Home Insurance Policy Recommendations


Hi everyone,

We just got a townhouse in Brooklyn and need to find a good home insurance company (we are planning on renting out the ground floor, if that makes any difference.) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Categories: Insurance
By brownieinhk | 05/09/2011 9:13 AM | Comment

Confusion over different scopes of renovation


Hi everyone, I know this may sound like an obvious question for all of you who are renovation veterans, but this is all new to me. In looking for a house, I’ve seen ones that are in pretty bad shape (rotting beams, extensive internal damage) and need gut renovations. However, I’ve also seen houses that are in better shape but still need some serious work (new electric and plumbing, new heating, etc…) So, what is the difference between the two types of projects, a gut vs a major overhaul? If the electric, plumbing, etc. need to be updated, isn’t that going to entail major destruction anyway? Thanks for any comments – I appreciate your insight!

Categories: Renovation
By brownieinhk | 04/03/2011 8:42 PM | Comment

What to Do With an Illegal COMMUNAL Structure


I’ve seen a house that has an additional (pretty substantial) structure attached to the back. It’s been in the same family for A LONG time, so I don’t know when it was built, but there aren’t any violations on record at the DOB. The real problem is that this structure spans across the neighbor’s house as well (evidently, they were related and used it communally). The house in question needs a lot of work, so permits will need to be filed, inspections will take place, etc. Am I correct in assuming that the structure will have go? If so, how would one deal with this situation? Could half of it be destroyed while leaving the other half to the neighbors? What would be the legal implications of this? Yikes…

Categories: Legal
By brownieinhk | 03/29/2011 9:50 AM | Comment

Air quality – difference between Carroll Gardens and Park Slope


We have 3 very young children and are deciding between moving to Park Slope or Carroll Gardens. I am wondering if there is a big difference in air quality between the 2 neighborhoods (in CG, we’re avoiding places located within a few blocks of the BQE though.) I am concerned as our son has asthma. Thanks for your help.

Categories: Environmental
By brownieinhk | 01/27/2011 8:28 PM | Comment

Converting a 1-family to a 2-family


I am interested in a house that is categorized as a 1-family house. What would it take to convert the ground floor into a legal rental unit? Also, how much does the paperwork usually cost, and how long does it take? Thanks!

Categories: Zoning
By brownieinhk | 01/26/2011 8:26 PM | Comment