Obviously, not having the Q service is a temporary but necessary inconvenience in order to repair the tracks and stations along the route. If someone knows how to repair and improve the tracks without stopping service, please advise the Transit Authority. However, there are buses into the area including the shuttles that will replace the train service. You can also just take the IRT to the Junction and walk over to this open house. Most buyers interested in houses in this area generally speaking will have cars and can drive to open houses though. Even if the trains were in service, I don't know that this house would get that much traffic at that price/condition and being further away from Cortelyou.

Now, if you really know Brooklyn, which extends far beyond Prospect Park, you would not consider this area remote or inaccessible. Remote would be City Line, maybe the Paedergats and Sea Gate. Inaccessible would be -nowhere in Brooklyn. You can take a train and/or bus to get anywhere in the borough.

Posted by: Chaka at September 12, 2009 3:40 PM in response to Open House Picks

Painting three colors on the siding on this house will run about 3-5K. Priming and painting clapboard shingles that have minimal damage is about 5K-10K. You will need to re-paint at about ten year intervals with small touch ups here and there every couple of years. I have neighbors who have spent as much as 40K to remove siding and replace with all new shingles and clapboards. That included insulation and paint.

As far as the schools are concerned, P.S. 217 and 139 are both good. Lots of community involvement at both but I'd give 217 the edge over 139. If you live in 139's zone it is not hard to get your kid into 217 if that's what you prefer.

The house on Argyle is a foreclosure.

Posted by: Chaka at September 3, 2009 3:46 PM in response to House of the Day: 790 Rugby Road

Cops, firefighters and NYC teachers at top pay, which comes after five years for most of those civil service titles, do make over 100K. For police, fire and correction for that matter, 93K is just the base top pay. Add to that night shift differential (3K), seniority pay(5K), holiday pay(3K), uniform allowance (1K) and overtime ($$K), all well deserved in my opinion.

There are many places (Brownsville, ENY, Bensonhurst, Sheephead Bay, etc...) that with a working spouse or partner they can afford to purchase within the city limits. When it comes to cops and firefighters in particular, they prefer to live outside of the city or in Staten Island. In addition, these civil servants are eligible for Officer Next Door/Teacher Next Door programs sponsored by the federal government as well as special discounts offered by banks via their unions.

It's the school bus drivers, home health aides, library clerks and other lower middle class workers that will never be able to purchase anywhere in the city. Not being facetious here but is owning a home a right? When I grew up in Brooklyn, although my parents owned their home as did my grandparents, most people were renters. If you never purchase a home it does not mean that you are somehow a less worthy class of human being.

Posted by: Chaka at August 18, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Looking for the Bottom

The reason why people don't suggest depending on rental income whether in DP or elsewhere to make your mortgage payment is so that you don't find yourself in a bind if tenants don't pay or don't pay on time. Yaakovdoe, although there are probably more illegal basement rentals in DP as is the case in many parts of Brooklyn, I can assure yoy that there are LEGAL basement rentals in Victorian Flatbush. One in particular was found out to be legal after neighbors reported what they thought to be a violation to DOB.

Posted by: Chaka at August 18, 2009 10:43 AM in response to Renting the Basement?

Architerrorist is correct. There are several homes in the area that were originally constructed as two-family homes. Although rare in Ditmas Park proper, Beverley Square West and Ditmas Park West have several. There area also several legal conversions including two that I know of that are legal basement conversions. Most of the people who rent rooms are renting to family and or friends. I rented a room to my cousins daughter and her college friend while they attended NYU. I would not, as others have suggested, purchase a home anywhere if you are absolutely dependent on rental income to make your mortgage. Look long and hard, I am certain that you can find a legal two-family for under one million. There were some up for sale recently. If you still want a basement rental do it legally.

Posted by: Chaka at August 17, 2009 8:14 PM in response to Renting the Basement?

Forgot to post the link

http://www.brokelyn.com/one-bedroom-apartments-20896/#more-1019

Posted by: Chaka at May 22, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Open House Picks: Open Thread

There was a post on the Ditmas Park blog that linked to the Brokelyn (Broke in Brooklyn?)blog where I saw this "One bedroom apartments for $20,896."

"If you’re single and make less than $73,725 a year, congratulations—you’re officially “moderate income” in NYC. (And you were psyched just to have a job!) What that means: you may be eligible to join the lottery to buy a one-bedroom apartment in this building—2310 Clarendon Road between 23rd Street and Bedford Avenue in Flatbush—for $20,896, through a program operated by the lefty-sounding Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, which also has listings in Bushwick."

Clarendon Road is a pretty busy street but there are plans for some kind of streetscape. The car traffic has already been reduced to one lane each way and bike lanes have already been established. There are also bike lanes on Bedford. This is not Victorian Flatbush or PLG but there are some great shops all along Flatbush Avenue. For that price, I would live there. I can't think off-hand where the nearest subway stop is but I am certain that it would be on the IRT and not the Q/B. Also finding on street parking for a car wouldn't be that bad. I know that the intersection of Flatbush and Clarendon can get quite roudy in the summer but I don't know if the overflow continues down to Bedford.

It might be worth the time to take a look and put in for the lottery.

Posted by: Chaka at May 22, 2009 1:57 PM in response to Open House Picks: Open Thread

I actually went into the house about seven years ago and it was a mishmash Architerrorist but it seemed as though the original details are still there hidden beneath sheetrock and drop ceilings. I bet it could be made livable for purchase plus about 150K chicken, which would make it an excellent buy for someone who is handy. We'll see what happens.

Posted by: Chaka at May 20, 2009 8:42 PM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 1316 Beverley Road

I would say that if you purchased this property, you would be looking at the "have mores." There are certainly spotty, shabby even downright scary blocks in these parts but this ain't one of them.

Posted by: Chaka at May 20, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 1316 Beverley Road

I will agree that this house is an eyesore and has been for sometime but having a commercial space on that block does not make it spotty. On the next block - Beverley between Marlborough and Rugby there are two commercial properties, one a doctors office and the other a therapists office that are beautifully maintained.

Posted by: Chaka at May 20, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 1316 Beverley Road

What makes this "patch of Beverley a little spotty" Mr B?

Also you gathered wrong, nothing has been done to this house in quite sometime. The half bricked-in porch has been like this for at least eight years and there hasn't been any renovation work done in almost as long.

I do wish the owners well however this turns out.

Posted by: Chaka at May 20, 2009 10:59 AM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 1316 Beverley Road

The ultra orthodox hasids are in Boro Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburgh. They are not spending millions on condos. The Sephardim are the wealthier of all of the groups and they live mostly along Ocean Parkway in Midwood through Gravesend. These were the families that were able to pay millions for houses not the ultra orthodox Hasids. As I stated previously, many in this Sephardic community were hard hit by the Madoff mess but I suspect that there are still some who can fork over millions to stay within the community.

Posted by: Chaka at May 19, 2009 6:19 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Thanks for removing PropJoes racist comments.

Posted by: Chaka at May 19, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Probably the result of a program much like the million tree program now Arkady. In my neighborhood the developers planted the trees when they divided the lots and built the house. Many more have been planted since then by the neighborhood association's Arbor Day tree planting and more recently by the Parks Department under the Mayor's program. BTW does anyone know the lifespan of these trees. Do they live 150 years or more? I am wondering if all of those trees planted 100 years ago will all begin dying at around the same time leaving the streets bare again.

Posted by: Chaka at May 19, 2009 12:11 PM in response to Maple Street, Then and Now

There are people of all ethnicities who managed to cushion themselves. I thankfully was one of them. Timing of course was everything but many in the community have taken a hard hit as they had their money with Madoff which is forcing many in the community to shift their lifestyles . I know a couple of families who are wondering how they will pay for their childrens tuition at Yeshiva. Many Jewish charitable organizations took a hit because of Bernie. Many of these groups do of course cater to Jewish interests but many are big supporters of the arts and charities that help people regardless of religious/ethnic affiliation. Charities througout the city are feeling the pinch.

Posted by: Chaka at May 19, 2009 12:06 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

I found some of the window awnings in the attic of my house and I got pretty much the same results as you Bob when I moved them. I thought about having some made and reinstalled until I realized that the now mature trees on my block serve pretty much the same purpose. Nice look though.

Posted by: Chaka at May 19, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Maple Street, Then and Now

I know of at least five people who are legal residents of southern states and they reside in those states the majority of the year. It is completely legal for them to register their cars in their states of residency. They are not required to re-register their cars in NY State for the brief periods that they visit NYC.

DIBS your car is kept in Philly but registered in MA so yes you are committing insurance fraud. Art you didn't say that you were not refering to illegally parked cars which the traffic agents most certainly ticket and it is absolutely not true that you don't need proof of insurance to register a vehicle in SC. If I am not mistaken it is that you don't need a vehicle inspection in SC.

Posted by: Chaka at May 18, 2009 12:14 PM in response to Residential Parking Permits Pushed for Brooklyn Heights

Brenda you are cetainly way off base here. I wouldn't call this phenomonon *paranoia*. To say that is to say that the fears that some in the community may have irrational and not based on actual exeriences collective or individual.

It was an integral part of this nations fabric to institute racist policies against Blacks in an effort to keep us in a state of perpetual oppression. While I think that most people have moved on despite this, there are still people both Black and White who suffer from its affects.

Posted by: Chaka at May 18, 2009 11:57 AM in response to Minorities Disproportionately Hit by Foreclosure Crisis

I don't see this as a pro-car owner anti-public transportation rider issue. Both groups are are subsidized in one way or another in NYC. This is elitist though. If BH residents want designated parking, they should pay for a space in a parking garage.

Art, many residents of Bed-Stuy, especially the older ones, are legal residents of Georgia and other Southern states where they register their cars. They are mostly retirees who have chosen not sell their homes in Bed-Stuy and of course they register their cars where it is cheaper which is completely legal for them. I have seen the Traffic Agents ticket illegally parked cars with out of state plates just as they would cars registered in NY State.

Posted by: Chaka at May 18, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Residential Parking Permits Pushed for Brooklyn Heights

Yes, I meant with their "ten year old pre-teen" brother. And of course I was being sarcastic. Very. I think that Park Slope is a nice place but when VF is just a stop or two on the train away from it, the choice for me is obvious.

Architerror, overall, I am a big Brooklyn "booster" but I am a defender of VF. When someone erroneously slams the neighborhood, I will come to its defense but will do the same for any Brooklyn hood except maybe Mill Basin. I am Brooklyn born and bred. All of Brooklyn is my hometown. I await the day that the Dodgers come home even though I was too young to remember them ever being here.

Posted by: Chaka at May 16, 2009 6:52 PM in response to Open House Picks

I was going to put in an offer on the Ablemarle House a couple of months ago but for almost the same money I decided on a 2 bedroom duplex in Park Slope on a busy street with no parking or storage where my teenaged daughters can share a room with their ten pre-teen brother just so I could be 10 minutes instead of 35 minutes away from the real city and close to all of those Park Slope ammenities. Besides even though those Victorian Flatbush streets are wide enough for both strollers and people, I really don't mind walking in the gutters - as long as they are in Park Slope anyway.

Posted by: Chaka at May 16, 2009 9:20 AM in response to Open House Picks

Achiterrorist, I had the complete opposite experience with a student who moved from a suburban area into one of my NYC classes. I guess it depends on where you live in the suburbs. All suburban schools are not created equal either. I would suspect that a student in a northern suburb where the taxes are scary expensive would do better than a student from an area of the suburbs where the taxes were not as scary.

Posted by: Chaka at May 14, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Can Ditmas Park Save The Middle Class?

I have to disagree with you Montrose. The majority of the houses in Victorian Flatbush are still owned by middle class families. People who are civil servants and other jobs described by Back40 which would land us squarely in the middle class. We do have wealthier families who've purchased homes in the last couple of years above the million dollar mark but block by block they are few. The kids who live in the big houses play with kids who live in both co-op, condo and rental apartments in the small parks, at each others homes and in school. There is probably more interaction now among people from various socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds now than there ever was in 1955. There is an overall friendliness also found in neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy, that give this neighborhood a hometown feel that that transcends the "Our Town" look of the area.

As far as maintainence is concerned, any house can be a beast if you don't take care of problems as they arise. Unfortunatley for many of our elderly neighbors, these houses or any house can become too much for them to handle especially if they don't have family and friends to help them out. These were many of the people who made off with a million dollars when they sold their homes to people who could afford to restore them. A win for all concerned.

Posted by: Chaka at May 14, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Can Ditmas Park Save The Middle Class?

http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pub/departments/esac/1535.htm

My results from a couple of years ago were not as bad as I thought. I have been incorporating compost and lime and I want to retest to see if that made a difference. I still do not grow edibles directly in the gound though. I use containers instead for tomatoes, strawberries and herbs.

Posted by: Chaka at May 14, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Brooklyn Ground Zero for Lead Soil Problems

Very true 6 yrs. In addition, the majority of the people who practice Islam are not Arab. Also ancient Jews were not Black especially because the term didn't exist until recently. FWIW, continental Africans don't generally think of themselves as Black either but instead see themselves as belonging to various ethnic groups which often times cross the geopolitical country boundaries but many ancient Jews were clearly dark skinned people with Africans among them.

Posted by: Chaka at April 17, 2009 3:30 PM in response to What Was Eugene's LPC Vote Worth? $409,000

This house is often called the "Japanese House." It backs right onto the Q/B tracks so the back of the house can be seen as the train pulls into the Church Avenue station form Beverley Road. The house was built by John Petit in 1903 assisted by Japanese consultants. According to the Guide to Victorian Flatbush the design reflects carefully adapted Japanese temple detailing. Frederick Strange Kolle 1871-1929, a German born medical doctor who was an author and inventor in the field of x-rays, lived there.

I only remember seeing the house once on the Victorian Flatbush House Tour in the last 10 years but the current owner was gracious enough to host a reception for the Hosue Tour volunteers a couple of years back. The interior is just as wonderful.

Of course you don't have to wait for the house tour to see more of these homes. You can just hop the train, bike or drive over any day, preferably a nice day and take a walk through the area. You can take in lunch and or drinks at any number of places.

Posted by: Chaka at April 16, 2009 6:36 PM in response to Thursday Blogwrap

The tow truck may have been working with the sheriff's office towing scofflaws.

Posted by: Chaka at April 4, 2009 10:05 PM in response to Car Thefts on 15th Street

I think that this affects schools in so-called fringe areas more than the schools in areas that already had great public schools. Someone buying a home within the zoned area of a good school more than likely did so because they had all intentions of sending their children to that public school. P.S. 321 is just one example of that. Many parents who purchased homes in Ditmas Park and vicinity did so thinking that with the money saved on the mortgage/maintenance, that they would (and many did) send their kids to private schools. They are now enrolling their kids in either P.S. 139 or P.S. 217 which have both been steadily improving because of the work of middle class parents who have been there all the while. I can only imagine that the same is probably happening in Bed-Stuy,Williamsburgh and elsewhere.

As far as middle school, there are many good options like Mark Twain, Hudde, Bay Academy, etc... with more coming down the line.

Posted by: Chaka at April 4, 2009 10:03 PM in response to The public school effect

Beautiful home but nix the idea of the bamboo. Iron would be much more appropriate. Just don't use stainless steel!

Posted by: Chaka at April 4, 2009 9:47 PM in response to bamboo front fence

Where do you plan on placing the T.V.? In the basement, a bedroom or a kitchen? If you plan on having friends over for viewing sports or having a movie night in the basement, a screen over 32" would be wise. For bedrooms anything over 32" would probably be way to big and if you plan on placing it in a kitchen a small 19" would do. LCD definitely pulls less electricity than a plasma but they still draw a lot of power. Be sure that your electrical system is up to par either way. Do you plan on mounting the unit on the wall, placing it in a cabinet or placing it on a stand? A more light weight, sleek unit would be better for wall mounting. MAke sure that the walls/beams can support the weight if that is your intention. I prefer viewing wall mounted units. The wall mount kits can be pricey but make sure that you purchase an "arm" that fits the weight and screen size of the unit that you purchase. Depending on where the unit is mounted in the room, you may need a wall mount that swings out and tilts. Those are even more expensive than the ones that are stationary. For T.V.'s unde 27" Ikea sells a wall mount for under $25 that swings out and tilts the others go for $100 and more. Also take into consideration what you plan on connecting to the TV - Cablevision, Blue Ray DVD, game consoles, or other audio video units. Also although some of the lesser known brands have really good pricing, make sure you go with a brand that can supply after market service and customer support if needed. Hope that helps a little.

Posted by: Chaka at April 4, 2009 9:23 PM in response to buying a flat screen TV

"Sellers are clinging for dear life to 2007 prices in that neighborhood."

This neighborhood and every other neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Posted by: Chaka at April 4, 2009 8:59 PM in response to Open House Picks

sixyearsandcounting,

In keeping with tybur6's comment on the refreshing exchange on this thread, I must apologize for my mistake. You are correct. Every high school does not have free-standing metal detectors. However, every high school in NYC does have handheld transfriskers. They were instituted by the NYPD when the NYPD took over the School Safety force.

Posted by: Chaka at February 25, 2009 7:39 PM in response to 2777 Bedford Avenue Sells for 25% Under Ask

I agree with Streetwise. I wouldn't be so concerned with what the owner paid but more concerned with the recent comps, the financial situation of the co-op and what the apartment is worth to me.

Posted by: Chaka at February 25, 2009 1:22 PM in response to Co-op appreciation

Saminthehood,

You will be presently surprised to know that the neighborhood has seen much improvement since the 70's and 80's. Same with Erasmus which was restructured several years back into five separate schools all of which are doing well.

What hasn't changed is that the area is still inconvenient to access by public transportation and there are still metal detectors at Erasmus and every other NYC public high school.

BTW, you don't have to be a neighborhood resident to use the facilities at Brooklyn College. They have a number of different programs like the Adult Education, Senior Citizens and Saturday School for Kids, etc... that would give you access.

Posted by: Chaka at February 25, 2009 1:08 PM in response to 2777 Bedford Avenue Sells for 25% Under Ask

Seed. Grass will grow in Brooklyn but you have to get the right seed or the right combination of seeds for your location. It's probably best to hire a local landscaper to do it for you but it will still require work on your part because you will have to water it everyday during the first growing season.

Posted by: Chaka at February 24, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Seed or sod that is the question

Again, I can't speak on the prices of co-ops or condos but the prices of houses haven't dropped much out here. There have been a couple of sales in the last two months of the more modest 5 bedroom homes with the more expensive 10 bedroom mansions not selling at all. I've heard that the co-ops have always been very reasonably priced and if that is so, prices may not drop much. It can't hurt to wait and see though because I don't think prices will rise. The new condo buildings in this area, like everywhere else in Brooklyn, are sitting vacant or going rental. Considering that we are only a 5 minute train ride from Park Slope, there are considerable ammenities in the area, the schools are good and getting better and there is plenty of parking, I think that you would get your money's worth with the purchase of a co-op, when you are ready.

Posted by: Chaka at January 29, 2009 5:21 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 30 Ocean Parkway 2 BR

There are several established co-op buildings in Ditmas Park and vicinity that are easily accessible to the 'Q/B' line. Some of the buildings are pre-war and others buildings built in 1960's by Trump and Lefrak. I don't know what they go for price wise but Brooklyn Properties on Cortelyou Road specializes in co-op and condo's in Kensington and Ditmas Park. The owner, who is also an area resident, is very laid back and easy to work with. I know several people who purchased with her.

Posted by: Chaka at January 29, 2009 2:13 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 30 Ocean Parkway 2 BR

I was also questioning how the market value of my home increased substantially when market values are decreasing. The good thing for me is that my assessed value remained the same and since the property taxes are based on the assessed value minus any exemtion value not market value.

Posted by: Chaka at January 29, 2009 1:55 PM in response to NYC-assessed market value

I don't remember daily pick-ups but I do remember that people did'nt have as much trash back then. Although building owners are required to have both an area designated for both regular trash and trash for recycling or risk being fined if reported, many do not which leaves far too many tenants in a quandry. If the tenant dumps the trash illegally in a street corner receptacle, they too can get fined if caught. I have seen Sanitation Ofiicers actually digging through household trash dumped in corner baskets looking for something in the trash that might identify the dumper. So if your super dumps your trash illegally, he won't get in trouble, you will.

Posted by: Chaka at January 21, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Storing Garbage in Rental Unit

Aren't bars on windows a safety hazard? How would you get out if there is a fire and your front door is inaccessible? There was a fire in Flatbush were all but a two of the occupants of the house died because the windows were blocked by security bars.

Posted by: Chaka at January 20, 2009 8:27 PM in response to Window Guards VS Security System

Teachers, firefighters, social workers, train conductors, utility workers, hospital workers and others whose jobs do not revolve around or near the financial industry do not have a need to live near Manhattan. So, I don't think this news is encouraging for the owners of brownstones. The "meat and potatoes" buyers that I know are not looking for homes in brownstone Brooklyn or East Harlem. Many of them are looking in areas that Brownstoners would consider "fringe" or "way-out."

I don't know if Prodigal Son and misterbubble would qualify as "meat and potatoes" but either way they would both probably do better to wait a while because the prices in the areas that they are considering will no doubt come down. A NY Times article this weekend predicts that NYC will lose close to 200,000 jobs most of which are in the financial industry, so perhaps there will be a deal or two out there for them.

Posted by: Chaka at January 19, 2009 10:47 AM in response to Average Joes Giving Market a Heartbeat

I have also used DAS on Cortelyou between Rugby and Argyle Roads numerous times. Good work at a reasonable price. I wish I could have gotten him to wrap foam and waterproof fabric on the clapboards outside of my house. It would have been way cheaper and probably a whole warmer than insulating, residing and then painting. Another benefit of using DAS is that parking is fairly easy to find on or around Cortelyou but if you don't drive you can take the Q train to Corteltyou and walk up two short blocks.

Posted by: Chaka at January 19, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Upholsterer

I didn't realize that the homes downtown were built by Ratner or with government subsidies Benson. I am pleasantly surprised. I wonder how much more it cost Ratner to build something decent? Probably not much, if anything at all or else he would not have done it. Afterall, he didn't use limestone, brownstone, cedar clapboards and plaster. He used the same bricks/brickface and sheetrock that the private builders use and this can probably be duplicated by private builders with them still making a profit.

Posted by: Chaka at January 16, 2009 1:44 PM in response to Horror Show Friday

I don't know anything about photography but I do know that after I left Sycamore (bar/flower shop on Cortelyou) last Friday night, all of the houses on my walk home looked like the photos here taken by use of the compromised focal length technique.

The Flatbush Gardener has more neighborhood photos http://flickr.com/photos/flatbushgardener/collections/72157600853607252/

Posted by: Chaka at January 16, 2009 1:18 PM in response to Victorian Flatbush in White

"Still- the developer for that building could have and should have done better."

Most definitely. There are developers who have tried though. The homes that were built in Bed Stuy on Malcolm X Blvd near Greene Avenue are an example. They are similar to the swath of homes that were built between Fulton and Atlantic before Atlantic Center mall was constructed. Those homes were designed with the aesthetics of their Brownstone neighborhoods in mind and were built for middle income buyers to boot.

Posted by: Chaka at January 16, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Horror Show Friday

Just cut and paste the posts from last weeks Horror Show.
Same difference. This is getting old.

Posted by: Chaka at January 16, 2009 12:40 PM in response to Horror Show Friday

You definitely should go on the house tour if you want to see the interiors of the homes featured but you can also take a walking tour with Ron Schweiger, the official Brooklyn Historian or just take the 'B/Q' train to Beverley Road, Cortelyou Road or Newkirk Avenue and start exploring on your own. There are several nice places to have luch or dinner including French bistro, Pakistani, Mexican and Jamaican. If you decide to go it alone, as with anywhere in NYC use your common sense when wandering around.

Posted by: Chaka at January 16, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Victorian Flatbush in White

I am sure that they did have inspections. While I agree that homes were definitely better constructed in the past, older houses comes with their own share of headaches, especially if they have not been well maintained. I know from experience that Brownstones and Victorian frame homes with structural/roof issues can be just as, if not more troublesome and expensive to repair than a newer home. That has everything to do with aesthetics.

Posted by: Chaka at January 12, 2009 5:36 PM in response to A Couple of Sales

In my post on Friday I stated that while I think that these houses are ugly, I have many friends who love them. They were more than qualified purchasers and most put down 20% or more to purchase similar homes throughout the city. They are mostly first generation Americans from all over the world and they would never even think of buying an old house. One co-worker told me that after visiting my home for the first time that she thought that I must have been mishandling my money because I owned such an old house! She simply couldn't understand why I would buy an "old house with all that wood all over and nothing shiny." She sends photos of her three family Fedders home back to her family so that they can see how well she is doing. I don't think a Brownstone would give the appearance of prosperity in her eyes. I am certain that her next stop is some mini-mansion in New Jersey or on Staten Island - filled with shiny stuff. So she and others may be unsophisticated by our standards but I would not assume that they are unqualifed because they prefer new ugly houses.

Posted by: Chaka at January 12, 2009 4:12 PM in response to A Couple of Sales

I went house shopping in Canarsie with a girlfriend of mine a few years back. She purchased a house not much different from the house on the right in this post. We must have looked at dozens of similar house in Canarsie alone. While I think that her house and the houses in this post are hideous, she and thousands of others love this type of thing. So, builders motivated by what buyers want, keep building them because people buy them.

Posted by: Chaka at January 9, 2009 2:09 PM in response to Horror Show Friday

You can rent a room or apartment on a short-term or long-term basis through www.roomorama.com. They make it pretty safe and easy. Much less sketchy than craigslist.

Posted by: drewmccartor at August 18, 2009 3:19 PM in response to Renting the Basement?