Why do everyone keep saying socialist!!! I was born and grew up in a socialist country and trust me we are no where near being a socialist country.... America is the greatest place in the world....I don't think the average person have a clue at what living under Socialism is all about ... Stop saying we're going Socialist.....

Posted by: PC at March 22, 2009 8:31 AM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

Nighmare for parking one of the worse places to find parking in Brooklyn and they won't hesitate to give tickets....

Posted by: PC at March 21, 2009 5:04 PM in response to BH Parking/Garage question

Don't insult our new President.... What have and what can the Republican do???? We saw what they did for eight years...

We need positive solutions which is what President Obama is trying to do....The mess that he has inherited isn't not easy to clean up... I don't appreciate u calling him stupid...I guess Bush was smart and articulate!!!!We won't turn this into a site to Bash the President...

Posted by: PC at March 21, 2009 11:44 AM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

The BS house may be nice but its whey over priced.... Not a prime area....

Posted by: PC at March 21, 2009 11:36 AM in response to Open House Picks

Just wanted to share that we just lost a deal on a 4 family BS on Madison bet Bedford and Nostrand.... seller decided to take the higher price decided we're not paying more than what we had agreed to.... Just needed to vent. Poor elderly lady ill and children sold it to investers... Looking for a Brownstone in that vicinity....Still waiting patiently till the right one comes up... Maybe we can get lucky like
JS

Posted by: PC at March 15, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Buying in Bedford Stuyvesant

Congratulations
Thats a great block and people will come and visit you.. People get so afraid when they hear Bedstuy but they know nothing about it. Just like anywhere in Brooklyn blocks vary... You lucked out. The people are so friendly.
Manhatten is so close.. Also I didn't know this but Bedstuy is one of the areas in Brooklyn that doesn't flood...
Good luck.

Posted by: PC at March 14, 2009 12:55 PM in response to Buying in Bedford Stuyvesant

Listen we bought a hse in the 70's for $10,000 sold it about 8ys ago purchased another home in 1981 which by the way they are now saying the ecconomy was so bad in 1981 the price for the 1981 house has more than tripled.... the point is lets face it the prices of homes have dropped but not a 50% price drop yrs ago when I heard houses were $200,000 I was saying oh I'm not paying that for a house... Look at the prices now!!!! If you can afford it go for it.... If your not a flipper go for it...

Posted by: PC at March 3, 2009 5:38 PM in response to To buy now or not to buy now?

If you find the house you like and the numbers work for you then go for it. (provided yr not a flipper). Keep waiting like I did and you will see the prices triple in future years..

Posted by: PC at March 3, 2009 1:47 PM in response to To buy now or not to buy now?

I've been with Geico for over 20yrs Went to them in the beginning because they were cheaper than anyone in the 80's. I still think they are the best the rates may have gone up alittle but they are the best. I had to use Progressive for a brief period once and their rate was outrageous..... Keep Geico...

Posted by: PC at March 2, 2009 6:27 PM in response to Car insurance recommendations

Pete
I do that monthly thing too my tenants have lived in my buiding for over 2yrs some 3 and I haven't raised the rent and they are all good tenants. I get alittle nervous that most don't have a lease but I see I'm not the only one who didn't renew the lease. Thanks for letting me feel better.

Posted by: PC at February 24, 2009 8:58 AM in response to Renewal lease for tenants

Well.......
From my experience those who have bad credit usually pay poorly. I don't just reject a tenant because of bad credit I usually go with my meeting with the person etc, but from experience those with poor credit tend to pay poorly meaning late with the rent.....When I rent next time I'm going to go with the ones with good credit. Get the rent the 1st of the month..
Good luck....

Posted by: PC at February 21, 2009 3:26 PM in response to Credit report

That's alot in these times. Put some feelers out on CL Does this include heat etc?that can make a difference... You don't want to bleed the renter.... you want good tenants..
I think you would have to rent lower. Remember it's a 2 bedroom...$2400 is too high....$1600- maybe $1800.

Posted by: PC at February 20, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Renting in Bedstuy

Thanks all

Great advice as usual from everyone. We've decided to have the 4 boilers which was the original deal in the first place. Great advice and thanks for the clarification...

Posted by: PC at February 17, 2009 6:50 PM in response to Boilers 1 vs 4 separate boilers

Not sure if I understand u Bob! Pay more for the set up? Also, the boiler is set up with 4 cut off valves but seller can put the 4 boilers in if that what we want. I also don't see how its better for the environment please people clarify this for me.....Also Bob do u mean the rent will be cheaper due to fact that we will take into account that they pay their own heating bill...... I live in a 2 family house and the heating bill is extremely extremely high that's why we're reluctant to having one boiler.... I'm appreciating everyone response. Still trying to make the decision.

Posted by: PC at February 17, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Boilers 1 vs 4 separate boilers

Dr Gudi is a very good medical Dr. He's affiliated with Methodist know him and worked with him for years. Good luck.

Posted by: PC at January 28, 2009 1:22 PM in response to How to find a good Dr. in bklyn?

Hi Quik
I'm in my early 50's now had my first 2 family hse in my 20's still live in the same house and of course the value has more than tripled. Purchased a 4 family Brownstone as an investment property plan to keep that for long term investment in Bedstuy. The key is the neigborhood or should I say the block. Are you close to the train station is the hse upscale etc?. That will have a big play on the type of rental you get. We're in the process of purchasing another BS in Bedstuy... I've never had a problem with the current rental. Now if yr getting $3000 for rental and you add the rest yr in good shape. I think you should go for it. I wish I had purchased more homes when I was younger like you I would be in great shape now. Anyway good luck I know its a bit scary but go for it..... Sometimes you have to take chances good luck tell us the cross street the hse is at?

Posted by: PC at January 23, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Bedford - Stuyvesant Brownstones

Well, I don't know if this will help...But remember the equity in the homes right now are not good. The next thing is that 26yrs ago the home I live in now a 2 family when making the payemnts we had to put at least $200 towards the morgage etc.. Morgage was $600... Well u know the house value has more than quadrupled. Now with the 4 family rental the profit is at a plus.Personally I think u need to make a propfit before u purchase a rental. Remember maintenance gas light unforseeable problems etc. Your rentals should be able to cover the unit and try not to take out from yr pocket. We also underestimated the rent that we thought we could get when we first purchased the 4 family. If the apartments are upscale and in the right location near subway close to manhattan you should get a good price for the rental... I don't know if this helps but good luck...

Posted by: PC at January 6, 2009 6:39 PM in response to Investing in Multifamily Props

I purchased a 4 family as a rental unit brownstone . It pays for it self. Of course not much equity at this time but haven't had a problem with tenants...However be prepared to constantly be there in the beginning as tenants call for things to be done boiler pipes lights cleaning the front of the house in the winter etc on the whole if u get a good deal go for it we're in the process of purchasing another one good luck.Not sorry about the long term investment at all.

PC

Posted by: PC at January 5, 2009 5:26 PM in response to Investing in Multifamily Props

It's too funny to read Democrats and Republicans square off against each other, as if there's any difference. Neither of these crime families, I mean, political parties, is innocent in the debacle, nor are all the idiots, of all income levels, who lived beyond their means for the past decade.

Posted by: pjsubway at March 23, 2009 9:21 AM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

I really wish people who comment on economics had even a cursory understanding of the field. I feel like I've been listening to plumbers pontificate on heart surgery lately.

Posted by: byndcivilization at March 23, 2009 10:46 AM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

ironballs- we are not going "socialist", our President is not a socialist, and as far as "Do you really think the best talent will work for peanuts and lemonade?"- they should because all that best talent was too stupid to prevent this mess. In fact, they helped create it.

As someone in one of those big firms said, claiming that money is needed to keep top talent is bs. where are they going to go in this economic market? They'll be thrilled to keep the job they have.

Posted by: bxgrl at March 23, 2009 10:59 AM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

Had a car for about a year in BH and the day I got rid of it was one of the happiest of my life. I'd definitely ditch the SUV; I'd also price out what the cost of an occasional rental/Zipcar would be. Could easily be more economical to rent depending on how often you'll need a car. (And your definition of "need" will likely change in NYC anyway.)

Good luck!

Posted by: BklynJace at March 23, 2009 11:52 AM in response to BH Parking/Garage question

> "Killing performance compensation is a dagger thrust to the heart of capitalism."

Richly rewarding people for total failure is a much bigger dagger. If those "best and brightest' want to walk, let them.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 23, 2009 12:15 PM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

You'll want to commit suicide after a few weeks of trying to park your SUV. And yep, it'll cost extra to park it in a garage. Not to mention, if it's at all fancy it's not a great idea to park if on the street--eventually, someone will break in and steal parts, if not the whole car. And it'll get scratched, dents, dings, etc. You should have a "beater" if you're going to park in on the street in the city. Garaged cars can, obviously, be nicer.

I'd strongly recommend against selling it and buying another, smaller car. A lot of times, you'll want a different kind of car depending on what you're doing. For instance, you may want an SUV/Van to pick up a free dresser someone is giving away on the brownstoner boards. But if you're going away for the weekend, or just doing a run for some things to stock your pantry you may want something smaller with better gas mileage, that's easier to maneuver in the city. If you buy another car, you'll be constantly like "dang it! If only we had the old SUV, we could get that awesome free dresser! Now we have to spend $300 and have it delivered...this is a loss!"

So, I'd recommend selling it and banking the cash in a car rental account--that way, you won't feel like you "gave up" your car, you just traded it for MANY cars!

Just a word of warning, for long weekends, holidays, etc you have to book your care WAY in advance. The city cleans out.

Posted by: lookin fer stuff at March 23, 2009 12:35 PM in response to BH Parking/Garage question

You'll want to commit suicide after a few weeks of trying to park your SUV. And yep, it'll cost extra to park it in a garage. Not to mention, if it's at all fancy it's not a great idea to park if on the street--eventually, someone will break in and steal parts, if not the whole car. And it'll get scratched, dents, dings, etc. You should have a "beater" if you're going to park in on the street in the city. Garaged cars can, obviously, be nicer.

I'd strongly recommend against selling it and buying another, smaller car. A lot of times, you'll want a different kind of car depending on what you're doing. For instance, you may want an SUV/Van to pick up a free dresser someone is giving away on the brownstoner boards. But if you're going away for the weekend, or just doing a run for some things to stock your pantry you may want something smaller with better gas mileage, that's easier to maneuver in the city. If you buy another car, you'll be constantly like "dang it! If only we had the old SUV, we could get that awesome free dresser! Now we have to spend $300 and have it delivered...this is a loss!"

So, I'd recommend selling it and banking the cash in a car rental account--that way, you won't feel like you "gave up" your car, you just traded it for MANY cars!

Just a word of warning, for long weekends, holidays, etc you have to book your care WAY in advance. The city cleans out.

Posted by: lookin fer stuff at March 23, 2009 12:35 PM in response to BH Parking/Garage question

If you don't use it too much the garage at Smith/Atlantic/Schermerhorn has good monthly rates but you pay $5 each time you exit. Decent deal if it's for weekends only.

We had a car for a while. Now we use zipcar for short errands (mostly Fairway) and Avis or Enterprise (both have branches nearby) for getting out of town. Expect to pay through the nose for that. On summer weekends rates can go to $120 or $150 per day and you have to plan weeks in advance. All car rental coupons have fine print that says "not valid in NY metro area." Even though it's cheaper than owning in the long-term, it causes us to question the value of every expedition.

Posted by: zgori at March 23, 2009 12:39 PM in response to BH Parking/Garage question

Ok Snarkslope,

Then what's the point of the bailout in the first place?

Why spend billions on corporate bailouts and then stack the deck against those companies you're trying to save so they're at a major disadvantage against their competitors because they can't pay bonuses.

This isn't about Democrat versus Republican. It's just plan stupid.

Posted by: IronBalls at March 23, 2009 12:46 PM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!

bxgrl,

Plenty of bankers have left TARP banks and taken other jobs.
High level financiers with years of experience can still find work even in this economy. Mid level and lower level folks might have trouble, but the super smart, connected guys can always find work.

Posted by: IronBalls at March 23, 2009 12:52 PM in response to New Bonus Taxes will Slam us!