babs - most maps I've seen have Clarkson as the south border for PLG - and so what, if it's on the south side of the street it's not PLG, but the north side is? Come on - who really gives a crap.

I looked at the books - maintenance has gone up app 16% since 2005. Considering how much heating has gone up that's not too bad.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at November 12, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Clarkson Avenue, #4F

Opps, miss-post - I meant 1.75% is what maintenance went up this year in this building.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at November 12, 2009 4:36 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Clarkson Avenue, #4F

I've been in the building less than a year - my maintenance fees went up at the end of the co-op fiscal year by .75% or about $6 a month.
It might have gone up a bit more before I was there, as the elevators were rehauled and new elevator cabs put in right before I moved in.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at November 12, 2009 4:33 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Clarkson Avenue, #4F

aj - you're an ignorant ass.

'no gentrified person' WTF is that supposed to mean? I'm white, I'm college educated, SWF,I come from a middle class background and I live in this building.
Some of us haven't spent our life chasing the all-mighty dollar.

I've lived in this area for a few years now and have never once felt uncomfortable, even walking home from the trains in the early morning.

Back to the apartment - I think it's a little overpriced, but this is a decent building. Nice neighbors, clean, close to the trains, park and great food shopping.
The kitchens and bathrooms are all re-done with new appliances - and while not fancy stuff they look good and are do what they need to do.
Chances are it's larger than the stated SQ as my unit is larger than what was stated in the floorplan.
As long as you don't have to walk out of your door to a choice of dozens of upscale restaurants and bars it's a great area.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at November 12, 2009 2:40 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Clarkson Avenue, #4F

I used to say I'd never have a studio. Now I say I would never buy most studios. Most studios, like the ones a block away from this on Winthrop, are one room and tiny kitchen. With the large foyer and large kitchen separate from the living space this is much more 'livable' than most studios.

I bought this year, from the same sponsors, a couple blocks away from this one. Very similar layout, same kitchen and bathroom. I was able to create a bedroom area and there is room to eventually really make it a one bedroom.
However, I paid considerably less than this asking price. The only advantage this place has is it is slightly over 50% owner, while mine is slightly under 50% owner. And the maintenance on this one is lower.
Speaking from a recent buyer in this neighborhood - this one should go for $129000.

And as far as 'investments' go - to me it's a great place to live and I plan on being here quite awhile. I'm sure in the long run, seeing I'm paying less than what I was paying in rent, it will be a wise investment.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at October 29, 2009 6:58 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 125 Hawthorne Street Studio

Part of the problem is we've become a society of 'have to have'.
When I first started thinking of buying a mortgage broker told me he could get me approved for $100000 more than what I realistically knew I could comfortably afford. I had the brains and financial background to know not to bite, but I'm sure many would have seen granite countertops and stainless steel appliances dancing in their heads and took the bait.
It's a dual blame - banking for offering unsustainable deals - and an ignorant public that took those deals.

We really need to start teaching finance 101 in middle school because we're raising generations of people who have no concept of fiscal responsibility.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at September 15, 2009 11:14 AM in response to New Rules for First-time Home Buyers

Bummer Joe

They're not growing in direct local soil - but imported soil

http://www.seasonalchef.com/farmredhook.htm

Posted by: Flatbushrising at September 14, 2009 2:53 PM in response to Red Hook Protests Concrete Plant

Yeah, but at least the studio is facing the water, not the BQE

Posted by: Flatbushrising at August 18, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Price Cuts at One Brooklyn Bridge Park

It's not a one bedroom, it's a studio.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at August 18, 2009 11:10 AM in response to Price Cuts at One Brooklyn Bridge Park

I hope this won't.

Yes, I'm someone who was able to get the 8K credit - my sister got the 7.5K credit and has to pay it back. I think the 8K credit should be paid back as well.

The biggest issue I have with the plan mentioned in the link is no cap on income. I'm sorry, but if you're making that much you should be able to have the downpayment and closing costs saved up. If you don't, don't buy.
I was ready to buy with or without the credit. The credit just made things easier and gave me the opportunity to do what the ideal of the credit was all about anyway - buy paint, furniture, rugs etc that I would have put off getting and bought over time to 'stimulate' the economy.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at July 28, 2009 12:48 PM in response to First Time Buyer 15k Credit

Awaye sucks - they rented an apartment I was moving out of and told the new people they could move in the same day I was moving out, even though I still had 10 days left on my lease and needed a day to clean the place.
Poor people who moved in to a not really clean or painted apartment.

Also - anyone know what is up with 165 W 9th St?

http://www.awayerealty.com/detail_rent.asp?webid=850

It's been done for at least 3-4 years, has been on Awaye's website for over 2 years, and is still empty.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at July 9, 2009 2:32 PM in response to House of the Day: 180 Adelphi Street

I was in the same boat as josereyes - I had the extra 10%, but wanted to keep a reserve. My credit rating was over 800 and I still couldn't get PMI this past March. I also was fortunate to have the sellers give me a secondary loan, which is actually going to work out better for me in the long run.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at July 7, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Still Hard to Obtain PMI?

BrooklynGreene - this is not an FCR project.
Not that I'm really pro-arena, but get the facts straight.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at May 28, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Development Watch: Atlantic Terminal Station

I just closed at the beginning of the month and my bank of choice didn't offer 15 year, so I went with 30 year.
But with 4.5% interest and no pre-payment penalty I'm sure I'll have it paid off before 15 years are up. I also have the comfort of knowing if something were to happen I've got the lower payment.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at May 26, 2009 12:07 PM in response to 15-Year Mortgages Grow in Popularity

Sounds like your landlords may not be too cooperative, but that doesn't mean you can't try to be.
I'm moving this weekend a month and a half before my lease is up because I'm buying. I worked it out with the landlord that if I marketed the apartment and rented it I not only wouldn't owe the extra rent, but would get my deposit back. Ten minutes of my time posting on Craigslist and about half an hour combined showing the place I have new tenants in place and have already planned on how to spend my returned deposit on decorating my new place.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at April 24, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Breaking Lease 2 Months Early

It seems most of the people in the article still have their jobs - so the only thing that's changed is they bought way more apartment than they can really afford, and since it's not appreciating they can't use it as a piggy-bank to pay school tuition.
Sorry, not much sympathy.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at April 7, 2009 9:38 AM in response to The Shifting School Equation

80 Winthrop on this block is co-op, but also still has renters. Most of the buildings in the neighborhood are rent stabilized rentals.
I've lived a couple of blocks away for a couple of years and like the area so I'm buying into a co-op a couple of blocks from where you are talking about. I've never not felt safe, even walking home from the train in the early morning hours after being out on the town.
There is some great grocery stores as well as produce, fish, butchers etc in the area.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at April 3, 2009 2:05 PM in response to What do you think

"it's a little bit on the sketchy side but right up close to the park. my wife's friend has a cop husband who says the crime rate is actually pretty high compared to other local hoods."

Take it from someone who lives a couple blocks away and is buying next month a couple blocks away - crime is not really an issue. I hear more about muggings and such in so-called 'prime' areas than I do here. Or maybe that cop mistook my motorcycle backfiring this morning for gunshots.

It's a nice building, and I had my eye on a large studio there for awhile, but decided to buy a couple of blocks away. Where I'm buying the same management/owners as this building, but a little cheaper due to a little lower owner occupancy. Nice large pre-war spaces with some details and from what I'm experiencing in the sales process, the management company has been very good.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at March 24, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 135 Hawthorne Street

AndYouWillKnowUsbyTheTrailofRenters -

If you bought a few months ago - you qualify for the New Home Tax Buyers credit - if you fall within the criteria. Look it up.
I'm not closing until March, but I'll be able to take the credit on my 2008 taxes. Right now it has to be paid back over 15 years, but they are talking about not having to pay it back.

I won't mind paying it back, but I'm glad it's there right now. I waited until prices looked semi-normal, have a credit score of over 800, and bought something I can afford, even if I were to lose my job.
What the credit is doing for me is giving me some savings to work with after putting everything into a downpayment. If I can find a way to pay it back to the IRS early I will once my savings bulks up again.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at February 13, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Housing Rescue Plan: For Some or For All?

Rob - if you can't pay your student loans it looks like you need to move somewhere cheaper so you can.
Why should I subsidize you so you can enjoy life in Park Slope.

Move to Bushwick moron with the rest of the young educated losers in this city.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at February 13, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Housing Rescue Plan: For Some or For All?

I'm sorry - but especially on new construction how hard is it to have a floorplan?????

Posted by: Flatbushrising at February 5, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Toll Brothers Gets Serious About Selling at Northside Piers

The so-called living room in Unit 1 looks more like an extended foyer. I don't see how you could make that space comfortable and livable.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at January 28, 2009 11:49 AM in response to Checking In On the Cherry Hill Tree Condos

Beautiful showroom, but I'd hate to be one of the three kids living in that house.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at January 28, 2009 11:06 AM in response to Interiors: Inside a Brooklyn Heights Brownstone Kitchen

I'm in a similar situation, currently buying into a building that is less than 50% owner in PLG/Flatbush area.
Yes, there are some issues that can come up like the above people have posted, but as I plan on living there for awhile I feel I'm getting a great deal right now. The sponsors had three banks lined up that would finance in the building and I've locked in 4.5% interest.
I've looked over the financial's and they appear inline.

I think a big question is who is the sponsor? Are they a small local group, or a large company with interests across the country? The building I'm buying into is the latter, and I'm sure that's one reason they had 3 major banks lined up to consider mortgages.
Also a smaller worry about the sponsor not having the money to cover their end of maintenance costs.

Have you talked to people in the building? I took the time to ask people living in the building I'm buying into about general conditions and got, while not a glowing report, at least a positive report.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at January 22, 2009 1:50 PM in response to Sponsor-Dominated Building

I'm purchasing a co-op right now and just got approval at a great rate.
The person at the bank I'm dealing with said they are getting so many people looking to refinance. Given there are only so many hours in a day, they are concentrating on new home buying loans first, then refi's.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at January 16, 2009 12:20 PM in response to Jumbo Limits-Worth Refinancing?

I stopped by last night and not only was the food good, but nice beer selection, and a comfortable feel. I foresee myself spending time here.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at January 14, 2009 10:11 AM in response to Streetlevel: Mamary's New Lincoln Road Spot Opens Today

I got priced out of Carroll Gardens after 14 years, but in a way I'm glad I did. It might have been a shorter commute, but in Flatbush I've got better grocery stores, just as good take-out places, and like the neighbors better.
Granted, I don't have kids/school to worry about.

What kills me most is the place I left because it was sold still is an empty building 4 years later.....

Posted by: Flatbushrising at December 5, 2008 10:13 PM in response to Affordable rents in Carroll Gardens

cwbuecheler - not everyone is driving 'to Manhattan'.
I go over the Brooklyn Bridge everyday on my way to work in New Jersey via the Holland Tunnel.
Granted, I only ride two wheeled vehicles. For me it's easier than two or three trains, quicker, and gives me more flexibility for errands after work. I don't use much gas, don't contribute to traffic backing up and am more ready to start the day at work after doing something I love (riding) than if I was crammed on a train.
I wouldn't mind bridge fares, as I didn't mind the congestion pricing plan, as long as they exempt two wheeled vehicles like other plans across the world.

PS - I might ride a bike if it were possible to get to Jersey City easily on a bike from Brooklyn.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at November 11, 2008 1:08 PM in response to New Rule for New Buildings: Bike Parking

Of course, it's building by building, landlord by landlord, but just because a place is stabilized doesn't mean it's a dingy mess.

Walk around Flatbush area near PLG. Most of the buildings are kept up - neat in front - trash bags placed around the neighborhood since the city doesn't have trashcans on the corner - and right now there's a really neat Holloween display on Lenox between Flatbush and Bedford.

My apartment was gut renovated right before I moved in. Granted - there aren't stainless appliances & it's Home Depot cabinets - but I don't care. It's clean and functional.
Granted, some of the units where people have lived for ages are getting a bit worn - but they are working on those little by little as well - or at least maintaining them.

I doubt any of my neighbors have a vacation home anywhere - except maybe still a home in their native country.

People get up - go to work - raise their families and try to get by. How little we sometimes forget that in order for you to have a high paying job and nice home - there have to be people around to fix your plumbing, serve your latte, and ring up your Fairway purchase.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at October 20, 2008 12:02 PM in response to For Post-Rent Control Real Estate, Leave Brooklyn

If he does have a sense of civic mindedness and any sort of real conscience, he will not take the money.
He should get 3 months worth of salary, no signing bonus, and the rest of that money should go into an account to pay severance for the many who will be out of work because of this.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at September 26, 2008 11:47 AM in response to WaMu Bailout a Bonus Bonanza for Brooklyn Bigwig

Flatbushdemata - what do you consider not safe at night?
I get out of a cab at Flatbush $ Caton drunk at 3 in the morning to walk home and have never had a problem.
I don't think a couple of blocks down it can be that different.

Oh wait - there are people that don't look like me on the streets so it must be scary.

Different doesn't have to mean bad people - get over it.
Not everyone can afford to live in the suburbs that many 'choice' Brooklyn areas are becoming. Having lived in Flatbush for over a year I've not had a single issue - yet hear about muggings and such in 'Almost Prime' over priced areas like Clinton Hill all the time.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at September 19, 2008 4:49 PM in response to Open House Picks

I don't understand this need for 2 bathrooms in a small 2 bedroom apartment.

I'd prefer the rentals at 147 St. James Pl have a larger second bedroom and do away with that shower bathroom.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at August 15, 2008 3:45 PM in response to Open House Picks

We don't need Sam's Club.

We have Costco already - a company that treats it's employees way better than most retail stores.

Walmart/Sam's Club is part of the problem in this country, not the solution.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at August 4, 2008 11:40 AM in response to Will Retail Continue to Trump Industry in Red Hook?

How can you insist someone have insurance on their personal belongings? It's their issue to deal with, and if they don't they are S*&T out of luck in case of a situation like this.
How would it affect you as a landlord?
Of course if the fire was the problem of the landlord not dealing with possibly dangerous issues - they could sue. Is that your thinking 'Hey, if they have their own insurance they won't come after me when I screw up?"

Posted by: Flatbushrising at August 4, 2008 10:44 AM in response to Fire Leaves 75 PLG Households Looking for Shelter

This city really has become of bunch of entitled whiners

The only problem I see with this is that the west side Brooklyn bound entrance does not have a booth and are turnstile only – so people with strollers are going to have to go in on the other side and walk all the way down to cross over. But then again people with strollers and such make crazy train connections up and down stairs at Atlantic/Pacific and other stations everyday.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at July 21, 2008 4:29 PM in response to Closing Bell: Carroll St. Subway Entrance Closed

This school has always been around criminals - why is this that much different?
St. Ann's Established in 1965 - Brooklyn court houses est 19th Century.

Reminds me of when I was living upstate and a church moved in next to a porn movie theater that had been there for ages - very tasteful place - no inapropriate signs out front or sleezy characters hanging around. Then the church spent hours a week walking up and down protesting the place saying something like that shouldn't be near a church.

Posted by: Flatbushrising at July 16, 2008 11:02 AM in response to Federal Probation Officer Defends Proximity to St. Ann's