Forum Archive: Research

Sterling Place house numbers start from Park Slope and go up as it runs through Crown Heights, except for 1 Sterling Place which is all the way by the Franklin Ave shuttle (between 594 and 600).

As far as I can tell, 1 Sterling is a residential lot that has never been built on.

Anyone know what circumstances might have led to such an odd address for this lot? Google seems to know where it is just fine.

We’re in the prelim stages of our first home/condo purchase and are looking for some advice. We started our search looking just at condos, as we do not have the funds for 20% so we would need an FHA loan. Now we’re also wondering if we should consider townhomes/brownstones. We’d be open to a two-family (or even three-family) place, if the rental income was decent and meant we could have a better space for ourselves.

A bit about our financials: we make about 100-125k/year, but both are in grad school with the potential for higher income in a few years. Little saved for a downpayment (again, we’re just starting this process, so just started that fund). But also little debt (outside of student loans, which will only be a few hundred bucks a month when we have to start paying in a few years). We’re newly weds and have been traveling quite a bit, so could easily siphon money from that “fund”.

Would we be totally out of our minds to consider a townhouse? Would you recommend single-family townhouse, or best to have a rental unit for that extra income–given our budget? We’re not opposed to renovations, especially if we qualified for a 203k. In fact, it’s probably much more appealing to make a place “our own” versus buying a condo that looks like everything else in the building. And the possibility of a yard? Love that. My husband is quite handy (and even framed houses for a while many years ago) so could handle some of the easy reno projects. And maybe i’m crazy, but I kind of like the idea of helping tile a bathroom or sand the floors.

Thoughts of how much we should have saved for emergencies if we do go the townhouse route? Obviously owning a home means handling maintenance yourself (vs. condo that has fees to cover emergencies and up-keep).

Don’t want to get totally in over our heads, but are willing to stretch for the right place. Ideally we’d like to be able to cover mortgage (+insurance +taxes, etc.) on one salary, if something were to happen.

Sorry for being long-winded. Excited about the home buying process, but still have a lot of questions.

I am looking for an image of the Launder Center on 7th Ave before it became boarded up and sold. My wife and I met there 15 years ago, doing laundry, and have been together since. Unfortunately, during multiple moves since, we lost many of our photos, including images of the Launder Center. If anyone happens to have any pictures of the facade, or knows where I can find some images, it would be so appreciated. Thank you!

Hi all,

We are looking at buying a two-bedroom ground floor apartment on St Johns Place (between Underhill and Washington) in Prospect Heights. The asking price is $599, and the maintenance is $717, which seems a bit high. Does anyone have any information about this block or this building? Anything we really should know?

We live in the ‘hood but are pretty new to the market and would really appreciate any advice!

Thanks SO much.

We are serioulsy thinking of buying a Brownstone or Townhouse, but are wondering what are we really getting ourselves into? We would have to buy one that isn’t in perfect condition, with a rental unit, but would that mean every waking hour working on it to fix it up? We currently live and own a 2 bedroom, but would eventually have to find something bigger once our 2 kids are a little older (boy/girl) and a house with a garden is very appealing. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi there!

I’m a new doctor, and I just matched to a hospital in Brooklyn for residency. And now, I have to figure out where to live!

I’m coming in from Indiana, though I’m reasonably familiar with city life.

My brother, his girlfriend and I are looking for a duplex-style arrangement that is accessible by the 2 line.

I’d prefer a neighborhood with a relatively safe walk to the metro stop, as I will probably be going to and from work at odd hours. It would be awesome if there were carry-out restaurants on my way home, since I’ll be way too tired to cook most of the time.

Also, I’m used to biking everywhere…is that plausible for a relatively small girl in Brooklyn?

Wondering if anyone has had any experience (good or bad) with either of these 2 companies we’re considering bids from for a new cooling tower install for a 45 unit co-op building?

Crystal Comfort Incorporated
28-31 Borden Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101

or

R&S Mechanical
153 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232

Thanks for any input.

Is there a program in NYC for any kind of rebate if you buy efficient appliances for yourself or for a rental unit?

Hi there. Just signed a lease for 277 Gold @ Tillary St and wanted to get a sense of how safe Gold Street is, especially around the Farrugut Houses. Is it safe to walk down the block at night, or should that be avoided? Thanks