I think they should add stationary and cutting implements and rename themselves Rocks, Paper, Scissors.

Posted by: ProfRobert at August 31, 2007 5:22 PM in response to StreetLevel: Rock On, Fifth Avenue!

If you own, your mortgage lender would have required it if you need it. If not, take a look at http://www.pshark.com/mason/nyc/index.html Put in your address, and you can find out where you are on the 100-year-flood plain. On a related note, if you have a basement, don't put anything down there until you've seen what it looks like after a big rain storm (for example, if there was no water down there after the "tornado" storm a few weeks back, you're good to go).

Posted by: ProfRobert at August 31, 2007 5:26 PM in response to Do I need Flood Insurance

Try Big Apple Chimney (they're general masons, too). I'm waiting for a quote on my own facade work from them. The did my interior chimney and brick work, and while they're pricey, the work is beautiful.

Posted by: ProfRobert at August 31, 2007 5:29 PM in response to SPALLING Brownstone Facade

When did 4th Ave. become part of Park Slope? I thought it was part of Gowanus.

Posted by: ProfRobert at September 4, 2007 2:56 PM in response to Will Fourth Avenue’s Crest Clean Up?

Oh, no. Look what Satan is putting around the corner from me. And I'm down two belt notches this year; this will not help me get to minus three.

Posted by: ProfRobert at November 2, 2007 1:45 PM in response to StreetLevel: Slope Getting a Piece of the Bay Ridge Pie

Based on reno prices for my house, I think to turn the PS house into an attractive one-family would run $500k, half that if you wanted to keep it a three-family and rent the top two floors (please note I am no expert on contracting costs -- that's really a navel-gazing estimate). Because of the addition in the back, the size is really good, and it has numerous closets, unlike a lot of late Victorians. The facade needs work, and there is little original detail left, so this house needs someone with money, time and love to make it beautiful inside and out. If I had a spare $2.5 million lying around, I'd jump on it.

Posted by: ProfRobert at November 19, 2007 12:44 PM in response to Open House Picks: Houses

I'm thankful that I'm in my beautiful house (a year ago I wasn't in contract yet) with great neighbors, great family and great friends. Life is much better than it ever has been, and with a little luck, I'll be able to host Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends next year.

Posted by: ProfRobert at November 24, 2007 2:18 PM in response to Thanksgiving Open Thread

It's necessary and will be good in the long run. The shutdown of Smith St. doesn't affect me, but I have a lot of sympathy for those it does. I love that the G will get extended to the current F stops I use (4th and 9th Aves). But what would really be excellent would be to extend the V into Brooklyn as a local, turn the B back into a local in Manhattan, and run the F express along its whole route.

Posted by: ProfRobert at November 26, 2007 1:09 PM in response to G Route, Smith-9th Renovation Getting Extended

I'm betting the PS one goes for $2M or over. 321 is a big selling point for some, and though narrow (wise move opening up the parlor floor), there are four stories. I'm betting the buyer is a couple with young kids (or soon to have them) who will turn this into a 1-family. The exterior and interior look great.

As for the future, I think there may be some stagnation on the prices (I would have guessed the PS one would have listed for $2.4M, unless you get in there and it feels *really* narrow). There is a credit crunch and when more place come on the market in the spring there should be some softening, but I doubt prices will revert to those of five years ago, or something like that.

Posted by: ProfRobert at December 7, 2007 4:12 PM in response to Open House Picks

Having moved this year from a Manhattan, high-rise, luxury co-op to a Brooklyn brownstone, I can say there are trade-offs, but on balance I'm very glad I moved. I miss my doorman and my super, but I don't miss the morons I served with on the board (not out of a sense of civic responsibility, but because I was afraid they'd destroy the value of my investment). I miss my river view, but I've quadrupled my living space (meaning I can house guests and throw big parties), and the backyard in the summer and the fireplaces in the winter more than make up for the lost river traffic. Plus, vertical living has dropped me two belt notches -- whoo-hoo!

Posted by: ProfRobert at December 10, 2007 10:56 AM in response to Why Townhouses Are Priced at a Discount