The RegWatch blog.
Expert guides on property research, due diligence, and regulatory compliance across NYC, NJ & CT.
How to Search NYC Property Records Online (2026 Guide)
A complete guide to finding property records across NYC's 273 government data sources.
Understanding NYC DOB Violations: A Complete Guide
Learn the different types of DOB violations, how they're issued, and how to resolve them.
NYC Title Search vs Title Abstract: What's the Difference?
Title search and title abstract are often confused. Here's what each means and when you need them.
Free NYC Property Tax Calculator — Estimate Your Bill Online
Understand how NYC property taxes work and estimate your bill using our free calculator. Tax classes, exemptions, and abatements explained.
How to Check NYC Building Violations for Free (2026)
Step-by-step guide to checking building violations from DOB, HPD, and ECB — plus a faster free tool.
NYC Lien Search: What Property Owners Need to Know
Types of NYC property liens, how they arise, how to find them, and how to resolve them before they become serious.
NYC Zoning Codes Explained: A Simple Guide
A plain-language guide to NYC zoning codes. R, C, and M districts, FAR, overlays, and what zoning means for your property.
What Is a Title Abstract? NYC Real Estate Guide
What a title abstract includes, how it differs from a title search, and modern alternatives to traditional abstracts.
NYC Certificate of Occupancy: Everything You Need to Know
What a C of O is, why it matters, types of certificates, and red flags in real estate transactions.
Top 10 NYC DOB Violations and How to Resolve Them
The most common DOB violations, their penalties, and step-by-step resolution process for each type.
NYC Rent Stabilization Rules in 2026: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know
Registration requirements, allowable increases, deregulation rules, and how to check stabilization status.
How to Appeal Your NYC Property Tax Assessment (Step-by-Step)
Deadlines, evidence requirements, and strategies for reducing your NYC property tax bill through the Tax Commission.
NYC Building Permit Costs and Timeline: What to Expect in 2026
How much do NYC building permits cost? How long does approval take? Fees, processing times, and expediting options.
DOB NOW vs BIS: Which System to Use for NYC Building Records
NYC DOB operates two systems. Learn which records are in each and how to search both effectively.
NYC Environmental Site Assessment Guide: Phase I, Phase II, and E-Designation
Guide to environmental due diligence for NYC properties including Phase I/II assessments and E-designations.
How to Read an ACRIS Deed: NYC Property Document Guide
Learn how to read and interpret deed documents from ACRIS. Deed types, key fields, and common red flags.
NYC HPD Lead Paint Violations Explained: Local Law 1 Compliance
Understanding HPD lead paint violations. Local Law 1 requirements, violation classes, penalties, and remediation.
Buying Property in NYC: The Complete Due Diligence Checklist
Everything to check before buying NYC property — violations, title, tax, zoning, environmental, and more.
NYC Construction Permits: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026
From plan filing to permit issuance. Understand the DOB approval process for construction permits.
Understanding NYC FAR and Zoning Bonuses: A Developer's Guide
How FAR works, zoning bonuses, air rights transfers, inclusionary housing, and development potential analysis.
NYC Building Code Updates 2026: What Changed
Key building code changes in 2026: LL97 enforcement, fire safety updates, sustainability requirements, and accessibility improvements.
How to Search NYC Property Records Without Paying
Every free resource for NYC property research: ACRIS, DOB NOW, HPD Online, DOF, ZoLa, and free aggregation tools.
The Hidden Costs of NYC Building Violations
Violations cost more than fines. Insurance increases, transaction delays, value reduction, and compounding penalties add up fast.
NYC Real Estate Technology: How AI is Changing Property Research
How AI and technology are transforming NYC property research, due diligence, and real estate decision-making.
How to Search Nassau County Property Records (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to searching Nassau County property records online — LRIS, deeds, tax maps, and assessment data.
NJ Property Records: The Complete Guide for 2026
How to search property records across all 21 New Jersey counties. Deeds, tax records, liens, and title searches.
Suffolk County Property Tax Appeal Guide: Step-by-Step for 2026
How to appeal your Suffolk County property tax assessment. Deadlines, evidence, and strategies that work.
Westchester County Real Estate Due Diligence: The Complete Checklist
What to check before buying in Westchester — property records, zoning, environmental, and tax considerations.
Connecticut Property Records: The Town Clerk Guide for 2026
How CT property records work through town clerks. Search deeds, land records, and assessments across 169 towns.
How to Do a Title Search Without a Lawyer (NY, NJ & CT)
Step-by-step guide to conducting your own property title search using online tools and public records.
NYC Violations by Borough: How to Read the Data
How to read open DOB and HPD violation data across NYC boroughs — what drives the differences, and where to see the live numbers.
Building Permit Trends Across the Tri-State Area
How to read construction permit activity across NYC, NJ, and CT — what permit types signal, and where to see live activity.
Property Tax Burden by County: NY vs NJ vs CT
How property tax systems differ across NY, NJ, and CT — effective rates vs nominal rates, and where to compare real numbers by property.
Most Searched Neighborhoods on RegWatch
What property-search patterns reveal about buyer and investor interest across the tri-state area — and where to see the live rankings.
What Makes an NYC Building High-Risk: Reading the Signals
The compliance signals that mark an NYC building as high-risk — how risk scoring works, what to watch for, and where to check any address.