I don't think so. In general, I find Vigilante expensive but responsive - so if you have an emergency and can't find anyone else, they are good. But I don't use them for regular jobs because they were ultimately too expensive - they always found more things that "needed" doing, even when just doing annual boiler maintenance.

I've been using Larry Harrington as a plumber, though I've been fortunate enough not to need him for the last year or so! Here are his numbers.

work 718-438-1604
mobile 347-992-2183

Good luck!

Posted by: Jen KG at April 26, 2008 10:37 AM in response to Plumbing Estimate Fee

Dawn Prentiss of Semper Fido was really great with our puppy and she's really nice, too. She keeps in touch and is always available to help by phone. Good luck!

Posted by: Jen KG at April 2, 2008 5:17 PM in response to Puppy Training

I once rented an apartment in my townhouse through Craig's List. It was much smaller than yours - a floor through of 700 sq feet - but it was a very frustrating process for me as well. We just kept dropping the price by $50 or $100 until it rented. It rented eventually, but it was a pain. We got wonderful tenants, though, who stayed with us for many years.

For what it's worth, I don't think April is a huge moving month. You'll probably have better luck in May as schools begin to empty out and grads think about how they need a place to stay. This is good for you if you're willing to rent to recent grads who plan to share the space. I did, and the two guys we found were lifetime friends and turned out to be great tenants.

I also have friends who are in their late 30s/early 40s who rented an apartment I found them through the classifieds list of ParkSlopeParents.com. Do you know anyone who could post there for you? It was $3500/month and they were really happy to save what would have been an enormous broker fee.

Good luck!

Posted by: Jen KG at April 2, 2008 4:39 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

Turns out, high-end paint sprayers are rentable at Home Depot (though not Lowes) for $62 for 4 hours. I'm going to give it a try. Wish me luck! Thanks for responding!

Posted by: Jen KG at March 18, 2008 10:23 PM in response to Where to rent a paint sprayer?

I just got an Airport Extreme for a 4 story, 20 foot wide 100 yr old townhouse. We got the Airport Extreme b/c most of us here use Apple computers and that's what we've been told by multiple computer friends is the best and strongest for Macs. We get our broadband access from Time Warner. All floors get a great signal. Maybe you'll have problems if you've got concrete floors or tin ceilings, but unless there are materials that like which will give interference - or a band-hogger watching movies or running a major website - it should work ok. Good luck!

Posted by: Jen KG at March 3, 2008 2:08 PM in response to Coop-wide Broadband?

Just to respond to 3:07, it really is necessary to be fully certain of the identity of the property owner before going to contract, as you don't want to give a down payment to someone who does not have the power to give you the property. It could be very, very difficult to get that money back.

Also, I believe that NY law has an rule which allows owners to give a $500 discount on the property and not discuss existing hazards or problems. HOWEVER, I am not a real estate attorney and do not know if this law says that knowledge of defects can be (falsely) denied OR if it is just that known defects need not be affirmatively mentioned. A good, experienced real estate attorney should be able to explain this to you as well.

Posted by: Jen KG at February 28, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Broker with ownership interest

Definitely hire another lawyer.

Basic legal work includes due diligence on the property - this means researching title, ownership, any liens against the property, etc. You cannot go to contract regarding purchase of a property with a person who does not own that property, after all!

It is also completely normal and standard for your lawyer to represent you in negotiations with the seller and their lawyer and broker.

Bottom line: your lawyer is not doing what lawyers are paid to do and should not be representing you.

Posted by: Jen KG at February 28, 2008 2:46 PM in response to Broker with ownership interest

I think this building is down the street from the Wykoff Gardens housing project, not across from it. Actually, I believe it sits directly across the street from the under-utilized "Double D" park - the one that Brownstoner reported last week might be turned into a skate park? Wonder how that will effect the value and potential long-term use.

Posted by: Jen KG at January 21, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Drugstore or Supermarket on the Horizon for 3rd Avenue

Does anyone know what will go up on 4th Avenue and Warren Street? The one-story building that was there was taken down last spring, and there has been a large foundation laid already, but then no movement/action at all for the past few months. I heard a rumor it would be 6 stories of condos - can anyone confirm?

Posted by: Jen KG at December 10, 2007 11:54 AM in response to 4th Avenue Sites Primed for New Construction

I have an extra-deep sink in my island, and splashing isn't a big deal. There are occasional incursions of water, but these are just minor things that can be wiped up with a sponge - in fact, probably these incursions are caused by the sponge when I go to put soap on it (I have a soap dispenser built in by the faucet). They're not a wet hazard, just a pain because I like my countertops uniformly clean and shiny. I think the configuration is worth it because I love being able to wash dishes and cook and talk with my guests, watch my kid, etc. I like the design! I'd do less gray though, gray always seems cold to me even though people say it's neutral.

Posted by: Jen KG at November 29, 2007 1:00 PM in response to Inside Third & Bond: Week 15

The What, are you a broker? I'm shocked!

Posted by: Jen KG at November 26, 2007 11:09 AM in response to Brokerage Switcheroo Frustrating Sellers?

Yes, sorry Mr. B but I don't find the existing navigation system that helpful. Several times, for example, a broker has wanted to show me or my friends a property that has been profiled in the past as the house of the day. Although I try to work with the system, it is incredibly hard to find those properties if I don't remember the month in which they were discussed. It usually involves reading through a *lot* of neighborhood postings. Or, one time I wanted to find the discussion about glossy front door paint like they use in Europe and it took me over an hour to do so. Was it on the Forum under Facade, Renovation, or some other topic? Was it somewhere else on the site? Could I search just for "paint"? For "front doors"? I did find it, but it took forever. Great great website, but please improve the search feature! I would really use it!

Posted by: Jen KG at November 16, 2007 11:13 AM in response to Navigation Tip

I would love a better search feature. I use the existing search feature to look up for technical questions from the forum and or houses that have been discussed in the past. The current search feature is really cumbersome with lots of wrong hits. But the info on the website is really good, so I struggle through. Get the google please!

Posted by: Jen KG at November 15, 2007 9:45 PM in response to Please Take the Brownstoner Reader Survey

I wouldn't do a doggie door in the city. My concern would be safety, not heat loss. I know someone who had one in LA. She had window and door alarms but an open doggie door. A very small, skinny burglar broker in and stole all her jewelry, cash, silver, etc.

Posted by: Jen KG at October 17, 2007 11:14 AM in response to new back doors/doggie doors

I know people who got a 10k price reduction and closing costs paid for at a new development on Washington Ave and St Marks Ave.

Posted by: Jen KG at October 15, 2007 10:05 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales Market: Let's Make a Deal

Bullshit. Many people rent "family-sized" apartments who aren't families. (I am a single person who has owned and rented 3-bedroom apartments - I like having both an office and a guestroom. I know many like me, as well as couples, who like space, and are willing to pay for it.) And people with little kids move at all times of the year as well.

In my opinion, people are looking for rentals in NYC (including Brooklyn) ALL THE TIME.

Do you have pics of the apartment up there? Are they good ones? Do you have a good description, which gives the apartment seeker a good description of where the apartment is (if not the actual block)? Which trains it is near helps give an idea; also if it is near 7th ave, the park, or 5th ave. If you are looking through stuff online, you simply skip the ones posted by people who can't be bothered to give enough information.

If you're doing all that, then your price is likely higher than the market for similar apartments. (I notice you didn't mention the price.)

Do you say "shares OK" in your ad? If not, you are cutting yourself off from most of the market. Most families looking for 4-bedrooms are looking to buy, not rent.

You have a an apartment of a size that is not often sought by families. Get creative. Post at grad schools, hospitals, etc. for working adults who want to share.

Posted by: guest at April 2, 2008 6:38 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

Yep, I just did a Craigslist search - at 4200, your price is too high for market.

Posted by: guest at April 2, 2008 6:46 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

And posting ANYTHING on Craigslist without photos is just a waste of time.

Posted by: guest at April 2, 2008 6:55 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

It's a brownstone, right? So one or two of those bedrooms are likely 6 feet wide, right? Better off to describe is as it is - 2 or 3 bedrooms, with 1 or 2 rooms perfect for home offices or nursery - and pricing it appropriately for what it is.

Posted by: guest at April 2, 2008 7:00 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

its the time of the year. just wait it out till end of may. thats when things should pick up fast. also no pics is fine, i rented out my $1800 units with no pics over the years within days of posting on cl.

with slighty higher end i put pics.

Posted by: armchairwarrior at April 2, 2008 10:33 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

4200 is too much.
Too much for craigslist
Too much for this market.
Too much for a rank and file wall street guy worried about how 2008 will turn out.

And yet, strangely, not high enough to make buying it with debt any better option than renting it.

Posted by: guest at April 3, 2008 1:07 AM in response to Is rental market soft?

I was just getting ready to post the same thing as 3.50pm. Things are very slow I've had several people come to look at my apartments but no comittments. My apartments are borderline Clinton Hill/Bedstuy and I've never really had a problem but things are really slow right now....Price range 1600-1900. I know its not the Slope but the property is central to everything and nice.Not a bad block ! I hope u guys are right that things pick up in May.

Good luck all

Posted by: guest at April 3, 2008 1:16 AM in response to Is rental market soft?

Maybe I was lucky, but I posted an ad for a six room floor through at $3200 and the first people who saw it took it. Why don't you post some pics here, or the link to the ad. Like others said, no pics = waste of time.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at April 3, 2008 10:45 AM in response to Is rental market soft?

Yes, Brooklynative, but you didn't overprice by almost $1000 per month.

People who do are going to have months of vacancies. It's a MARKET - they need to get real.

And, frankly, I'd be worried about tenants who were willing to pay so much over market.

Posted by: guest at April 3, 2008 12:42 PM in response to Is rental market soft?

First assess what kind of issues you will need addressed and what kind of dog you have. Is your breed small and timid or large and aggressive? Tyril is great with large aggressive dogs - but not with small, shy skiddith dogs.

Posted by: guest at April 3, 2008 12:57 PM in response to Puppy Training