Flatbushdemata's Profile

Name:
F. D.
In Brooklyn Since:
1967
On Brownstoner Since:
Location:
Brooklyn
Neighborhood:
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Author's Posts

July 28, 2009

Question about Refi

After months of wrangling with the bank, I am cleared to close on my refinance.

Here is my question: do I need a lawyer to come with me to closing? I have done all of this without a lawyer, but I am nervous about an August surprise.

Also, do I tip the title person?

Thanks!

March 18, 2009

Refinancing Question

I am thinking about refinancing and would like to know a little bit more about the process.

I will probably go with the same lender.

Here are my questions:
1. Will the closing costs be as high as the ones for purchasing?
2. Do I need a lawyer?
3. Will there be a face-to-face closing or will this be done by mail, fax, and e-mail?
4. What kind of documentation will I need?
5. What kind of funds will I have to have in my bank account?

Many thanks for answers!

February 23, 2009

Water Heater Size

What size water heater would you recommend for a three unit/three bathroom building? There are six adults and one long-showering teenaged girl in residence. I have a 75 gallon capacity heater now, but the hot water seems to be running out too often for anyone's comfort. Thanks!

January 6, 2009

Tenants Driving Me Crazy

Okay, I admit this is venting, but here goes: I inherited tenants when I bought my building. They have a while to go on their lease and a very low rent.

Man, do they complain! I keep the heat at a reasonable temperature at night (65 degrees or so), start it very early (5am) and switch to night late (midnight). I get a screaming call from the tenant, who tells me he isn't going to take it any more because it is freezing in his apartment. He plans to put a heater in the apartment, which is against the lease.

The wife complains about how cheap everything is (admittedly not high-end, but not bad and they pay next to nothing), how much noise the tenants above them make (they exercise in the afternoon, during her nap in the living room, where she sleeps instead of the bedroom) and curses at me, if she even bothers to say hello. They have changed the lock and not given me a key. The police have shown up twice due to fights with their teenaged daughter and the have screamed at me and the third-floor tenants for calling the police (we didn't call the police; the teenaged daughter did). And the scream and scream and scream at each other!

Oy vey! What a handful. Any advice about how to smooth things over for the duration of their lease?

July 25, 2008

Dry well installation

I am thinking of installing a dry well to take some of the roof run-off during heavy rains (the pipes can't handle all of the run-off, so I flood).

Any one do this? Any recommendations for contractors? Any sense of the cost?

Thanks!

July 23, 2008

Conversion

I have a three family house, where I reside along with two tenants. I am interested in taking over one of the rental apartments, so that I will have a duplex that can accommodate a growing family. The C of O is a three family. Forgive my ignorance, but do I have to change it to a two family, especially if I plan on converting it back to a three family at some point (say when I retire and need additional rental income, which will, admittedly, be many years from now). Thanks for the advice!

May 27, 2008

Caulking a hatch

Hi everyone,

I am writing for some advice about sealing the hatch that leads into my basement. The hatch covers the stairs to the basement. These stairs lead to a small vestibule that has a door that opens into my basement and is right below my small stoop (I have more of a tenement building than a brownstone). I noticed yesterday that the concrete ceiling (which is also the bottom of the stoop) looks like it is about to fall down, because of water damage and dampness.
Here are my questions:
1. What should I use to caulk the hatch so that water doesn't seep through?
2. What kind of concrete do I use to redo the concrete on the walls and ceiling in the vestibule?
3. Does anyone have any creative ideas about venting given that I have a hatch and given that the stoop is so small that there isn't room for venting from there?
4. Can I do this or should I hire someone? How much would something like this cost

Many thanks?

May 9, 2008

Dog-friendly Garden

I am interested in planting a garden in my backyard. However, there are quite a few dogs in my building that use the space for playtime (with, of course, occasional bathroom breaks).

Any advice about what to do? I am specifically interested in sturdy ground cover, perhaps raised beds, non-poisonous plants, and even a little potty area (if the dogs are trainable -- highly doubtful). I know that I have to divide the area up and fence some of it off.

Also, could you recommend a good landscaper who knows something about this?

Author's Comments

I am very familiar with these lotteries.

The organization that sponsors the lottery should guide you through the process or refer you to an organization that can help. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a great place for advice.

Posted by: Flatbushdemata at November 26, 2008 6:32 PM in response to Brownstone Lottory winner

I used Aura paint and love it! It didn't require a primer. The Infinity colors are gorgeous (I used an orangey-red and a sea green). And there was virtually no odor. I don't know how it will stand up over time, but I have been very happy with it.

Posted by: Flatbushdemata at October 29, 2008 1:05 PM in response to Aura paint

I know the area around the Albemarle Terrace house very well. Church and Flatbush is a terrible intersection --very busy, very crowded, very dirty. THe commercial is terrible -- bad chains, crappy stores, loud music blaring. It isn't safe there at night. It is not a middle class neighborhood.

Posted by: Flatbushdemata at September 19, 2008 2:56 PM in response to Open House Picks

Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Sunset Park also helps with foreclosures. See http://www.nhnhome.org/.

Posted by: Flatbushdemata at July 23, 2008 6:41 PM in response to Legitimate Foreclosure Counseling

I have found the leak from where the original caulking has eroded, so I am fairly certain that is the source.

Is it possible that the water is coming from my concrete stoop?

Posted by: Flatbushdemata at May 27, 2008 1:30 PM in response to Caulking a hatch

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

Used it in a room that had dark blue on the walls and was going to a lighter gray. No primer but I had to use 2 coats even though the guy said I'd only need one. It also took some getting used to rolling out without going back. Next time I'd just go with regular BM paints and skip the Aura.

Posted by: GeorgeAppo at October 29, 2008 3:10 PM in response to Aura paint

I used Aura a few weeks back and was very please with the coverage and how quickly it dried (about a half-hour). I think it's definately worth the extra cost. I painted a light green over a purple (a child's room) without a primer, applied two-coats and was really please with the outcome.

Posted by: BobfromBklyn at October 29, 2008 4:31 PM in response to Aura paint

I love painting with aura paint, but recently when i went to do touch ups on some areas the match was way off. This happened twice with two different colors.!!!!
I think this paint is great when applying super deep colors. only 2 coats required instead of endless coats of red or deep orange. but this new developement of no touching up, (2 or 3 months later) is very disturbing. Since I paint for myself and others I will have to think about using it in the future.

Posted by: tsarina at October 29, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Aura paint

Thanks everyone, big help. I am planning to paint my bedroom a cream color (BM mayonnaise or seashell, still undecided) over walls that are now taupe. I was leaning toward Aura before I posted, now leaning against, sounds like its not worth the cost for cream and would almost definitely have to do touchups at some point with the light color.

Posted by: westernnygirl at October 29, 2008 7:53 PM in response to Aura paint

I used Aura in a pea-shoot green and did not care for it. The color looked artificial and the paint was gloppy. (Guess that's because of the coverage.) I prefer the regular BM paint, have used it in three houses now. If you are painting over plaster, particularly in a brownstone type building, I highly recommend Farrow & Ball. It is also non-toxic and natural, has been since it was created. It has a beautiful powdery finish and soft colors that recede instead of hit you over the head. About $50 per can including delivery if you get it wholesale. Not sure about retail prices, but there is a retail store in Soho now.

Posted by: mopar at October 30, 2008 12:30 AM in response to Aura paint

Althought I didn't fall for the marketing, a friend of mine did and I helped paint a couple of rooms. The paint covered very well, but what I didn't like was you have little time to work it. As soon as you roll it on it begins to dry, so you have to keep moving around the room and come back later to touch up any mistakes.

Posted by: dillon at October 31, 2008 7:11 PM in response to Aura paint

Hi,
I used the Aura- covered well, but weird to paint with. (I went from white to white dove, so coverage was one coat.)
You could also try to BM super spec - it isn't as fancy as aura, but it is a great paint.
I would not suggest the BM mayonnaise color in any paint type. It does not cover very well. I used Milkly Way this weekend- that was only 2 coats (super spec) over primer on a lavendar wall. And it looks great.
good luck with the painting

Posted by: brooklynjennie at November 3, 2008 12:32 PM in response to Aura paint

The regular BM paint has awesome coverage already. I have never needed more than one coat. But I have never painted light over dark. I did once paint tomato soup red over white though and that only needed one coat.

Posted by: mopar at November 4, 2008 1:48 PM in response to Aura paint

When you find out, can you let us know? I'm curious. Thanks!

Posted by: mopar at November 27, 2008 12:42 AM in response to Brownstone Lottory winner

My number also came up for a housing lottery. I have the opportunity to buy one of the Red Hook Houses units offered by the Fifth Avenue Committee. It's a 3BR 1.5 bath coop and if there's a terrace, it's $596K. Not sure if that's even a good deal anymore.

Posted by: CHMomma at November 30, 2008 10:11 PM in response to Brownstone Lottory winner