place to buy area rugs?


I need to buy some area rugs (5′ x 8′, 10′ x 14′, a 2.5′ wide runner, etc.).

I’m looking for some place that delivers and is not massively expensive (i.e., no $1500 persian rugs)

A few years ago I bought some from Better Carpet Warehouse on Atlantic near Nevins. Not the prettiest showroom in the world, but the price for in stock rugs was good and they delivered on time.

I may go back there, but was wondering if anyone had other suggestions.

I saw Lowes had a selection of rugs. Anyone know if they will deliver?

Categories: Furniture
By northsloperenter | 01/13/2010 11:02 AM | Comment

used car dealers


Can anyone recommend a used car dealer in Brooklyn (or Manhattan) reasonably accessible via subway/bus?

I’ll most likely buy a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla but might consider other reliable small cars.

Bay Ridge seems to have a fairly large concentration of dealerships. Anyone have any good experiences there?

I realize used car dealers (like rental brokers) have earned themselves a pretty awful reputation, so I’m not expecting much.

I’ve done the usual online searches, and either every car dealer in Brooklyn is the worst one on the planet, or only people who have bad experiences write online reviews of car dealers.

And after careful consideration of the forum categories, I’ve decided finding a minimally slimy used car dealer is a Quality of Life issue.

Thanks,
nsr

Categories: Quality of Life
By northsloperenter | 11/10/2009 11:31 AM | Comment

Movers and Short-Term Storage


I’m moving at the end of the month and may end up homeless for a couple of days (i.e., move out Sept. 30th, don’t move in to new place til Oct. 2nd).

If I can avoid this nuisance I will, but if I can’t, I was planning to get a mover who could pick up my stuff on the 29th or 30th, store it for a few days, then show up on the 3rd to deliver it.

I’ll box 80-90% of the stuff myself and would like them to sort out the furniture and anything I didn’t get boxed up in time.

I’ve done an overnight storage before with Oz, so I’m planning to give them a call.

Does anyone who has done this in the past have advice?

I’m more interested in having everything go smoothly than in getting the cheapest price.

Oh, and any hotel suggestions for a 2-3 night stay with a small kid in park slope or downtown brooklyn?

By northsloperenter | 09/09/2009 12:02 PM | Comment

What is Chittering Out Back?


So, does anyone know what critter is chittering out in the backyard every night the last week or so?

It’s not quite as loud as a cicada and has a different sound. It kinda sounds like a cheap toy machine gun firing 2-3 second bursts.

ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch
ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch

I’m assuming it is an insect of some kind as a disease squirrel would have died by now.

It sounds like it is up in a tree.

Categories: Garden
By northsloperenter | 09/04/2009 9:10 PM | Comment

Heat/HW Costs in a Rental?


So, I’m looking for a big 2 or small 3 bedroom rental, and lately I’ve seen a few where tenant pays heat/hot water.

I’ve never paid heat/hot water in my life, and I really have no idea what these expenses can run.

Obviously there are a ton of variables depending on building, space, type of heat, usage, etc.

But can someone give me a ballpark figure for an ~1000 sq. ft. space.

$1200 per year?
$2400 per year?
$3600 per year?
$4800 per year?

Just trying to figure out if Apartment A includes heat and hot water and Apartment B does not include heat and hot water, how much more should I be willing to pay in rent for Apartment A if all other things are equal.

Thanks.

Categories: Utilities
By northsloperenter | 08/21/2009 11:45 AM | Comment

vacancies on president btwn 4/5


There seem to be a lot of rental vacancies on President btwn 4th and 5th.

At first I thought it was just 1 broker spamming craigslist for the same few apartments, but I’ve definitely seen listings for several different buildings.

Is something non-obvious going on there?

Walked by recently and it seemed pretty normal.

There are a couple larger buildings and some construction, a bar that looks like it should be in seaside heights, and I saw a decent sized rat running around, but nothing to drive away Brooklynites.

Categories: Real Estate
By northsloperenter | 07/31/2009 2:50 PM | Comment

Cash Only for Sec Deposit?


So, I was reading an ad for an apt. for rent in the center of park slope. Seemed like something I might be interested in, and there is an upcoming open house.

Then I read this:

“If you’re looking seriously and ready to commit, come equipped with proof of salary and employment, a copy of our credit check, and either enough cash or the ability to quickly get enough cash for a binder To rent you will need one month’s rent and one month’s security in cash.”

Now, the first part of that is rather pushy, especially in this market, but it’s tolerable.

But asking for 1 month rent and security deposit in cash seems loony to me.

What is the point of this?

What kind of legitimate landlord can’t wait 3 business days for a check to clear?

And who, in this day and age, would rather do business with thousands of dollars in cash changing hands.

Oh, and it is at an advertised open house. Kinda like saying “OK, so, there are going to be a bunch of people walking around with thousands of dollars in their pocket at this time at this place. Muggers welcome.”

Bizarre. I don’t think I’ll be going to the open house…

Categories: Real Estate
By northsloperenter | 07/27/2009 3:06 PM | Comment