you have to keep up on the leg work. check broker websites, NYT, and make frequent calls. no broker really specializes in fixer-uppers. and in NY, especially prime areas, there are hundreds of other people looking to do the same thing: buy low, renovate, sell high. that's why you'll rarely see a place that's actually cheap. and why so many places with charm/period details are snapped up and stripped and remodeled with the home depot treatment.

good luck.

Posted by: 7foundry at August 4, 2009 10:19 AM in response to Good RE Firm for Fixer-Uppers?

just get a general guide at a bookstore.. an encyclopedia of home repairs. it's the best all around starting point for someone with little experience.

Posted by: 7foundry at July 13, 2009 12:00 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

Yes, I would love to see their discussion on pricing. It doesn't matter how nice or well laid out anything is if the $ is too high. Especially compared to neighborhood comps.

Posted by: 7foundry at May 14, 2009 12:26 PM in response to Inside Third & Bond: Week 84

oops. i was saying i love this newer topic. i am bottom of the market guy and it's nice to see what thrift can get.

Posted by: 7foundry at April 30, 2009 11:10 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million

The pragmatic, "it's there now, how could it be made better" is great approach/way to think about things at this stage in the game for a given property.

As an individual buyer for one of the units, it'd be hard to do anything. One nice door and better handrails would be good if you could avoid seeing the bigger picture. You'd have to convince the other 2 new owners to replace their doors and had rails too. Covering the meters could be cheap enough to do by yourself, and add a great deal of visual value (ironically by subtracting an eyesore).

hmmm

Posted by: 7foundry at January 9, 2009 11:36 AM in response to Horror Show Friday

The bathroom is 12x7: Not much smaller than the second bedroom!

Oh, the tax man commeth:
*Real Estate Tax Abatement:
- 100% Tax Abatement through 2009
- 20% annual increase up to current appraised tax in 2013 of $1,043/year

Posted by: 7foundry at November 24, 2008 1:23 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 56 Bergen Street FSBO

Occurs with curbed as well. Some google ad syndicate message. Advertizing problems?

Posted by: 7foundry at October 29, 2008 1:05 PM in response to Adobe Flash Popup

The maintenance is double what I'd expect (or ever want to) pay for the size of the apartment. I do have a friend who bought in this building. It is very beautiful, just no good on the common charges.

Posted by: 7foundry at October 29, 2008 1:02 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 70 Remsen Street

http://www.nhsnyc.org/content/otherprog/home_maintenance.html
Also, see recent Forum thread on NHS classes: http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/07/nhs_home_improv.php

Posted by: vinca at July 13, 2009 1:26 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

FYI: I RSVP'd for the NHS classes for the home buyers seminar, and no one has gotten back to me or returned calls. Not sure what's up with that.

Posted by: bklyn11238 at July 13, 2009 1:50 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

Homebuying Seminar:

Greetings Brookly11238,

I apologize if someone didn't return your call. Here's the date for our next seminar:

Thursday July 23rd, 6pm.
M&T Bank
2644 Atlantic Ave. (bet. Pennsylvania & New Jersey Aves.)
Brooklyn, NY 11207.

Call me at 718-469-4679 to RSVP. Sorry again for the mishap.

Posted by: tyronem at July 13, 2009 3:14 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

if you are a female, you can take free classes at NEW, Non Traditional Employment for Women. If you're a guy, sorry ;)

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 13, 2009 9:19 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

Yikes, I do not recommend doing any plumbing or electrical. I haven't needed a plumber but I needed an electrician and I used Christopher John Electrical. They were very pleasant and when they came out they did an inspection of my home so that I knew what needed done or updated. They were not pushy at all, cleaned up well after themselves and were on time. It was an overall pleasant experience and the work that I need done I am doing in phases. Enjoy your new home!!!

Posted by: NurseBrenda at July 14, 2009 9:40 AM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

Contact Erick The Skilled Electrician Reliable & Trustworthy @ (347) - 512-4869
References Available Upon Request
Thank You & God Bless

Posted by: RickInstallation at July 21, 2009 10:47 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes