Are Shower curtains a turn off?

Captain Tasso attributing this to the wings special is a lame cop-out. Pardon the pun.

That Captain Tasso at the request of mall security would turn back thousands of teens onto the quite streets of FG is HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

That 2 kids could get shoot and 1 stabbed within a 4 block radius of the Mall is an absolute DISGRACE to the 88th precinct.

My question would be, "Is the 88th protecting the Mall and its tenants at the expense of the neighborhood?"

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at November 11, 2009 2:16 PM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

Over the weekend, there were thousands of scary teenagers, many black, roaming FG. I guess they weren't randomly roaming, they were actually in the hood to take the specialized high school test at Tech.

A question for ya. How do you differentiate the weekend test taking crowd from Tuesdays crowd? 13-15.. mostly black... packs of males... similarly attired...

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at November 11, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

Blacks teens don't need a 40 cent wing special to congregate at the mall. Do throngs of white kids hang out at suburban malls because Abercrombie & Fitch or H&M is having a blow-out sale?

Yesterday was a half-day and today was no school for NYC public schools. That's a reason enough for teens, regardless of race, to hang out at the mall.

White folks can't tell me fights don't break out in suburban lily-white malls

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at November 11, 2009 11:53 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

I wonder how many white folks on this forum have been stopped and frisked while walking down the street? Subway or municipal building don't count as there are signs everywhere warning you that you and/or your bag will be searched.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at November 11, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

You're only entitled to the deduction the year in which the donation was made. I'm not sure why you would be deducting $90K over 3 years.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at November 4, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Easement Audit Nightmare

The widget displays very little predictive power when it comes to pricing. However, when it comes to gauging sentiment/confidence, this widget is highly predictive.

The widget seems to support a strong Bearish sentiment among Brownstoners. Since Brownstoners are supposed to know a little something about that which they speak, this would be like a 'Smart Money' indicator.

And right now, Smart Money, as represented by the consistent widget underpricing, is on the sidelines.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 23, 2009 10:07 AM in response to 20 Clifton Place Sells, Kicks Widget's Ass

Instead of blaming the widget for underpricing, you need to lay the blame on the Brownstoner respondents who consistently low ball.

Why is the Brownstoner crowd so consistently wrong when it comes to appraising properties? Collectively, it seems the Brownstoner appraisers don't know diddly.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 23, 2009 9:48 AM in response to 20 Clifton Place Sells, Kicks Widget's Ass

BHO, only half the rents are falling. I guess the other half of rents that are rising are considered "exceptional data points so as not to skew."

BTW, when was the last time Brooklyn properties sold for 10X annual rent?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 21, 2009 10:13 AM in response to Rental Prices Continue to Fall in 3rd Quarter

Ok, so half the new leases signed during the third quarter period were below prior rental amounts. That means the other half of new leases were equal or greater than prior amounts. Why wasn't analysis done on these?

Myself for example. In 3Q , I rented out an apartment for $1800. The previous rent was $1350. That's a 33% increase that shows up nowhere in this data.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 21, 2009 9:48 AM in response to Rental Prices Continue to Fall in 3rd Quarter

Wasder, my block has a block association, but i'm not particularly active. I'm of the school of the thought that you don't have to have a block association in order to have a nice block or friendly relations with your neighbors.

My other half is an active participant and the association has been quite successful with civic concerns like trash, tree pits and street lights, etc.

When it comes to crime and policing, they haven't gotten too far with the 88th. The strength in numbers theme that is so successful with civic matters is futile when it comes to the 88th and the NYPD as a whole.

I'm personally thinking about installing a few cameras on my property to capture the street and sidewalk traffic. If something were to happen on my street at least i'd be able to help the police out a bit more substantively. If a couple of neighbors chip in you know your block will be covered.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 20, 2009 3:54 PM in response to Thoughts on Block Associations

Wasder, how is forming a block association going to abate the muggings in your nabe? That is your main concern isn't it?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 20, 2009 1:35 PM in response to Thoughts on Block Associations

These are crappy ass katrina-style modular housing units. The $120K price tag is appropriate.

These units will be lucky to outlive their mortgages.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 20, 2009 10:42 AM in response to East New York's Nehemiah Housing Proving Resilient

As nice as this building looks, I doubt it would have passed LPC. LPC's microscope would point out that this building is entirely out of context with the neighboring historic buildings. The new Goggle Street Views map, shows this clearly.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2+Lefferts+Place,+Brooklyn&sll=40.682526,-73.963437&sspn=0.007648,0.0156&g=2+Lefferts+Place,+Brooklyn&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2+Lefferts+Pl,+Brooklyn,+Kings,+New+York+11238&ll=40.681867,-73.963442&spn=0.003197,0.005348&t=h&z=18&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=40.681795,-73.963099&panoid=YWP-q0ZeXsaDLWzNcB00Jw&cbp=12,157.38,,0,1.45

The lack of front stoop, out of context window elevations, minimal historic window detail, as well as the oversized and inappropriately style cornice would give LPC fits.

Alas, the building falls outside of LPC and Brownstoner has given it the seal of approval. So everything is good to go. Any ideas on what the double duplexes will sell for. Over $1 million each or under?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at October 14, 2009 11:11 AM in response to 2 Lefferts Comes Into Focus, Exceeds Expectations

The couple that said, "We’re living here for the rest of our lives", are 64 and 66 years old.

Another couple(aged 80 and 84) said, "their next condo will be coffin."

Geriatric homesteaders.... That's what team bull is relying on now.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at September 28, 2009 9:58 AM in response to The Darkness at Richard Meier's Brooklyn Tower

The block was landmarked on 9/21... The same day all the owners stuff was approved.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at September 23, 2009 11:39 AM in response to A Curb Cut on Landmarked St. Marks Avenue? Really?

Textpert, the original plan was filed before PH landmarking was even calendered. Additionally, the curb cut was approved on 9/21, the same day that the curb cut was approved.

Why would the homeowner need LPC approval for something they didn't have jurisdiction over until the 9/21?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at September 23, 2009 11:27 AM in response to A Curb Cut on Landmarked St. Marks Avenue? Really?

What's with all the fussing.

The DOB permit was filed on 10/16/08. LPC had their first hearing on 10/28/08.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at September 23, 2009 10:55 AM in response to A Curb Cut on Landmarked St. Marks Avenue? Really?

How is Team USA going to maintain their dominance in world basketball if they let this guy in?

A guy who admits this his Russian technology is inferior and hopes to overcome this by acquiring superior US technology.

A guy who's primary objective is to re-elevate Russian basketball to "position of equality among the elites of world basketball".

I'd call that a bit foolish.

NY taxpayers subsidizing the Forbes 40th richest man in the world and currently the richest man in Russia....

Now.. That's absurd..

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at September 23, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Mikhail Prokhorov's Unique Offer

Dibs, Having only spent $20K on your facade 'refinish', i guess you can't be too picky. I can't see how the two tone acid wash jeans looks doesn't bother you. You can convince yourself that "integrity of the existing stone is more important". But the two tone look is an example of getting what you pay for. How much extra would it have cost you to chisel and reface whole thing?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at August 14, 2009 2:38 PM in response to DIBS Refinishes His Facade

This looks like a case of someone mounting a split vac systems on a load bearing side wall.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at July 27, 2009 3:38 PM in response to 132 Ryerson Update: Hole in the Wall

Pretty soon Brownstoner is going to have to merge 'Last Week's Biggest Sales' into 'Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million'.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at July 7, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Brownstoner, look at page 4. I think this would result in a 25% stake for the the buyers not a 50%.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at July 6, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Half-Stake in 370 Clinton Sells—For Half the Listing Price

They didn't sell half the building, they actually only 'sold' 25%.

Husband and wife(Party A) split the title in half through a 'bargain and sale deed with covenants against grantor's acts'. Party A retains 50% for themselves and adds another husband and wife(Party B) to the title in exchange for $1.35.

As it stands, Party A owns 100% of one half and 50% of the other half or 75% of the building.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at July 6, 2009 12:02 PM in response to Half-Stake in 370 Clinton Sells—For Half the Listing Price

10,500 units of Manhattan inventory at the end of June and less than 200 contracts signed.... That's 52 months of inventory at current contracts signing levels.

Is this something for Team Bull to really cheer about?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at July 2, 2009 11:59 AM in response to Housing Market - Where Are We?

Dibs, if the stock market is such a good leading indicator, why did the RE market, represented by Case Shiller, peak first? CS peaked summer of 06. Stock market peaked 3Q of 07.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at July 1, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Case-Shiller: Beware the Head Fake

When "Do The Right Thing" came out I had just graduated from suburban Washington DC high school.

I don't know if it was shame, guilt or fear motivated them, but it was comical watching the white theater members hauling ass to their cars once the movie finished. I had never seen white folks collectively so scared.

I remember playing "Fight the Power", "Rebel without a Pause" and "Bring the Noise" for like 3 weeks straight after the movie.(Until my cassette got all jammed up in the player).

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 30, 2009 2:49 PM in response to Open Thread: Do The Right Thing Edition

well pHed,

Consensus among the FG Stroller Set was that Mr. Keaton had to go in order to make PS20 a better school. The principal is GONE; a casualty of the FG Tribe Wars(though entirely self inflicted). What happens to him from here, is up to the courts. But he is no longer the principal. He's GONE.

I don't think its mudslinging to let folks know that a teacher with a history of assaulting students teaches kindergarten children. That certainly relevant.

Moving forward... Was the principal really the ONLY problem with PS20? Now that he is gone, will folks like, PutnamD, send their kids to PS20?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 29, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal

Putnam, is an educated parent better than a non-educated parent? Why the need for such a distinction?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 29, 2009 2:19 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal

If you're a teacher accused of assaulting a student, I guess it makes sense to have teacher rep who has a history of assaulting kids and getting away with it representing you.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 29, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal

Keaton fucked up. I make no excuse for him.

http://fort-greene.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/22/doe-segarra-has-disciplinary-record/

Does that change the dynamic of the conversation at all?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 29, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal

The union rep got what he deserved. He's a real tough guy when it comes to little kids. He has a history of assaulting students. Since 2000, he has attacked/physically disciplined 3 students.

The fact that he the school union rep speaks to teachers unions as a whole.

The idea that he is a kindergarten teacher, given his rap sheet, is utterly appalling.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 29, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal

The author characterizes PS20 as a "place in a neighborhood where uneasily coexisting tribes come together for a crucial civic activity. And in Fort Greene, it seems like all the everyday hassles and potential flip sides of this place’s vaunted diversity — resentment, fear, misunderstanding, misinformed assumption — emerge in capital letters in the schools."

So according to the author, Fort Greene is in the midst of some sort of tribal war. (Maybe The What is on to something with his covert race rant).

Anyway, the removal of Mr. Keaton is certainly a victory for one of these tribes.

Now that he is gone, will victors actually send their kids to PS20?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 29, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Race, Class and P.S. 20's Controversial Principal

Park Dope, what up my wigga?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 25, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Open Thread

What, Dave gets a free pass because he is the fairy godfather of the Brownstoner Gay Mafia.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 25, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Open Thread

OK Dave lets exclude your 3 timeshares. What's your Cash Return on Rent for your BK prop. I know money doesn't matter an all. But market to market, what your return?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 18, 2009 1:53 PM in response to Bank Predicts NYC Market to Fall Another 40 Percent

Dave the mere fact that you own 4 homes makes you a speculator. You can only live in one at a time. At any given time the other 3 are investment/speculative properties. What kinda Cash Return on Rent are you seeing on those?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 18, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Bank Predicts NYC Market to Fall Another 40 Percent

I have my 20th reunion coming up also. I'm not on facebook at all, but my middle school son is. Facebook has some reunion tracker thingy and my son stumbled upon the reunion page. Next thing he showing me pictures of myself in high school. Sadly, there where no pictures of me hitting the books or striking studious poses. For some reason all I see are pictures of me drinking beers, partying and generally living the good life of a suburban teenager.

Apparently some of my high school buddies thought it would be a good idea post photos of the good ole days. Nothing to be ashamed of. It just makes it that much harder to be a hypocritical parent in the age of social networking.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 10, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Open Thread

Biff, "I'm just a Bill" was was/is my favorite. Great song and very informative.

I'm just a bill.
Yes, I'm only a bill.
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee,
But I know I'll be a law some day
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 10, 2009 9:46 AM in response to Open Thread

Joe, just as the capital gains rate will go up, the estate tax exemptions are going to go back down.

Currently the estate threshold is $3.5 million for 2009, with a tax rate of 45%. In 2010, the tax cut will be repealed and in 2011 they go back down to $1 million, taxed at 50%.

So those brownstone owners sitting on a million plus hoping to pass it down tax free are in for a rude awakening.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 8, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Bob Shiller: 'Decline May Well Continue for Some Time'

Joe, exemption for single taxpayer is $250K, $500K if married. Anything above is taxed. Currently long term cap gains rate(assets held longer than 2 years) is 15%.

With all this run away gov't spending, the capital gains rate will definitely being going up soon. At the very minimum to the pre-Bush level of 20% and more likely 35% once the Dems get their way.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 8, 2009 2:32 PM in response to Bob Shiller: 'Decline May Well Continue for Some Time'

Dave, who's talking about most of the original brownstone being in nice shape? Arklady said 2/3 of her building was refurbished 25 years ago and is now spalling in places. She's thinking about either, patching the spalling areas and resurfacing the remaining 1/3 vs. patching everything and paint the whole building.

Arklady,$6K is for patch and paint. Is the $46 for full resurface? Do you have lots of details like lintels, window moldings, brackets or sills?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 4, 2009 1:35 PM in response to varying color of brownstones

Patching and/or painting is a a waste of money. Patching will never blend with the original and paint is going to start peeling after a few years. Save up and do it right by resurfacing the entire building at once.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 4, 2009 11:36 AM in response to varying color of brownstones

What's the big deal about speed bumps? Isn't this a good thing? Won't this discourage all the overflow traffic caused by drivers avoiding Union? BTW, folks definitely speed on that street as they try to catch the light @ 8th ave. I've seen many near misses on the corner.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 3, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Berkeley Bump Bungle?

If this shooting happened in the Underwood Park or in FG Park and the victims where innocent bystanders(as opposed to those guilty teenagers), would the community response be the same?

This is a wake up call. Let's not forget that there is still a young teenager walking the streets of CH/FG who is armed, has already shot up a playground and should be considered dangerous. I hope they catch him soon.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 1, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Teen-on-Teen Shooting on Downing Street

I overheard some girls at the bus stop this morning talking about this shooting. One of the girls keep talking about how little the gun was, while the other girl kept talking about the blood and how the bullet just missed going into the head.

I'm almost positive these girls knew the shooter, but as one girl said, "I ain't snitchin'"

If enhanced interrogation techniques were permitted, we'd have our shooter in no time.

Until then, we'll just have to be on the look out for an armed and dangerous teenager who has already fired his weapon without remorse. Hopefully, he doesn't strike again.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at June 1, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Teen-on-Teen Shooting on Downing Street

Ratner is a welfare queen. This is the same person who milked the federal gov't out of $114 million in Liberty Bonds, intended for the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan after 9-11, to build the Bank of New York office building and the attached $150 million mall; half the total cost.

I will be mad as hell if this welfare queen gets a single cent of the $787 billion economic stimulus. But i'm sure that's a forgone conclusion. I guess it just goes to show you stupid this stimulus crap is.

Someone earlier was making fun of Nader, I didn't vote for Nader but I did vote for Perot. Nobody wanted to pay attention to his charts and graphs and look where we are now.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at May 18, 2009 12:08 PM in response to Appellate Court Rules Against Atlantic Yards Opponents

Instead of lawyering, opponents need to get political and direct their sights at Gov Paterson. Make him politically responsible for AY. The city and state are bleeding money right now and we're still subsidizing corporations?

As the city and state are looking at ways to shore up their deficits, how about starting with NOT giving away $2 billion in Taxpayer dollars to a wealthy real estate developer.

Instead of the the MTA jacking fares and cutting services, how about they NOT 'giving away' a prime piece of BK real estate. How much of their shortfall could be covered if they were getting Fair Market Value for the site?

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at May 18, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Appellate Court Rules Against Atlantic Yards Opponents

Slopefarm, looking forward... with his current mortgage, Mr. B, has $924,452.31 in Interest Payments remaining over the next 26.5 years.

If he were to refi today @ 5% he would have to make a total of $882,335.24 in Interest Payments over the next 30 years; a savings of $42,117.07 in interest. So only looking forward(the past is the past), he would be better off re-fing today.

Now if he waits 12 months and rates are still 5%. His remaining balance would be $930K. On his old loan, he will have $868,108.01 in Interest Payments remaining. The new loan would have $867,785.70 in Interest Payments; a savings of $322.30 in interest. Looking 12 months into the future, the benefits are not as apparent. Rates would have to be lower than they are today to make it worthwhile. And not worth the stress.

If he waits 24 months and rates were still 5%. His remaining balance would be $913K. On his old loan, he would have $812,725.98 in Interest Payments remaining. The new loan would have $852,338.78 in Interest Payments; an Increase of $39,612.80 in interest.

So if he's gonna so something, the sooner the better. Unless he knows for sure rates will be lower in the future.

http://mortgages.interest.com/content/calculators/recoup.asp

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at May 14, 2009 4:34 PM in response to Refinancing: How Sweet It Is

The conforming limit is $934,200. If you've owned your place about 3.5 yrs, you should still owe approx $953,600. Are you going to have to bring $20K to the table in order to close? What about your 2nd?

It looks like you have about $1.015 million in total debt outstanding secured against your property. $953K @ 6% and $62K @ a variable rate.

Since you total debt is about $80K over the conforming loan limit, you can pretty much forget about consolidated all of that debt at once.

But, $930K @ $5000/month is a great deal. Trying to save another hundred bucks by timing the market probably isn't worth the stress.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at May 14, 2009 2:54 PM in response to Refinancing: How Sweet It Is

Attacking the messenger is a lot easier than attacking the message.

Rosie's main beef seems to be the growing sense of elitism and entitlement that is sweeping the neighborhood. She's of the opinion that people seem to think since they're paying a premium for the lovely neighborhood, they should be able to rule the space.

Recent netroots efforts to displace the FG park soccer crowd and efforts to get the PS 20 principal fired are examples of this 'rule the space' mentality.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at May 8, 2009 10:46 AM in response to Rosie Revisited