BKRed's Profile
- Noreen O'Donnell
- 1967
- 2002
- Brooklyn
- Boerum Hill
- House
- Creative Director
- Female
- 40
Author's Posts
May 11, 2008
TV Repair
I have a 36" Sony Wega TV and the electric cord has been damaged in a few areas, with the copper exposed.Unfortunately, Sony has discontinued the cord as a replacement part and I can't locate a generic one online.
Can anyone recommend a reliable, trustworthy repair service who might be able to repair the cord so an otherwise perfectly good TV doesn't become a fire hazard?!
March 1, 2008
Property Taxes
In the latest statements the city sent out, the house I've just finished renovating is listed as a 4 family, however, it was and is a 3 family.
When I purchased the house, I saw that DOF had it listed as 4 family while HPD has it listed as 3 family. The house did not have a C of O. (The house was purchased As Is from the city, so there were no negotiations possible.)
Also, we did a complete gut reno, and are currently working on getting a 3 family C of O.
I once spoke to an attorney about property taxes (for another house) and he said that based on all the market value increases, it was best not to stir the pot; the result could be an even-higher increase.
Would that advice apply now, or should I question the current assessment?
October 28, 2007
Fire
My new place has a fireplace; it was just installed as part of the reno. Now that I'm a fireplace owner, I need to know what accessories I need...andirons, tools, what type of screen... also, my contractor says I don't need a chimney cap, but that doesn't sound right to me. Any info is much appreciated! And, if anyone knows a great wood delivery service, that would be great too.
October 13, 2007
Concrete Counters & Sinks
I'm having a concrete counter installed in my kitchen and the sink I've purchased won't work, according to my contractor. The (undermount) sink has two different sized bowls and is causing too many curves to get right. Just wanted to know if anyone has any experience with this and what type of sink is best. For full disclosure, I am using my GC and not a concrete counter specialist. Thanks!
Author's Comments
What about acoustical foam? That would probably do the trick and is designed to be exposed, vs. the Tyvek and mattress foam; I'd worry about filaments from those choices. And, across the board, just be cautious regarding flammability as well as blocking a mode of egress (fire codes).
Posted by: BKRed at October 29, 2007 6:45 PM in response to noise insulation
Thanks all...
I was doing some research and does anyone know how/why to choose between andirons and a grate for the logs?
Posted by: BKRed at October 29, 2007 6:53 PM in response to Fire
Your plan for showing sounds good; I think the trickier thing in a FSBO is the negotiation of the sales price and ferrying the deal to closing. There are many steps that can become pitfalls. The most important one, especially today, is verifying that a buyer is qualifed; are they pre-approved (vs. pre-qualified). Then there's their inspection and whatever other stages of negotiation that may occur. I'd recommend speaking to your real estate attorney to get a little guidance, because good, experienced brokers actually do prove their worth during those stages, and no, I'm not a broker, but I have witnessed the difference between good ones and ones that are little more than a heartbeat! Best of luck!
Posted by: BKRed at October 30, 2007 10:06 AM in response to ISO Advice from people who chose to go FSBO route
I think you need permission for weekend work, but that might be based on the noise made. You can call 311 and ask.
Posted by: BKRed at March 1, 2008 10:40 PM in response to is it legal to paint outside on sunday?
I think if you're planning on integrated bowls, you're probably considering solid-surface materials (Corian/Silestone etc.), which is made to whatever size you need.
Posted by: BKRed at March 2, 2008 11:46 AM in response to Minimum size for double sink vanity
I always recommend Bay Ridge Windows. Eileen there helped me and they had the best prices on both Marvin and Crystal aluminum windows.
Also, a tip: I recently went through a gut reno and the contractor used his own contact (dyke's) and went with Lincoln windows and I truly don't like them. The corners cut to be more affordable are very noticeable in everyday usage.
Posted by: BKRed at March 22, 2008 3:43 PM in response to New Window Suppliers
2:42pm, in my experience, your information is incorrect, or at least incomplete. I've been dealing with banks & mortgage brokers and although my FICO score is in the top quintile I am getting 7%+ and am being consistently told that the Jumbo rates are sky-high. (This is for a 30 yr fixed...perhaps you're looking at something else.) I think my issue is that I'm self-employed, so perhaps you have a solid W2 and that's making the difference, but these are people I sincerely trust and have done business with for years and they are telling me the Jumbo market is insane and second mortgages are even more difficult to obtain.
Posted by: BKRed at May 8, 2008 3:52 PM in response to House of the Day: 162 Bergen Street
OP here...it wasn't a joke post! Remember, the only stupid questions are the unasked! ;-)
Maybe I'm too wrapped up in our 21st century world or the firefighters in our family get me overly paranoid, but I hadn't even thought about electrical tape. Both cmu and Bob's suggestions are really helpful. (I'd tried ebay...)
Thanks all!
Posted by: BKRed at May 12, 2008 12:39 PM in response to TV Repair
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
I just did this on my brownstone reno, with 2 sets of double doors. You'll need to open up the walls, probably quite a bit; you've got to figure that wiring to initiate the buzzer has to run from the doorbells, to the apartment intercoms and to the doors. And you will need to modify the doors a bit, as the wiring needs to run down the doors to the lock mechanisms...basically you create a channel for that behind the astricle on each pair of doors. Plus you need to drill a small circle through the door closest to the wall, where the wiring will run from the intercom box. My electrican and GC handled the installation. Good luck!
Posted by: BKRed at October 29, 2007 6:42 PM in response to Electric Door Strike