BrooklynCouch's Profile
- BrooklynCouch@aol.com
- 1998
- 2007
- Brooklyn
- Park Slope
- Co-op
- Attorney
- Male
- 44
Author's Posts
March 2, 2008
Coop-wide Broadband?
I was wondering if anyone has experience contacting Verizon, Cablebvision, or some other provider re buying broadband, etc. on a building-wide basis. The idea would be to save some money for this little coop (ten units)...
December 31, 2007
The Ice Cream...er....Grinding Truck?
OK, the truck with the bell that sharpens your blades...WHAT's WITH THAT?
(here in PSlope)
December 30, 2007
ISO Innovative Fridge and Stove Ideas For Small Kitchen?
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has successfully renovated a small kitchen. Chief amongst my curiosities:
--do there exist decent-sized refrigerators (with freezer) that can be placed under a counter?
--do there exist small ovens that are wider than they are deep?
Any ideas would be welcomed; I am trying to create more (or really, SOME) counter space..
December 11, 2007
Eratic Hot/Cold Water In Shower In Coop: Fixture Connection?
My coop just replaced it boiler, which hasn't changed the erratic hot and cold "flashes" that plague my showers. My shower and bathroom are ripe for reno.
SO, just wondering if there's any connection between the age of a set of faucets and the constancy of hot or cold water flow? Also, are there any faucets that, by incorporating sort of a reservoir, might moderate this problem?
December 3, 2007
Customer-friendly granite fabricator?
I am looking for a company that would be willing to sell me and cut some relatively small pieces of granite; I plan to use it to cover an unattractive countertop (the real kitchen renovation is down the road a bit)
thanks!
November 15, 2007
Warming Up Subway Tile with Wood?
I like subway-ish tile, but at the same time think it may be too cold a material to create a warm, welcoming (if small) kitchen. If your kitchen mixes subway tile with wood (moldings and/or stained wood cabinets) I would love to see a photo for inspiration...
November 7, 2007
Sturings at 81 7th Ave. (ex-Zuzu's Petals
I just saw the produce store fixtures being removed from 81 Seventh Ave. Guess the ownership dispute or whatever is over, and demolition is on its way? Predictions for use? My guess is retail under coops or condos (the current building is only one story)...
November 5, 2007
Reno/Idea Magazines?
I am looking for suggestions for, say, magazines (or other sources) that might offer ideas for renovating my historic PSlope coop. In other words, the perfect magazine would be called Small Late 19th Century Urban Residence Monthly" Any suggestions?
October 18, 2007
Current Mortgage Rates?
Under the rubric "trust be verify," I would like to know what I should be paying on a PSlope brownstone coop purchase that should go to closing in the near future. This would be,technically, the buyer's pied a terre, so to speak; buyer's primary residence is suburbs (if that makes a difference).
Thanks.
October 7, 2007
Small Stoves that are Wider than Deeper?
Looking to renovate my small, narrow little brownstone kitchen, I keep wanting to turn my existing stove 90degrees so that it more shallow than it is deep. Of course, that's not possible, since doing so would be the oven door, and the stove controls on the side.
So the question beckons, does any company manufacture a small stove that is wider than it is deep? we're talking SMALL here; obviously, most large, high-end stoves are wider than they are deep.
Author's Comments
8:27PM, ain't gonna happen. Such would require (1) major recession (2) Manhattan residential prices to, basically, crash. (2) is even less likely to happen than (1).
Relax. The economy is more or less great, and short of a nuclear attack, is going to stay that way for years.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 17, 2007 9:17 PM in response to Fed Cuts Discount Rate, Markets Rejoice
PS: Since when is 300 points in a 13,000 Dow a big deal? It was a big deal 15 or 20 years ago when it was a much greater percentage, but not, its a non-event.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 17, 2007 9:19 PM in response to Fed Cuts Discount Rate, Markets Rejoice
hey 9:49 PM, me thinks you have never thought the time was right to invest; and if you did, it was not with much thought.
In most ways, the US economy is better than in was in the 1990's; even the late 1990's. There are no guarantees, but perpetual pessimist that eventually "proves right" is no better than not thinking at all.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 19, 2007 3:27 AM in response to Fed Cuts Discount Rate, Markets Rejoice
7:29am, my coop is small, and run by several architects, a public policy person, and other smart people who, in addition, have a very smart managment guy/co retained. Don't be so sure about the economics; and believe me, I would be the first to prefer gas to oil.
By the way, I find it hard to believe that the replative competitive oil fuel delivery market would support corruption.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 19, 2007 5:08 PM in response to Switch to gas heat from oil?
Second class citizens? I would argue that there is more smarts, more vision in Brooklyn than Manhattan, per capita, as well as overall.
re the 1980's real estate market, you completely fail to recognize the factors that have driven, and are driving the real estate market in brownstone-dominated Brooklyn; its not a bubble, its the advent of the possibility of not having to move to the suburbs to be an adult/have a family. Its also the maturing of American culture to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity (space).
In other words, short of major catastrophic terrorism or war, Brooklyn (and NYC in general) isn't going to experience a major, sustained downturn any time soon; probably not for decades.
I would really like to know how much of the pessimism expressed in this thread is held by the same nuts who think the economy isn't good (nationally), or that "the deficit" is out of control, or any of the other fake maladies associated with the political left.
Sure, prices may not keep going up rapidly, or go up at all, but things are good, and will continue to be good for the foreseeable future.
Which doesn't mean, on some emotional level, I would not love to see a few real estate offices close on Seventh Avenue and replaced by real stores ;-)
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 20, 2007 10:55 AM in response to Fed Cuts Discount Rate, Markets Rejoice
tangent: can anyone explain the economic motivation for the condemned building formerly occupied by Zuzu's Petals sitting fallow for so many years?
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 20, 2007 2:08 PM in response to Fed Cuts Discount Rate, Markets Rejoice
the building, a one story structure, is condemned, and will have to come down. The most likely replacement is apartments with retail on the first floor, but its now been years, and, well, short of some bizarre legal battle as to ownership, I don't get it...
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 20, 2007 3:51 PM in response to Fed Cuts Discount Rate, Markets Rejoice
Please tell me why you would think the "brownstone brooklyn" real estate market would be supported by Wall Street types. Most of the housing stock--most--is far too modest to appeal directly to the rich, or nouveaux riche, or bonus-rich (or children thereof. And even if you go to the secondary effects of "the rich" buying up Manhattan, you need to go pretty far to get an effect on brownstone brooklyn; you probably need to pass through the suburbs.
So, I agree with you stated hope. But also that the market here isn't going to be greatly impacted by a Wall St. downturn (if that ever happens).
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 22, 2007 7:25 AM in response to Wall street bonus pool
Schumer is a political fool, but I digress... Prime and semi-prime brownstone brooklyn hasn't, and isn't about to see massive forelosures.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 22, 2007 11:12 AM in response to Report: Brooklyn Foreclosures Up 51 Percent
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
HAHAHAHA... I can't even continue reading the rest of the comments after 5:06!
And so many people wonder why there is so much bad in the world??? Well to start of because of peole like:
4:05
4:14
5:03
5:05
5:06 and I'm sure there are more of those people on this site after that as well! Now these people have kids...they then grow up with ignorance and there is your circle!!!
ANYWAY ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE SO IF YOU HAVE COMMENTS ON MY WRITING SPEAR YOURSELF...I ALREADY KNOW!!!
And to 3:59 and 3:46 Thank you for your maturity and information. It's very much appreciated.
Posted by: guest at April 29, 2008 10:21 AM in response to PS 321 losing its luster?
I kind of like the iron bars, and a runner can look nice, but probably not the two-color example pictured.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at August 17, 2007 9:13 PM in response to Carpet on staircase - Yes or yuck???