Broker Recommendations


Just wanted to mention two people I recently worked with who were incredibly helpful. ADAM DAHILL, MORTGAGE BROKER: extremely knowledgable and takes the time to explain all the ins and outs of the process. Got my loan through fast, despite a tricky situation which arose, and was always available to talk about and help with every little detail. ANGELA FERRANTE, REAL ESTATE BROKER: incredibly hard working and detail oriented, she got us a buyer after three open houses and really worked tirelessly to get through all the co-op hassle and get the buyer to actually sign the contract. She is also just such a genuinely nice and ethical person, my sense is that buyers like and trust her. Hope these are helpful to people who are looking for someone!

By Leela | 01/18/2010 8:44 AM | Comment

Ripping Out Cheap Floors?


We saw a brick house today that we liked very much except for the cheap wooden floors. They look like they have been installed right over the original floors. How massive a job is it to have them ripped out and is there any chance the original floors will survive that? If they don’t, has anyone been able to install new floors that look like original floors?

Categories: Floors
By Leela | 11/09/2009 11:18 AM | Comment

Cost of a live in nanny?


Does anyone know a typical weekly salary for a live in nanny in Brooklyn? Do they cost more than live out or less because room and board are provided?

By Leela | 09/19/2009 12:02 AM | Comment

Renting the Basement?


We are considering looking at properties in Ditmas Park. However, the homes tend to be one families costing about a million dolars. Is it feasible to rent the basement for some extra money to contribute to the mortgage or is that hugely illegal? Are there any legal two families in that neighborhood?

Categories: Renters
By Leela | 08/17/2009 2:49 PM | Comment

Renovating in the Griffin?


I live in a one bedroom apartment in the Griffin in Fort Greene (101 Lafayette). I’m interested in renovating and I’d like to speak to someone who has renovated in that building before. I just don’t have a clue where to begin or how much it will cost. Anyone from the Griffin on here?

By Leela | 05/18/2009 12:36 PM | Comment

Making an Offer?


We’ve seen something we like very much but cannot afford the asking price. How much lower than asking can one offer? Specifically, could someone offer $1 -1.1 million on something that is asking $1.295 million or will the owners just get upset and offended?

By Leela | 03/09/2009 11:26 AM | Comment

jumbo loans


Does anyone know what the cut off for a regular mortgage is and when you hit the range of jumbo in NYC? also does anyone have information on conforming jumbos?

By Leela | 03/02/2009 11:57 AM | Comment

good elementary schools?


We are trying to sell our place and move. We would ideally like to go somewhere where there are relatively good public schools. Do people have any recommendations of schools they are happy with? We are in Fort Greene now. We would like to live in Clinton Hill but I have heard that the schools there aren’t the best – is that true?

By Leela | 02/14/2009 1:01 PM | Comment

where to get the best mortgage rate?


Does anyone have any suggestions for a mortgage of $700k on a 2 family for $1.1 million? Does this have to be a jumbo mortgage with a higher rate? I saw on bankrate that garden city mortgage has the lowest rates, has anyone ever worked with them? I got a breakdown from victor angel at manhattan mortgage sometime ago and the rate was 6.75 and closing costs 29K. Finally, does anyone have experience with trachtman and bach or commerce bank?

Categories: Mortgage
By Leela | 11/25/2008 7:08 PM | Comment

Affordable daycare?


Does anyone know of a reasonably priced daycare in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill or nearby areas? By reasonably priced I mean $1000 a month as opposed to $1600 a month. I am open to “home” daycare.

By Leela | 08/07/2008 10:25 PM | Comment