Minton, Parisa Afkhami, and Rachel Ostow Lustbader comment, 1160 Park Avenue 14B by Ellen Sykes, 315 East 65th Street, Apt 10AB by Lisa Chajet and Parisa Afkhami, and 965 Fifth Avenue 5A by… More
7.23.21
The Close
Featured Properties: 196 East 75th Street, 17B; 235 East 87th Street, 11B; and 242 East 19th Street, 2FG by Rachel Lustbader 400 East 56th Street, 26K by Andrea E. Wernick and Bill Kowalczuk https://theclose.com/virtual-staging-software/
7.3.21
Real Homes
Mihal Gartenberg and Rachel Lustbader comment. https://www.realhomes.com/news/the-biggest-mistakes-home-buyers-make-in-a-sellers-market
6.24.21
Brick Underground
Rachel Lustbader and Sarah Minton comment. https://www.brickunderground.com/sell/bricktionary-comps-data-recent-sales-apartment-asking-price-nyc-co-op-condo
5.18.21
BrickUnderground
Sheila Trichter & Rachel Lustbader comment. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/co-op-buildings-relax-rules-subletting-short-term-rentals-pets-liquidity-nyc
5.17.21
Lux Exposé
965 Fifth Avenue Apartment 5A by Rachel Ostow Lustbader featured. https://luxexpose.com/this-3-5m-apartment-offers-unparalleled-views-of-central-park/
3.26.21
Wall Street Journal
2.26.21
NextAdvisor
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://time.com/nextadvisor/mortgages/investment-property-guide/
2.23.21
New York Post
Rachel Lustbader, Gill Chowdhury, and Christopher Totaro comments. https://nypost.com/article/nyc-real-estate-market-housing-prices/
12.15.20
The Close
Rachel Lustbader, Svetlana Choi, George Case and Sheila Trichter comment. https://theclose.com/real-estate-love-letter/
9.20.20
The New York Times
170 East 78th Street #4F by Rachel Lustbader featured. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/realestate/home-sales-1500000-dollars.html
8.28.20
The Close
Featured listings: 196 East 75th Street, 17B and 400 East 56th Street, Apt 26K by Andrea Wernick and Bill Kowalczuk. 235 East 87th Street, 11B and 242 East 19th Street, 2FG by Rachel Lustbader. https://theclose.com/virtual-staging-software/
8.21.20
Forbes
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisachamoff/2020/08/21/as-pied–terre-tax-debate-resurfaces-agents-fear-another-blow-to-the-struggling-nyc-real-estate-market/#16703dd866b1
8.3.20
City Realty
235 East 87th Street #11B by Rachel Lustbader and Jeremy Kamm featured. https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/market-insight/features/get-to-know/co-ops-no-board-approval-as-manhattan-co-op-inventory-doubles-listing-prices-plummet-35/45522
7.3.20
Business Insider
Rachel Lustbader featured. https://www.businessinsider.com/manhattan-real-estate-broker-sold-apartment-sight-unseen-during-pandemic-2020-7
6.23.20
FOX Business
Rachel Lustbader, Maria Daou, and Arlene Reed comments. https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/nyc-real-estate-looks-for-post-coronavirus-comeback
3.26.20
Brick Underground
Rachel Lusbader and Domingo Perez, Jr. comment. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/what-to-do-if-your-real-estate-deal-is-stalled-by-coronavirus-covid-19-nyc
3.22.20
Mansion Global
Jessica Swersey and Rachel Ostow Lustbader comment. https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/virtual-realitys-role-in-global-real-estate-market-expands-due-to-coronavirus-213291
2.28.20
Real Estate Weekly
Closing by Rachel Lustbader and Jeremy Kamm featured. Done Deals: Reaching new heights
2.21.20
Mansion Global
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/more-info-equals-less-risk-why-transparent-housing-markets-are-better-bets-212213
2.14.20
Brick Underground
235 East 87th Street, Apt 11B by Rachel Ostow Lustbader and Jeremy Kamm featured. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/sponsor-co-op-pick-of-the-week-renovated-junior-four-yorkville-nyc
2.10.20
Realtor.com
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/prewar-apartment-pros-and-cons/
1.23.20
Lux Exposé
115 East 9th Street, Apt. 11R by Rachel Ostow Lustbader & Jeremy Kamm, 35 East 85th Street, Apt. 10B by Harriet Kaufman & Dorothy Schrager, 31 Jane Street, Apt. 9H by Rachel Ostow Lustbader & Jeremy… More
11.25.19
Brick Underground
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.brickunderground.com/improve/renovate-NYC-eight-best-bathroom-updates-lighting-soaking-tub-rain-shower-radiant-flooring
11.19.19
Forbes
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.forbes.com/sites/heathersenison/2019/11/19/why-double-master-suites-are-the-growing-trend-in-luxury-new-developments/#3bfe217561c3
11.18.19
Forbes
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenparis/2019/11/18/an-increasing-number-of-real-estate-agents-are-choosing-virtual-staging-to-lure-buyers-to-their-listings/#328be1b53432
10.3.19
OffTheMrkt.com
400 East 56th Street, Apt 17M by Andrea Wernick and Kathryn Landow and 235 East 87th Street, Apt 11B by Rachel Ostow Lustbader and Jeremy Kamm featured. https://www.offthemrkt.com/blogs/homes-under-a-million-to-avoid-the-real-estate-transfer-tax
9.17.19
Business Insider
Rachel Lustbader comments. https://www.businessinsider.com/pied-a-terre-tax-new-york-city-real-estate-2019-9
6.28.19
BrickUnderground
61 Jane St., #10L by Rachel Lustbader featured. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/sponosr-co-op-west-village-one-bedroom
6.28.19
BrickUnderground
61 Jane St., #10L by Rachel Lustbader featured. https://www.brickunderground.com/buy/sponosr-co-op-west-village-one-bedroom
5.29.19
Business Insider
Rachel Lustbader and Deborah Ribner comment. https://www.businessinsider.com/easy-free-way-to-increase-home-value-real-estate-2019-5
5.11.19
Business Insider
Deborah Ribner, Christopher Totaro, Eric Mendelsohn, Domingo Perez Jr., and Rachel Lustbader comment. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-increase-home-value-price-diy-tips-advice-2019-5
4.10.19
Bankrate.com
Rachel Ostow Lustbader comments
3.15.19
Bloomberg News
Rachel Ostow Lustbader comments/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-15/nyc-brokers-see-new-threat-to-luxury-market-in-pied-a-terre-tax
1.4.19
Real Estate Weekly
Closing at 510 West 110th Street, 12D by Rachel Lustbader and Bosco Diaz; Closing at 171 East 84th Street, 11H by Angela Wu; Closing at 255 East 74th Street, 6B by June Gottlieb is featured in… More
10.17.18
Forbes
Rachel Lustbader gives advice about the quality of photos when listing a property. https://www.forbes.com/sites/taramastroeni/2018/10/17/real-estate-agents-answer-whats-the-one-thing-you-wish-sellers-knew/#53ec60ef7f2f
5.4.17
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal advertisement celebrating Warburg Realty’s 2016 Top 10 Producers.
12.10.15
Curbed
Rachel Lustbader’s listing at 85 North 3rd Street in Williamsburg, formerly the residence of model Agyness Deyn, finds a buyer. http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/12/10/model_agyness_deyns_old_williamsburg_pad_sells_for_31m.php
12.10.15
New York Observer
Rachel Lustbader’s listing at 85 North 3rd Street, the former home of model Agyness Deyn, sells for $3.1M. http://observer.com/2015/12/under-the-sea-agyness-deyns-former-seashell-themed-loft-sells-for-3-1m/ 
10.16.15
Curbed
Rachel Ostow Lustbader’s Williamsburg loft listing at 85 North 3rd overwhelmingly dominates in Curbed’s “Real Estate Deathmatch.” http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/10/16/which_williamsburg_loft_would_you_spend_35_million_on.php
10.2.15
The Week
Rachel Ostow Lustbader’s listing at 85 North 3rd was included in Best Properties On the Market for a collection of refurbished factory lofts around the country. http://theweek.com/articles/580548/6-former-factory-lofts-turned-into-awesome-homes 
8.21.15
The Real Deal
Rachel Ostow Lustbader lists an apartment at 85 North 3rd Street with “virtually unheard of” taxes of only $24 a year until 2025. http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/08/21/the-taxes-on-this-3-6m-brooklyn-loft-are-just-24-heres-why/
8.21.15
6sqft
Rachel  Ostow  Lustbader’s new listing at 85 North 3rd Street was a featured article. http://www.6sqft.com/model-agyness-deyns-3-6m-former-williamsburg-loft-has-a-tax-bill-of-just-24-a-year/
8.21.15
New York Post
Rachel Ostow Lustbader was interviewed about her new loft listing at 85 North 3rd Street. The current owners purchased the apartment from model Agyness Deyn. http://nypost.com/2015/08/21/tax-on-3-6m-williamsburg-loft-is-just-24/
8.21.15
Brick Underground
352 Riverside Drive, listed by Rachel Ostow Lustbader, was featured in a round-up of homes with fountains. http://www.brickunderground.com/blog/2015/08/fountains 
8.20.15
Curbed
Rachel Ostow Lustbader’s new exclusive at 85 North 3rd Street was a featured property in On the Market. http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/08/20/model_agyness_deyns_old_williamsburg_loft_seeks_365m.php 
2.1.14
Mann Report Residential
Warburg Realty, one of Manhattan’s leading real estate companies, recently announced its top 10 brokers for 2013.  Longtime Warburg agent Wendy Greenbaum was the leading broker, followed by Richard Steinberg and Jay Glazer. The top ten… More
1.14.14
Press Release
WARBURG REALTY® ANNOUNCES TOP 2013 BROKERS Wendy Greenbaum, Richard Steinberg and Jay Glazer Lead the Firm’s Most Successful Agents Warburg Realty®, one of Manhattan’s leading residential real estate companies, has announced its top 10 brokers for… More
5.8.11
The New York Times
LINCOLN SQUARE CO-OP $1,250,000 MANHATTAN: 17 West 64th Street (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue), #8F A two-bedroom two-bath co-op with a combination washer/dryer in a prewar elevator building. PROS: There are windows in every… More

Testimonials

3.24.23
Testimonial from Jakki K.

Last summer, I needed to get my mother a place near me in Park Slope, fast! She had a

month-to-month rental in South Slope, twenty blocks from us, which was taxing for her and for me to drop my baby off for child care. I was working with a great agent, but often, I sent him the leads I found on Street Easy.

 

Then came Joy! Apparently her years of experience in sales take nothing away from her ability in the rental market.

 

Within days, she sent me listings that were within my budget and only a block or two from me.  She reached out to the listing agents, including one agent who pulled her listing off the market within a few minutes of posting it because hundreds of people applied. Joy helped me prep my paperwork and to negotiate in a way that put me ahead of the pack. By the end of that week, my mother had a place on the same street as me, two blocks down.

 

I’m reaching out to Joy for my next home in NYC!

2.28.23
Testimonial from RT

Andrea Wernick made the selling of my co-op a smooth and pleasant experience. She knew exactly what to do at every step of the process and gave excellent guidance.  Andrea and her team marketed the apartment well and showed it often leading to an accepted offer and sale.  Andrea was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend her to anyone looking to sell a NYC co-op.

1.26.23
Testimonial from Susan L.

Dear Susan,

The closing, as you know by now, was successfully completed this afternoon. I just wanted to thank you and Michael for all your help and professionalism in making the sale happen. You were straight and clear with me all through the ups and downs – and your guidance was excellent throughout.

I know you understand that for me this has been bittersweet. But “the team of Susans” worked wonderfully and I am really grateful.

 

1.26.23
Testimonial from Susan Oh

Susan and Michael, Thank you again! This could not have gone so smoothly without you. Both of you are awesome at what you do and thank you for pulling us through this one at the end.

 

1.26.23
Testimonial from Allan and Jeff Rothman

Annie Cion Gruenberger was absolutely fantastic to work with. She walked us through the entire process from preparing, decluttering, pricing, working with the building, lawyers all the way through to a terrific sale that we were thrilled with. She was always professional but I now truly feel she is a friend. I will recommend her to all my family and friends in the future.

1.19.23
Testimonial from Jonathan S.

Mihal was a great help in finding an apartment rental. I was relocating from out of state. She walked me through the process and lined up multiple virtual showings, all on short notice. Her videos and knowledge were very helpful in finding me a place I was comfortable with. Even after signing the lease she followed up multiple times to make sure all was well.

1.17.23
Testimonial from Alica E.

Mihal did an outstanding job assisting us with purchasing our co-op. While we were searching she checked in frequently and sent us lots of listings. When we found “the one” she helped us negotiate a competitive offer. She was a tremendous help getting through the co-op approval process. She guided us through every step and was always available when we had questions or concerns. She also connected us with a great mortgage banker and I doubt we could’ve landed such a deal without Mihal’s connection. She is very caring and committed. We really felt we were in good hands with the entire process with Mihal’s knowledge and expertise.

1.6.23
Testimonial from Chiti P. and Bill K.

We used the Gottlieb Team to sell our last apartment and buy our current one. Both experiences were smooth, efficient and thorough from start to finish. Particularly when it came time for the negotiating part, they smartly managed the process — maximizing our expectations — and provided a calming presence when we needed it. Their professionalism, punctuality and persistence set them apart in the real estate market. If we move again, they’ll be our first call.

12.29.22
Testimonial from Kristina L.

Mihal did a fantastic job assisting us with the purchase of our apartment. Her expertise in the neighborhoods of the market was essential in determining the purchase pricing along with the future resale value. Mihal was involved from start to finish. She gave great advice, did lots of virtual tours and was extremely patient when it came to our hectic travel schedules.

12.22.22
Testimonial from J&J Moya

Dear Andrea, 
We wish to thank you for all your efforts in making the sale of our studio apartment at Plaza 400 successful–and pleasant. From start to finish, we appreciated your sincerity, experience, patience, artistic touches and sound advice. Your impeccable attention to details and your gracious style set you apart and above others in your profession. We especially noted that you treated the sale of our small apartment with the same care you handled your larger listings. 

We would also like to compliment your associate Donald M. Toresco. He was always a gentleman ready and willing to help. We wish him a long and successful career in Real Estate.

Coldwell Banker Warburg is fortunate to have you and Donald on their staff. Andrea, we were fortunate to have you as our Broker.

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