denton- 35K. Fair enough. But remember just how -awful- Clinton Hill was in 1973.

You'd likely get stabbed 35 times walking home from the subway.

Thats ~thirty~ five~ times.

Good point! That's p~o~i~n~t.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 21, 2008 12:24 PM in response to Babs Corcoran "Not Worried About Real Estate Prices"

What are the dimensions of those bedrooms?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 20, 2008 5:01 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

I wonder if this will resurrect congestion pricing as a way to support greater subway service.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 18, 2008 3:54 PM in response to 50% Less G Service Coming Our Way

They hang out in their own luxury bars. Or maybe they're so strapped from paying their luxury mortgage, they have no more money to go out. So their luxuriate at home.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 18, 2008 10:48 AM in response to making friends with people in luxury condos

Bergen Tile has been going or gone for the better part of a year.

This area IS walkable from Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Don't know anything about the store, but maybe they were killed by high rents AND a less than imaginative inventory. We just finished a big tile redo, and noticed that for the most part, most of these stores sell the same stuff.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 13, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Streetlevel: Bye-Bye Bergen Tile

18 units would be 50 percent mark. 10 is "close" to 18, the way that Bushwick is "almost" Williamsburg.

Agree with WJ.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 11, 2008 10:53 AM in response to Sales Moving Along at 378 Baltic

I've always understood (perhaps mistakenly) that banks don't really want to foreclose on houses; they're in the money business, not the real estate business. Once a property is repossessed by the bank, it becomes more of a liability than an asset (especially in a down market like this one).

Perhaps by working with borrowers, banks are making sound business decisions. Perceptions about market health would be helped by a decreasing number of properties going into foreclosure.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 11, 2008 10:12 AM in response to Citigroup Puts the Kibosh on Foreclosures

I wouldn't coat the wall for all the reasons outlined above. Bricks in decent condition do not need to be coated. Looks like you've got some paint or some kind of coating that's weathering off. Repointing can solve all manner of moisture problems, because most often (like 99 percent of the time) the water is getting in via the mortar joints, not through the bricks.

Not to raise a whole other issue here, but if you're adding a deck back there (where people can get close to and touch the wall), I would have that remaining coating tested for lead. Even if there is lead in that coating, there are good ways and bad ways to remove it from brick.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 7, 2008 2:58 PM in response to here is the wall in question (thorocote)

Could you tell us a bit why you want to do this in the first place? If the wall isn't presenting itself with problems, then I wouldn't even consider a non-reversible treatment like that.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at November 6, 2008 4:33 PM in response to To Thorocote or not to Thorocote, that is the question

I remember reading that quote and thinking it was strange for two reasons: first that a realtor would so bluntly say that things are down and two that a 30-year-old "hipster" would move to Park Slope.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 31, 2008 4:03 PM in response to Minsky Out At Corcoran?

I agree with Fjorder: close to $1mil to live on the edge of Flatbush?!? No thanks!

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 28, 2008 1:44 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 145 Park Place, #2B

We know for sure that the location is Sterling btw. Wash. and Underhill? Because the last time I took a stroll through my hood there were many, many houses getting the gut rehab. It was impressive.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 28, 2008 11:46 AM in response to Which One is the TOH Brooklyn Site?

A 1902 building would have likely had 2/2s originally. Curious, though when was your photodoc from?

In a federal style (or even federal revival style), 6/6 windows would be the logical choice. I don't think that you're going to get a runaround (famous last words, but...)

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 28, 2008 10:29 AM in response to Landmarks approval for windows

Have you actually ever used this sink/faucet? I have. I can't imagine that it would be useful for anything other than handwashing (which might be all that you need if this is for a half bath.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 28, 2008 10:26 AM in response to Tiniest wall mount faucet

It's called capitalism. I would expect that Good Food's business might dip, as people are curious about the new place. If Gourmet Fresh is nothing but hype, then most people will see through that pretty quickly. If Good Food has good groceries at good prices, and has responded to the changes in the neighborhood, then it'll survive.

Something tells me, however, that Mr. Sale has been coasting off the fact that he was the only game in town for a long time.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 27, 2008 10:58 AM in response to Gourmet Fresh Not So Good for Good Food

GOLDIE: You hit the nail on the head. I bet that it's noisy over there, too.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 24, 2008 11:43 AM in response to Washington Avenue Condo Glut?

I walked by that ground floor last week. It is not looking very healthy at all.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 22, 2008 3:18 PM in response to Development Watch: Hollowed Out at 214 Underhill

I love this place. Completely. Too bad I don't have 1.5 ,or 1 or, heck, .5 floating around.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 22, 2008 2:07 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 30 Main Street Loft

"All of a sudden" dunno about that. I've noticed them for years in Queens. It's definitely an NYC thing, that's for sure.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 17, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Chromed Out Houses?

Why is this a surprise to anyone? There's a glut of homes on the market, mortgages are harder to get, and nobody is sure about values. Why would anyone be building homes in this environment?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 17, 2008 10:27 AM in response to Housing Starts Plummet

Is this a college dorm? It's terrible!

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 16, 2008 3:08 PM in response to Checking in on 138 Seeley

90 inches sounds too long for a remnant, but why don't you try calling places that sell granite.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 16, 2008 3:07 PM in response to granite remnants

Serves 'em right.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 16, 2008 12:08 PM in response to 45 Third Place Not Moving

DIBS: You gotta run a class....

All's I got to say is: HFS!

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 9, 2008 4:58 PM in response to Dow Closes Down 679 Points

I don't know. I'm not sure at all about the lack of windows in the living room. Kitchen needs an update. Should I ask about the bath? Sterling can be a busy street. Maybe $600K.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 9, 2008 1:14 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 50 Sterling Place

It's a great street--quiet, little traffic, but those condo-conversion banners at 44 have been up for a long time.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 7, 2008 12:00 PM in response to Condo Conversions on Butler Place - Grand Army Plaza

Won't it wash off with water?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 7, 2008 11:55 AM in response to Removing Joint Compound from Wood

Personally, I would keep the place. But, since I'm not you, that advice can go only so far.

Definitely talk to your lawyer. I do know if I were the seller that I would definitely be enforcing specific performance, and keeping a whole big chunk (if not 100 percent) of your deposit.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 7, 2008 11:54 AM in response to Break contract or not?

I cannot believe that these are going to sell in this market. Crappola!

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 3, 2008 2:47 PM in response to Development Watch: 226-228-230 16th Street

I really don't understand the bailout AT ALL, but what I do see is a Congress ready, willing, and able to spend $700 billion to bail out Wall Street firms from their stupid bets on bad loans, when it can't spend $.07 to bail out some poor family from crushing medical debt. Typical.

I'm pretty convinced, however, that something needs to be done. I just can't say what. What I need to know is, what could happen to the economy if nothing is done. Explain to me how the credit crisis is going to affect me directly. Because so far, it hasn't, other than Congress's vote eating into the balance of my 401K.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 3, 2008 12:39 PM in response to No Bailout!

I think that in all fairness the CBs need to be open to this on a trial basis. If they're interested in improving the quality of life for residents, they need to be open to exploring ideas to do that. Who knows, they might be surprised.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 3, 2008 9:45 AM in response to Car-Free Prospect Park? Blech!

Miami comes to Bay Ridge. WTF?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 2, 2008 12:08 PM in response to Sales Begin at Sheepshead Bay's Bay Breeze

Not knowing anything about lighting, we recently went to Lighting by Gregory (in the Bowery). They didn't provide much in the way of design services (we did not ask for that, but I believe such services are available) but they did have a large product line, and pretty knowledgeable staff. It was also nice to see the products in person, and in use, before we bought.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 1, 2008 4:15 PM in response to Recessed lighting tips

Interesting point.

"...from until the late 1930s..." Interesting grammar.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at September 24, 2008 3:38 PM in response to Quote of the Day

It's the stone. That serpentine stone is seriously deteriorated and would have cost millions to replace or repair. The church just didn't have the cash.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at September 23, 2008 11:07 AM in response to On to the Afterlife for Green Church

I seriously want to know how the marketing people will sell this as an attractive location for an out of towner.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at September 23, 2008 11:06 AM in response to A New Hotel for Red Hook?

I'm really glad that your son is OK! Sounds like a call to the manufacturer is in order. I think that the company would want to know that the unit tipped over on someone. I'm curious to know thought if some kind of mounting or stabilizing bracket was not installed.

I have no high-end appliances, because I've also heard bad things about the reliability of these brands.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at September 22, 2008 10:51 AM in response to Unfortunate experience with Drimmer's

This thing looks horrible.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at September 4, 2008 1:55 PM in response to First Font Adopted in PLG

Is this any different than terrazzo flooring? I would wonder about maintenance: would this need to be polished or waxed?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 29, 2008 11:20 PM in response to Icestone kitchen counters

bxgrl: "FYI- the family that restored the house was a Black family, not someone renovating simply to flip."

So, no Black families ever renovate to flip? I don't understand the connection to race and longevity in this situation, so maybe that's not what you meant. bxgrl, Can you explain?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 28, 2008 4:19 PM in response to House of the Day: 1094 Park Place

Putting aside questions of the price and location, that is one bitchin' house. I'm in love. What an amazing house. Hope that whoever buys it has the wisdom to steward it correctly.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 28, 2008 3:06 PM in response to House of the Day: 1094 Park Place

Just make sure that the warranty will still be valid if you DON'T use a certified installer.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 26, 2008 3:18 PM in response to Aga ranges

Isn't this the house that's leaving giveaway junk on its stoop every other day?

Doesn't look like a two-bed to me. Where, exactly, is the 2nd bedroom located? For a 1-bed, it's a very nice layout. And the deck!

Bet that this location gets very noisy with traffic on Flatbush, and traffic waiting at the light on Sterling. This might explain the price. Also, because the building on Flatbush backs onto the opposite side of Sterling here, I always find that end of the block to be a bit uninviting. Still, is that major objection? Probably not.

It's nothing to sneeze at, and if I were in the market, I would be at this open house.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 26, 2008 1:35 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 193 Sterling Place

I second ch NYC's comment. Use it; love it. I consider myself a good housekeeper, but these women have put me to shame. My apartment gleams afterwards. Highly, highly recommend.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 25, 2008 3:32 PM in response to Cleaning Service Cooperative

I loved reading these comments! Okay, BK, what else have you uncovered during renos?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 22, 2008 11:58 AM in response to Soap from 1806?

Basonas, Malek--both good companies.

You're probably correct about the mortar problem, but removing it could cause more damage. It's a fine line. You're absolutely correct, however, that the recommendations for work that you've received are incorrect.

Any way that you could post a photo of a representative area of damage?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 21, 2008 5:05 PM in response to rec for a truly expert, knowledgabe mason?

11217, I would argue that the economies in those cities make paying $450K for a 1-bed seem like a lot more money than it does in NYC. But, I'm no expert.

Anyway, while I totally agree with the kitchen comment, I don't completely hate it. Admit, though, that there was a missed opportunity to do something edgier.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 20, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 123 Henry Street

Dunno. The common charge is a little high, and there are no photos to back up the claims of a renovated bathroom. What does the rest of the place look like? Why no photos?

Definitely the roofdeck will be a draw (but why no photos?), but the top floor WALK UP will not be.

And isn't this right near that playground on Underhill?

Some assumed plusses, but also lots of minuses.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 19, 2008 12:52 PM in response to Co-op Condo of the Day: 338 Prospect Place, #5E

Wow. Just wow. If I had 2 mil sitting around, I would be at that open house.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 19, 2008 11:41 AM in response to 445 E. 19th Street Dodges Foreclosure Bullet, Lists Large

Memo to Brooklyn: you have bigger problems.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 19, 2008 10:38 AM in response to Whose Governors Island Is It?

Hilarious.

Not.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 18, 2008 4:23 PM in response to Closing Bell: Mr. Bubbles Strikes Again

That seems a bit high--especially with that maintenance, and with the obvious work that needs to happen (you might like the bathroom, 'stoner, but lots of people won't). Not sure which way I would go myself. I've seen worse....

Isn't this the building that had the ground-floor 1-bed as a Co-op of the Day recently?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 18, 2008 2:18 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 1 Plaza Street

Good luck getting anything else approved at your home.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 18, 2008 11:35 AM in response to LPC Escrow

Sorry to hear this--sounds like the developer is dragging his feet. But why? Doesn't he want the money.

It's a good lesson (based on this, and other posts I'm reading about buying a unit in an unfinished building): don't buy something without a CoO in place.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 15, 2008 11:40 AM in response to Delays at 317 16th Street

Hey, if this is your kind of thing--cool. If there's anywhere where this can work, it should be NYC. More power to 'em and blah, blah, blah.

That said, there would be NO WAY ON THIS PLANET that I would share a kitchen with my neighbors (who are wonderful people, but still). I have enough trouble getting my partner to pick up after himself.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 15, 2008 10:35 AM in response to Brooklyn Co-Housing Moving Closer to Reality?

Illgal, no. Typical for real estate in NYC? Yes.

Karma, however, is a bitch.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 12, 2008 1:14 PM in response to Shenanigans at 279 Clermont Avenue?

I can't afford Manhattan, but even if I could, I wouldn't want to be there. I love the scale of brownstone Brooklyn, I love having the park within 2 blocks of me (try getting that in Manhattan for under 5 mil.) and I have no desire to leave.

Sure, there will always be people moving--in both directions. I'm not sure what is the point of the article.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 12, 2008 11:16 AM in response to The Next New Brooklyn

As someone who loves living in cities, I think that this trend is great.

I think, however, that the quality of construction in many suburbs will cause these developments to be replaced with higher-quality construction. A lot of these homes are going to fall apart in 50 years. I do not, however, think that most suburbs are going to become the next slums. We've got too much of our housing stock in the US tied up in the 'burbs. And lets face it, lots of people LIKE the suburbs. What I think will happen is that the suburbs will start taking on more qualities of urban life: walkable commercial nodes, sidewalks, and less auto-focused development.

Or that's what I hope, at least.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 8, 2008 12:42 PM in response to News Flash: Everyone Wants to Live in the City

There is a fruit vendor outside my office (in Manhattan). I love this guy! His fruit is fresh, his stock is pretty well presented, his prices are good, and he's always friendly.

As REMSEN said, I would love to shop at a market nearby, but since none exist...

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 8, 2008 9:26 AM in response to Closing Bell: Happy Fruit Men Everywhere

I'm really skeptical that you would be able to paint a radiator with just any kind of paint. Those things get HOT, and I would think that a latex paint, even if it would stay on the radiator (which I don't think that it would), would smell like burning rubber.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 8, 2008 9:19 AM in response to painting radiators

Water's getting at those bricks, somehow. So....

Four questions:

Are the bricks painted?

Where are the location(s) of the crumbling bricks?

Do YOU run a dehumidifier in there 24/7?

Have you recently changed any landscaping (done plantings, excavated, etc.) or altered any gutters/downspouts around the perimeter of your building?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 8, 2008 9:17 AM in response to Efflorescence, fast deteriorating brick, a great mason

I want to know how this is a "Frank Lloyd Wright" inspired kitchen. If I remember correctly, didn't FLW hate the idea of a kitchen?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 7, 2008 1:50 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 1405 8th Avenue

It's a very cute house that really isn't doing it for me on the inside. The pricetag doesn't help, either.

Did anyone else notice that there's no bathroom on the first floor? For $4mil, I want the option to flush on any floor I choose.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 6, 2008 4:13 PM in response to House of the Day: 19 Garden Place

I keep saying the same thing about mobile phone stores, but they keep on coming.

I like the tang of frozen yogurt. But most of the health benefits of yogurt (i.e. the live yogurt cultures) must be negated by the freezing, which would kill the cultures, no?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 5, 2008 2:06 PM in response to Red Mango Marches Into Court Street Yogurt Wars

Sounds like it was a win-win situation that your account got closed. Seems like Zipcar wasn't for you. I've been very happy with their service to date, sorry that you've not been.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 5, 2008 9:39 AM in response to zipcar is deceptive please read

Two things:

1. Sounds like greedy landlords made their own beds by failing to maintain their buildings. But, in the course of doing this, they made their retail tenants the victims.

2. The displacement and destruction of local businesses in DT BK sounds a lot like what happened in many urban areas when urban renewal and interstate highways permanently altered the physical landscape in many cities. The difference is that the end result will be more people living in DT BK (which really becomes a scary area after all those businesses closes), which I can't help but see as a good thing.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at August 1, 2008 9:53 AM in response to DoBro Redevelopment Not So Great for Everyone

FLO beat me to it. Walk to Prospect Park? I guess it's doable. According to Google Map's walking directions, it's about a 20-minute jaunt to the gate at GAP.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 31, 2008 11:26 AM in response to Sales Begin at The Isabella

Wow, it looks great! I like the unusual use of tile on the side of the island.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 30, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Lower Level: Kitchen Updater

On one hand, it's a fantastic house--very unusual, maybe even unique for the neighborhood.

OTOH, it's on PPW. That would be a BIG turnoff for me, I don't care how great the house is. Speaking for myself, in this part of NYC, I don't know how much of an amenity a driveway is.

Maybe people who are looking for houses in PS are looking for brownstones/limestones--19th c. row houses at least--and this doesn't fit the aesthetic bill.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 30, 2008 1:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 31 Prospect Park West Revisited

Maybe a nice note slipped under your neighbors' doors warning them of the potential for a smell, letting them know what it is, how long it might last, thanking them for their patience and understanding, and finally providing your phone number just in case, would go a long way towards mitigating their inconvenience. If I smelled poly from my neighbor's apartment, and I knew that the smell would go away within a few days, it would be a non issue. If I smelled it and had no idea what the smell was and how long it would last, I would be a bit annoyed.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 30, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Oil-based poly, how bad?

Picture?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 25, 2008 11:22 AM in response to white cabinets available

I'm not sure that I would dump some caustic material into old pipes on a regular basis. Let's not forget that this same material is then going into our sewers...

I agree that you shouldn't trust the company's assertions about "safe" and "natural". Good thinking on that. Safe for whom or for what? You should be able to get a MSDS on this product.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 24, 2008 12:00 PM in response to Roto-Rooter Pipe Shield Opinions

The painting looks great! I have a question about the photography: how did you create that composite shot? Photoshop?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 23, 2008 4:18 PM in response to Top Floor Apartment: Painting in the Hallway

Would someone buying this house also have to worry about whether or not the project had plans filed with DoB and a valid building permit in place? Clearing up someone else's permit problems could become a huge and expensive headache, right?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 22, 2008 3:00 PM in response to House of the Day: 708 President Street

I've heard that these types of easements are becoming audit flags for the IRS. It doesn't mean that you won't "pass" the audit, or that the easement is without merit. It does, however, mean that you need to be very careful that the easement is well crafted to ensure a benefit.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 21, 2008 4:38 PM in response to National Architectural Trust easement -- tax question

Can't believe that the woodwork was meant to be painted, if it never has been. If it were my house, I wouldn't do it.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 18, 2008 10:07 AM in response to Painting the woodwork - is it a crime?

Aldi owns a percentage of TJs.

I once did almost all of my weekly shopping at TJs, but since I moved to NY I haven't set food inside one. I have to say that I've adjusted away. I'll be curious to see if I find myself returning, especially when I know that this place will be unbelievably crowded for at least the first three months.

It's too bad that TJs doesn't understand that it's markets are really popular and respond accordingly by opening more stores.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 17, 2008 4:30 PM in response to Closing Bell: Breathless TJ's Progress Report of the Day!

I think that the demand will be there, as long as the prices stay a touch below Midtown. Think about it: 2 million people in this borough, and most of us have friends and family from somewhere else. My partner's family chose to stay in Bk the last time that they visited because we're living here. They can't be the only ones doing that.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 17, 2008 12:56 PM in response to Another Hotel for Downtown Brooklyn

Don't have kids at the school, so I don't know how I would feel about this. I strongly disagree with the assertion that someone who downloads child porn hasn't abused a child. Sure, not directly abused, but not above asking someone else to do it. That's splitting hairs.

On the other hand, given that everyone will be watching parolees when they arrive at the building, these kids probably could not be any safer.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 16, 2008 11:06 AM in response to Federal Probation Officer Defends Proximity to St. Ann's

We're using it for our countertops, but not for the backsplash (agree--hideous). My thoughts were the same as yours: it doesn't require sealing (like granite), and good color options. I liked the selection in Zodiaq much better than those in Silestone. But, that was merely an aesthetic choice, I'm pretty sure that both are constructed the same.

There's also Cambria (the only dealer near to us is the place on 5th and Garfield--I have heard many, many bad things so they weren't an option), and CaesarStone (many dealers in BK), I still liked the color options in Zodiaq best.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 15, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Zodiac counter tops

Does anyone remember the S&L crisis in the late 80s???? Is this the same thing happening all over again?

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 15, 2008 11:37 AM in response to IndyMac Fallout in Brooklyn?

I'm not in love with that kitchen, but if you've got $3.4M, then what's another $50K to get the exact kitchen you want? If I were in that price range a serviceable, but unstylish kitchen would not scare me off. But, I'm not in that price range.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 14, 2008 3:42 PM in response to House of the Day: 615 2nd Street

Johnny, do you have the name of the 5th Ave place? I can't think of a window-repair place up there. Eyeglasses, sushi, sporting goods, but no windows.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 14, 2008 2:45 PM in response to Can anyone recommend a cheap Window Repair shop in Brooklyn?

The study area did change. I notice that it now includes those fantastic buildings at the corner of Sterling Pl. and Flatbush (where Prospect Perk is).

I agree with MMHTPH: there seems to be remarkable consensus that this district needs to happen.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 14, 2008 12:33 PM in response to Landmarks to Consider Prospect Heights Historic District

Hooray! I doubt that this will improve the quality of the discussion here, but at least it's a start.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at July 10, 2008 11:59 AM in response to Moving Forward

Any outdoor space with this thing? Roof deck? Backyard?

Posted by: RaginCajun at November 21, 2008 2:10 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

definitely get rid of all the books and knick knacks except for a couple of things on the shelves above the TV. turn the dining room in to a dining room only - eliminate the shelving? storage unit? to the left of the table, ditch the desk and the high chair too (altho bring the high chair back after new pics are taken and after every open house!) add a couple of chairs to the dining room table. remove the clothes hanging on the hooks in that room too. also, ditch the drawers in the dining room too. looks like there are toys? next to the TV - get rid of those too and maybe the chairs to the sides of the TV (can go around the table). would be lovely to see the table set up for the pics and open house as well.

AND, no joke, after you get rid of this stuff, you must must take new pics. my looking at these, makes me think that the apt is really really small. also, could use a pic of the 2nd bedroom, the bathroom, and a much better pic of the kitchen. this pictures are not good. very amateur. the broker should provide a better photographer.

good luck and let us know what happens.

Posted by: wine lover at November 21, 2008 3:40 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

Ironballs, one thing you might think about is.. I have lived on my block in the north slope for 15 years, In this time the turnover rate for houses has been way less than 1 a year. Some on my block have been here longer than me, which I am assuming means they owe next to nothing on their property. SO I really do not see anyone cashing out when the market is going down, 2-4 family brownstones with longterm owners who live off the income. The house is their income so why would you quit your "job" in a recession? Supply has always been tight, this recession will make it tighter, people scared to make a move, unless they face foreclosure. I see prices falling for sure, but 50% is off the mark. People still need a place to live and Park Slope is one of the desirable places to live in NYC. It is not like the 70's. And if prices fall dramatically in the next year there is no way they are going to raise dramatically in the next year or two after that I think you are smoking some good stuff if you think a flip of any significance is going to happen in the next 3 years. But good luck if you do it.

Posted by: billyboomer at November 21, 2008 3:47 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

You’re up shits creek without a paddle on this one. Rent it out ASAP.

Posted by: Gowanus_Bklyn at November 21, 2008 4:30 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

You shouldn't buy in Seattle just as no one should buy your place. If you can rent it for the price of your mortgage, that might be a good option, though housing prices are very likely to drop further, so you would have to stick with that plan for a couple of years probably. The earliest it could come back would be 2010.

Posted by: FatLenny at November 21, 2008 4:45 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

extreme lack of closet space. that "2nd bedroom" would probably serve bettet as a walk-in closet. I love the area but that place looks really small and the maintenance is relatively high.

Posted by: jdoo at November 21, 2008 6:08 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

I don't think it's a steal at all - nice apt, but pretty standard and I remember in 2001 or 2002 when my neighbors were trying to sell basically the same apt, but with garden, for $415k and it seemed CRAZY to me. I was so glad when they weren't able to. The point being that these standard 2 bedroom apts only very recently jumped to 800k. You should ask for $415k and see what happens.

Actually, I would not buy now since prices will drop further. just rent this and wait. You'll feel rich in 10 years when inflation makes the rent $6000 a month and your mortgage is $2500 or whatever.

Posted by: gkw at November 21, 2008 8:33 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

Is that floorplan real? There's one closet in the place? It looks like this is actually a 1 BR, but you should probably put some dimensions on that floorplan. I'm guessing the rooms are tiny, which is what's putting off all the people coming to the open houses.
Decent location, though. And, the building looks nice.

Posted by: broadwayron at November 21, 2008 8:52 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

Sorry, Cobblegirl. But as Nick Lowe said ya gotta be cruel to be kind.

I could buy this for cash but don't care to. This is the fast way I look at this as a potential buyer without an MBA or CFA, but as one who needs more space for children, not an extra 100-200 sf max.

Be that as it may: $475k asking. 20% down gets me a $95,000 down payment and a $380k mortgage at, I don't know, 6.375% seems fair today, gets me a $2372 nut to COF or SOV or whomever, plus the $720 maintenance (when was the last time that went up and how are the financials and what shape are the roof, the windows, the boiler, the facade, etc.) Now I'm at, let's call it $3100. At 7%, I'm at $3250.

Yes, come April my after-tax cost is less. But on a cash flow basis, I need to meet the nut 12 times a year, not once.

And for what? Mediocore-ville. Can I rent an apartment for that? Maybe, maybe not. At worst, not much more and my bet is rents are headed south, not north. Can I rent a nicer, larger apt. with more closets, a bigger kitchen, without a combination washer-dryer, and a far better location closer to better transportation? I'd give it a long, hard shot before anteing up here.

I love Henry Street too, but let's face it. You're getting down toward the Street's butt end and the BQE and it's a schlep to and from transportation. Which is OK, but why pay a premium? I want a discount for those extra 10-15 minutes up to Borough Hall in the (likely event) that the F train isn't my best commute. The upside to me relative to Clinton at the same end is there's less through traffic. Oh gee, and Lucali's up the block. Surprised the real estate agents here didn't mention that dealmaker.

To paraphrase my better half "That's the type of place I'd offer $350k in cash for and see what happened."

In one sense, this real estate market is like Las Vegas Sands plummeting 92% in the space of 90 days (which it has done, by the way. Ask Sheldon Adelson). Move the **** on. Drop the ask and move the **** on. The market won't clear until sellers drop the ask. Until then, they can marinate and roast in those checks they're cutting every 30 days. And I'll just keep clipping the (muni bond) coupons.

Posted by: Contrarian at November 21, 2008 11:35 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller