“Regular” Tv Channels


I’m trying to figure out how to help my tenant have tv in her room. In her room, there is a cable line. She doesn’t want cable, but wants just regular tv (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS etc) so she plugged her tv into that cable and nothing happened. She is telling me (and i have some friends who have done this) that you should be able to use that cable line to get those channels, but its not working.

My question is, is that true? Is that how people get those channels? I was under the impression that people who did that were lucky that it worked, but it wasn’t a guaranteed way to get television.

If this is how its supposed to work, then I guess I need to find someone to figure out what the problem is with that cable wire, right?

If this is not the standard way to get these channels, what is? How can she get these channels?

Categories: Television
By ProspectWitch | 05/22/2011 3:47 PM | Comment

Waterproofing Basement


I know this seems to be a regular topic but I read all the posts and still don’t know who to call.

We have water coming in from heavy rains in the back of our basement. We have a “sump pit,” if that’s what you call a triangle pit in the corner that is filled with dirt. The rest of the floor is cement. I can actually see water flowing (dripping when its just a mild rain) into this pit from the foundation. With all these heavy rains, it over flowed last night. Even when my husband shopvac’d the water out, it filled back up right away.

I’d especially like to hear from people with similar problems who have already had this fixed. Recommendations for specialists would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Categories: Waterproofing
By ProspectWitch | 05/20/2011 9:45 AM | Comment

Interior Designer for Small Projects


Looking for an interior designer (decorator?) to help me pull my parlor room together. I have a few pieces already but need help with the rest. Has anyone worked with a professional who didn’t scoff at the idea of incorporating a few existing pieces? Seems once I say I have a couch and rug, no one returns my calls.

I’d even be happy to work with someone who could help me plan (what colors, what pieces, placement etc) and then send me on my way to execute.

Categories: Decorative
By ProspectWitch | 05/11/2011 1:56 PM | Comment

What’s Fair?


Trying to figure out what’s fair before I respond to my tenant (garden level of our brownstone)

- We moved into this house in December and the front door and tenant door both have Multi-Locks (the kind of key that you need a code in order to make a copy).
- The previous owners did not have the code, so we do not have the code and therefore cannot makes spares
- My tenant lost her key last night and wants a new one
- I can give her a key, but there will be no more spares

If any keys are lost in the future, this will mean we’ll have to get two doors rekeyed because no more can be made.

My question is:

Is it fair to give her the key and have her sign an agreement (addendum to the lease) that if this key is lost, she needs to pay for the locks to be rekeyed? Is there another fee that’s fair? Or can someone tell me how to get copies without the code?!?

(No we don’t have anything in the lease right now that discusses lost keys.)

Categories: Landlord
By ProspectWitch | 04/22/2011 2:43 PM | Comment

Friedrich Kuhl


Anyone have/know about these units?
Seems pretty sweet.

http://www.friedrich.com/products/residential/window/kuhl

We’re new to the window a/c population and research options for our first brownstoning summer.

Categories: A/C
By ProspectWitch | 04/18/2011 6:23 PM | Comment