Wow not too bad... we were very worried...

Posted by: CrownGardener at February 11, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Development Watch: 840 Bergen Street One Year Later

Check out the article the new york sun wrote recently on booming Franklin ave..

we have lived in crown heights for three years and are very happy...

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 9, 2008 4:47 PM in response to prospect heights/crown heights

Cost us $3k to theroseal the entire back of the house.
I think the man who helped us has retired but his info is: Chandler: 718-638-0486

Before and after photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157604640099959

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 14, 2008 3:44 PM in response to back wall cement work

We used Bank of New York and got a really great rate in Crown Heights. It was below market because CH is considered a low income area.

$25k in closing costs for 500k condo is not really that outrageous... maybe a little high...

Our closing costs came in under the estimates...

Good luck

Posted by: CrownGardener at September 5, 2008 7:55 AM in response to Mortgage Help!

You may be able to buy something in Crown Heights... Big, beautiful old houses and nice mix of people

Posted by: CrownGardener at September 2, 2008 8:59 PM in response to two family in brooklyn????

Try this:
http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/New%20York/New%20York%20City

Posted by: CrownGardener at August 30, 2008 2:18 PM in response to Donating a sofa to charity

For a 2700 square foot limestone in center of the block.

Gas heat: $270 a month for 6-7 months of the year
Gas stove: %25/mo
Electricity $74/mo in winter $125 during peak summer
Water: $30/mo
Garbage: free

Posted by: CrownGardener at August 14, 2008 8:19 AM in response to Help me estimate expenses - First-time homebuyer

It's crown heights, which rocks

Posted by: CrownGardener at May 30, 2008 7:59 PM in response to Quick poll - What neighborhood is this?

I have to say... I agree this is a cool thing to do.. go ahead and blame B'stoner for it being a yuppie high-end "flea" market.. the only thing I want are those huge doors...

But he's running a business and you want to attack him?
Well maybe you should boycott Exxon instead of Brownstoner--small business owner...

Why not go for some more culpable people? Culpable for ruining the environment. culture anything...

Posted by: CrownGardener at May 9, 2008 8:49 PM in response to Closing Bell: Flea Bigger and Better Than Ever on Sunday

I would check with Liberty Sunset gardens in Red Hook. The do some residential work and visiting their site in Red Hook on the water is worth a visit.. It's my favorite place.. plus there are three other garden centers in Red Hook.

Posted by: CrownGardener at April 1, 2008 8:00 AM in response to Gardener

The new law says that they can't leave the circulars if you have a sign posted, if they do they get fined... now there is a Brooklyn business waiting to happen.. create a classy little wood sign that reads: No circulars please, or something similar, to hang on our metal gates...

Posted by: CrownGardener at March 1, 2008 1:48 PM in response to Getting rid of circulars/adverstisements

Oh no, I pay the monthly fee of $42, but on top of that they offer a maintenance fee, which is just a way to raise the price. I think it's 15 a month or something... but I had not realized I had agreed to that when I signed the contract. When I realized it, I canceled it. Within two weeks, I started having problems.. Like alarm events at 2 in the morning that had never happened before...

Posted by: CrownGardener at February 29, 2008 2:44 PM in response to ADT security question

Take the photographs yourself and keep them in case your building is damaged.

Posted by: CrownGardener at February 17, 2008 10:43 AM in response to new building going up next door

Check here as well:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4

It's a crown heights message board

Posted by: CrownGardener at December 5, 2007 1:26 PM in response to Crown Heights near Medgar Evers Safe?

7:16 where do you live?
Crown Heights is great and IS coming along.. who are you kidding.. still upset you paid too much to live elsewhere? Poor baby..

Posted by: CrownGardener at December 3, 2007 8:37 PM in response to $1.15 mil for a Crown Heights Condo?

This is a nice block and great house on the outside. Too bad it's a 7-family. Anyone contacted the broker to confirm if it will be sold with the tenants in place? It's really close to the trains..

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 28, 2007 5:21 PM in response to House of the Day: 915 Sterling Place

I have the temperature debate with my husband. For some reason 69 makes a big difference to me during the day. He wants it to be 68.. so now we set it at 69 during the day and 60 at night... we have big fluffy down duvets so the cold at night is fine.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 25, 2007 9:27 AM in response to Landlords: what temps do you set your thermostats to?

It's in a good part of the neighborhood but I don't know about the building itself. I believe there were some posts about it a couple months ago so I would search the forum.
(If I remember correctly it's part rental, part co-op). I would find out if the plan is turn the whole thing into co-ops or keep some of it rentals. You want to live in a building where everyone owns.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 16, 2007 9:09 AM in response to 960 Sterling Place

Check similar properties on craigslist.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 15, 2007 4:17 PM in response to Rental question

It's making me hate my own bathroom. How beautiful.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 12, 2007 3:06 PM in response to bathroom divsion: uncover/discover

Classic Tile in Bay Ridge is good. They advertise on this site.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 11, 2007 5:20 PM in response to Tile Search

$3500 PER window? That's insane.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 9, 2007 5:28 PM in response to Credit Card not accepted?

Now THAT is useful... Hurrah...
How about a video on boilers that use hot water as opposed to steam?

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 9, 2007 4:47 PM in response to Video: Anatomy of a Boiler

You just told me Brooklyn Window and Door were great and that you had used them. why then are you posting this question? Do you work for them?

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 9, 2007 2:20 PM in response to replacement winows

"No one denies the existence of crime in Crown Heights. No one ever said there is less of it here than in Brooklyn Hts. That's really not the point. It just gets very irritating to those of us who live here, and walk these streets (at night, as well as all day)to have crime stats used as a constant negation of all of the positive things that this community has going for it. "

I totally agree. For goodness sake, I have never felt uncomfortable and I know all my neighbors. Young and old.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 8, 2007 1:11 PM in response to Newcomers Find Crown Heights Retail Lacking

We swear by our ratzapper.com

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 8, 2007 1:05 PM in response to custom cabinets

I think many of the posters are missing one great thing about CH. There are several yummy bakeries on Nostrand. These are Carribean bakeries but they have some of the best raisin bread and dense whole wheat bread that we've had. It's not served up in yuppie shops (which I do enjoy) but there are many kinds of sweet breads etc. in the bakeries along Nostrand between Atlantic and Eastern Pkwy. Just go inside. In one shop near Sterling, people line up out the door for the warm fresh bread. It's goooood.

Also David who opened up Tavern on Nostrand, Asian Jazz, a coffee shop and upscale spa/salon, has been investing in the neighborhood but he needs more customers to thrive.

Good eats:
Asian Jazz - support it.It's good
Saje - Franklin
Tavern on Nostrand -
Sky Cafe - (although I wish they would sell Bergen Bagels.)

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 8, 2007 11:30 AM in response to Newcomers Find Crown Heights Retail Lacking

I don't think that bed-stuy is ready to support that kind of store if its a retail venue. I would look to Ft. Green as an example. It can barely support its one home store. But if it's a home-based business without walk-in customers, you're considering, it doesn't matter where you are. You can sell them online via amazon store or ebay stores and you can advertise all over the web. Good Luck. I think being your own boss is the key to happiness, even if you work harder.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 5, 2007 4:23 PM in response to Would Bed Stuy Benefit from Luxury Bed / Bath Store?

It took us over a year.. At least 6 months to lower your expectations and decide what is most important to you, then you have to find it.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 5, 2007 8:44 AM in response to How long did it take you to find the right house?

I have had success with the baking soda method. It only took about 30-60 minutes to boil off all the paint on original hardware. Good luck

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 5, 2007 8:41 AM in response to Stripping Door Hardware

Why so much hate toward Crown Heights? That house is awesome and it's not unreasonable to pay that kind of money in this area... You actually can't buy anything in Crown Heights for less than $800k - we tried - that has any original detail or is fair sized. You should check it out before you bash...

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 2, 2007 2:32 PM in response to Open House Picks: Houses

It's not crazy unless you are trying to get a standard mortgage I believe. It's my understanding that you need 50% down or some such to buy an SRO because most banks shy away from these. But I have no personal experience with it.

Posted by: CrownGardener at November 1, 2007 3:49 PM in response to converting an SRO

Don't know about stores but I ordered some period pieces from here:
http://www.rejuvenation.com/

Quality was good.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 30, 2007 3:43 PM in response to Reproduction hardware?

Welcome to the neighborhood. I have zero experience with landmarking but you may want to call some of the local door/window companies and see if they have worked with the landmark committe before. They may be able to tell you which ones are allowed for your area...

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 30, 2007 3:29 PM in response to Do I really need a permit for a new door?

I am doing a full replacement. Ours is in really bad shape. It has rotted in certain places because the wash/dryer was in the room before we moved them. Plus, we may use it as a nursery and I want all the lead paint out. So, we are dipping the doors and replacing all the moldings and paneling.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 29, 2007 4:47 PM in response to Wainscot / Wood paneling Question

With 20% down, I think you can probably rent a brownstone to cover the mortgage. We are able to do that in Crown Heights and bought in 2006. The rent does not cover the cost of heat and maintenance though but in the next 5 years, we believe we will be at that mark or very close.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 29, 2007 4:05 PM in response to Investment

We had 6 done by Bay Ridge windows all in one long day. Schedule it for a Monday so if there are problems, they have to come back Tuesday...and not wait the weekend

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 26, 2007 4:57 PM in response to Winter Windows

Don't do it! We did this and it took us over six months to close on our limestone. In the meantime, we had to move out of our rental and ended up living in an underground studio (because we have a dog) while we waited. Our lender would not close with a temporary C of O and there is no way to speed up the DOB. Plus you are losing interest on your deposit while they have your money and you wait. (unless this is in your contract)

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 24, 2007 3:34 PM in response to What's the process between a temporary C of O and a permanent one?

Between $1000-2500 has been our experience.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 22, 2007 10:45 AM in response to Closing Attorney Cost

We saw a jazz band playing there about a month ago. It was great. They had chairs for seating and a stage for the band...

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 19, 2007 2:58 PM in response to BPL Plaza Post-Renovation

Great idea. It could be the fourth tab.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 18, 2007 4:25 PM in response to Community for Rental Seekers

Go to bankrate.com and put in your specific loan amounts and credit and you can get a ballpark from different lenders.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 18, 2007 3:24 PM in response to Current Mortgage Rates?

we got a quote from a company key span recommended for 6k to replace our boiler(including everything). Our home is 2700 sq ft.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 16, 2007 9:01 AM in response to We need a new gas boiler and hot water heater

It's only a good thing if the rate that you are eligible for is higher... If you can only qualify for a 7% rate in today's market but the seller has an assumable mortgage, with a 6.25% rate, that means you have lower payments...
I know Thornburg Mortgage offered them for awhile so can read up more about them on their site or try bankrate.com

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 15, 2007 3:19 PM in response to Assumable Mortgage a Good Thing?

Third for ratzapper!(We bought the cheap model and it worked just fine.)

We tried glue traps and snap traps and caught nothing...

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 12, 2007 10:40 AM in response to Time for the Mice to Move Back Indoors

Ask owner when he received cert of non-harrassment. There is a lag time for some documents. Also print out what you found on DOB site and present it to owner so he knows you are reasearching...

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 10, 2007 3:05 PM in response to SRO or not?

You can create and print standard leases here:
https://leases.rebny.com/default.jsp

There is a fee but it's really easy and worth the $9 or whatever it is...
There are several landlord books by NOLO, do a search on Amazon or google to find them. They used to make a NY specific one although now I think they onle sell one that's all inclusive with state specific chapters.. ( I have the old one. At the back of those books are resources about to check credit.
Also do a search on this site and there are recommendations for companies that do credit and background checks on prospective tenants.
Good luck.

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 10, 2007 2:41 PM in response to First Time Landlord Looking for Info

here, here 5:30.. I second that

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 8, 2007 5:39 PM in response to Crown Heights North Tour Open Thread

I believe this was the first tour in 10 years... and kudos to this group who got the neighborhood landmarked and put on the house tour. But.. I too felt the security at three of the homes I visited a bit foreboding.. but loved about half of the homes..which is exactly how I felt on the Fort Green House Tour last year... If anyone has done a modern reno in their Crown Heights pad, please put it on the tour next year!
Perhaps resident artist neene will open up her home next year if her reno is done...

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 8, 2007 3:50 PM in response to Crown Heights North Tour Open Thread

Do you still have the manual for the old boiler? I have the same boiler and am trying to find the specs for the boiler.

Posted by: oldboilergal at August 29, 2008 11:10 PM in response to Old old boiler/furnace

Cost us $3k to theroseal the entire back of the house.
I think the man who helped us has retired but his info is: Chandler: 718-638-0486

Before and after photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157604640099959

Posted by: CrownGardener at October 14, 2008 3:44 PM in response to back wall cement work

Winginit,
Can you tell me who installed your back door? I have to do similar work to the rear of my house and one part of the project is replacing the door. I have a similar situation with transom over door but haven't gotten good feedback from contractors. What you have is veery similar to what we are looking for. Could you recommend anyone?

Posted by: sourgrapes at October 15, 2008 10:39 AM in response to back wall cement work

Please, everyone that is thinking of putting a cement product on their brownstone like Thorocoat, look at Tex-cote Cool Wall technology. It is the green sustainable product that actually can save you money and lasts longer. It comes in way more colors than Thorocat, it has been around just as long if not longer. My Home re modelers are the NY distributor. Ask for Gene 516 330 4270

Posted by: bonacci at October 16, 2008 1:09 PM in response to back wall cement work

I agree bonaci.

Texcote.com

Guranteed to never peel chip flake and anti fade all in writing much better than thorocote.

Posted by: kevcav07 at October 16, 2008 1:38 PM in response to back wall cement work

sourgrapes,
my door was done by Stipo Buzak who has some good skills and some bad ones. He did a lot of great renovating inside but he also did some of the shoddy cement work that I have to re do only a few years since it was done. If you want I can give you the number I had for him...

Also Bonaci,

Thanks for the texcote recommendation. I'm going to follow up with that. Are there any differences that the workers need to know about? or can they treat it exactly the same as Thorocoat?

Also I think I'm going to go with Z. Abedin. Any other comments about his work?

Thanks

Posted by: winginit at October 18, 2008 2:09 PM in response to back wall cement work

Winginit,
Thanks,
If you wouldn't mind giving his number, I'd like to give him a call. This is the style of door I want, but none of the contractors I've contacted know how to get it right. I guess I'd like to hear how your contractor would handle our job. Thanks again!

Posted by: sourgrapes at October 20, 2008 9:33 PM in response to back wall cement work

sourgrapes,

The number I have for Stipo Buzak is 646 732 4857. I haven't talked to him in a few years. I ordered that door from that lumberyard off 3rd Avenue, cant remember the name.

Posted by: winginit at October 25, 2008 5:44 PM in response to back wall cement work

This is 100% crown heights and in no way prospect heights. That should be reflected in the price. CH costs less than PH. Don't let a real estate agent try and tell you otherwise. Compare it to other CH properties in price.

Those apt buildings across from the garden always looked intriguing to me. If you could get a garden view and know nobody would ever build in the way of it, that would be lovely. What's the place like inside?

If I remember correctly I saw on the news in the last year that a woman was murdered by someone breaking into one of those places. It was a case of stranger violence, not someone she knew. There are such cases in many areas that cost plenty. I'd still want to know.

Posted by: ownhs at November 10, 2008 11:58 AM in response to prospect heights/crown heights

A really fantastic neighborhood - welcome!

Posted by: riis10 at November 10, 2008 12:33 PM in response to prospect heights/crown heights