Should we use a broker to sell?


Having just completed the reno. of our Bed Stuy Bstone, my wife and I are now faced with the reality of selling the one bedroom co-op that gave us our initial leverage.

As a landlord and a buyer, I have resisted using a real estate agent/broker with great success. As we look to sell this sweet apartment in Fort Greene, I am tempted to give an exclusive to one for this sale. While 6% is alot to give up, I feel in the case of a prime hood, a good broker will have the access and wherewithal to facilitate and execute much better than we can. Am I wrong? To FSBO or not to FSBO? Can’t wait to hear. Thanks in advance.

By | 07/31/2006 10:55 PM | Comment

Kitchen floor hell


I am in the process of having all the old pine floors in my Bed-Stuy brownstone sanded and polyurethaned. I decided to also do the kitchen, while I was at it. It was old pine planks, covered with 1/4″ plywood, and then glued down vinyl tiles.
I ripped up all the plywood and tiles (no small job!) only to discover a lot of (old) termite damage, as well as other holes in the floor needing repair. The floor guy (Buono) is quoting me $500 to do the repairs, but is strongly urging me to think about replacing it with a tongue and groove oak floor. He wants to charge me $1200 for this. And I think he still wants to finish it as well? (I’m not sure about this last part – his foreman gave me the info.)
In any event, If I go ahead with the new floor, he plans to lay the floor down on top of the damgaed floor.

So – Questions:

Should I just repair the damaged floor replacing planks as needed? I have the feeling this will not look so great.

Should I have the new floor laid installed? If so – is it better to buy unfinished or finished wood? What is a good one to get, if I don’t like his oak tongue and groove material. And – price per square foot – ball park?

I’m thinking that this may be an invitation to go in a totally different direction altogether, and do ceramic tiles on the floor. If so – should I rip out the old pine floor and put down a plywood subfloor? or just put the subflloor on top of the damgaed planks? What is it likely to cost me to put in a tile floor – assuming decent materials, but not overly fancy/expensive?

Thanks!

Categories: Floors
By | 07/31/2006 7:10 PM | Comment

Can I plant a tree?


I live in a 2-story back-facing apartment. It has a tiny (150 sq ft) garden with a wall of windows looking out at the garden from both floors. But there’s a “Rear Window” -style apartment building directly across the way. On the ground floor all you see is garden, but on the upper level, you’re in a fishbowl.

Is there any sort of tree I can plant that would grow in the space which would block the view (without tearing up my fence since there’s no real clearance)? And how many years would I even be looking at before I had any hope of not being on display?

Categories: Garden
By | 07/31/2006 5:11 PM | Comment

Handyman Recommendation


Hi — After many disappointing experiences — costly, shoddy work, unreliable people — we are happy to recommend Johnny Hash as a handyman. He came on short notice to our house, post-basement flood, and he and his brother scrubbed the floors and walls with mildew-cide and bleach. It was not a fun or easy job, but they were fast, professional, and thorough (making suggestions about efficiency and efficacy). He has also installed ACs for us, and he is really a pleasure to work with… Johnny Hash — 917.495.1920
If you call him, tell him Rachel and Andy recommended his work….

Categories: Handyman
By | 07/31/2006 4:14 PM | Comment

Need electronics person or AV guy/gal


I am having a hard time hooking my HDTV up to my home entertainment system. The wiring is already there, the speakers are in place, Im just not sure where all the connections go on the receiver, DVD/CD player and cable box. I guess whaam looking for someone who can help me do this preferably an AV person or electronics person.

Categories: Configuration
By | 07/31/2006 2:47 PM | Comment

Inexpensive Freestanding Bath Tub?


Does such a thing exist? Can one be had new for under $1000? I love the old clawfoot tubs, but a restored one I understand is expensive, and I’m wary of dropping $300-$500 on a salvage clawfoot that I would have to work on myself.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By | 07/31/2006 1:41 PM | Comment

‘South Clinton Hill’


Could anybody give advice about the area, the realtors and such are calling ‘South Clinton Hill’ , specifically Quincy, Lexington, Gates streets btw bedford and franklin. We are thinking of buying a home here.

Categories: Real Estate
By | 07/31/2006 1:07 PM | Comment

Premier Roofers?


Has anyone used Premier Roofers for a flat roof leak? Please post your experience or recommendations.
Thanks.

Categories: Roofers
By | 07/31/2006 10:58 AM | Comment

A/C drip


I rent a second-floor apartment in a recently renovated brownstone. A while ago, my landlady told me that I have to buy a pad of some sort to stop my window air-conditioner from dripping on the front of the building. She couldn’t tell me where to buy the pad or how to install it. When I went to the hardware store, I was told that the only way to stop dripping is to buy a hose and attach it to the hole in the bottom of the unit. This will be especially difficult because there is very little space between the bottom of the unit and our window ledge. Does anyone know of any other way to stop the A/C from dripping onto the front of the building, and whether or not the landlady should help us with the cost and/or installation of whatever solution we find?
Thanks,
Chloe

Categories: A/C
By | 07/31/2006 10:18 AM | Comment

damp interior brick


I have an unusual problem in my c. 1910 brick 3 story in PS and I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar situation and can offer advice. In 1998, I had to remove the original plaster and expose the brick in the small second floor room above the first floor entry vestibule. Mold and mildew had formed in one spot, about 6 feet from the front of the building and 6 – 8 feet from the floor. I inspected the 3rd floor tenant’s apt. above and their wall had no signs of water damage. The very small amount of moisture evaporates now that the brick is exposed (and the mold problem is gone), but it has caused some of the mortar to effluoresce and some of the bricks to crumble. Furthermore, I often smell a musty brick odor in the room. My immediate neighbor is slightly up hill from me, and I believe the problem may be inside his chimney, since the moisture is so far from the roof and his chimney runs very close to where the damaged brick is prevalent. Furthermore, I have had the roof repaired, the cornice molding repainted, and the pointing inspected to make sure that water was not getting in anywhere else. My neighbor also has a chimney rain cap. So where does the moisture come from? Could it be that there is a great deal of condensation in his chimney? If so, why? I am worried that he may have to replace his boiler and reline his chimney, which could be hard to get someone to do amenably. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Roger

Categories: Renovation
By | 07/31/2006 10:07 AM | Comment