took awhile to scroll down - but there it is, your name in lights! Now I have to go try the best shake and the best Polish food.

Posted by: NorthSloper at July 13, 2006 12:00 PM in response to Guess Who Made The Latest Best Of List?

We looked at 2 or 3 of these townhouses about 3 years ago thru Corcoran...they were listed then at about 899K. We lost out on one of them because we weren't willing to budge off of $865K. The selling points are large apartments for everyone, including tenants (and probably good rental income)and nice deck space. The bad points - poor transportation hubs, miniscule backyards and a seemingly "iffy" neighborhood.

Posted by: NorthSloper at August 9, 2006 1:05 PM in response to House of the Day: Crazily Overpriced on Greene

if not "iffy", why the barbed wire?

Posted by: NorthSloper at August 9, 2006 2:23 PM in response to House of the Day: Crazily Overpriced on Greene

it's not ethical but there are many sellers who are willing to do this to guarantee a sale. Not a big deal, in my opinion.

Posted by: NorthSloper at August 9, 2006 2:26 PM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?

looks like Pepto Bismol!

Posted by: NorthSloper at August 9, 2006 2:31 PM in response to Brown-stone? Not Exactly

Actually, I think my neighborhood is iffy too>>>> witness the stabbing that took place on a Saturday afternoon because of road rage. And no, I've never seen barbed wire in the North Slope. Please point it out if you know of it. I also doubt the North Slope has hotels. SROs yes, hotels no.

Posted by: NorthSloper at August 9, 2006 2:39 PM in response to House of the Day: Crazily Overpriced on Greene

mihe718 - you haven't answered my question. where exactly is the barbed wire. don't let my question get you so hot under the collar. "Everywhere" is not an answer. BTW, you're not going to change my opinion about the location of these townhouses.

Posted by: NorthSloper at August 9, 2006 3:28 PM in response to House of the Day: Crazily Overpriced on Greene

not ethical, and illegal. If the city finds out, they'll try to collect and you would be subject to fines, if not worse, since this would amount to tax evasion. I think the mansion tax threshold is too low (don't like the idea in any event - think it is unfair really - but would not feel comfortable doing what you are proposing.

I've heard of people paying for the house and separately buying furniture and non-fixtures in the house for the balance above the $1million threshhold. Again, dodgy, and could get you into hot water.

Posted by: 1847 at August 9, 2006 4:35 PM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?

Thanks 1847. I completely agree (I'm the poster). The mansion tax is rather unfair, especially these days when you are hard-pressed to find a brownstone/townhouse under 1M. They should raise it to 1.5 or so. We can dream...

Posted by: at August 9, 2006 4:43 PM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?

You wish to break the law because you think it is unfair? What are you, twelve years old?

Posted by: at August 9, 2006 8:36 PM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?

The last I heard, if a dwelling has 3 or more units, you don't have to pay a mansion tax. Its only for condos, co-ops and one/two family homes.

Posted by: at August 10, 2006 5:52 AM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?

Just to clarify the last post, that is not true. It applies to 3 family brownstones. I also had that fleeting brilliant idea and I was immediately shut down by my accountant, lawyer, mortgage broker from even approaching the seller -- it was just an idea but it is tax evasion and you are playing with fire. I agree with everyone that the purpose of the mansion tax is to tax mansions - for the purpose it was designed, the tax should be hiked to much higher levels, considering what you can get in brownstone brooklyn for a million dollars, we are not talking about lolling around in a luxurious mansion. Good luck to you.

Posted by: hemspa at August 10, 2006 10:06 AM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?

The Mansion tax should not be an arbitrary dollar amount but a certain percentage above the average price for a house in that area.

Because if you plunk down one million dollars in some place, you could get acres of land, a pool, and a huge house. But in some other places you get a building (with almost zero yard) that you have to gut reno just to live in it.

That said, the Mansion tax is unfair, but I can't advocate trying to find ways to evade it. Remember that they nailed Al Capone for tax evasion, not for murder (or any of his other crimes).

Posted by: ArsenicandOldLace at August 10, 2006 3:07 PM in response to Skirting Mansion tax?