Lets get back on topic and forget about all the nonsense posted by ignorant people who want attention.

The market is in turmoil right now, but that just means for new homeowners now is the best time to find a great bargain. I'll be moving into my brand new home on Staten Island in the next few months. I was able to get a great deal with amazing tax incentives. It's very rare these days to find a new house that is qualified for tax abatement. Maybe this is what some of you out there may be looking for. Take a look if your interested.

http://www.opal-ridge.com/thumbgallery.asp?propertyid=4&proppageid=41

Posted by: Smatchums at August 11, 2008 12:59 PM in response to Calculating the Real Value of Your Home

Yes, frozen yogurt is delicious, but do we really need so many in the same area. How typical of a brooklyn based business to jump on the band wagon and open up the same type of store that is already established in the area. Think outside the box lads!

Posted by: Smatchums at August 5, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Red Mango Marches Into Court Street Yogurt Wars

Dave - I totally agree with you on the community aspect, which is why I thought it was a great area. Its also great for raising a family and you can't beat $250 a square ft. More than half the lot has already been developed, which gave me some peace of mind. Your points are all valid and thanks for your input.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 30, 2008 2:37 PM in response to House of the Day: 31 Prospect Park West Revisited

I love the eloquent and classy feeling of this house, especially the beautiful green walls that match the one seat chair and carpet. Too bad I won't be living in Brooklyn anymore. I need more space.

Dave - you always have plenty to say and a lot of insight on certain topics. What do you think about this new house I just bought http://www.opal-ridge.com/thumbgallery.asp?propertyid=4&proppageid=41

Posted by: Smatchums at July 30, 2008 2:16 PM in response to House of the Day: 31 Prospect Park West Revisited

It's ok Zohan...I got your back! There is nothing wrong with Staten Island and I myself will vouch for that. I'm moving there soon and it feels amazing to finally be a homeowner.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 29, 2008 12:55 PM in response to Onion: Gentrification Being Trumped by Artistocratization

Zohan - Since your from Staten Island and can hopefully add some valuable insight.

What do you think about these new houses that are being built http://www.opal-ridge.com/thumbgallery.asp?propertyid=4&proppageid=41

And what do you think about the area?

I went to an open house last week.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 21, 2008 7:17 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 83 Halsey Street

DIBs - Why is Staten Island a whole different world? What makes you say that? There are a lot of great things going on in SI right now to help cultivate the community.

jbes - I know, which is why I finally decided to move there. I'm looking at a couple of different places right now.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 21, 2008 3:36 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 83 Halsey Street

Why can't we all get along on here. No need for tension between people. We all have better things to do with our lives than fight on a blog site. So Daveinbedstuy and Propjoe, virtually kiss and make up and stop bashing on each other.

People choose to live somewhere because it fits their needs and lifestyle, so whose to say it's a bad choice besides the buyer or their advisors.

I've been getting a lot of criticism for being interested in moving to Staten Island, but finally I made the decision to do so because it just makes sense for someone with a family. I did my research and spoke to the residents in the area who were extremely welcoming, and I believe I'm making the right decision despite what other people may think. Everyone who lives in my area in Brooklyn are very focused on what's hip and cool, when things like that don't matter to me anymore.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 21, 2008 2:39 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 83 Halsey Street

jbes,

I completely agree with you on the fact that based on someones life situation, to live in a condo like this would not be practical for someone with a family. I can relate to your situation because I have a family as well and would never want to raise my kid in an area like this. I've been looking to find a nice 2 family house that is affordable and it is very hard to do so, especially in Brooklyn.

I was looking at a few areas in Staten Island and there were some places that were beautiful, with a great school district within a very reasonable budget. I've lived in Brooklyn for awhile and I love it here, but I'm at a point in my life where things have changed and I can't enjoy it as much as I use to. I guess it's hard to grow up and face reality, but it's life.

Would you ever live in Staten Island?

Posted by: Smatchums at July 18, 2008 10:14 AM in response to Condo of the Day: 505 Court Street

Ok everyone enough with the speculation and let's start being realistic. Why not just have the Real World take place on STATEN ISLAND :) It will help to bring quality attention to the island.

Yes, No, Maybe So?

Posted by: Smatchums at July 16, 2008 2:55 PM in response to 'Real World' to Red Hook; No Tears Shed at Belltel?

In Staten Island you can get a house for 4 times the size with a huge backyard for the same price.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 16, 2008 5:27 AM in response to Co-op of the Day: 15 Clark Street, #2C

Any thoughts or recommendations on a good day care center?

Posted by: Smatchums at July 15, 2008 1:57 PM in response to Streetlevel: Daycare and Preschool for 85 Adams

qkw,

Anything can be renovated to be more practical and look better, but why pay so much money for something that needs a substantial amount of work done.

Is it just me or is there anyone else out there that feels my pain?

Posted by: Smatchums at July 15, 2008 1:51 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 15 Clark Street, #2C

Why would they go back to the original listing price and work down from that. That would make TOO MUCH sense!!!!

Posted by: Smatchums at July 15, 2008 1:46 PM in response to House of the Day: 219 Washington Avenue

This co-op is nothing special and is definitely not worth $1.7m. I would like to see the houses and apartments in these areas of Brooklyn adjust in price. The rest of the housing market is declining, but it's apparent that these areas are still inflated and it's about time before the bubble pops. And people wonder why this economy is in shambles. Prices for things hold no true value anymore and the dollar is so weak that inflation is a big problem.

Are there any affordable places to live anymore?

Posted by: Smatchums at July 15, 2008 1:41 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 15 Clark Street, #2C

Werner,

Your right about that, but prices for condos and town houses already started increasing drastically from 2003 to 2004, so even then $30,000 is cheap. Statistics show that the rise in the combined prices for condos, co-ops and town houses, from 2003 to 2004, in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill averaged 35 percent. For town houses alone, the increase was 59 percent.

What do you think the asking price for this new housing development is going to be once it's built?

Posted by: Smatchums at July 14, 2008 7:48 PM in response to Development Watch: 19 Lefferts Place

Yea that doesn't seem right. If so that's a steal. They probably forgot to add an extra zero lol.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 14, 2008 7:05 PM in response to Development Watch: 19 Lefferts Place

A good day care center is hard to find. I've been looking for a a good place to send my daughter. I was talking with my mother-in-law who lives in Staten Island and she mentioned there are several great day care centers by her.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 14, 2008 5:40 PM in response to Streetlevel: Daycare and Preschool for 85 Adams

Does anyone know how much something like this will go for? My guess is that it will be extremely overpriced just because it's in Clinton Hill.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 14, 2008 5:27 PM in response to Development Watch: 19 Lefferts Place

As a resident in Downtown Brooklyn for quite some time now, I think the prices for houses and apartments in this area are becoming extremely inflated. I live in an 800 square ft apartment with my wife and daughter, and we need to find something that is much more practical for raising a family.

Can anyone recommend an area where I can find a 2 family house that is affordable and not overly expensive because it's considered a trendy and hip community? At this stage in my life, I'm willing to move out of Brooklyn for the right situation.

Posted by: Smatchums at July 6, 2008 8:10 PM in response to Toren: Naked No Longer