I walked by the other day. Looks a little like a couple of 20-somethings said, Lets open a cafe! I say more power to them. It's not too cute, but then again it's not manufactured cute either.

I know they were asking about 3k a month for the smaller spaces which isn't a lay up for a cafe with no traffic. And I know the doctor will be an OB/GYN -- and I gotta think there's money in babies in this area.

Posted by: Ringo at November 20, 2009 10:39 AM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

I think the Benetton of today is rather different than the Benetton of 1985. I don't really think of it as upscale anymore. I don't think they think that either.

Posted by: Ringo at November 20, 2009 9:44 AM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue

oh, you're right. I was thinking it was 3 floors, not two. I think lower then. With kids, that other place with doorman and parking would provide the base for a pretty nice life. Here I'd be worried about baby falling down the spiral staircase (or me flinging myself down it when the walls started to close in around me... these rooms are too small!)

Posted by: Ringo at November 18, 2009 1:21 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 85 8th Avenue, #3R

I'm too tired to figure out that floorplan, but sure, 695 sounds about right.

Posted by: Ringo at November 18, 2009 12:53 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 85 8th Avenue, #3R

I guess I missed it, but did the owners get out of the condo and get their money back?

(And speaking of crimes, dude, those socks with those shoes...)

Posted by: Ringo at November 17, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Footage from 357 4th Street Condo Lawsuit

Regarding the widget, I've noticed that people have been entering sales price when this has been posted so it's gone way up. It's an issue if brownstoner ever wants to see who is good at widget predictions

Posted by: Ringo at November 17, 2009 12:56 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

It's a family-sized place in 321. I assume they assume they'll get offers at 10% under and are ready to settle at 5% under -- and I think they'll have no problem finding that buyer.

Posted by: Ringo at November 16, 2009 12:51 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 130 8th Avenue, #7C

LOL. I live in Brooklyn Heights too and whenever my mother-in-law is in town, and we're in the car, she's always asking, "NOW are we in Park Slope? It's VERY nice there, right?"

Posted by: Ringo at November 15, 2009 7:04 PM in response to Need recs for Park Slope tour

Thanks. I'll try them

Posted by: Ringo at November 13, 2009 11:49 AM in response to Commercial Loans

These are not from Pier 6, but there's been a lot of work down there too. Playground stuff going in. I really think they may indeed open up this winter -- something I thought was a dream not too long ago.

Posted by: Ringo at November 13, 2009 11:03 AM in response to Brooklyn Bridge Park Progress Report

Too much, but that's what a good auction does. People who meant to stop at 450 find themselves bidding 540.

I doubt they'll get 1500 for these itty bitty floors, but more to 'em

Posted by: Ringo at November 13, 2009 9:38 AM in response to Big Turnout for 437 Waverly Auction

wages are low. our unionized super costs about 100k in wages and benefits and "treasure" (apartment). for a much smaller building

Posted by: Ringo at November 12, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Clarkson Avenue, #4F

Maintenance covers, among other things, heat and water and a unionized super. All of which are pretty consistent whether you're on the Upper East Side or PPG. Even taxes aren't as different as you might think.

Posted by: Ringo at November 12, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Clarkson Avenue, #4F

omg.

week 108.

If I ever again think of becoming a small-time developer, I will revisit this blog.

You guys are working hard for the money -- no doubt about that.

Posted by: Ringo at November 12, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Inside Third & Bond: Week 108

In defense of the hallway, this building is full of kids. And crap belonging to kids. And I suspect the people who buy this place will have a kid now or eventually and it's amazing how much space strollers and scooters take up. It is awfully nice to be able to park all that inside your own place -- I have kids and even I don't love people who leave their strollers outside their doors -- and still be able to open and close the closet doors.

Also, the roofdeck on this place is nice.

Posted by: Ringo at November 11, 2009 1:32 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 110 Livingston Street, #8O

I dont like a KLDA myself and this is a small one, but I think the ask is reasonable.

Also, the Brooklyn Heights market seems to be moving again. I see it online and two different friends have recently sold. I'm not sure if this is a real thing or a brooklyn-wide thing, but perhaps the thaw is here?

Posted by: Ringo at November 11, 2009 1:06 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 110 Livingston Street, #8O

Last time I checked, Israel hadn't fully worked out their security issues so I wouldn't make them Exhibit A.

Posted by: Ringo at November 11, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

LOL, grand pa.

Posted by: Ringo at November 11, 2009 10:43 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

this is first shooting I heard about via friend's twitter updates. sigh. so terrible on every level: teens, guns, twitter.

Posted by: Ringo at November 11, 2009 9:06 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

I think the x in a box means the interior is at least partially collapsed or unsafe. Maybe no floors or maybe no stairs in btw floors or maybe a large hole in a floor. And I think the put that mark near the safest point of entry for a such a building. But I dont' know this for sure

Posted by: Ringo at November 10, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Waverly Shell Coming Up for Auction

is 450 the upset price? because that's too high

Posted by: Ringo at November 10, 2009 11:11 AM in response to Waverly Shell Coming Up for Auction

When I owned a brownstone in chelsea, FDNY would come to inspect annually (I think it was annually). Unannounced. With fire truck! There could have been no mistaking them as anything other than FDNY. I mean, I suppose you could rent a fire truck and 6 guys to case a joint, but that seems a little overboard.

Posted by: Ringo at November 9, 2009 1:12 PM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

courage!

Posted by: Ringo at November 6, 2009 11:30 AM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

was she in the st ann's 3pm pick-up lane? I find that whole pierrepont/clinton corner nuts around that time. there is a safety guard but I find kids (and parents) just jaywalk around her. then there are the pick-up parents in cars who are double parked, etc. and the cabs rushing down clinton. the whole situation is not good. glad nobody was hurt.

Posted by: Ringo at November 5, 2009 5:33 PM in response to Mrs. B Side-Swiped In The Heights

In defense of this agent, I think the sellers are setting the price here. When I saw this apt before, it was FSBO and it was asking a LOT. It eventually went to a broker and took a long time to sell, but it sold for more than I expected. And now those buyers are probably trying to get their money out. I wish them luck, but I doubt it. I did like the apartment, but it is way way up. Can't see doing that with kids.

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 1:51 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9

BTW, I think this price is too high. But I think everyone is expecting a 10-15% discounted offer. So if you hoped to sell this at 625, I think you have to ask for 710. Hey, I don't know. I don't think it's a 625 apartment either, but I think this may be the strategy.

If this is the unit I saw last time it was for sale, they should have taken a picture of the views. Really great Manhattan and Harbor views

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 1:18 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9

We called it Willowtown back in the ancient times. Did you grow up here before or after the BQE went in? It's been called Willowtown post-BQE. Even by locals.

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9

Willowtown is a little neighborhood within Brooklyn Heights. It's not really different than Brooklyn Heights. You would still live in Brooklyn Heights if you live within Willowtown. Like you still live on planet Earth if you live in Brownstone Brooklyn. Presumably.

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9

It's been called Willowtown for... ever? At least 50 years. But it's one word.

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9

I love willowtown. I love this building. I love this apartment. I LOVE the parking.

BUT is the top floor of a 5th floor walk-up? The unit on the left half of the building. Bcs it looks really similar to the unit I saw a couple years ago. If so, too many stairs. Also the top floor (and more charming) unit of the right hand side went for in the 500s I think last year.

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9

I would have voted if the Dems would have offered an alternative that was appealing in any way. But since they didn't, and since I wasn't interested in voting for a 2rd term, I stayed home for the first time in a long time.

Posted by: Ringo at November 4, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Election 2009: No Big Surprises in Brooklyn

No problem gemini. I shouldn't have said nobody wanted to deal with it, because *i* wanted to deal with it, but my partner in crime did not. But oh, a garage!

Posted by: Ringo at November 3, 2009 1:28 PM in response to House of the Day: 28 Middagh Street

I doubt they put 3mm into it, but I can tell you it was a dump when they bought it. Uninhabitable. They worked on it for maybe a full year. Maybe longer. And the facade was so so so much worse.

It was on the house tour a couple of years back. Not my style and I think the price is high, but they previous sale price wasn't a steal. It had been for sale for a long time and nobody wanted to deal with it.

Posted by: Ringo at November 3, 2009 1:22 PM in response to House of the Day: 28 Middagh Street

In the olden days, most investors didn't expect their multi-family brownstones to be profitable upon closing. You figure the rentals would pay a substantial portion of your mortgage and you'd pay a chunk too. and then as the mortgage would get paid down, the rent get raised. 30 yrs down the road, you could retire on the income. It's a newfangled idea that renters pay the whole thing from the minute you close.

Posted by: Ringo at November 3, 2009 12:31 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

I've lived with parking permits in London and Boston, not too small cities. I love them.

I know they're proposed for Brooklyn Heights. Bring em on

Posted by: Ringo at November 2, 2009 5:26 PM in response to Closing Bell: Windshield Spam Backfires

I like painted woodwork.

Love this house. Would work great as a TIC with your best friend/brother/whatever. Two large family duplexes and an office to cover your bills. Need an elevator, but what's a 100k btw friends. Side windows make all the difference to me.

Posted by: Ringo at November 2, 2009 2:08 PM in response to House of the Day: 49 8th Avenue

I put in what I think it will sell for. I have a family so that apartment is worth nothing to me, I would pay zero dollars. But I'm not an idiot. I know it is worth something to someone else. Are people really putting in what THEY would pay for it? That makes no sense to me.

Then again, I am routinely one of the higher guesses.

Posted by: Ringo at November 2, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Widget Falls Way Short on South Oxford

why am I so dumb here? what service are the offering exactly?

Posted by: Ringo at October 30, 2009 3:09 PM in response to THE GROUTMAN

you'd think they'd include what kind of rent they get for that space

Posted by: Ringo at October 26, 2009 2:26 PM in response to House of the Day: 291 8th Street

I love the idea of living above a commercial space. But this place, at this price, is not tempting.

Posted by: Ringo at October 26, 2009 1:16 PM in response to House of the Day: 291 8th Street

I honestly think the BHA has a chance of getting something done here. It's gotten especially bad in the last year. Can't the news people get a "pool" chopper? And aren't we done with the helicopter tours?

Posted by: Ringo at October 26, 2009 12:13 PM in response to Copter Rage in Brooklyn Heights

I know a couple of families who make their teenage kids serve their hours. This is the only time this place makes sense to me...

Posted by: Ringo at October 26, 2009 11:45 AM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

It's a 3-family. Will be renovating into a 1 family but thinking I'd keep the plumbing and zoning intact in case someone wants to revert to apartment living. Clearly, we're just beginning and will be hiring an architect etc. Now I'm leaning that we shouldn make it legal. Ugh. Everything costs money.

Posted by: Ringo at October 25, 2009 7:41 PM in response to 3-Family to 1-Family?

the best buyer for this place is whomever owns the other half of this floor. work it out people

Posted by: Ringo at October 22, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 214 Carlton Avenue, #2

were the wood windows landmark approved? I need to get about 30 as well for our building

Posted by: Ringo at October 16, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Window We Are

I don't know why, but I get annoyed by the "possible floorplans" these realtors put up. I wouldn't mind it if they actually showed some inside knowledge -- like that there's a water line over here and you could easily move the kitchen like others have in the line, something like that -- but I only see the ones where they illustrate how you can take a study and change it into a nursery - a miracle!

Posted by: Ringo at October 15, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 310 Windsor Place, #26

sorry, Petebklyn. I misunderstood. Yeah, wish he'd come back. I'm thinking about trading up to a bigger place, it's a big jump in price -- need him to sign off.

Posted by: Ringo at October 15, 2009 11:03 AM in response to Elliman Q3 Report: Better Than Q2

DOW8000 or whatever his name was, was 100% correct.

Anyway, can someone tell me what quarter was the peak for brooklyn? wondering how off we are from peak.

Posted by: Ringo at October 15, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Elliman Q3 Report: Better Than Q2

buyer 1 offers 300k. you call buyer 2 (and 3 etc) that you have an offer of 300 and would they like to beat it. and on and on. you can say you'll only accept bids that are at least 5k up or whatever you like. I asked my attorney about this kind of thing so many times -- mostly because I was so used to brokers and their LACK of information -- but, as a seller, you can really do whatever you like as long as you don't discriminate. I felt the more transparent the system, the better.

Posted by: Ringo at October 13, 2009 3:30 PM in response to Multiple Bidders for FSBO

I've sold FSBO with bidding wars. You can do auction style where you go back and forth or you can do last and best. You can also sell "as is".

Either way, get a bid on an offering sheet. I sold a couple of times to people who were not the tip top price, but I knew they'd sail thru the board. You can find offer pages online.

Posted by: Ringo at October 13, 2009 11:53 AM in response to Multiple Bidders for FSBO