WTbound's Profile
Author's Posts
October 8, 2008
sewer clog?
We just finished up some renovations to our basement and now when we run the washing machine we get a small leak from the base of the toilet. I've been told this sounds like the sewer line could be partially clogged. Is this a big deal (time/money-wise)? I'm freaking out a bit that they will have to rip up the floors to access the sewer (it is a basement and there is a crawlspace but not right where the main trap is, I don't think). Is it normal for a sewer line to get clogged? Any recs for comp[anies that could help us? My everyday plumber said he didn't have the right equipment
September 29, 2008
weird smell in interior basement room
We recently bought a house and there is an interior room in a finished basement (no windows) that was used as a workroom by the previous owner. It has a strong chemical-y smell, kind of like plastic or something. There were old vinyl awnings in there that smelled and we tossed them but the smell remains. It has been 2 months now, with the door left open to air it out, and it still smells so much that when I open the door my eyes sting. Three different contractors have evaluated it, all said it was just stale air from being an interior room. No mold issue anywhere. We've cut into the drywall to do some plumbing and no evidence of mold or mildew. Any guesses what it could be or who to call to help us out? I don't need this room for anything but storage but the intensity of the odor freaks me out.
September 22, 2008
need to update an old copper water heater - how much is this worth?
We've had many people (contractors, plumbers, gas company) mention that our 30+ year old water heater (solid copper) is worth some money even when it dies. Well, it is dying and we are wondering what kind of money and how should we sell it to someone (the copper is the valuable part). Anyone know anything about this?
September 13, 2008
sewer smell coming from tub???
We just had a clawfoot tub installed in a bathroom that previously had no tub. Donnato plumbing did all the work and now there is a sewer smell emanating from the overflow and drain pipe of the tub. You can actually feel the air coming out of the overflow. Can this be fixed? If so - how?
September 7, 2008
push button switches for lights
Anyone know a place in NYC that sells the old-fashioned push-button light switches?
September 3, 2008
cable service in Windsor terrace?
We just moved to WT and can't seem to get any sort of cable service - Time Warner says we are "unserviceable" and Cablevision says not their area either. We moved to an old house that has never had cable service. Is there any hope?
August 17, 2008
vintage tubs on-line?
Has anyone ever ordered anything from vintagetubs.com? We are thinking about it but kind of nervous, don't know anything about them.
August 15, 2008
cost of clawfoot tub (acrylic)?
I've just started pricing acrylic claw foot tubs (small one, 60 inches L) and am getting about 3K for tub and all necessary drains/pipes/faucets/shower attachment. I've looked at Lowe's and PS plumbing supply. Any other local options to find such a tub? Any place with great deals?
August 14, 2008
spraying ground around joists?
We are fixing some joists in a 150-yr old house and while everything is open to the ground my contractor suggested having an exterminator spray the ground. This house has never had a termite or mouse/roach problem, and I tend to shy away from all pesticide use when possible. Would you have it sprayed now? The thing is, we can't really access this dirt again once everything is closed up. Any advice?
August 11, 2008
need exterior mason recs
We need to fix some concrete and repoint some bricks along our foundation to keep water out - waterproofing companies won't do it b/c we are at grade level. I've left messages for Dineen Construction and RK Construction. Any other recs or comments on those guys?
Author's Comments
That'd be nice - I took the best pictures I knew how, but it is a nice place. Should I post a link to the website or is that annoying?
Posted by: WTbound at May 30, 2008 1:44 PM in response to FSBO/Craigs List
Thanks everyone -
It is a copper water main and there are modern windows. I don't know about the nogging wall - I've never heard that term. There is a crawlspace where you can see dirt (kind of a sub-basement) and that space is only about 4 ft wide, but I was going to try to add insulation there. Siding is good, there is one piece of wood that needs replacing (directly under a/c unit and I assume has water damage, inspection didn't show termites).
We are somewhat handy and plan to get more so - I'll probably be posting back again looking for more tips soon!
Posted by: WTbound at June 9, 2008 7:04 PM in response to first time home buyer
There is a mortgage contingency in the contract...I thought that was standard (as per my lawyer - there is also one in our contract to buy). The buyers are financing about 75% of the purchase price. Will the banks look at comps? If they do that there will be no problem.
Posted by: WTbound at June 17, 2008 2:55 PM in response to appraisals?
Seems like a co-op expense - we had a similar issue and it was a co-op expense. Unless you mean a neighboring property owns the tree, then it is a lawsuit waiting to happen
Posted by: WTbound at June 17, 2008 3:00 PM in response to Who pays for tree removal?
No, not next door, I mean there is a full bath and then a room next to the full bath with a sink and shower stall but no toilet. We want to make that room another full bath by adding the toilet. There is a toilet in a half bath directly below (1st floor, also our house) that we are demoing and were hoping to extend that pipe up to the 2nd floor). We have a licensed plumber coming out tomorrow to look at it, so he can maybe get a permit without going through an architect?
Posted by: WTbound at July 10, 2008 2:09 PM in response to what is involved in moving pipes?
We do have a mortgage contingency in the contract, no condition as to appraisal value. I know their finances as they already went through the board and they have more than enough money to put more down. I think the appraiser must have comped it strangely, he did not know the area at all. I guess until we see the report we don't really know what went wrong. Is there any way I, as a FSBO, can pull comps?
Posted by: WTbound at July 11, 2008 10:23 AM in response to Help - low appraisal
OP here again -
I think we are screwed. The buyers dad owns the bank he is getting a mortgage from. They are playing games and unless we want to walk away and find new buyers, we have to play their game. Anybody interested in a lovely prewar 2+ BR on a name street in PS 321 district with scores of original details and new kitchen and bath and a private roof garden with Manhattan skyline views? Oh, an W/D in the apartment? I just reposted our ad on NYTimes and I guess we hope for new buyers!
Posted by: WTbound at July 11, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Help - low appraisal
OP here: listing ID is NS8071116. Please be kind, I'm having a very rough day!
Posted by: WTbound at July 11, 2008 12:49 PM in response to Help - low appraisal
OP: Every time i try to pull comps from the NYtimes it crashes my server! Does this happen to anyone else?
Posted by: WTbound at July 11, 2008 1:01 PM in response to Help - low appraisal
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
We're going to do a couple of posts on this on the home page...
Posted by: brownstoner at October 6, 2008 1:43 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
I'm still rooting for you wasder!
Posted by: cobblehiller at October 6, 2008 2:16 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
thanks cobblehiller. I think I have it under control now. a few white knuckle moments to be sure but now that the pieces are falling into place it feels like a good move.
Posted by: wasder at October 6, 2008 2:21 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
It's a 'white-knuckle' time 'moment/time' - You're not alone. I agree with MM and others that you really need to live in a place for awhile to figure out what you want to do with, say, the kitchen, for instance. Watch the light in the room, see how you move through it, etc. Will love to see your photos!
Posted by: cobblehiller at October 6, 2008 3:06 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
Congrats, wasder. I look forward to seeing it featured on the home page.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 6, 2008 3:08 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
Hi Wasder,
I was looking forward to meeting you on the 16th but it now looks as though I won’t be able to make it. You are in a very similar position to me.
I also moved from an apartment in Manhattan to CH and my wife and I had our first child less than 2 year ago.
We bought a brownstone (2005) close to the top. We live in half and have renovated the other half to rent out. I let the renters who were in the building when I bought stay and I did not raise their rent, happy just to have their help paying the mortgage. But the renovated apartments rent for a lot more than the unrenovated ones.
I love the area, I love the house, I have a huge back yard for my daughter and the tenants are great people that I am delighted to share the house with.
Buying at anytime can be a winning choice so long as you do your homework...like you did. It is not all about money (in fact for me it was mostly about being able to get outside, additional space and a quieter area) but almost by accident the trade from the UWS to CH saves me loads every month.
Posted by: Aussie at October 6, 2008 3:53 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
Aussie--sorry I won't get to meet you on the 16th! Bummer. I always enjoy what you have to say. I think that with the market being what it is right now people have to get creative about how to afford a bigger place to live and there is a lot of opportunities in two family houses if you choose the property carefully. So I thought maybe my situation would be edifying for others. Hope to catch up with you sometime.
Biff! thanks. See you next week.
Posted by: wasder at October 6, 2008 4:04 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
wasder, I'll be off and on the blog until next week, so try to keep the outing fresh in everyone's mind. Will see you for sure on the 16th.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 6, 2008 4:07 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
Biff--could you next week put on the forum a post with date/time/location? I will do the rest in re keeping it in people's minds....
Posted by: wasder at October 6, 2008 4:22 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
wasder, good idea. I'll try to remember, but please remind me if I forget.
Posted by: Biff Champion at October 6, 2008 5:47 PM in response to The great experiment 2008
Wow - thanks. We did skip the paper version, assuming everyone was on-line these days. Your FSBO was successful then, I take it? Good to hear!
Posted by: WTbound at May 30, 2008 10:38 AM in response to FSBO/Craigs List