what about the rest of stuy heights


i own a brownstone in stuyvesant heights it’s CALENDARED to be landmarked .. how long does this process take ?

By | 01/31/2007 9:46 PM | Comment

Best Ice/Snow Melt – Pet-Safe?


Now that I’m a homeowner – I have gone to Home Depot and gotten a snow shovel.
But I need to get some ice melting crystals. Lowe’s and Home Depot were out of everything but rock salt – which is painful for my doggie’s paws. I think calccium chloride is okay – or maybe something else? I want to get it in quantity – any suggestions as to what and where? Thanks!

Categories: Quality of Life
By | 01/31/2007 9:08 PM | Comment

To Inspect or Not to Inspect?



Hi there,
We’re first time co-op buyers and wondering whether it’s worth spending the money to inspect the apartment we hope to buy at 111 Hicks. We’ve been warned that the inspector won’t be able to get to every bit of the building and since we’ll technically just own shares, not the apartment, why bother? Please advise…saving every $ at this point helps!

Categories: Real Estate
By | 01/31/2007 4:22 PM | Comment

Missing Peephole


I’m looking for a peephole surround (or ornament, as they’re sometimes called) for my front door. The glass and metal peephole tube are there, but some nogoodnik removed the exteriod decorative surround from the peephole.
These are fine, but not particularly “period” looking:

http://www.signaturehardware.com/class867

I checked on Ebay and came up with nothing. Any ideas of where to find them? Or maybe salvage yards that have very small pieces like this available? Maybe I’m being too finicky… Thanks in advance.

By | 01/31/2007 3:56 PM | Comment

100yo lead “stained” glass repair


At final walk through on house we are buying we realized that some built-in’s with clear glass ‘stained glass’ … it’s all clear glass in different shapes fit together with lead like a stained glass window would be. ANYWAY I need to find someone who can take it apart & replace a few of the broken glass pieces. Anyone know who I could call to do this? Names & phone #’s? My 2 year old will most certainly get his hands cut apart so this has been moved to the “what to do before we move in” list. Thank you.

Categories: Glass
By | 01/31/2007 2:51 PM | Comment

Market Oil Rate


All of the heating posts have me wondering — what is everyone paying per gallon for oil. We’re paying $2.32 per gallon through NYPIRG this year, versus $1.99 last year. But I think they lock the rate over the summer, and I saw someone else mention that they were paying less this year than last year. Did we get screwed this year?

Categories: Heating
By | 01/31/2007 2:45 PM | Comment

1620 Ditmas Ave


Can anyone give any information on what is going on with the house at 1620 Ditmas Avenue? It is the English Tudor at the lovely corner of E. 17 and Ditmas Ave. I would love to make an offer for the house. It appears to be an apt bldg.

By | 01/31/2007 2:10 PM | Comment

Heating Poll Follow-up


Thanks for responding to the unscientific poll. Here’s a summary of 6 respondents.

Expense Sq Ft $/Sqft Type Temp
$4600 5000 0.92 oil 70-73
$3080 4700 0.66 gas 68-73
$1507 2700 0.56 gas 55-65
$2800 3500 0.80 gas 62-69
$3200 3600 0.89 gas 65-69
$3000 2000 1.50 oil 73-73

The only conclusive evidence seems to be that those who turn their thermostat lower, use less fuel. Thats common sense. However, i’m not sure if there is enough evidence to say that gas is cheaper than oil. The 2 oil users appear to have the highest $/sq ft, but they also maintain the highest average temps.

Anyone else have $$s to add

By | 01/31/2007 1:54 PM | Comment

New Construction Encroaching on our Backyard


The property directly behind mine has been dug out in preparation for new construction. My question regards how far back from the street they can go. The hole now extends about 12′ past the rear line of all the neighboring homes. Is this common in construction? Is the builder illegally adding extra sq. footage? Could it possibly be only basement space with the rear of the bldg remaining in line with the others? I haven’t gotten help from the bldg dept or landmarks, so I thought maybe forum contributors had the right info. This street consists of 4 story brownstones. Thanks for your help, JC.

By | 01/31/2007 1:06 PM | Comment

Damp vs. wet outdoor fixture for entryway


I’m having a hard time finding an outdoor fixture for our parlor floor that will fit overhead on the “ceiling” edge between our iron gate and entry doors and is also wet rated. The space is covered by an overhang, but barely. Maybe 1-2 feet.

It’d be a lot easier if I could get one damp rated – anyone know if this would work? What have other people done?

Categories: Lighting
By | 01/31/2007 11:51 AM | Comment