Cobblehillbaby's Profile
- Sasha
- 1982
- 2006
- Brooklyn
- Cobble Hill
- Rental
- Real Estate agent
- Female
- 26
Author's Comments
The mansion has huge windows in the back, if I were Norah, I'd rather keep my view on my backyard than right into my neighbors bedrooms. What is she going to do when she looks out her side windows, avert her eyes to her neighbors who now hate her? I'm glad everyone on this post is on team Norah, but I see the mansion owners point. I don't think lot line windows should be allowed in NYC. If you want multiple exposures, buy a corner townhouse/Brownstone or a Victorian somewhere else in Brooklyn. I would also like to know how she got some of the quickest approval by a Landmarks commision of all time. My neighbors had to wait a year to get approval to change their windows to the exact same ones they had just new.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 16, 2009 6:43 PM in response to Cobble Hill Neighbors Irked by Norah Jones' Windows
Hannible, Real Estate Agents have been working this neighorhood long before it became trendy. They are not the cause of rents going sky-high. You just sound bitter due to a bad experience, and not everyone hates Brokers like you do.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 16, 2009 6:34 PM in response to Realty Collective Buys Out Frank Manzione!
As someone who had lot lined windows that are now covered with a neighbors wood fence, I wonder if the people in the mansion can't just do the same. Norah Jones does not own the property next to her, and there hasn't been another building there in almost a century. But I know the mansion's back windows will now face directly into her house when her windows go up, so everyone in these 2 building will be losing privacy.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 16, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Cobble Hill Neighbors Irked by Norah Jones' Windows
Don't use the sprays. I had a neighbor who didn't report the problem to the Landlord (they're rent control and didn't think the Landlord would do anything) they sprayed for 6 months untill the bedbugs spread in the building. Now after weeks of 2 different exterminators coming (1 specializing in eco-friend treatments complete with a dog but not Bell Environmental) and throwing stuff out and getting mattress covers, the bulding is bedbug free. The only way to go is with an extrerminator and to follow their instructions.
And yes, the landlord is responsible for treating bedbugs regardless of who brought them in.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 16, 2009 3:52 PM in response to Bed Bug Question
I had this problem for the last 3 years. (Thanks to construction around me, shocker!) Finally I had a contractor come with the exterminator and they went and found every little hole in my apartment. They pulled out all my appliances and plugged up the gaps around my gas line in my stove. I also had about 12 traps set in a 700 sf apartment, and since my holes have been filled, not one of those traps have had a mouse in them! Good luck!
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 5, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!
I'm with Pete and Maly. Increase her rent by a few hundred dollars and that will get rid of her. Or just don't renew her lease. She will only get worse.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 5, 2009 3:47 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?
You will probably have to go to the hearing if you want to get the cabbie in trouble. Otherwise he will not be punsihed by the TLC, you'll just get a letter thanking you for taking the time to complain. Good luck and sorry to hear about this.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 5, 2009 3:43 PM in response to Mrs. B Side-Swiped In The Heights
Lucille, I think you are one of the only other NYers born and raised here! Thank you! Music does not bother me as much as say a screaming child or construction, but we live in a city! If you want quiet, move to the burbs!
To AEPE, in these times, take the tenant you can get. I would worry about a baby grand and your floors, becuase they are vey heavy, but if the floors can hold it, why not? However, before accepting the tenant, do get a 2nd landlord reference. That way you can make sure her current L/L isn't just trying to get rid of her. Then on the Rider to the lease, put the hours she can play in, and that if she plays at other times, that it is grounds for evitction. We have had musicians before, and were wary at first, but even in big buildings, we've never had noise complaints as long as they play at reasonable hours.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at October 26, 2009 6:06 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Cafe Chili on October 25, 2009 4:21 PM
I think this place sucks! The appetizers are ok, but the entrees were not good overall. The fish was off, but I will give their duck credit. Everyone I know who has had it, does say it's exellent. But what do I know, I grew up on Siam Garden and loved it!
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Ted & Honey on October 25, 2009 4:18 PM
Love this Place! Food is excellent! Yes the service can be slow when they are busy, but annoying people who can't decide what they want, often hold up the line. I think this is way better than the frech guy, otherwise known as Christoph.
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Ted & Honey on October 25, 2009 4:17 PM
Love this Place! Food is excellent! Yes the service can be slow when they are busy, but annoying people who can't decide what they want, often hold up the line. I think this is way better than the frech guy, otherwise known as Christoph.
Janus, it would have been helpful if you explained that they moved out already in your initial question. As someone who's familair with Landlord/Tenant court, and has been in this situation myriad times this year alone, it is not worth taking them to Court. Yes, hire a lawyer to write them a letter because sometimes threatening tenants with lawyer letters and talks of eviction proceedings scare them into paying. However, most of the time, it does nothing, and you wind up spending a decent amount of money to fight a losing battle that only takes up your time and energy.
Just to let you know though, if you do re-rent the apartment within their lease period, for a lesser amount of money, they are responsible for the difference in rent until their lease is up( if you chose to take them to Court).
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at October 1, 2009 5:54 PM in response to Non-Payment of Rent
You cannot recieve a commision if you own the building. So because you are buying the building, I am pretty sure the same law applies. You can represent yourself, but you cannot collect a commision.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at September 2, 2009 6:05 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Cody's Ale House Grill on August 19, 2009 5:32 PM
The food is average, but cheaper and 1,000 times better than the crap you get 2 doors down at Downtown Bar & Grill (one of the worst rated restaurants on Brownstoner). The staff and customers are really nice, and they have a good mix of people of all ages there. (My 70 year old neighbor goes everyday). I do enjoy their fried ravilois when they have them.
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Carroll Gardens Classic Diner on July 7, 2009 4:47 PM
It's cheaper to drive to NJ or Long Island and eat at a classic diner there than to walk the 2 blocks to this Diner and have the world's most overpriced diner fare
coppermaven, Amity Street is one of the best blocks in Cobble Hill. It's extra wide, is very safe, half the people on it have lived there their whole lives, and as someone who works in Real Estate, I have clients who only want to be on Amity Street. So it's a great block, and the most recent sale on Amity between Court and Clinton went for 4.9 in January. And yes Pete, it is zoned for 261 but most of the kids on the block do go to Private School.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at June 4, 2009 6:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 143 Amity Street
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about 215 Cucina Napoletana on May 8, 2009 3:53 PM
this is called south brooklyn, and always has been. The restaurant is fine, I am sorry so many people are sacred away because if they were in the area 20 years ago, they apparently would have starved.
Trust me, when it collapsed, the rain was coming down so hard that it could have been a monsoon. I heard it, and thought a tree had fallen, so I am not surprised a building with a methadone clinic (not abandoned) was unstable enough that it collapsed in heavy rain. Roofs are not indestructable.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at May 8, 2009 3:45 PM in response to 217 Court Coming Down?
Wow, after reading this, one can tell exactly who was born and raised in Brooklyn, and who was not. As a white teenager who hung out with white friends who were born and raised in FG (and yes there were very few of us) we did not let the crackhouses or Brothels on the block bother us. We smiled and made jokes with people who lived in those buildings, and no you did not ned a bullet proof vest to walk around there.
The real prob with the neighborhood started in 2004-5 when housing prices skyrocketed almost 80%! My problem really is that a lot of these new people do not smile or say hi. The crackheads/whores I grew up with made me feel safe, and were nicer to be around than a lot of these new residents. And I find that to be the case with most Brooklyn neighborhoods these days. These new "yuppies" or "hipsters" or whatever you call them, just for the most part are not nearly as nice and helpful as the people I know who were born and raised in these areas.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at May 5, 2009 6:48 PM in response to Rosie and Nelson Redux
Simon, I just want to say that I know what living in a Brownstone undergoing renovation is like. Despite all the comments, I don't think people realize how impressive it is to renovate a Brownstone (even 1 floor) in only 9 weeks, and live there while the work is going on! Congrats to you and Alex for getting it done so quickly! I only wish my mother would hire your contracters on her next renovation!
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 29, 2009 5:28 PM in response to Real Housewives: Simon and Alex's Renovation Revealed!
Brownstoner, since Brooklyn is your business, you should know Sackett Street is not part of Cobble Hill.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 29, 2009 5:06 PM in response to Development Watch: 346-348 Sackett Street
oops so sorry for that, computer froze and I didn't know it posted!
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:30 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:29 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The gun club is on pacific between Court and Clinton, near the corner of Clinton Street. This building was a beer distributorship on the ground floor, and a garage on top of that. I miss the garage, my parents parked there my whole life. I would totally join "friends of parking garages" as all the garages we have parked in in my 27 years have been torn down.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at April 27, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Cafe on Clinton on April 2, 2009 5:50 PM
This place was great when Barry owned it. Old Regulars have a right to be upset because it was consistantly good under the old management. I have given it myriad chances since it reopened, once I got sick, once my dad got sick, and I can honestly say I have not had one thing I've liked there. Even the salad dressing was sooo salty, that I would ask for my salad plain. We told the chef what we thought, but I believe he still serves the food without trying any of his recipes. I might might give it 1 more try since some people seem to like it (and it's around my corner), but I think it's now one of the worst places to eat at in the hood.
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Nectar on March 5, 2009 5:46 PM
I go here often, everything is delicious. My only complaint is that I wish they would ban strollers. Sometimes you have to climb over them to get to the counter, and I know the staff abhors the strollers also as it makes carrying boxes of food in imposibble for them.
I know I have a problem in my 8 unit buidling where if everyone is showering around the same time (like this past President's day around noon)there was no hot water or water pressure. I also know that if my neighbor is taking a long shower (since are bathrooms are next to each other I can hear) I have very little hot water. My solution is to wait until she is done with her super long shower and then get in mine when the hot water works fine again.
If only one tenant is complaining, I wouldn't stress over it. If all your tenants are complaining, then it's something to look into changing. And no I'm not a landlord. Just a tenant who knows other tenants in the world like to complain a lot.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at March 4, 2009 5:17 PM in response to hot water running out?
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Cube 63 on February 19, 2009 5:51 PM
Very good food, but I liked the atmosphere a lot more before it became "kid-friendly".
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Queen on February 17, 2009 5:30 PM
Hands down the best restaurant in all of Brooklyn. Never had a bad meal there (and I've been going there since they opened up in that space about 16 years ago), and I question anyone's tatse who says otherwise. Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the whole city.
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Faan on February 12, 2009 5:26 PM
This place was great when it opened for the first 3 years or so. Bar Below was always weird, and had such low ceilings that I always felt claustrophobic and wondered what other exits there were in case of a fire. But the service was always crappy, and the food has gone waayy down hill since they opened. However, they were very good when they first opened and had a smaller menu, and when they were open and delivered til 12 or 1.
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Faan on February 12, 2009 5:26 PM
This place was great when it opened for the first 3 years or so. Bar Below was always weird, and had such low ceilings that I always felt claustrophobic and wondered what other exits there were in case of a fire. But the service was always crappy, and the food has gone waayy down hill since they opened. However, they were very good when they first opened and had a smaller menu, and when they were open and delivered til 12 or 1.
Cobblehillbaby wrote a review about Faan on February 12, 2009 5:25 PM
This place was great when it opened for the first 3 years or so. Bar Below was always weird, and had such low ceilings that I always felt claustrophobic and wondered what other exits there were in case of a fire. But the service was always crappy, and the food has gone waayy down hill since they opened. However, they were very good when they first opened and had a smaller menu, and when they were open and delivered til 12 or 1.
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
I say this whenever the mention of BedBugs come up - if you want to get make sure your house stays Bed Bug free get your home a few House Centipedes. House centipedes feed on spiders, bedbugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants and other household arthropods. Many homes have them - they are very very fast and creep out of cracks in the walls and floors. If you see them, turn a blind eye for a second, they will be gone before you know it...but whatever you do, DON'T KILL THEM! They are your friends. Ever since I heard this I just smile when I see them knowing they are helping me out...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera
Posted by: Alexuma at November 16, 2009 5:20 PM in response to Bed Bug Question
after months of using a professional exterminator, someone I know finally used a product like Results and her bedbugs are finally gone. Results contains diatomaceous earth (silica dioxide) which is non-toxic. It does not poison the bedbugs. Instead, it causes their exoskeletons to break down (I think it takes about a week). Results also contains a poison which works much faster. If you are worried about children or pets, you might want to use straight diatomaceous earth. The only danger is if you breathe too much of it in -- it's a fine powder. You have to place it in all the cracks of your floorboards, baseboards, electrical outlets, etc. wherever the bedbugs might be hiding. You should place it around the bed posts, if that is how the bugs crawl into your bed. Once they come into contact with the powder, it will kill them.
Posted by: CHM at November 16, 2009 7:14 PM in response to Bed Bug Question
I recommend Liberty Pest Control... Speak to Juan or Greg. They have handled an 8 Family bldg in Park Slope for me and have done a superb job, make sure they send you Dominick, he seems to be the best of the exterminators working for them. The Fogging and spreading of what they call "The Dust" into the walls every few feet did the trick...
We went thru 5 other exterminators over 2 years before liberty fixed the issue...
Liberty Pest Control
8220 17th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11214-2116
(718) 837-9030
www.libertypestnyc.com
Posted by: alrosariojr at November 16, 2009 9:05 PM in response to Bed Bug Question
oneasternparkway --
Have the bedbugs been entirely eradicated from your building? I can see that you have had a great deal of personal experience with this.
Posted by: prezanon at November 16, 2009 11:48 PM in response to Bed Bug Question
Just as a follow up. I'm having Killer Queen come on Saturday to check the place. I searched my bed yesterday and couch, and all nearby furniture and nothing. The bed is spotless as is the couch. Asked the babysitter and she scoured her apartment last night and found nothing. Killer Queen mentioned it might be the cleaning person, which seems the most likely culprit as she goes into different houses each day (and the bug appeared the day after she cleaned). I'll keep you posted as to what he finds. (Crossing my fingers)
Posted by: Brooklynitetobe at November 17, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Bed Bug Question
you made the right call, especially picking John.
you can tell him Chris from EasternParkway recomended him.
I've spoken to him a length several times on the phone about my problem and he strikes me as extremeley knowledegable and honest, which is a rare combination in the field....
good luck, let me know how it goes.....
Posted by: oneasternparkway at November 17, 2009 9:57 AM in response to Bed Bug Question
oneeasternparkway has some good advice, but I had a very different experience with Bell Environmental. A few months ago, our son was getting bites but we didn't see any bugs, so I contacted Bell. After researching the alternatives and keeping in mind our toddler, we were attracted to their freezing treatment. Their beagle Roscoe sniffed out where the bugs were hiding in the outlets and cable jacks next to my son's crib. The preparation was intense and it wasn't fun to live through it but it worked! Bell did a 2 phase treatment a couple of weeks apart and was really thorough. They used dry ice on all of our furniture, and left a residual called Mother Earth in the walls. I was really pleased, and told my neighbors about the issues because I wanted them to also take care of any bugs that they may have because I don't want to get them back. Since treatment we've been bite free, but I'm taking a lot of care to make sure that I don't have this problem at home again! Good luck.
Posted by: prospectparkker at November 17, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Bed Bug Question
oneeasternparkway has some good advice, but I had a very different experience with Bell Environmental. A few months ago, our son was getting bites but we didn't see any bugs, so I contacted Bell. After researching the alternatives and keeping in mind our toddler, we were attracted to their freezing treatment. Their beagle Roscoe sniffed out where the bugs were hiding in the outlets and cable jacks next to my son's crib. The preparation was intense and it wasn't fun to live through it but it worked! Bell did a 2 phase treatment a couple of weeks apart and was really thorough. They used dry ice on all of our furniture, and left a residual called Mother Earth in the walls. I was really pleased, and told my neighbors about the issues because I wanted them to also take care of any bugs that they may have because I don't want to get them back. Since treatment we've been bite free, but I'm taking a lot of care to make sure that I don't have this problem at home again! Good luck.
Posted by: prospectparkker at November 17, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Bed Bug Question
Everyone has been on point with the advice. A trained pest control operator has only a 40% success rate in determining whether bedbugs are present in a residence. A bedbug sniffing dog is 94-96% accurate. Finding one bug is reason enough to have an inspection by a PCO or sniffing dog.
I like the idea of the babysitter shaking herself off before entering but in reality, she could not shake herself violently enough to rid the bedbugs. The bedbug's exoskeleton attaches like velcro to fabrics.
Heat is the key. Get everything that can be put into a dryer, into the dryer. 20 minutes at high heat to kill bedbugs.
Best of luck.
Posted by: DoctorBedBug at November 17, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Bed Bug Question
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions.
Posted by: snowbunny at November 17, 2009 6:41 PM in response to First Floor Apartment Security?
I would say definitely get them. Years ago (in the 80's and early 90's) we would get broken into through our yard as often as through our roof. It's been 20 years since anyone tried to break in through our garden door, but alas just last week, a neighbor caught someone trying to break into another neighbor's door in their backyard, so I do now recommend them.
Landlords are not however, responsible for them. You need fdny approved security gates. Vinny's ironworks does goregous ones and installs them for $500 (that was for 2 windows), but you can get regular accordian looking ones for around $100 at loews or home depot.
Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at November 17, 2009 5:42 PM in response to First Floor Apartment Security?