This week readers visited Brick Underground to read up on strategies for winning a bidding war for a rental. That's right—there are bidding wars for New York City rentals now. They are not happening everywhere, but renters with specific must-haves in popular neighborhoods like Tribeca and Park Slope are paying hundreds or even a thousand over the asking rent in order to win a coveted apartment. But offering more cash is not the only thing you can do.

Also of interest: Why one New Yorker gave up her rent-stabilized apartment in Brooklyn Heights to buy an oceanfront condo near her family in Rockaway.

Here are this week's top five posts:

1) Bidding wars for rentals: Returning NYers face intense competition for apartments

2) From Brooklyn Heights to Rockaway: Letting go of a rent-stabilized apartment to buy a condo by the ocean

3) IKEA vs. Home Depot: Which should you choose for a NYC kitchen renovation?

4) A website where tenants can take landlords to court is blocked. Advocates say the decision hurts vulnerable NYers

5) 5 NYC condos for sale in buildings with luxury outdoor amenities