Crumpler's Profile
Author's Posts
November 6, 2009
ISO Great Tailor in FG/CH
I have a DWR upholstered couch with cushions that have a couple tears and need mending. I've spoken to reweavers and they cannot fix--they suggested a tailor. Anyone have a great one, who speaks English, who will put the proper time into repairing these (I don't want a hack job done). Thanks!
October 8, 2009
need carpenter for parquet floor
Hi all--I am in need of a good RELIABLE carpenter! I have a small area of parquet oak flooring that needs to be replaced (about five square feet) as well as some patching along where some
kitchen walls were removed. We have replacement tiles, but they would need to be cut/sanded/stained.
This job is a day's work. Had a guy on the job but he flaked last minute, so I'm looking for someone who can be trusted to do the job and do it right!
Thanks.
March 6, 2009
Housing Loan Modification?
So in light of all a couple recent posts (Dahill, etal) on the new refinancing plans that Prez Obama has announced, I have this to report: I called my lender (Chase) this morning to ask them for advice on our mortgage (my husband and I have a 30 year fixed at %6.5). We've been making every payment on time, but as I was laid off last Nov. due to budget cuts, I'm slowly depleting my savings looking for work, and want to secure a more pragmatic rate. (Btw, the value of our BK coop has remained steady).
After being on hold for 20 minutes with the friendly folks at Chase, I was read to (yes, actually "read to") by the deer-in-headlights "mortgage advisor" at Chase (I'm pretty sure she was at a call center in Manila--not that that is important, it's more surreal than anything else) for about three minutes which gave vague bulletpoint details about Obama's plan but no concrete assistance (ie, I wanted to ask Chase what I could actively do to improve our rate/payments over the long term, etc). She basically said they didn't have any advice on the matter and re: the latest refi/home assistance plans coming out of DC, wouldn't have any more info until probably the end of March.
So. I followed up by emailing our mortgage broker, who left me a VM saying that until Obama's housing plans were actually IMPLEMENTED, they are more theory than anything else. She also said that since I'm recently unemployed, she suggests we do a loan modification instead of a refi, to avoid closing costs.
Just wanted to share my experiences and see what others out there in a similar situation have been contemplating!
January 13, 2009
Need contractor for minor reno
I own a 1 br. apt. at the CH Co-ops, and am looking to get an estimate on removing this middle bar area that separates the kitchen/living area (pic attached).
Also want to remove the short wall separating the kitchen from the living area. Most of the walls are concrete.
My husband's dad (contractor, but out of state) says its a one-day job, my architect pal says it's two days max. Don't have a lot of $ to spend, looking for a fair and reasonable rate/reco's. Thanks!
December 1, 2008
Drop in interest rates--should I refi?
I have a 1 br. co-op in Clinton Hill which I bought last year, w/ a 30 yr. fixed at 6.5%. My mortgage broker just informed me this morning that rates are now at 5.375%. Wondering if it is worth it for me to refi? If the apt reappraises for $15K more than I bought it (listings for comp. apts in my building are above that right now so it is a strong possibility), then I can avoid closing costs and save a few hundred dollars a month. Wouldn't mind more $ in my pocket, esp. as I plan on having my apartment a few more years, not to mention that the economy is looking a bit dire these days... Any thoughts/advice out there? Thanks.
February 20, 2008
Looking for some good design/build guys
I live in a 1 br co-op and need to do a relatively minor reno job --knocking down the half wall that divides the kitchen from the living room, and building a small kitchen island with storage/adding pendant lights etc. I don't think I need an architect per se -- can anyone recommend a solid design/build firm or something of the like? This is not a high end job, but I want it done in a timely and competent fashion.
Author's Comments
I liked my experience with Wong Movers (Vivian Wong is the proprietor/answers calls: 718-888-7707).
Posted by: Crumpler at March 6, 2009 9:54 AM in response to good movers?
From an article I read this morning: "The plan would create a $75 billion loan modification program that would allow “responsible homeowners” to refinance to interest rates as low as 2 percent."
I am wondering if we would we need to start another 30-year mortgage from scratch if we modified our loan? Also, we are paying PMI, as we put 5% down... would this still be a requirement under the new guidelines?
Posted by: Crumpler at March 6, 2009 9:43 AM in response to Housing Loan Modification?
Right now I am just trying to get a quote on removal of that bar area and the short wall between the kitchen/dining area. My husband's brother and dad (who build houses for a living) are going to come out in spring and install an island/cabinetry, etc. So yes, just looking for cost of tearing down the walls. We are going to do things in stages because we can't shell out a ton of cash right now.
I emailed a contractor today who posts on this site and they replied as such: "For removing the walls only and garbage removal (no materials) $1,500. Depending on how many materials will be needed, I would not be able to tell you until demolition is complete because the floor more than likely might need to get done because some floors are built before the actual flooring is placed (sometimes not). Either way, will not know until it is removed."
So (without seeing my place yet) I'm getting a quote of $1500 and possibly several hundred more? That seems like a lot, but then again, I've never done anything like this before.
Posted by: Crumpler at January 13, 2009 6:22 PM in response to Need contractor for minor reno
I am a co-op owner in Brooklyn and just got a card from ING Direct--the Orange Mortgage has a 5.25% rate/ 6.03 APR/0.00 points.
Posted by: Crumpler at October 29, 2008 10:11 PM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
2 FAMILY
1.5 million loan amount
75% LTV
FULL DOC
5/1 ARM 7.125% par
30yr fixed 7.875% par
Any Ape with LP/UD can Process this crap Adam. In fact this damn near Hard Money Guidelines. Plus you did not post the FICO! What can you do that is DIFFERENT that any other Mortgage Asshat??!! Thanks Adam! You just prove that you are worthless...
The What (75 LTV Give me a fucking break)
Someday this war is gonna end..
Posted by: Return of The What at October 30, 2008 3:32 PM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
3. Make sure that Asshats like Wasder can stay on the Habitrail and make mortgage payments. Still being a debt slave!
Hey What--my habitrail is feeling pretty good right about now. In re this conversation our loan is for 800G at 6.00%. Don't know if it is still a possibility to get such a loan at this point but we didn't take this out that long ago.
Posted by: wasder at October 30, 2008 4:41 PM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
Adam is right. people are still getting loans. the world hasn't ended. the sky didn't fall. get over it. still not seeing the predicted massive forclosures and people huddled in masses in the streets. Although if you believe the Obama infomercial we are the walking dead. the hyperbole detracts from a serious examination of the facts. it only serves to aggrandize the vacuous space between the ears of some posters here.
Posted by: Legion at October 30, 2008 7:30 PM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
Hay What, who are are you voting for and why?
Posted by: IronBalls at October 31, 2008 1:32 AM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
What- You just shot yourself in the foot on this one.
DU/LP does not handle loans that are non-conforming. DU is Fannie Mae's underwriting engine and LP is Freddie Mac's. loan of 1.5 million is not Fannie/Freddie elligible so why would you run it through either underwriting engine?
75% LTV is agressive for a loan of this size in this climate. This is what LTV's should have been all along. Once you go into the million dollar range you should be able to put more than 20% down as a hedge against risk. This is responsible lending.
Hard Money? Are you an idiot? or do you just play on on the internet? Hard money rates start at 13% and cost anywher from 2-3pts at no more than a 65% LTV.
You should know this if you are really a mortgage broker. But I guess all you did was sell subprime 100% loans to minorities.
People like you are the real reason that we are in this mess.
Posted by: Adam Dahill at October 31, 2008 12:45 PM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
Oh that fico was 720 for the 1.5 million loan you dolt.
Posted by: Adam Dahill at October 31, 2008 12:46 PM in response to What Mortgage rates are you seeing?
I wouldn't want anyone who said they can definitely do it in a day without on site inspection. Sure, anyone can do demo, but you may have electric wires in there, as well as other unforseen problems. Murphy's Law rules in these situations. When stuff starts coming down/out, the problems begin. Even if everything goes as planned, cleaning out and cleaning up will take time. Expect to pay for 2 day's work, and you won't be stressed when it takes that long.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 13, 2009 7:03 PM in response to Need contractor for minor reno
Call Joey of Beta Construction. He's very reasonable and does great work.
(646) 345-6400
Posted by: BrianR at January 14, 2009 12:58 PM in response to Need contractor for minor reno
I don't think your quote is high for 2 days of work. If it is 2 people plus some debris removal/clean up my back of the envelope math says:
2 people * $250 each * 2 days + ~$500 for debris removal = $1500
I like my GC but this is probably too small for him.
Good luck.
Posted by: pmmtenement at January 14, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Need contractor for minor reno
Hi there,
My husband does that kind of work, he can give you a really good estimate for the removal of the small wall and the bar, he would just need to arrange an appointment to see the walls in person.
We can be reached at 914-562-2706 or e-mail willianprates68@hotmail.com.
Good luck!
Many thanks,Aida
Posted by: Aida008 at January 14, 2009 6:15 PM in response to Need contractor for minor reno
These are tears that cannot be mended by reweaving, because of the type of tears they are. So the best I can do is a patch/machine stitch. Thanks for the suggestions--will check out those spots in Manhattan.
Posted by: Crumpler at November 9, 2009 10:12 AM in response to ISO Great Tailor in FG/CH