Dan76's Profile
- Daniel Dror
- 1997
- 2007
- Brooklyn
- Clinton Hill
- Rental
- Gallery Associate
- Male
- 31
Author's Posts
July 18, 2008
"Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren
I "won" the lottery for an income restricted apt. at 150 Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn.
http://www.torencondo.com/
We have a letter saying we can set up an appiontment for an interview and to bring in all of our paperwork etc. At first we were excited as I was hoping that this was going to be an opportunity to buy a great apartment at a good price, but the available apartments are all studios and one bedrooms which range in price from 420,000 to 330,000 and 720 sf to 400sf. All of the apartments are on lower floors and they have lower quality fixtures. When I look at the Toren/Halstead listings there are quite a few apartments that are listed as SOLD, but the sales price for the open market apts. is only ten percent more than for the lottery apts. I also think that the actual sales prices for the open market apts. is lower than is published.
http://www.halstead.com/developments_other.aspx?numb=65857
So I am very confused why I am expected to feel like I have a great opportunity here?
Is something wrong with this system, we were so excited at the prospect of winning the lottery, but now feel like it is a scam, with pressure to buy without seeing the apartment and at prices that appear very close to the market rate.
There are also restrictions on selling the apartments, you have to live in them for a certain number of years.
Am I missing something?
I'm also not crazy about the location or the prospect of living on a third floor facing Flatbush Ave.
Hopefully Real Estate will stay flat if not drop more, our savings will increase and we can actually buy something we (wife and 1.5 year old)love in a nice neighborhood in the next couple of years...Or am I missing a great opportunity here??
Author's Comments
Dan76 wrote a review about Eton on May 6, 2009 5:32 PM
We went after reading the reviews here...I was expecting much better dumplings.
Soup dumpling places like Joes Shanghai are much much better as are Japanese gyoza style dumplings.
Eton meat dumplings were thick and not juicy, the pork dumpling was the consistency of a hot dog and tasted about the same,
This shop is Awesome. The owners have lived on the block for years and have opened a unique shop that serves a wide range of people in the hood.
The local skaters are very lucky to have such a cool shop around, and their parents can pickup some flowers and home/gardening goods as well.
Posted by: Dan76 at May 4, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Streetlevel: Skateboards, Flowers and Dry Goods
I was just checking out the Lobsters at Fairway last week. My 2 year old thought they were pretty exciting. Some of them looked fairly 'alive and frisky' others, not so much. The sign said "LOBSTERS FROM MAINE". If I remember correct the price was $12 per pound.
I hope this new Lobster Pound that is opening nearby, has good fresh lobsters at a reasonable price and does well. It is a great idea.
Posted by: Dan76 at April 15, 2009 3:47 PM in response to Streetlevel: Lobster Pound Coming to Red Hook
bxgrl...
I think I remember Peter's..I lived in Cobble Hill for a few years. It was a nice place, closed right before the Ben & Jerrys moved in. I thought Peter's had better Ice Cream. I was sad to see them go.
Moxie Spot was the place I was thinking of, but I thought there was another on Atlantic in Boerum Hill? Maybe that is just an indoor play area though.
Posted by: Dan76 at April 9, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Streetlevel: Kids Space Mamalu Shuts Doors
That's too bad..It is a cool place and had very good food.
I think every neighborhood in NYC needs a place like this.
There are several similar places I can think of, one in Prospect Heights...Can't remembeber the name but it is a Ice Cream shop that has a play area. There are a couple places on Atlantic Ave as well.
But Mamalu really got it right in my opinion.
Posted by: Dan76 at April 9, 2009 2:48 PM in response to Streetlevel: Kids Space Mamalu Shuts Doors
We went to an open house at PS 20 a year or so ago. It was our first time visiting a NYC public school, so we were not sure what to expect. The Principal (the one that some people don't seem to like) was very nice, students looked happy, the school was clean and there were plenty of classes in music, art etc...Our son is still a few years away from attending School and we will probably move into a different zone (more for living space than school district).
Anyways I thought the School was pretty nice.
My wife did visit PS 11 on her own, she really liked it.
Posted by: Dan76 at April 9, 2009 2:31 PM in response to Time for PS 20 Principal to Get The Boot?
Dan76 wrote a review about Kinara on March 19, 2009 12:56 PM
We ordered delivery from them last week for the first time.
The food came quickly and was really good, nice flavors and spices.
Definitley will eat their food again.
I agree. Myrtle is a very nice street, especially around Washington. I've lived nearby for the past couple years and even then have seen a nice change and some good businesses open. The big new condo/rental buildings will only improve things, also looking forward to the greenway near the Associated and the new Pratt building as well.
Transportation does suck, that's why I ride my Bike into the city as much as I can.
Posted by: Dan76 at March 19, 2009 11:23 AM in response to The Myrtle Miracle?
This is how trees in NYC get their distinctive look: No branches hanging over the roads.
It's sad to see branches get knocked off, but the limbs hanging over the street always get taken out like this.
I think the trees usually survive.
Posted by: Dan76 at March 6, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Department of Sanitation 1, Tree 0
I really like this neighborhood...too bad it is far from the train, but that is also what I like it's small and out of the way.
Posted by: Dan76 at March 4, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Columbia Waterfront Getting In On Rezoning Action
We checked out an open house a few months ago. The units are OK. The inner courtyard is pretty lame, the building does not 'feel' like Brooklyn and I found it unappealing overall.
We thought the Absolute had much nicer layouts and better quality, but Clermont Greene is on a slightly better street.
Posted by: Dan76 at February 23, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Checking In On Clermont Greene
I live in the area. I like the building. Agree it does not 'match' the neighborhood, but it is a good looking design and the apartments are very nice, definitely 'luxury' the bathrooms are beautiful.
Much better overall than the Clermont Green.
Posted by: Dan76 at February 4, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Checking In On The Absolute Condos
We switched to Con Ed Green energy and our bill went up 2x.
It was nice idea to have 'clean' electricity but too expensive for us right now.
Posted by: Dan76 at January 28, 2009 12:17 PM in response to Shoping for ConEd alternatives
Yes, Same owners as Luigis on Dekalb. I saw the sign last time I got a slice there.
Luigis makes really excellent pizzas, always fresh and friendly. I think this is great.
Posted by: Dan76 at December 22, 2008 7:36 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Pizza Place Open on Grand Ave.
The apartments and website look nice. The floorplans and layout are very sensible...I'm not sure about living in Sunset Park though, the commute to Manhattan looks long...
Posted by: Dan76 at October 10, 2008 10:56 AM in response to One Sunset Park Hits the Market
Dan76 wrote a review about The General Greene on September 30, 2008 1:04 PM
I liked the place for Dinner, but Brunch was not good.
We had a very nice dinner, good service, and the portions are perfect for sharing, but you have to order a lot, so it gets expensive, drinks were good but again pricey.
We tried about half of the things on the menu and everything was interesting and tasty. Dessert was a home-made ice-cream which was delicious.
Brunch on the other hand was really bad, way overpriced for what you get and really not a lot of options, service was more spotty the morning we went. My hamburger was very average I asked for medium and it was well done. 13 dollars and not even tomato or french fries. Portions of everything were small which makes no sense as most restaurants should give you a lot of food.
I really like the atmosphere and the hipster staff is friendly for the most part.
I would go back for dinner, but definitely not for brunch, which was a shame because it seemed like they would make a good brunch a la Stone Park or Applewood, but it was very disappointing.
Dan76 wrote a review about Grimaldi's on September 27, 2008 3:11 PM
Grimaldi's is good pizza no doubt. I lived in DUMBO before there was anything else to eat and we would get it several times a week. Patsy was working there back then and would make sure to tear a hole in the paper bag when the pizza was to go so as to let the steam out. I don't think the quality has gone down hill too much, the servers are fast and efficient and get the job done. I don't wait in line, but still go back to the hood on a week night several times a year for a pepperoni mushroom...YUM.
The restored house next door looks beautiful from the outside...Is it the same owners?
Posted by: Dan76 at September 26, 2008 11:14 AM in response to Grand Avenue Haunted House Gets Its Siding
Does not look like any bodies living there.
At night there are like two light on in the whole building.
I like the location though, much better than downtown brooklyn.
Posted by: Dan76 at September 24, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Forte Anyone?
-Brine,
Thanks for your comments.
There is only one 1 bedroom apartment that is adequete space (706sf) the rest are 600sf.
This still might be too small for three people and no guarantee that it will available.
I did speak to the agent at Halstead who was helpful and honest. He also said that we can sell the apartment as soon as we like.
Agree that the amenities look very nice, but not sure if they are necessary for us. I would prefer space and location.
Still, part of me is tempted as it is a discounted price (albeit a small one). I think we might pursue further in order to make up our minds 100%.
Thanks to everyone who commented and please leave any other thoughts you can.
Dan
Posted by: Dan76 at July 18, 2008 2:05 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren
Thanks for the comments, We were thinking of checking it out...But the way the have the process set-up is you have to give your deposit way before the building is finished. So what if you don't like the apartment? You can't sell it until you have lived there for 15 years!
I think we will pass.
We really wanted to win the Classon Ave PACC lottery though!
I have been calling and emailing the Halstead agent that is handling the HPD lottery, but he has not returned my calls..
Posted by: Dan76 at July 18, 2008 12:26 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren
My wife and I had sandwiches at this place last week.
We had :
The Captains Daughter sardine, pickled egg, salsa verde
Clean Slate wheatberries, chickpeas, miso, pickled vegetables
Unusual combinations, but very good, the design and layout of the store is very cool.
I liked the bakery that used to be in the same spot.
Fatte sau is nearby as well. Best BBQ in Brooklyn!
Posted by: Dan76 at September 25, 2009 9:59 PM in response to Streetlevel: Saltie, One Week In