"People like you are going to end up in a shantytown sooner than you think."

What kind of nonsensical threat is that? Talk about nutjobs. And since Brooklynista is a "long term homeowner" on this strip I somehow doubt there's a shantytown in her future!

Posted by: babs at November 20, 2008 5:21 PM in response to Karma Is a Bitch: 185 Ocean Developer Sucking Wind

Architerrorist, I don't recall Dan being a booster of gentrification, but rather someone who celebrated the neighborhood as it is, writing about local businesses and restaurants on his blog, Planet PLG (http://www.planetplg.com/). His reasons for selling to this developer are entirely personal.

Posted by: babs at November 20, 2008 2:32 PM in response to Karma Is a Bitch: 185 Ocean Developer Sucking Wind

"I suggest you be happy with you have gotten and appreciate the fact poor slobs stuck in apartment buildings can live side by side peacefully with the exclusionary rich with their mansions"

That is about as inaccurate a description of PLG and Lefferts Manor as you can get. I can assure you, having lived in the neighborhood for nearly four years now, that the vast majority of homeowners (both in and out of the historic district) are NOT rich and certi\ainly not exclusionary!

Quite the opposite in fact -- many of my neighbors have owned their homes for thirty years and more, and are solidly middle class. And absolutely no-one is excluded -- quite the opposite. The neighborhood is a true melting pot, and has long been so.

Finally, I would hardly qualify the two family houses on my street as mansions. They're nice houses with spacious accommodations for families, but mansions they are not!

Posted by: babs at November 20, 2008 2:26 PM in response to Karma Is a Bitch: 185 Ocean Developer Sucking Wind

Wrong and wrong Polemecist.
"Folks, this is right across the street from Prospect Park in an area that has been mostly multifamily for nearly a century. This house is one a few on a street that consists almost entirely of medium-density multifamily housing. It is right by an express subway station."

Prospect Lefferts Gardens does indeed have a good number of large apartment buildings, but also a very large historic district including the deeded one-family homes in Lefferts Manor and others that were built as two family homes. The houses on Ocean Avenue and Parksde Avenue were proposed for inclusion in the original landmark designation, but the LPC was not in favor of non-contiguous historic districts at the time. That has since changed, and hopefully these houses will be revisited for landmarking.

"This could be the spot of a great apartment building that could make the lives of dozens of families better than they otherwise would be." The approved plans were for an eight-story building on a lot only 29' wide by 150' long. Even at the maximum FAR, total square footage of the building would be just over 15,000. That doesn't sound like room for "dozens of families" to me.

And I'll pass on the "great" characterization -- has anyone actually seen a rendering of the proposed unit? I somehow doubt "great" would be the first adjective to come to mind on seeing it.

Posted by: babs at November 20, 2008 11:38 AM in response to Karma Is a Bitch: 185 Ocean Developer Sucking Wind

Believe it or not 416 Ocean Ave. has similar maid's room/bath setups in its larger apartments. A sign of how elegant that area once was.

Posted by: babs at November 18, 2008 12:56 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 1 Pierrepont Street

Ratner's problem is that the only thing he really wants to build is that Nets arena and Dan Goldstein happens to live right where he wants to put center court. Thank goodness Dan's tenacity was enough to inspire a concerted effort at exposing this sham, and delaying it long enough for its true nature as a scam to be revealed in a time when people are realizing that we can't keep throwing taxpayer money at unscrupulous developers.

I hope this deathwatch isn't premature.

Posted by: babs at November 18, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Closing Bell: Atlantic Yards Deathwatch

H&M clothes are great for what they are -- cheap, fun, fashion-forward items. They are not meant as investment pieces and probably not to last more than one season (although I do have some items that have lasted years, since I bought them at H&M in Paris before they were even in NY), and for that they are perfect -- why would I spend $200 (or more) on a dress that I'm only going to wear a few times when I can get a pretty good (and not bad quality) copy for 1/4 that price?

I think most of the complainers here are guys, and men's fashion just isn't their key market anyway. And if this is anything like the H&M on 125th St it will be paradise for size 10 and under, unlike the other Manhattan stores, which seem to sell out of anything between 6 - 12 in one day.

Posted by: babs at November 13, 2008 11:06 AM in response to H&M Setting Up Shop in Downtown BK

I got to IS 61 at Empire Blvd. and NY Ave. in PLG at 6:15. Waited in line only about 15 minutes. It was so good to see so many of my neighbors so enthusiastic and hopeful; I kept tearing up listening to their stories. One man ahead of me said the last time he'd voted had been for Kennedy. One mother went into the voting booth with her daughter (who looked about 6); after they emerged, the little gorl announced triumphantly, "I voted for Obama!" and everyone clapped.

I called my 83 year old mother to remind her to vote, which she was just on her way out to do, and she said, "I know it's none of my business, but I do hope you're doing the right thing and voting for Senator Obama." This from a woman who voted for Goldwater over Johnson. I love you Mommy!

Afterwards I felt so good, and am so hopeful for this country. Now going off to the phone bank to call out the stragglers and then off to watch the results at K-Dog's.

Posted by: babs at November 4, 2008 4:01 PM in response to Long Lines, Everywhere

Jakobson buildings are the pits.

Posted by: babs at November 4, 2008 3:45 PM in response to New York Mag Does Cheap Living

And these real estate brokers have never heard of Fair Housing laws? Most borkers I know won't discuss demographics at all because of that.

Posted by: babs at November 4, 2008 3:43 PM in response to Who's Moving to Downtown Brooklyn?

Why is Cliff Finn commenting on this? What does Citi Habitats have to do with it? Must be going rental. I'm pretty sure Cliff Finn has never been to Brooklyn and would probably soil himself out of fright if he were taken there.

Posted by: babs at November 3, 2008 8:07 PM in response to Tough Times at One Brooklyn Bridge Park

Going rental. Look for it in a few months.

Posted by: babs at November 3, 2008 8:04 PM in response to Development Watch: 392 St. Marks

I have seen the Dean Street house and don't understand the above poster's comment that the layout is awkward. I think it works very well, on both levels, and the kitchen finishes are nice in both. It's a really cute house and the location is super-convenient to Fifth Ave., as well as the 2/3 trains at Bergen and Flatbush or the Pacific St. R, M, D, and N stop (with access to everything else at the Atlantic Ave. stop).

I'm less worried about the Atlantic Yards Effect (as it seems less likely to be built) than I was last year at this time so I would consider this area more than I would have then.

Posted by: babs at October 31, 2008 4:15 PM in response to Open House Picks

384 Maple St is lis pendens per PropertyShark

Posted by: babs at October 24, 2008 7:37 PM in response to Brooklyn Bargains? Condo Price Cuts

Per PropertyShark, this is now lis pendens: http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/Reports2/showsection.html?propkey=x65-16-95-14-121-14&ref=forcs

Posted by: babs at October 24, 2008 7:30 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 134 St. Marks Place

That's OK by me; I wouldn't live in Manhattan if you paid me (well, maybe, but it would have to be a lot).

Posted by: babs at October 13, 2008 3:40 PM in response to Condo of the Day: J Condo Penthouse

J Condo is next door to Superfine, across the street from several other cafes and merchants (including an organic dry cleaners), two blocks away from Modern Tots, the DUMBO General Store, etc., etc. I don't get the idea of it being a ghastly area -- maybe you have it confused with 99 Water St.?

Posted by: babs at October 13, 2008 3:00 PM in response to Condo of the Day: J Condo Penthouse

The F train at York St is one block away. J Condo is acutally closer to transportation than buildings like 1 Main.

Posted by: babs at October 13, 2008 2:09 PM in response to Condo of the Day: J Condo Penthouse

Unfortunately, FLH, as I'm sure you've observed, this neighborhood (PLG) is rife with similar situations of mortgage fraud -- and given what else I've seen going on on Hawthorne, a tear down is probably in this poor house's future. OTOH, one benefit of a slower economy may be a decline in the proliferation of Fedders crap (and Atlantic Yards crap!).

Posted by: babs at September 24, 2008 8:25 PM in response to Foreclosures of the Week

That hole in the ground is necessary for the LIRR -- it's the railyards, not just a hole in the ground. If that's your definition of blight then I'd say the entire railroad industry is in big trouble.

Yes, it may not be the most aesthetically appealing site, but a thriving, busy railyard is not blight.

And the parts that Ratner wants to take by eminent domain are not in that "hole in the ground" that so offends you -- they are apartment buildings, houses, and condominiums on Dean and Pacific Streets -- hardly blighted areas.

Posted by: babs at September 18, 2008 6:57 PM in response to AY Arguments Heard at Appellate Court

I wish I had bought a limestone on Stuyvesant Ave. years ago, or could afford to buy one now. No relation to the Corco one -- that's why I insist on my little b!

Posted by: babs at September 17, 2008 4:30 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Will Barclay's still want to give Ratner all that money after he hired Goldman (not ex-Lehman) to underwrite his bonds? Or maybe he'll change underwriters?

Posted by: babs at September 17, 2008 1:28 PM in response to How Will Wall Street's Chaos Affect Atlantic Yards?

Will Trader Joe's have a wine store? I want to get my Three Buck Chuck in Brooklyn!

Posted by: babs at September 17, 2008 1:12 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Plus it's really, really cold there by the river in the winter! That hike to the F train at Bergen and Smith is no fun!

Posted by: babs at September 17, 2008 1:11 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 1 Tiffany Place

On what is he going to break ground? The eminent domain case would have to have been decided beforehand, no? I thought Dan Goldstein's apartment was on center court.

Posted by: babs at September 10, 2008 11:58 AM in response to Plans to Break Ground on Yards, But What About Phase II?

I live in PLG, too, and love the B and Q, but if their presence is going to make my neighborhood the next Williamsburg, I'm all for discontinuing them -- I'll deal with the 2 and 5 trains if I have to.

Posted by: babs at September 10, 2008 11:54 AM in response to Is the Q Train the New L?

This is an open listing -- the owner is an attorney and is acting as her own broker and paying 3% to anyone who brings a buyer. Every firm on the street has it, but most don't advertise open listings, unlike Bellmarc.

Posted by: babs at September 4, 2008 1:24 PM in response to House of the Day: 511 3rd Street

Maybe this is a solution for what to do with all those empty spackle barrels you've been saving?

Posted by: babs at September 4, 2008 12:55 PM in response to First Font Adopted in PLG

The Edge -- closing when?

Schaefer Landing? Seriously? Have you ever been there? I agree - the views are lovely and it's great if you never have to leave, but it's at least a ten minute hike up Broadway to the JMZ train at Marcy Ave and more like 20 to the Bedford Ave L. The area around it is DESOLATE. Absolutely no comparison.

Posted by: babs at September 3, 2008 4:34 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 153 Lincoln Place

How do you know the stadium will be built? That may actually be the most difficult piece to get an authorization of eminent domain -- a for-profit, non-housing, non-community sports facility. And without eminent domain it can't happen. Dan Goldstein's apartment is on center court.

You are looking at living in hell for at least 10 years, whatever happens. Newswalk is a nice building, and as long as you face away from Pacific St. you'll be less exposed, but still...

Posted by: babs at August 27, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Don't hate me b/c I want to buy near AY

This is the west side of Flatbush and, yeah, it can get tiring eating at all of those favorably-reviewed restauruants on 5th and 7th Aves, or even just down Flatbush (like Franny's and Flatbush Farm). So please save your $800K to buy in sompleace with better restauruant choices -- and let us all know where (in NYC) you can get a 2Br apartment in a pre-war full service building with a gorgeous kitchen for $800K.

Posted by: babs at August 19, 2008 1:45 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 1 Plaza Street

Is Access a Ride a city agency? Maybe we can all complain to them about their dirvers' unsafe conduct -- they are maniacs, and I fear for the safety of their passengers whenver I see them.

Posted by: babs at August 15, 2008 1:44 PM in response to Access-A-Ride Van Burns Up on 8th Avenue

Gee, I was always told that rain while the sun was shining meant that the devil was beating his wife -- that would be an even odder name. But I do enjoy the idea of wine and flowers!

Posted by: babs at August 15, 2008 1:40 PM in response to Streetlevel: A New Bar Coming to Cortelyou

Incidentally, the 2 and 5 trains suck -- when I moved there I thought, "Oh, great, I'm not too far from the end of the line, so I'll always get a seat." I really had no idea how many people live in what used to be called the two-fare zone, as in needing to take a bus or a car or dollar van to the train. And they hold those trains down there at the junction until they are jam-packed. Some mornings I have had to let a train go by because I didn't want to wedge myself in.

Additionally, the 3 and 4 trains get precedence at Franklin Ave. So at any time of day, you are guaranteed to sit for three to five minutes (or more) at President St, while they announce that "we are delayed because of train traffic ahead of us" -- not, of course, train traffic on Nostrand Ave!

On a good day it's about 35 minutes to Union Square at rush hour -- and don't even think about a bad day. I often walk the extra ten minutes or so to the Q/B at Prospect Park -- much more reliable and speedier line.

Posted by: babs at August 13, 2008 7:27 PM in response to House of the Day: 280 Lefferts Avenue

BTW, the other sales listed above were all for houses in much better shape than this one (including having had central air installed, etc.), and two were on the block between Bedford and Rogers (that much closer to the Park and the B and Q). 250 Lefferts is closer to Rogers than to Nostrand as well. I do think that this price isn't bad, and is an acceptable discount from the three others mentioned above, given their superiorities.

Posted by: babs at August 13, 2008 7:18 PM in response to House of the Day: 280 Lefferts Avenue

I actually do live on this block, and have for three and one-half years -- it's a very nice block, a mix of old and new owners. It is in the PLG landmark district, and these houses were built as two-family houses -- with the exception of four one family houses in the middle of the block, two on each side of the street.

The real problem on this block has been some owners' flagrant disregard of landmarks specifications with regard to facade alterations -- there are at least three houses on the north side of the street that have satellite dishes planted on the front of the house, creating not only an eyesore, but also potentially damaging the terra cotta ornamentation that was a prime reason for landmarking these houses in the first place. There is also one house on the north side of the street in the middle of the block where the owner just decided to jackhammer the stoop of the house into oblivion; two years later it's still that way. They also own the house next door, which is totally unkept, with broken sidewalk spouting plants and an utterly overgrown front garden.

These houses are zoned two family; it is illegal to live in the English basement. Most owners live on the parlor floor, and use the lower level as a rec room. Under New York City zoning law it is illegal to "live" below grade -- living is defined as have a tub in the bathroom and a full kitchen. A stall shower is OK -- you can always say you work out down there and like to shower off afterwards, as is a kitchenette (no stove). No beds. of course, what you do with it once it's yours is your own business, but it's illegal to advertise that level for living.

Unfortunately, many of these houses have had an illegal third apartment put on that level, and some even have the meters on the facade to prove it (again in violation of landmarks requirements).

I have seen the top floor apartment in this house when it was for rent -- the owner installed a nice kitchen with dishwasher and knocked out the wall between the hall closet and the bathroom to make a very nice, big bathroom (otherwise in these houses they are tiny, with either a half-size tub going the short way in the room, or a full size tub right next to the toilet).

The owner also installed an intercom system, so renters can buzz people in, and put in a new door, without a mail slot, so there are mailboxes in the entry foyer now. Kind of destroyed the charm of the original.

I don't think the price is too bad, if it were marketed correctly. A&H's web site is just too amateurish-looking. No floor plans? These are really nice, spacious houses -- the web site doesn't do it justice. This is what happens when you cheap out and go after that 4% non co-broke commission -- but if the product sells itself you should be OK. This is not one of those times, however.

Posted by: babs at August 13, 2008 7:07 PM in response to House of the Day: 280 Lefferts Avenue

Thw write off from a net loss on this building could be applied to profits from other properties, or it could reduce other income you have -- but if this is all you've got, then the loss won't help at all.

And no 1 BR in the Novo is going to rent out for $3K/mo. Maybe $2500.

Posted by: babs at August 11, 2008 4:37 PM in response to House of the Day: 531 11th Street

it's = it is

Posted by: babs at August 11, 2008 3:49 PM in response to Streetlevel: BBQ Coming to Lincoln Road in PLG

Always a trade off of time vs. money -- generally if you've got the money you don't have the time and vice versa. I always tell people, if you've got the time to go wading through all the cr*p on Craigslist, go for it. Mostly after three or four experiences in "East Williamsburg" or "South Slope" they get the idea.

Posted by: babs at August 6, 2008 4:57 PM in response to Spiking Broker Fees in Williamsburg

Most Brooklyn brokers in "desirable" areas have always charged 12% -- it's only the "fringe" areas -- like Williamsburg, Greenpoint, etc., that charged one month. Now that the biggies (Corcoran and Elliman) have moved into Williamsburg, it's normal that the pricing should follow.

I paid a 12% broker's fee for my first apartment, in Brooklyn Heights in 1981 -- of course the rent was much lower then, so the actual dollar amount of the fee was as well.

And some listings can only be rented through certain brokers -- these are called exclusive listings. Even if an unscrupulous person tracks down the owner and tries to rent directly, the owner would then have to pay the fee to the broker, per a signed agreement. And these are becoming more and more common, as owners discover what a pain in the neck it is to deal with potential renters.

Posted by: babs at August 6, 2008 3:46 PM in response to Spiking Broker Fees in Williamsburg

Wow -- I lived on the ground floor of 55 Middagh for years in the 1980's. If you look closely at the iron bars on the front window, you can see that the crosspieces were soldered on at a later date -- after someone pried them apart in broad daylight to break into my apartment! Of course, the old lady across the street saw all this happening, and when the would-be burgler exited the apartment, the police were there to meet him. My landlord put up those bars the next day.

Totally cute house; don't know how thrilled I am with any alterations to it, just out of nostalgia. BTW, it's right next to PS 8 -- which was always fine, except on days I didn't go to work -- kids are LOUD at recess!

Anyone know what landmarks had to say?

Posted by: babs at August 5, 2008 6:41 PM in response to Wave of Brooklyn Heights Modifications Coming LPC's Way

This place is a wreck inside -- currently configured as a nicely-renovated garden rental with an upper triplex that is just a disaster area. The entire floor has been ripped out on the upper level, so you have to walk on the beams to see the rooms. It's also a very narrow house (as are many in Park Slope).

It was previously listed with a Manhattan agent, who obviously over-priced it. The sellers are just unreasonable, and apparently are refusing to take below $1.9, because that's what they were told they could get.

Supposedly the mechanicals are all sound and recent, but I would agree with at least $500,000 more needing to be done. At $1.3 or even $1.5 it would a good deal.

Posted by: babs at July 22, 2008 2:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 708 President Street

Two of the original 4 apartments in this building have closed, including the most expensive unit, on the parlor floor. This block of Halsey St is very pretty, and Nostrand Ave in this area has such architectural gems as the Alhambra apartments and the former Girls High School. The A and C trains are one block away.

There are very few brownstone condos out there, and the price on these isn't bad -- they'd be nearly twice that in any of the more gentrified brownstone neighborhoods.

Posted by: babs at July 21, 2008 2:17 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 83 Halsey Street

Bushwick was definitely my first thought here, but then I thought about all those great former industrial buildings in Prospect Heights, like Ward's Bakery, the Spalding factory (although converted to condos), etc. Ooops! Steve's pal Bruce is tearing them down and isn't building his stadium soon enough for Steve to cash in on those promised sales. Karma's a bitch, man.

Posted by: babs at July 21, 2008 11:44 AM in response to Brooklyn Brewery Chief Bemoans Lack of Industrial Space

However, because the CofO is for 7 units it would be considered a commercial property for financing purposes, which means at least 25% down and a higher interest rate.

Posted by: babs at July 18, 2008 11:56 AM in response to House of the Day: 228 Washington Avenue

But can't a rent stabilized lease be not renewed if you need the space for your family? Yes, it might be hard to believe that one is planning on turing an entire apartment building into a one-family house, but taking over a duplex is another matter. Sounds possible to me.

Posted by: babs at July 18, 2008 11:55 AM in response to House of the Day: 228 Washington Avenue