Appraisal Question


I’m refinancing my coop in Cobble Hill, and just got my appraisal. Although it is high enough to allow refinancing, I was still shocked at how low the evaluation and wonder if I should bother protesting. I have a floor of a brownstone, 875 sq ft, 2 bdrms, 1 bath, lots of original detail, working fireplace, renovated kitchen and bath includng granite counters, excellent condition, and the appraisal was for $485,000. Even in this market, a 2 bedrooms in Cobble Hilll are being advertised at $600,000 and up. The evaluation is still much higher than I paid 10 years ago, but I worry that if I suddenly needed to sell this appraisal could affect price. Is it worth the effort to complain, or should I take the refi (at excellent rate) and run?

Categories: Appraisals
By westernnygirl | 08/03/2009 9:52 AM | Comment

new kitchen cabinet doors


I need new white doors for my base kitchen cabinets, as the one under the sink warped after a leak. Thought I’d replace all the ones on the bottom so they match, but leave the uppers alone. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced carpenter or cabinetmaker who would do this smallish job?

Categories: Carpentry
By westernnygirl | 05/04/2009 5:23 PM | Comment

radiator stripping


Can anyone recommend someone/place that strips or sandblasts radiators. Not sure if they are the same procedure or not, if not, which is better? And is it worth the cost, or would I be better off scraping and painting a radiator with several layers of flaking paint on it? shtha

Categories: Radiators
By westernnygirl | 11/06/2008 9:26 AM | Comment

Aura paint


Has anyone used Aura paint from Benjamin Moore? Is it worth the extra money? And is it true you don’t need a primer (in one room I’d be going to a lighter color)? Also, if you have it mixed in a regular BM color, and not one of the Affinity choices, do you lose the full spectrum color advantages. I’m not even sure I’d appreciate full spectrum, but I’m falling for the sales pitch.

Categories: Painting
By westernnygirl | 10/29/2008 9:15 AM | Comment

Cost of painting bedrooms?


Can anyone suggest what a reasonable quote would be for painting the two bedrooms in my brownstone co-op? One is 12X12 with two windows, the other 8×12 with one window, both have crown molding and sheetrock walls, in good shape. I spent $3500 doing the rest of the apt last year, that painter quoted me another $2000 for the bedrooms and would like to spend a lot less. Is that possible?

Categories: Painting
By westernnygirl | 09/06/2008 12:25 PM | Comment