Do Concrete Floors Crack in Bathroom?


We are renovating our bathroom and want to install radiant heating under a poured concrete floor. I am getting mixed advice about how concrete floors hold up, specifically cracking. Our contractor says if done right there should be no cracking. Anyone have advice with concrete floors/radiant heat in bathroom?

Categories: Floors
By ran | 04/28/2011 12:49 PM | Comment

Creating Habitable Cellar?


I have an accepted offer on a loft space, ground floor in a 15 unit renovated building. There is a cellar beneath the unit. The ceiling heights on the first floor are 12 ft. and around 6 ft. in the cellar. I am wondering (prematurely, I am sure a contractor during inspection can tell me) if I can raise the floor/cellar ceiling and use the cellar as habitable space. Not to rent out, just to have 2nd bedroom, bathroom and office. I was also thinking of knocking out part of the floor altogether to bring light down there from above. Anyway my question is will this be counted as sellable square footage if I ever resell? (ceiling will be around 8+feet in cellar, but no direct window light or exit).

Categories: Renovation
By ran | 07/27/2009 3:12 PM | Comment

another first time buyer


I went to an open house yesterday at 284 Clermont Ave in Ft. Greene. The sign outside said Prudential, and the shady guy inside claimed he was a Prudential broker “who just dressed casually”. He also seemed unfamiliar with sign-in sheets, and kept trying to tell us he could be our contractor if we ever needed one. Anyway I had another broker look into it and it seems the property isn’t in the listings, so probably FSBO. I called and left a message with Prudential to look into it. I want to put in an offer but seems suspect, has anyone run into anything like this before? To be avoided I assume?

Categories: Brokers
By ran | 06/14/2009 10:49 AM | Comment

do i need an agent?


i inquired to an agent about apartments that may come up for sale in a building i like. She regularly is the selling agent for this building. She says there might be one coming up and is approaching the potential seller. My question is at what point do i need my own agent? Now or after I’ve looked and want to move forward? Was it foolish to tell this agent my budget?

Categories: Brokers
By ran | 02/24/2009 4:37 PM | Comment