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There’s not much that can make the pain of tax season less taxing, but restaurants sure try.
Come April 15 (tomorrow!), once your return is filed and the check in the mail to Uncle Sam, be on the lookout for tax-themed freebies and deals.
Be on the lookout for more offers from both national chains and local spots as tax day approaches—many restaurants announce their deals at the last-minute.
For now, add these to your list of possibilities:
Boston Market
The “Tax Day Chicken Meal Deal” offers two half-chicken individual meals for $10.40, no coupon required.
Each meal comes with half a rotisserie chicken, two sides and fresh cornbread. Available at all locations.
Bruegger’s Bagels
Sign up through the eClub or Facebook page by April 10 to get a coupon for a $3.50 “deduction” on the chain’s Big Bagel Bundles.
That brings the price to just $10.40.
Cactus Jack’s
Tax-day diners can redeem a special “1040 dining certificate” for $10.40 off the purchase of two entrees.
Good at any of the company’s Great New Hampshire Restaurants.
California Tortilla
Make a purchase on April 15 and say the code word “taxes shmaxes.”
You’ll be rewarded with a free order of chips and queso or salsa with your meal. Available at all locations.
Cohen Restaurant Group
On April 14 and 15, the California-based restaurant group has a coupon for $10.40 off the purchase of two meals and two drinks at participating locations.
Great American Cookie
Through the “Incomes the Sweetness” promo, tax-day visitors will receive a free original chocolate chip cookie.
Participating locations only, and only while supplies last.
Per the company’s announcement, “No purchase or proof of completed taxes is necessary.”
Hard Rock Cafe
Diners can sing for their supper on April 15.
After 5 p.m., pick a song and sing it in its entirety on the restaurant’s live stage, to earn a free entrée.
Participating locations only.
Muckleshoot Casino
The Auburn, Wash., casino’s Spice Bay Buffet will offer a special lunch and dinner buffet for $10.40 per person.
Available 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
Print out a coupon from the chain’s Facebook page to get a cup full of frozen yogurt and toppings for just $4.15, about 50 percent off the usual price.
Participating locations only.
Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.
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Some of the largest banks call America home. These banks are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and offer a variety of products and services. If you prefer a big bank over regional banks or a smaller, community bank, you’ve come to the right place.
Below we’ve compiled a list of the largest banks in the U.S. Once you read through it and perform some of your own research, you should be able to choose a bank or two that meets your needs.
How to Measure Bank Size
First, let’s discuss how to measure the size of a bank. We can do so by looking at the number of customers, number of branches, and number of employees.
But perhaps the best way to measure bank size is by focusing on the total assets under management. This figure shows the actual size of a bank, regardless of how many employees, branches, or ATMs it has.
In our list of the largest banks in the U.S. below, you’ll find that we include each bank’s total assets so you can get a better idea of just how large it is.
Bank Services
We also thought it would be a great idea to briefly discuss how banks work and what they can do for you as a customer. Banks have been around since at least the 14th century. They offer a safe place for individuals and business owners to park their cash and work on various financial goals.
While every bank has their own unique lineup of services, most of them provide checking accounts, savings accounts, and loan services. Some go the extra mile with credit cards, wealth management services, and other conveniences.
Types of Banks
In addition, it’s wise to go over the types of banks at your disposal. The most common types of banks you’ll find include:
Retail banks: Retail banks serve the public and typically have branches and main offices. They provide a wide range of services, like checking and savings accounts, mortgage and loan services, auto financing, CDs, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Retail banks may be regional banks operating in various states.
Commercial banks: Also known as corporate banks, commercial banks gear their offerings to small business owners and larger corporate entities. In addition to the usual banking services, they may offer cash management, employer services, and commercial real estate services.
Investment banks: Investment banks are designed for corporate clients with complex needs, like mergers and acquisitions. These clients are large corporations, governments, and hedge funds.
Central banks: Central banks are not available to the public. Instead, they’re an independent institution that oversees the money supply and monetary policy in the country. The Federal Reserve Bank is the central bank in the U.S.
Banks vs. Credit Unions
While banks are quite popular, some customers use credit unions instead. While credit unions also offer banking services, like checking and savings accounts, they’re not for profit institutions that are managed by their customers or members.
Compared to banks, credit unions tend to deliver more personalized service. But they also provide fewer services and have fewer branches and ATMs. A credit union can make sense, depending on your unique goals.
20 Biggest Banks In The U.S.
Here’s an overview of the largest banks in the U.S.
1. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Total Assets: $3.381 Trillion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
If you focus on consolidated assets, JPMorgan Chase earns the spot as the largest bank in the U.S. This investment bank is also a holding company for subsidiaries, including Chase Bank. Chase, which is J.P. Morgan’s consumer banking division, has more than 4,700 branches in the U.S. plus more than 30 branch locations abroad.
According to Chase, almost half of the households in the U.S. are Chase customers. It attracts digital savvy customers that value online banking and products with artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to consumer banking, JPMorgan Chase is a combined bank that offers commercial banking, asset and wealth management, and investment banking.
Chase offers some of the most popular cash back and travel credit cards that can earn you valuable rewards through their program, Chase Ultimate Rewards. Using these credit cards for everyday purchases can earn you travel points, cash back, and other benefits.
2. Bank of America Corp.
Total Assets: $2.440 Trillion
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Bank of America is a multinational bank with nearly 66 million customers and small business clients across the globe. It has a few divisions, including Merrill, Bank of America Securities, and Bank of America Private Bank.
As a Bank of America customer, you can enjoy access to a wide variety of products and services as well as access to more than 4,000 branches and more than 17,000 ATMs.
Just like most big banks, Bank of America prides itself on a robust mobile app, the Zelle payment solution, and other intuitive digital tools. Its various service lines include consumer banking, corporate banking, credit cards, insurance, investment banking services, institutional banking, mortgage loans, private banking, private equity, and wealth management.
3. Citigroup
Total Assets: $1.720 Trillion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Citigroup, which is widely known as Citi, is an investment bank and financial services firm. When Citigroup merged with Travelers Group in 1998, it became a major player in the financial space. Citibank, Citigroup’s retail banking division has more than 700 branches in the U.S. and over 1,800 branches outside the U.S.
Most of the U.S. bank branches are in Florida, California, New York, and Washington DC. Citibank manages over 138 million bank accounts and has 65,000 fee-free ATMs across the country. Over the years, it has earned high rankings for its digital money management tools, including one that shows customers a financial wellness score.
4. U.S. Bancorp
Total Assets: $582.25 Billion
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
The parent company of U.S. Bank, Bancorp’s locations are mainly in the Midwest. It offers personal and business banking with more than 3,000 branches and 5,000 ATMs. Over the years, Bancorp has worked to become a responsible financial provider and earn a spot on the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list.
As a Bancorp customer, you can access information about your accounts through Google Home and Amazon Alexa. You may also download the handy mobile app to make mobile deposits and perform other services, like transactions via Zelle.
5. PNC Financial Services Group
Total Assets: $534.35 Billion
Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PNC is short for Pittsburgh National Corporation. PNC Financial Services is the bank holding company of PNC Bank, which has more than 2,000 branches across 21 states. It stands out among other large banks for its unique customer perks and products for individuals and business owners. The Virtual Wallet tool, for example, lets you manage your money online or on your mobile device.
You can keep your checking and savings accounts together or just stick to one type of account, depending on your particular needs. In addition to traditional banking services, PNC offers mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, personal loans and personal lines of credit, student loans, and student loan refinancing.
6. Wells Fargo
Total Assets: $1.71 Trillion
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Wells Fargo made its debut in 1852 when it was first opened by investing partners, Henry Wells and William Fargo. It was initially designed as a bank and express delivery service for gold. Eventually, Wells Fargo expanded as a consumer bank to serve all types of customers with various banking needs. It is admired for its long list of offerings and the Wells Fargo mobile app that helps customers track their spending and simplify their bills.
While Wells Fargo has focused on consolidating and prioritizing digital banking services in recent years, it still has about 4,700 locations and more than 12,000 ATMs around the U.S.
In addition to personal and small business banking, Wells Fargo supports commercial banking, investing and wealth management, and investment banking.
7. Truist Financial Corporation
Total Assets: $532.08 Billion
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Compared to the other large commercial banks on this list, Truist is fairly new. It was formed in 2019 as the result of one of the largest bank merger between BB&T and SunTrust.
Truist is made up of three major divisions, including Truist Bank, Truist Securities, and Truist Insurance Holdings. These divisions employ over 37,000 people that work in consumer and commercial banking, investment banking, mortgages, and insurance.
It offers a variety of noteworthy perks, such as no overdraft fees, a $100 negative balance buffer, and automatic upgrades. The bank also places a lot of emphasis on community involvement and giving back.
8. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Total Assets: $501.91 Billion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Goldman Sachs was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman, a German American shopkeeper. Its original purpose was to help merchants and small businesses with short-term funding. Eventually, Samuel Sachs joined Goldman in 1882. Today, Goldman Sachs has a reputation as a leading global investment banking, management, and securities firm.
In the fall of 2016, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, its online banking division made its debut and began to offer numerous financial products, like savings accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards, and loans.
In addition to these offerings, Goldman Sachs provides asset management services, mutual funds, investment banking and management, prime brokerage, commodities, and commercial banking.
9. Charles Schwab Corporation
Total Assets: $407.90 Billion
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Charles Schwab is a multinational financial services firm with a focus on investment accounts, such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and brokerage accounts.
You’ll find an extensive selection of funds with low expense ratios as well as commission-free stock and ETF trades. While there are over 360 Charles Schwab branches with financial consultants, you can take advantage of its services online.
Schwab also offers a high-yield checking account. Whether you’re new to investing or consider yourself a veteran, you can benefit from Charles Schwab.
10. TD Group U.S. Holdings
Total Assets: $405.22 Billion
Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware
While TD Bank has roots in Canada, it’s been in the U.S. market since 2007 when it acquired Commerce Bancorp. There are more than 1,100 branches and 700 ATMs across fifteen U.S. states and Washington D.C.
TD Bank offers the typical lineup of banking products and services but is known for its branch convenience. Most branches have long hours, are open on the weekends, and provide curbside pickup for new debit cards.
If you prefer in-person banking, TD Bank is certainly worth exploring. Many of its accounts come with generous sign up bonuses and access to comprehensive online banking features, such as online bill pay, Zelle, and remote check deposit.
11. Capital One Financial
Total Assets: $388.44 Billion
Headquarters: McLean, Virginia
Since it was established in 1988, Capital One bank is one of the newer large banks on our list. In only a few decades, the bank has grown significantly, thanks to its credit card offerings in the early 90s.
Once 2016 came around, Capital One was named the third-largest credit card issuer in the U.S. These days, Capital One continues to offer credit cards as well as digital services through Capital One 360.
Capital One 360 stands out for its Capital One’s 360 Performance Savings account, which comes with no minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance requirements.
It also has a mobile banking app with mobile check deposit, customized alerts and notifications, Zelle, free credit score monitoring via CreditWise, and more. There are about 775 branches, 2,000 ATMs, and nearly 30 Capital One cafes.
12. Bank of New York Mellon
Total Assets: $365.10 Billion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Bank of New York Mellon came about after a 2006 merger between Mellon Financial Corporation and The Bank of New York. The Bank of New York was originally founded in 1784 by Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury of the U.S. Bank of New York Mellon is now one of the largest securities firms in the word.
It specializes in a number of solutions and services for corporations, insurance companies, banks, brokers, dealers, and other reputable clients in the financial industry. In addition, the bank offers private investment and wealth management services for wealthy clients.
13. State Street Corporation
Total Assets: $296.43 Billion
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts
State Street Corporation was founded in 1792 as a financial services and asset management company. It has more than 40,000 employees and a global presence in over 100 markets.
Its offerings include investment research and trading, investment management, and securities lending for clients, such as insurance companies, pension funds, and asset owners.
14. Citizens Financial Group
Total Assets: $226.53 Billion
Headquarters: Providence, Rhode Island
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has been around since 1828. It owns Citizens Bank, its retail division and offers credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, refinancing, and a number of other financial services. Citizen Bank mainly operates in the Northeast and Midwest.
In addition to more than 2,700 ATMs, there are over 1,100 branches in New England states as well as Delaware, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The bank provides extended call center hours, a streamlined online experience, and a highly rated mobile app.
15. Silicon Valley Bank
Total Assets: $211.82 Billion
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California
Silicon Valley Bank made its debut in 1983. Today, it serves as a full-service commercial bank for technology and life sciences companies. Aside from traditional banking services, Silicon Valley Bank offers foreign exchange, venture capital, and treasury management services.
It has supported innovation for several well-known tech companies, including Google and Facebook. Many people give it credit for establishing Silicon Valley.
16. Fifth Third Bank
Total Assets: $205.55 Billion
Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio
Fifth Third Bank is a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp and known as one of the largest banks in the Midwest. It has approximately 1,100 branches that span across Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
As a customer, you can enjoy access to more than 50,000 ATMs across the country and no opening deposit requirements for checking and savings accounts.
In addition to deposit accounts, Fifth Third Bank financial institutions offer mortgages, auto financing, personal loans, insurance, and investing products. Products and services are available to business customers as well.
17. First Republic Bank
Total Assets: $197.91 Billion
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
First Republic Bank is a premier private bank with more than 80 branches across the country. Its vast lineup of products and services includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, IRAs, CDs, and wealth management.
Business customers can take advantage of business loans, business lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, and small business loans. The bank focuses on philanthropy and constantly supports programs related to art and education.
18. Morgan Stanley
Total Assets: $191.35 Billion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Morgan Stanley’s roots date back to 1935. Today, the bank is a reputable, multinational investment management and financial services company. It has over 700 locations in every state as well as Washington D.C.
Its investing division includes three portfolios, including the impact portfolio, market-tracking portfolio, and performance-seeking portfolio. Whether you’re a beginner investor or wealthy client, Morgan Stanley may be a solid pick.
19. KeyBank
Total Assets: $184.67 Billion
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio
KeyBank was founded in 1825 and is now considered a community bank with a presence in 15 states. It has more than 40,000 ATMs in its network and 1,000 full-service branches. The bank also partners with the AllPoint Network of over 40,000 ATMs nationwide.
Its standard services include checking accounts, savings accounts, home loans and mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, investing, insurance, and debt consolidation. In 2021, KeyBank acquired several digital businesses including digital platform XUP Payments and GradFin, a student loan counseling fintech.
20. Ally Bank
Total Assets: $182.2 Billion
Headquarters: Sandy, UT
While it’s based in Utah, Ally Bank is an online only bank with a long list of digital banking solutions. Its deposit accounts come with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
The bank also pays high yields on CDs and savings accounts than traditional banks with brick-and-mortar banks. As a customer, you can enjoy 24/7 customer services and access to more than 43,000 ATMs through the Allpoint network.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many large banks in the United States. Each one has its own unique perks and priorities. To choose the right bank, consider your location, needs, and preferences.
If you’re looking for personal banking services and prefer a digital platform, Goldman Sachs and its Marcus division may be the way to go. But if private wealth management is your top priority, you may be better off with Bank of New York Mellon. Best of luck in your search for the perfect large bank.
Largest Banks in the U.S. FAQs
What is a bank?
Put simply, a bank is a financial institution that can legally accept checking and savings deposits and distribute loans. Some banks also offer additional services like certificates of deposit (CDs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and wealth management.
What is the largest bank in the world?
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is the largest bank in the world. The bank’s assets add up to $4.324 Trillion.
What are the ten largest banks in the U.S.?
Ranked in total asset value, the ten largest banks in the U.S. include JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bancorp, PNC, Truist Bank, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, and TD Group.
How do I choose a bank?
To choose the right bank, focus on what you’re looking for. For more personalized service, you might want to explore a community bank. But if you prefer branch locations across the country and a long list of offerings, one of the large banks on this list might be a better fit.
Is my money safe in a bank?
Your money is safe as long as the bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). An FDIC-insured bank typically insures up to $250,000 per depositor. Note that you don’t have to purchase FDIC insurance. As long as you’re a customer at a bank that offers it, you’ll receive it automatically.
How does a commercial bank differ from a retail bank?
A commercial bank offers a variety of products and services to both individuals and businesses. Retail banks, on the other hand, focus their offerings to individual customers. If you own a business, you’d be better off with a commercial bank that can serve the financial needs of your organization.
Do online banks exist?
Absolutely! In today’s day and age, online banking is more popular than ever before, among larger banks and smaller banks. While some banks offer in-person and online services, other banks, like Ally Bank, solely operate online with no branch locations.
What are some other large banks not on this list?
Other big banks you might want to consider include First National Bank, Huntington Bank, Provident National Corporation, America Bank, and HSBC Bank USA.
It’s getting tougher for house hunters to find a home to buy, particularly in large cities, as the housing industry faces a dearth of inventory.
The number of homes for sale in 2023 decreased in 21 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas compared to this time last year, according to a new report from Realtor.com. San Jose, California, saw the steepest decline, with 35% fewer homes listed for sale this year. Sacramento, California, ranked second highest, with a decline of 27%; followed by Hartford, Connecticut, where listings were down 26%.
Real estate agents in those cities told CBS MoneyWatch that in addition to inventory declines, elevated home prices and mortgage rates have changed the way buyers shop and quelled sellers’ eagerness to sell.
“In Sacramento, homes under $500,000 are moving very quickly because buyers in that price range don’t have a lot of options,” said David Orr, an agent for Redfin in Sacramento. “The inventory is really tight because sellers are hesitant to list their current home when they have such a low interest rate.”
according to Realtor.com.
4 cities where it’s cheaper to buy a home than rent
03:21
While competition for houses is intense in California’s capital city, Orr said buyers are being cautious about their bids and asking sellers to help with closing costs or to pay for a lowered interest rate.
“I am seeing multiple offers, but it’s not like last year, when everyone was like ‘Hey I’m going to give you a first-born child along with this offer,'” he said “Now, people are making offers a bit above or below the asking price.”
Bidding wars are new norm
Braxton Warren, a real estate agent at Compass, said Sacramento homes are priced lower than nearby Seattle and San Francisco, which is also fueling hot competition there.
“House hunters have acknowledged the shortage of options but have come to accept the reality of the situation,” Warren told CBS MoneyWatch. “Homes are under a bidding war with 20-30 buyers all in line for the same home.”
Meanwhile, in Connecticut, the Hartford area “has witnessed a significant decrease in inventory, resulting in a transformative market shift,” said David Krasnoff, a realtor at Compass.
“Bidding wars have become the norm as every reasonably priced home brings in multiple offers, often exceeding the listing price,” Krasnoff said.
Other cities that saw year-over-year inventory declines are:
San Diego (26%)
Milwaukee (23%)
Cincinnati (23%)
San Francisco (20%)
Chicago (18%)
Washington, D.C. (16%)
Rochester, New York (13%)
Seattle (11%)
Providence, Rhode Island (11%)
New York City (10%)
Los Angeles (10%)
Baltimore (8%)
Philadelphia (6%)
Detroit (5%)
Boston (4%)
Virginia Beach, Virginia (2.5%)
Minneapolis (2%)
Riverside, California (1%)
Cleveland (.5%)
Cities where the number of homes for sale increased were mainly in the South, including Austin, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; Nashville; and San Antonio.
More women join construction industry as worker shortage keeps home prices high
03:01
A nationwide lack of inventory has become a major headline in the housing market with homebuyers now facing a triple whammy of higher mortgage rates, elevated asking prices and few options from which to choose.
Inventory overall grew in May when compared to a year ago but the rate of growth has slowed over the past three months, according to Realtor.com. A shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry is partly to blame for the decline in new homes for sale, the National Association of Home Builders has said.
Despite higher prices, more than 4.2 million people bought houses in April, according to the National Association of Realtors.
“The good news for sellers is that buyers are still out there and this month’s slower growth in the active inventory of homes for sale indicates that shoppers are in the market and actively searching for homes that fit their needs and budget,” Danielle Hale, Realtor.com’s chief economist, said in a statement.
Khristopher J. Brooks
Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports.
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Eating cheap is easy. Given $10 to buy ingredients for a meal for four, even the most hopeless home cook could whip up grilled cheese and tomato soup or a simple spaghetti-and-meatballs combo.
But putting together a gourmet dinner for under $10 is more challenging. So we asked food and finance bloggers, as well as home cooks, to send in their best suggestions. (We’ve shared them below with recipe details, or, where available, linked to their blogs.)
Now Frugal Foodie has a challenge you: what’s your best super-cheap yet gourmet meal? Post it in the comments, and don’t forget to “like” your favorite submissions.
(All cost estimates are based on non-sale New York City supermarket prices. If it’s a cheap meal inNYC, we figure cooks in most other places in the country will spend even less. Prices are also adjusted for quantity: if a recipe calls for half an onion, you’ll probably find something to do with the other half. Finally, estimates don’t take into account basic ingredients you likely already have, like flour, olive oil or dried spices.)
One Pan Chicken and Rice
by Hilary Allard of Sliced and Diced
Cost: $5.73, or $1.43 per serving.
Allard’s sauté uses one pot and is finished in the oven, minimizing dishes as well as cost. Even better, cooks can swap out Mexican flavors (black beans, cumin, scallions and tomatoes with green chilies) for Indian and Mediterranean variations without affecting their bottom line.
Caramelized Cauliflower Fritatta
by Michael Natkin of Herbivoracious
Cost: $7.08, or $1.77 per serving
Fresh herbs give Natkin’s frittata zing, but can make a big dent in the budget if you’re not already growing your own. (Those who are would pay just $5.59, or $1.40 per serving, and be able to include as many types of fresh herbs as Natkin suggests instead of using just a $1.49 bunch of parsley, as we calculated.)
Monday Spinach Rice Medley
by Katie Clark and Telly Kousakis of More Dough Than Dollars
Cost: $7.15, or $1.79 per serving
Inspired by a kitchen cleanout project, Clark’s meatless dish could easily be upgraded for a few dollars more by adding cooked, sliced sausage (her suggeston).
Strawberry Chicken Salad
by Frugal Foodie of Mint.com
Cost: $8.49, or $2.12 per serving
Marinate a pound of chicken in a little olive oil, lemon juice and ground black pepper. Grill until cooked through, slice and set aside to cool. Tear up a head of romaine, and top with the chicken, sliced strawberries and a slices avocado. For a dressing, puree some of the remaining strawberries with a splash of balsamic vinegar (or alternately, a splash of olive oil and lemon juice) and some black pepper.
Venetian Chicken
by Nina Hoffman of RecipeLion.com
Cost: $8.95, or $2.24 per serving
Go ahead and buy a bottle of wine to add the optional two tablespoons in this slow cooker meal. You’re saving enough cash to justify the splurge.
Classic Turkey Chili
Maris Callahan of In Good Taste
Cost: $8.96, or $2.24 per serving.
Another great one-pot meal, Callahan’s chili could also be prepared in a slow cooker for a super-easy weekday dinner. Prepare it to your taste with different veggies and spices.
Polenta Pie
by Julie Arnheim of Rubbing Nickels
Cost: $9.58, or $2.40 per serving.
Ground turkey, polenta and fresh herbs are the most expensive ingredients in this take on shepherd’s pie, but you can economize further by preparing your own polenta (saves $2).
Cuban Shredded Beef
by Art Ginsberg of MrFood.com
Cost: $9.60, or $2.40 per serving
Shred this slow-cooked beef dish before serving it over rice or on a roll. (Frugal Foodie’s mom makes a version of this that subs out the green bell pepper for a few sliced white mushrooms.)
The key to this kicky dish: a spicy Asian-style marinade. Substitute peanuts for the pine nuts, or eliminate the nuts altogether to cut $3 from the bill.
Taco Salad Bar
Jenetta Lea Penner of Frugal Freebies and Deals
Cost: $9.98, or $2.50 per serving
A family friendly taco bar can easily come in at less than $10, especially if you’re shopping the sales for ingredients, Penner says. Her picks for this version: ground beef (browned at home in your choice of spices), a tomato (chopped), cheddar (bought in block form and grated), a head of lettuce (torn), a can of black beans (drained and warmed) and a jar of salsa. It’s enough that you’ll probably have leftovers, too.
Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.
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How to Use Grains for Hearty, Healthy & Cheap Meals
Nestled on a private 20,000-square-foot lot in Brooklyn’s now trendy Bay Ridge, the insanely adorable Gingerbread House is quite possibly the closest thing to a fairy tale come true.
Built back in 1917 — when it immediately grabbed the title of ‘most magnificent residence in New York City‘ — the 5,746-square-foot home at 8220 Narrows Avenue home beautifully retained its unique charm throughout the decades.
The the real-life gingerbread house, built from uncut stone, stays true to the rolling topography of the land with a pitched roof and gabled windows that look like they’ve been taken straight out of The Shire.
A captivating archway leads to a secret oasis of emerald lawns and flowing fountains as well as the home’s private entrance and three-car garage. Spacious rooms and an open layout reveal glittering stained glass windows, intricate woodcarvings, hand-painted ceilings, and whimsical door knockers.
Despite all this, the real-life Gingerbread House has been repeatedly struggling to find a buyer.
First listed in 2009 for $12 million, the unique home quietly went off market only to return in May 2014 with a fresh asking of $10.5M. Despite failing to find a buyer — and even after giving renting a shot — the Gingerbread House is now surprisingly priced at $10,999,000.
But a home like the one at 8220 Narrows Avenue isn’t looking for just any buyer; there’s probably just a handful of Hansels and Gretels in the world with pockets deep enough — and tastes this particular — that can afford to take the house off of the witch’s hands (sorry, owners; nothing personal).
Now let’s skip to the good part and take a closer look at this enchanting storybook home:
The Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas EllimanThe Gingerbread House in Bay Ridge. Image credit: Douglas Elliman
A cool train, a fun daytrip and a great excuse to get dressed up in 1940s-era attire and hit the rails — my interest was immediately piqued.
When the team at TPG heard about the vintage train cars the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey runs up the Hudson River Valley from Manhattan to Albany, New York, we had to try it out for ourselves. Having now made the journey with TPG social media staffer Capri Whiteley, I can wholeheartedly say that climbing aboard these old-timey trains is absolutely worth it.
If this old-fashioned experience sounds like it may be a good fit for you, then read on for everything you need to know about Hudson River Rail Excursions.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
What are Hudson River Rail Excursions?
Operated by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, Hudson River Rail Excursions trains run from New York’s Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station to the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station in upstate New York. Passengers get a two-hour layover in Albany before turning around and going straight back to Moynihan Train Hall. The whole trip, which includes a stop in New York’s state capital, takes about nine hours to complete, making for a solid daytrip.
The original railroad — The New York Central Railroad — launched the 20th Century Limited, which ran from New York to Chicago in 20 hours, way back in 1902. Interestingly, the 20th Century Limited literally invented the red carpet to differentiate its flagship service a few decades after it launched.
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Two cars that were saved from the wrecking yard — the Tavern-Lounge No. 43 and the Hickory Creek, which was the model featured in all the company’s promotional materials in the 1940s — are now used for the Hudson River Rail Excursions trains, and Capri and I were lucky enough to try out both on our trip back in time.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
What it’s like on Hudson River Rail Excursions
Boarding the train is a bit like transporting yourself back to the 1940s. The 20th Century Limited’s famous red carpet greets you as you approach the two historic cars attached to the back of an otherwise normal Amtrak train, and you’ll find some passengers donning formal attire similar to what would’ve been worn in the ’40s.
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My coworker and I quickly found ourselves feeling like we’d entered another time period once on board. The experience was truly immersive, right down to the slightly musty smell and colorful retro decor you’ll only find on an old train car from the 1940s.
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Inside the classic cars, you’ll notice a variety of seating arrangements, many of which can be adjusted throughout the journey. We especially loved turning the chairs to face the windows after pulling out of the stations so we could take in the stunning Hudson River views.
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During the ride, passengers learn all about the train’s history from the staff. Our host Kevin Phalon and every waiter we encountered were a joy to interact with, as they provided all kinds of interesting tidbits that made the journey even better. It really was exceptional service on par with what you’d expect in the 1940s.
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For an even more elevated experience, passengers can reserve a spot in the more expensive car. At the end of the train, this car has wraparound windows, so you can take in the gorgeous scenery on all sides of the tracks.
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Food and drinks on Hudson River Rail Excursions
One of the train’s many highlights during our outing was its dining.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Waiters in vintage white jackets and black bow ties serve a variety of drinks and dishes as you traverse the rails.
Due to the low passenger count on these cars — no more than 70% of seats are sold so riders can comfortably spread out — the staff can more easily provide individualized service and attention. We immediately picked up on this while on board, receiving nothing but excellent and warm service.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Come hungry for your ride, as you’ll have numerous options to choose from.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
For lunch, we tried the Tavern-Lounge No. 43’s sandwiches, including one with salmon salad, another with grilled chicken breast, an option with meatloaf, a classic Italian sub, a vegetarian wrap and a BLT featuring smoked turkey. All were delicious, as were the homemade potato chips served on the side. To wash down your meal, you can pick from various sodas and nonalcoholic drinks without incurring any additional fees.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
If you wish to imbibe during your journey, pay for a seat in the pricier Hickory Creek car, where a selection of beer and wine are complimentary. Hickory Creek passengers also enjoy a four-course meal — including a cheese course, a salad and an entree like flounder Meunière, red wine-braised short ribs or cheese ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes — and plusher seats.
Regardless of which car you choose, you’ll have a nice selection of hors d’oeuvres available for the journey home. On our ride, we were offered caprese skewers and deviled eggs with salmon on top. Warm cookies were a welcome sight as the end of our trip approached.
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An afternoon in Albany
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
An added bonus of this journey is the opportunity to spend a few hours in Albany, a highly underrated city.
After making the short trip from the train station to downtown Albany, which lies just across the Hudson River, we decided to venture to the state capital for a quick tour and the observation floor at Albany’s tallest building, Corning Tower, to get the lay of the land from above.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Our short Albany layover ended with a visit to the New York State Museum, which had all kinds of displays about New York City, including a moving one dedicated to 9/11. Unsurprisingly, my favorite exhibit ended up being one with a vintage subway car.
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Booking Hudson River Rail Excursions
Now for the bad news: This trip to the past is one hot ticket. In fact, Hudson River Rail Excursions have sold out in just minutes in the past and aren’t currently available.
UNITED RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NEW JERSEY
We booked tickets for our May departure in February when tickets first went on sale. At the time, prices for rides in the Tavern-Lounge No. 43 car ranged from $149 to $179, depending on the day of the week. Meanwhile, the fancier Hickory Creek car cost between $347 and $379 per ticket. All proceeds go to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey.
Passengers who want to book future journeys should join the email list so they receive an email when the dates for 2024 are announced. We expect tickets will quickly sell out again next year, so you’ll want to be sure to opt into the email list and be ready to purchase your tickets as soon as they become available.
Bottom line
You may need a little luck on your side to snag seats on this vintage train, but after experiencing the daylong trip for ourselves, we feel it’s well worth the effort.
Views of the spectacular Hudson River Valley and entertaining conversations with fellow train enthusiasts made it an adventure to remember. Not to mention, all the free food and drinks we tried were tasty, and the complimentary lounge access in the terminal was much appreciated. The few hours you get in New York’s capital make for a fun excursion, too.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
When I asked Phalon, our host from the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, what his favorite part of the vintage train experience was, he answered “the people” without hesitation.
“I’ve now done the train ride a million times, but the people are very eager to learn,” he added. “We have you here for a daytrip, and then we teach you something.”
Having become quite a train addict myself since coming to TPG and going on a father-son adventure on the Alaska Railroad, a Brightline journey in Florida and a ride across the Pacific Northwest on Amtrak’s Empire Builder line, I completely agree with Phalon. The experience on board is what makes train travel so special.
While I understood how nice riding the rails can be long before this particular trip, our Hudson River Rail Excursions adventure cemented that sentiment even more.
I definitely recommend adding this one to your bucket list — it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Now let’s take a look at the top mortgage lenders in New York, based on overall loan volume produced last year.
The state of New York is unique in that many of the top lenders are depository banks that actually hold the loans on their books.
Or at least offer checking and savings accounts to customers alongside mortgage offerings.
This counters the recent rise of nonbanks dominating the mortgage space, which has worried some market watchers.
Anyway, topping the list in 2021 (most recent year available) was JPMorgan Chase, which happens to be headquartered in New York City.
Top Mortgage Lenders in New York (Overall)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$20.9 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$19.1 billion
3.
Rocket Mortgage
$11.2 billion
4.
Citibank
$9.1 billion
5.
Bank of America
$7.5 billion
6.
Citizens Bank
$7.0 billion
7.
loanDepot
$6.1 billion
8.
UWM
$5.8 billion
9.
First Republic Bank
$4.8 billion
10.
TD Bank
$4.1 billion
Overall, the state of New York accounted for about 4% of the nation’s home loan volume in 2021, per HMDA data presented by Richey May.
And it’s not often the top mortgage lender in a particular state is also a native of the state, but this happens to be true in the case of New York.
Chase grabbed the top spot with $20.9 billion in home loan origination volume during the year, about 10% of their national total.
It was enough to beat out Wells Fargo, which despite all its dramas managed $19.1 billion in residential mortgage volume.
Rocket Mortgage, the nation’s overall top mortgage lender, took third place with $11.2 billion, nearly half of Chase’s volume.
Fourth place also belonged to New York-based company, Citibank, which doled out $9.1 billion in home loans last year.
Bank of America took fifth with $7.5 billion in origination volume, solidifying the depositories’ dominance in the mortgage space in NY.
Citizens Bank, loanDepot, United Wholesale Mortgage, First Republic Bank, and TD Bank rounded out the top 10.
That means seven of the 10 largest mortgage lenders in New York are banks as opposed to nonbanks.
It’s probably the only state in the nation where that’s the case.
Top New York Mortgage Lenders (for Home Buyers)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$9.0 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$8.8 billion
3.
Citibank
$5.0 billion
4.
Citizens Bank
$4.3 billion
5.
Bank of America
$3.3 billion
6.
UWM
$2.9 billion
7.
loanDepot
$2.8 billion
8.
First Republic Bank
$2.6 billion
9.
TD Bank
$2.0 billion
10.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.8 billion
Now let’s only consider home purchase loans to see how the list shakes out.
Unsurprisingly, banks held the top five spots when it came to serving home buyers in the Empire State.
Once again, Chase held the #1 spot with $9 billion funded, followed by Wells Fargo with a very close $8.8 billion, and Citi with a much lower $5 billion.
Citizens Bank and Bank of America completed the top five with $4.3 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively.
The bottom half of the top 10 included wholesale lender UWM, direct lender Rocket Mortgage, nonbank loanDepot, and two more banks, First Republic and TD Bank.
In other words, most New Yorkers turned to a big bank to get their home purchase loan, as opposed to a mortgage-only institution.
This is somewhat old school, but not a surprise given the state’s big banking presence.
Top Mortgage Lenders in New York (for Refinances)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$11.4 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$9.8 billion
3.
Rocket Mortgage
$9.2 billion
4.
Bank of America
$3.9 billion
5.
Citibank
$3.4 billion
6.
loanDepot
$3.2 billion
7.
New York Community Bank
$3.0 billion
8.
UWM
$2.8 billion
9.
Citizens Bank
$2.5 billion
10.
Mr. Cooper
$2.3 billion
What about mortgage refinances? Generally, direct lenders win in this category since price is often the biggest factor, not relationship.
Well, once again it was New York’s own Chase that led the way with $11.4 billion in refinance loans.
And Wells Fargo once again came in second, with a fairly close $9.8 billion funded during the year.
National #1 mortgage lender Rocket Mortgage claimed third with $9.2 billion, followed by BofA with a much lesser $3.9 billion and Citi with $3.4 billion.
As you can see, things really dropped off after the top three, with the others in the top 10 funding a whole lot less.
Others in the top 10 included loanDepot, New York Community Bank, UWM, Citizens Bank, and Mr. Cooper (formerly Nationstar).
No big surprises here other than the fact that the top dogs took home much of the business as they did in other categories. Typically there’s a bit more diversity.
Top Mortgage Lenders in New York City (NYC)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$18.4 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$16.6 billion
3.
Rocket Mortgage
$9.4 billion
4.
loanDepot
$7.8 billion
5.
Citibank
$7.2 billion
6.
Bank of America
$6.7 billion
7.
UWM
$5.6 billion
8.
Citizens Bank
$4.7 billion
9.
Newrez
$4.3 billion
10.
TD Bank
$4.0 billion
Top Mortgage Lenders in Albany
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
SEFCU
$774 million
2.
Homestead Funding
$767 million
3.
CCFCU Funding
$515 million
4.
Trustco Bank
$498 million
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$497 million
6.
Wells Fargo
$356 million
7.
KeyBank
$275 million
8.
Sunmark
$269 million
9.
Citizens Bank
$240 million
10.
Capital Communications CU
$229 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in Buffalo
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
M&T Bank
$822 million
2.
Rocket Mortgage
$707 million
3.
KeyBank
$688 million
4.
Premium Mortgage Corp.
$459 million
5.
Citizens Bank
$408 million
6.
Wells Fargo
$355 million
7.
Northwest Bank
$336 million
8.
UWM
$262 million
9.
Hunt Mortgage Corp.
$254 million
10.
1st Priority Mortgage
$224 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in Rochester
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
ESL FCU
$879 million
2.
Premium Mortgage Corp.
$648 million
3.
Wells Fargo
$504 million
4.
Home Town Funding
$473 million
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$415 million
6.
CNB Mortgage
$412 million
7.
Genesee Regional Bank
$341 million
8.
Citizens Bank
$281 million
9.
M&T Bank
$224 million
10.
The Lyons National Bank
$209 million
Are the Biggest Lenders Also New York’s Best Mortgage Lenders?
The words “top” and “best” can be used interchangeably, but not always.
In other words, one of the largest lenders on the list can also be the best. But they could also be simply mediocre, or worse.
As I always say, you don’t need to use the biggest bank or mortgage lender out there to get your home loan.
You might find a better fit in a local credit union, mortgage broker, regional bank, or community bank.
Of course, you could find that one of the bigger players is your preferred lender. And that’s fine.
Just put in the time to get a few quotes from different mortgage companies to ensure you’ve at least made some effort to comparison shop.
Studies prove that those who shop for their mortgage can save real money. So no matter who tells you such and such is the best, put in your own research too.
A record share of homebuyers in this year’s sleepy housing market are looking to relocate, according to a Redfin analysis.
The share of prospective movers browsing new metros on the real estate platform’s website was 25.2% between February and April, it said. That eclipsed the 22.8% of users looking to move at the same time last year, when rates were still below 5%, and above the 19% of potential relocators before the pandemic began.
Florida remains a top destination despite a tightening market, while residents of the nation’s priciest coastal cities continue to search for some affordability, according to Redfin’s analysis of the activity of over 2 million users.
“About half of the people buying homes here are from out of town, and some are able to pay cash,” said Nicole Dege, a Redfin Premier agent in Orlando, in a press release. “Even though fewer people are coming in from out of town, there are also fewer homes for sale.”
The migration boom isn’t bucking larger market trends, with the total number of Redfin users looking at new cities dropping 6% from a year earlier, the platform’s biggest drop on record. Rather, the relocators are making up a bigger share of activity. Earlier this month, mortgage applications were down 35% from the same time last year.
In-metro searches declined 17% over the same February-to-April period, another Redfin record since it began recording the metric in 2018. Prospective buyers are also showing a proclivity to move thousands of miles across the country; only a few markets show voluminous flow to another in the same region, such as San Francisco to Sacramento, California.
Phoenix and Miami top Redfin’s ranking of top cities homebuyers are looking at, with interest largely from New York City and Seattle, Washington. Meanwhile, over a third of local Redfin users in pandemic hotspots like Denver and Minneapolis are looking to leave, with Chicago as a popular destination.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Daily deal websites are a dime a dozen these days, from Groupon, to Living Social and Tippr, to the hundreds of smaller sites aspiring to ride the wave of group buying success.
To be sure, the deals can be pretty great. But signing up to get all of the alerts means your inbox will be inundated with daily deal emails, not to mention the time you’ll spend sifting through to find those that meet your needs.
Enter daily deal aggregators. A handful of companies are doing the work for you by aggregating all of the Internet deals into one place. Some will send you targeted deals while others will list all of the deals per day on their site. Yahoo is even incorporating offline deals like direct marketer coupons into its service. Either way, these free services promise to take the work out of discount hunting and leave you with what you’re truly after: the discounts.
YipIt offers up recommendations
Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the past year, you’ve probably heard of Groupon and LivingSocial — the two biggest group-buying daily deal websites. But there are hundreds of smaller ones out there. YipIt, a New York-based daily deal aggregator, had mulled launching a daily deal service, but decided instead to be an aggregator, betting that the number of daily deal sites will explode — which has happened, indeed.
“It’s very easy to launch one of these deal websites so we took a bet with the new service and launched in five cities,” in February, says Jim Moran, co-founder of YipIt. At launch, YipIt counted 2,000 users. Less than a year later, it is now in twenty cities, with 85,000 subscribers.
Recognizing that people don’t want deals for the sake of the deal, YipIt customized its service so that subscribers only get offered deals that are relevant to them. Subscribers get to pick and choose their categories of interest. Let’s say you’re into spas and shopping, but don’t eat out much. YipIt will only send you deals on spas and shopping and not flood your inbox with restaurant discounts. “If we don’t find anything that matches your preferences, we won’t send it to you,” Moran says.
YipIt makes money from the daily deal websites, but Moran said the company maintains its independence and won’t be swayed to feature one deal more prominently than another. Subscribers only get seven offers a day, even though YipIt works with close to 250 sites.
“We have a team of about 15 curators that work around the country to ensure that the smaller sites still get attention,” he says.
Yahoo takes it online and off
Not to be left out of the daily deal craze, in November Internet heavyweight Yahoo announced it would be getting into the local deal aggregation market with its Yahoo Local service. Sunnyvale, California-based Yahoo inked partnerships with twenty companies to provide a combination of daily deals and discounts from local direct marketers like ValPak, which sends coupon books to people’s homes. Some of Yahoo’s partners include Groupon, LivingSocial, Gilt City and BuyWithMe. Yahoo plans to ink more partnerships going forward.
“Our strategy with this program is to build the most comprehensive store of deals available online,” says Matt Idema, vice president of Yahoo! Local. “We are trying to get every local offer available to you in one place.” Idema noted that Yahoo will use its targeting technology to make sure subscribers get coupons and deals that are relevant to them.
While Yahoo could have created its own daily deal site, Idema says an aggregation service meets a need. “Consumers don’t have time to get through everything,” he says.
Yahoo’s service is currently in testing phase. Idema wouldn’t say when it will be rolled out to the masses, nor would he disclose the ultimate destination online for this service.
Dealery.com lists them all
Dealery.com, out of New York City, is another company that is going after the aggregation market. But unlike Yahoo and YipIt, it isn’t customizing the deal for subscribers. Launched at the end of August, it currently lists all the daily deals within 14 cities from around two dozen daily deal websites. The company is constantly expanding to add more deals and more cities.
“There are so many sites and clones that once you subscribe in that circus, you are inundated with all these emails. It’s almost too much information,” says Dealery.com founder and chief executive officer Limor Elkayam.
While the competition in the deal aggregation market is heating up, Elkayam says there’s enough room for multiple players and the whole idea of a daily deal isn’t a flash in the pan idea that will quickly sputter out. But chances are, she notes, that the model of offering daily deals will go through iterations, with some companies emerging as niche players in certain areas.
“People just want to save money even if the economy is in a better position than last year,” said Elkayam “Whether the economy is good or bad, saving money isn’t a fad.”
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A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, 6,918-square-foot Usonian home in New Canaan, CT, awaits its next steward.
Newly arrived on the market, it’s “the quintessential Usonian house,” says listing agent Albert Safdie, of Coldwell Banker Realty.
He’s co-listing with Marsha Charles, also of Coldwell Banker Realty.
The seven-bedroom, 8.5-bath house was built in 1956 and has an equally large $8 million price tag. Even at that amount and after mere hours on the market, “We already have somebody interested in the house,” Safdie says.
True to Wright’s Usonian design approach, the kitchen is a galley-style space; and trademark details such as concrete-block walls, a flat roof, walls of windows, built-ins, ample use of curved lines, and Philippine mahogany abound throughout the home. A Cherokee-red, iron gate marks the home’s entrance.
Wright himself is said to have occupied “Tirranna,” as the house is known, during his work on New York City’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in the 1950s, the listing notes.
Living room
(Udor Photography)
Glassed-in living space
(Udor Photography)
Dining area
(Udor Photography)
Kitchen
(Udor Photography)
Bedroom
(Udor Photography)
Terrace
(Udor Photography)
Pool
(Udor Photography)
The seller bought the home in 2018 for $4.8 million and worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy to maintain it.
New Canaan is a 40-minute drive from New York City and home to famed architect Philip Johnson’s Glass House, among other midcentury modern masterpieces.
Set on 14 acres, the property includes the house, a barn (with a bedroom, bath, and lots of storage), pool, and tennis court.
And tucked into the scenic grounds, there’s even a waterfall. Wright hired Frank Okamura to create the home’s landscaping.
A rooftop observatory allows for further communing with nature.
The home’s one-time bomb shelter was converted into a wine cellar, suiting architecture-minded oenophiles. Some furnishings in the house, which were designed by Wright, are included with the sale.
The dwelling’s concrete construction extends to the fireplace, which also flaunts gold leaf on three sides.
A five-car garage is included in the listing, and the owner maintains a chicken coop and beehive on the property.
Some of the home’s updates were made by Wright’s son-in-law, William Wesley Peters, who is also an architect.
So, who will jump at the chance to live in one of Wright’s celebrated Usonians?
On a grand scale, “you can’t really put a price on it,” says Safdie. “This is a special home, and it hasn’t aged.”
He adds that the buyer will likely be “somebody who is interested in architecture and special homes. It could be an international buyer.”
Watch: Group Project! See How This Former Pennsylvania School Was Turned Into Gorgeous Apartments
