Opening the rear wall for a deck


We are planning to buy our first house (3-story, 16.6ft wide brick) and – as part of the renovations – install a rear deck.

Our idea is to open up the rear wall of the parlor floor to bring light in and give the kitchen an airy feel. The opening would be at least as large as required to fully include both windows, about 11×8 ft (see red lines in the picture). Ideally, all the way up to the ceiling. We would then put in some industrial style (metal+glass) folding doors that we saw at a cocktail bar in red hook and fell in love with. Then install a 16x7ft deck (iron frame, non-combustible wood paneling).

Now my question: If you have done similar before (opening up a wall and install a deck), how much did it cost you to do all the work (take out the wall, install the beam, clean up the masonry, install the doors, etc)? Any complications or issues, words of advice?
As you can see, the heating pipes and radiator are in the way as well and would have to be moved into the corner (we are re-doing the floors in this and the upper floor anyway).

We are on a tight budget and – since we have never owned a house before – need a bit of a reality shock in terms of prices and complications. To better understand what we get ourselves into when buying this house.

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice!

Categories: Renovation
By tobikun | 05/01/2009 10:31 AM | Comment

Buying house w/ low-rent tenan


I’m considering the purchase of a 4-family house in Brooklyn that comes with 3 existing tenants. 2 are market rents, 1 is an elderly tenant with an interesting contract made at the time the house was sold 2 years ago (all info based on seller): The right to rent her apartment for $750/month (market is ~$2500) until 4/2010. Supposedly she is the mother of the former owner, has been living in the house before, but is not rent-regulated.
I’m considering to buy the house and use the owner’s apartment until 4/2010, then take over and renovate her space + combine it and the next floor into a duplex.

My question is: Is there a way to find out for sure whether she is rent-regulated or not, and – if she isn’t – to make it legally binding for her to move out next year as promised or take one of the other apartments in the house at market rent. I wouldn’t want to buy the house if there is a risk that she finds a legal basis to remain.

Categories: Legal
By tobikun | 04/22/2009 2:01 PM | Comment