Vacuum for Woodwork


Hello fellow Brownstoners! My new housekeeper told me I should get a vacuum cleaner which can be used to not only clean my hardwood floors but also to clean the woodwork in my hard (i.e. wainscotting, moldings, fretwork) that collects dusts like nobody’s business. Any suggestions for a good vacumm cleaner to purchase for this purpose, or additional wood cleaning, dusting tips??? Thanks!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Lease Extension


Hi–I offered my tenant a one-year lease extension at the same rent they paid last year, and they stated that they were under the impression that the tenancy would automatically become a month-to-month since that is what they have done in the past (i.e. under the previous owner). I am not very comfortable with the idea of a month-to-month tenancy. Any advice on how to handle the situation?

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Could low recorded sale prices be refinancing?


Hi–As some of you may know I bought a house last summer that I absolutely adore after a year and half of searching. I still have the real estate bug and often look at houses for sale and houses that have recently sold to see how the numbers match up to what I paid for my house (just curious). Zillow is reporting a lot of homes as selling for about a 3rd or even a quarter of its “zestimate” (i.e. an $800,000 brownstoner going for $250K). There were so many that I started to wonder if I missed out on some brownstone fire sale. Then I thought maybe alot of people are refinancing these days b/c of the good rates and that b/c refinancings are publicly recorded, Zillow and similar websites may be interpreting that information as a “recent sell”. Is that a reasonable presumption?

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Good Fabric Stores


Hello Brooklynites–Any suggestions for good fabric places either in BK or in the fashion district? I need to pick out fabric for some custom furniture pieces. Thanks!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Suing my contractor


Hello–I plan to file a small claims suit against my contractor with whom I cancelled our contract after he forged a check that I gave him by increasing the dollar amount placed on the check. Anybody have any experience suing their contractor? I want to recoup any costs of finishing the work above the contract price. Is that the appropriate remedy to seek? Thanks!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Pipes making noise


Hello–I have a gas boiler with steam heat and the pipes make an annoying tapping sound when the heat is on. I think the pipes need to to be “bled”. Boiler is not that old…about 7 years. How much money should it run me to address this issue? Thanks!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Great Budget Template or Program


Hello, Fellow Brownstoners! I am a first-time, single, 20-something homeowner. In effort to keep my finances in check, I would like to create a budget to keep track of expenses, i.e. home, personal, etc. Ideally, I would like to be able to track what I budget against what I actually spend for each line item on a monthly basis. Would anyone mind forwarding a great template or perhaps budgetting program suggestion. I thought about using Mint.com, but the thought of having all my financial info in one place freaks me out. TIA (thanks in advance)!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Bathroom Reno Ideas


Hello–I am trying to design my new bathroom on my own. The space is relatively small (7×5) with no window. Any suggestions for color schemes, tile choices, etc. to create a luxurious, feminine, petite spa quality bath? I was thinking Tiffany Blue, but I am worried if may look to blah without any natural light coming in. All suggestions, pictures, resources, are much appreciated. Thanks!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

Help with Paint Color to Match Wood Trim


Hello, fellow brownstoners! Just bought a beautiful home with many original details (wood moldings, pocket doors, pier mirror). The wood trim is a medium oak color (NOT painted…YAY!) I am in desperate need of paint suggestions for my parlor floor that will bring out the wood and not be too dark or weigh the room down. Please help! Pictures much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment

National Grid “Balanced” Billing


I just bought a home and enrolled in National Grid’s “balanced” billing, whereby I am currently paying $200 for gas and in 4 months, my actual usage will be used to determine what I will pay for the next four months (once winter hits). Anybody have any insight/experience with the “balanced” billing. I feel like National Grid is getting over b/c I am using nowhere near $200 in gas right now, and once the winter hits, they will be unwilling to lower my rate b/c…well…it will be winter. Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks!

By sobrooklyn | | Comment