$36,000,000,000

Economists estimate around 50 percent or more will end up in Real Estate

Goldman Sachs; Morgan Stanley; Merrill Lynch; Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns are about to reward their 173,000 employees with $36 billion in bonuses.

That's a 30 percent increase from last year's record, and it doesn't include the billions more that will be paid by Citigroup, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase & Co., the three largest U.S. banks, as well as the hundreds of hedge funds and private-equity firms that constitute the financial industry. Bonuses range from $150,000 to over $20 million. Managing Directors bonuses range from $700,000 to $7 million.

New York City cut the estimate for its budget deficit by 87 percent last week, in part because of the investment banks' better-than-expected earnings. The state comptroller's office said Oct. 17 that tax receipts from the financial industry's wages will rise 14 percent to $2.4 billion in fiscal 2006.

To all my friends and clients on Wall Street CONGRATULATIONS!

If you're considering investing in Manhattan Real Estate there has never been a better time. There is a large variety of innovative new designs "starchitect buildings" offering service luxury and views. Prices are flat to slightly down.

Recent sales taking place around the city are breaking down the old neighborhood boundaries by allowing the new buildings to become destinations in and of themselves. The neighborhood is important, but the buildings today are offering a lifestyle as well.

Whether you're trading up, ready for your first home or want the perfect pied-a-terre, I look forward to helping you. Click the link to become a VIP Manhattan Buyer and start recieving listings that match your buying criteria.