I was thinking plastic covering might seal in moisture. Should I use cloth?

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at September 29, 2009 9:54 AM in response to tips for storing window a/c unit

I bought for that price range in Bay Ridge. I got a cute 3 bedroom home with a yard and garage. I worried that the transition form Carroll Gardens would be tough, but I love my quiet street, the great restaurants, and the park and water being nearby. Now summer is here and I have a garden. I looked in Windsor--nothing in my price range. Sunset--things in my price range were dumps. And Greenwood, just didn't have much inventory in my price range at the time.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at June 24, 2009 3:55 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I found my place in bay ridge on CL. The realtor was a great ReMax agent named Maria Skarvelis. I looked in Sunset Park and didn't see anything that didn't need major work and there aren't so many amenities there. Yes, the commute is longer, but you can get a cute one-family with a garage for the price of a two BR apt in other neighborhoods.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at May 19, 2009 5:57 PM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

I moved to Bay Ridge from Caroll Gardens about a month and a half ago. After looking at apartments (I wanted at least 2 BR and outdoor space), I bought a small, one family with a garage. I paid for less than your apt. So you could also look at homes in the area if you're open to it. I decided that outdoor space was important to me and this house also provides me with a basement and 3 bedrooms (one is pretty small and is going to be an office). So far, the conveniences are great and the commute has not really bothered me much. I am a Brooklynite in my 30's and my fiance is from Albany and has lived in several Brooklyn hoods. We're pretty happy.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at March 3, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Moving to Bay Ridge

Call Irving Lepelstadt in Park Slope for a quote. He is awesome.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at February 18, 2009 5:24 PM in response to Homeowner's Insurance - Slope

I am not around after work today. If late morning on Sun works, I can give you a call.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at February 13, 2009 3:17 PM in response to Wanted: Swinging kitchen door

It's a single panel door, no mechanism. No cost either. (I don't ever plan on using it and had it on my list to call sanitaiton to see whether any special arrangements were needed to chuck it.)

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at February 13, 2009 11:02 AM in response to Wanted: Swinging kitchen door

Mopar, I am trying to figure out how much would need to be done. But the bathroom is in really bad shape--mismatched tiles, all the glaze on the old tiles is cracked, the iron tub has been painted very badly and the rust is coming through. I guess I am wondering whether I just work on all of areas where tile and plumbing fixtures are and leave the ceiling and plaster wall or whether it is better to take everything out once you're at it.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at February 12, 2009 4:47 PM in response to Planning for a Bathroom Reno

I measured--it's 30 by 80.5. Let me know if that is of any use.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at February 11, 2009 10:13 PM in response to Wanted: Swinging kitchen door

I have one in my basement. I will measure it tonight and call if the dimensions match. It would mean coming to Bay Ridge to pick up.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at February 11, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Wanted: Swinging kitchen door

I was asking about about what to pay NOT including materials.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at January 14, 2009 3:17 PM in response to sheetrock estimate

I have been researching gutter guards and there is a great site called askthebuilder.com where they guy tested various gutter guards on his roof and selected a system called mastershield. If you go to the site and search gutter guard you can watch videos. As part of the work, Mastershield moves your gutters to make them flush with the edge of your roof and this apparently makes the guards all the more effective. Maybe they'd look at your whole set up. You can have them come out for a free gutter inspection and quote. I am thinking about it myself.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at January 6, 2009 8:35 PM in response to Gutter specialist rec

I thought I'd post this here too--

OP Here--I think I did everything right. I am not exceeding 25% of my gross income, I got a 5.25 mortgage rate, I put a a good amount down. Yet, I am still filled with terror. I am hoping to have the same experience as most of you--that it will pass with time. I know the fears are both rational and irrational and that change is hard. I guess that I was thinking it was going to be much easier. Everyone says that home-ownership means pride and control and I thinking of renting as carefree. Also, after all that saving, it is scary not to have months of expenses sitting in the bank right now. I worry about rebuilding the emergency fund while saving to redo the bathroom and kitchen. It all seems so much! Thanks to all of you for reminding me to breathe and be patient.

Anyone want to share recos on a good handyman?

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at January 5, 2009 6:18 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Also, anyone have a good handyman to recommend?

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at January 5, 2009 5:26 PM in response to First Time Homeowner Anxiety

OP Here--I think I did everything right. I am not exceeding 25% of my gross income, I got a 5.25 mortgage rate, I put a a good amount down. Yet, I am still filled with terror. I am hoping to have the same experience as most of you--that it will pass with time. I know the fears are both rational and irrational and that change is hard. I guess that I was thinking it was going to be much easier. Everyone says that home-ownership means pride and control and I thinking of renting as carefree. Also, after all that saving, it is scary not to have months of expenses sitting in the bank right now. I worry about rebuilding the emergency fund while saving to redo the bathroom and kitchen. It all seems so much! Thanks to all of you for reminding me to breathe and be patient.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at January 5, 2009 5:21 PM in response to First Time Homeowner Anxiety

I worked with Maria Skarvelis at ReMax. I am closing next week on a home and she just found one for my sisters. She is excellent.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at December 11, 2008 10:22 AM in response to BROKER

I just locked today at 5.65%. I think the broker was well worth it and I used Frank Tamayo at Trachtman & Bach.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at November 25, 2008 3:04 PM in response to Getting a mortgage (contract signed)

Adam, How low do you see this going? Should one have jumped on 5.875 yesterday or keep floating?

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at November 21, 2008 12:42 PM in response to Mortgage Rates

Read www.mortgagecommentary.com or sign up to have the daily commentary emailed to you. It's great.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at November 20, 2008 3:05 PM in response to Mortgage Rates

Maria Skarvelis at ReMax. I am about to close on a home she sold me. This is from the buyer's perspective: honest, responsive, experienced and works hard. Every other agent I have encountered (and I have been looking for almost 2 yrs) has been pushy, phony, or not well-informed. Maria actually listens.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at November 17, 2008 10:58 AM in response to Do you have a Realtor recommendation?

fab broker - Maria Skarvelis at ReMax.
fab lawyer - John d. Famulari

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at October 17, 2008 5:14 PM in response to Wrapping up a sale -- recommendations

Are you sure no one bought any of it? The place now has shades and furniture in it. I was thinking the owners might have done it to make it look occupied.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at October 16, 2008 10:52 AM in response to 45 Third Place Not Moving

I have been looking for awhile (same price range as you) and have not seen anything that was not in a bad state of disrepair or just gross. I recently put an offer in on a small one-family in Bay Ridge. The place is immaculate, the block is quiet, there's a park, restaurants, and more nearby. While the commute is longer, I think the quality of life will be better.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at September 1, 2008 3:32 PM in response to two family in brooklyn????

the broker returned my call...says that an senior citizen who owned it passed and his nephews are selling. could or would not comment on what property shark shows about it being sold in 2006 for 600K.

first she said there may be offers, then she asks how much i can put down, two minutes later she says there are cash offers out there and doesn't want to waste my time, which is nice, but...the way re agents go about things make you not want to hunt.

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at October 5, 2007 2:36 PM in response to Windsor Terrace Listing

did this person ever share the the issue via email with anyone? maybe he/she doesn't have any info...

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at October 5, 2007 12:02 PM in response to Windsor Terrace Listing

Yes, what is the issue? bruschettabar@aol.com

Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at October 4, 2007 2:47 PM in response to Windsor Terrace Listing

Keep saving--I am convinced prices will drop, and you just need to be in a good position when that happens--it sounds like you are on the way. Good luck

Posted by: lf2009 at May 19, 2009 8:32 PM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

There are lots of deals (obviously they need lots of work) in fringe hoods like Bed Stuy and Bushwick. I sometimes email deals I spot to friends who are looking to buy, but the stock response I receive is "I'm not living in the hood."

You need to decide how much of a "hood" threshold you and your woman can bear.

Once you've focused on a particular neighborhood, start hitting CL and the other sites religiously. If you can find some good agents to help you look, use them.

Before you know it, you'll find something that makes sense.

And don't be afraid of renovation projects. With a good contractor (only go off personal references of friends) it's often not as big a deal as you might think and allows you to personalize a space to your exact specifications.

Posted by: IronBalls at May 19, 2009 9:07 PM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

Putnamdenizen,

LOL--the hypothetical schoolteachers were to live like millionaires AFTER their house was finished. In retrospect, knowing more about old houses, that's somewhat akin to "next year in Jerusalem" at a Passover Seder.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at May 19, 2009 9:12 PM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

Yes, homeownership in NYC seems to be for the six figure crowd only. You can try buying a Coop. If your heart is set on a Row house, there are some lovely blocks in Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Eastern Lefferts Gardens - past Rogers (thanks Bob) where you may be able to get something that's "modestly" priced, as iron says, maybe a fixer-upper. I'll leave that "fringe" comment alone. Also, you can also factor getting something with a rental but don't force it, either you can afford it or you can't. Finally (and don't tell this to the latte sippers that post here) As you know - Brooklyn extends past Prospect Park - there is Flatbush, Canarsie, Dyker Heights, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Sunset Park etc, etc. You may need a car but it may be worth it.

Posted by: Crownlfc at May 21, 2009 1:30 AM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

quikazoid, how do you save so much each month? Do you have any tips for us?

Posted by: mopar at May 22, 2009 12:07 AM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

thanks for clarifying that Mopar - I was thinking where are they hiding all these supposed townhouses in jackson heights.

Posted by: dittoburg at June 24, 2009 3:57 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Oops, wait, I forgot: Jackson Heights has a smattering of standalone and semi-attached houses built in the 1930s. Not many. Probably fewer than 20. I'm not sure what they go for these days.

Posted by: mopar at June 24, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Adam,
Whats rent like in Jersey City?

I been looking for places in Brooklyn, I love it here. Never considered Jersey City, but I did a quick search and it looks nice!

Posted by: guikazoid at June 24, 2009 4:30 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Mopar -- I saw a listing for a Jackson heights townhouse a year or so ago that was asking either low 800's or high 700's. I think it was maybe on 85th Street. It looked nice from the pictures. I doubt you will find many townhoues between Roosevelt Ave and Northern Blvd for under 700K, even post-Lehman.

As for Forest Hills, there are some small standalone houses (16' wide or so) for under 700K the farther away from the LIRR you get -- maybe 15 minutes walking.

Posted by: Boerumresident at June 24, 2009 5:12 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Glendale or Middle Village, in Queens. Transport is kinda tough, as its a bus-subway connection to midtown, but the M goes downtown.

Safe, and Trader Joe's!

Posted by: bugleg at June 24, 2009 6:51 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?