hammerite paint can give you an interesting finish that will not look like a bad faux finish.
just google hammerite. it's for rust prevention, but some of the products like the black hammered metal finish are great looking

Posted by: binnyG at September 25, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down

a nod to the illustrator would have been nice

Posted by: binnyG at August 18, 2009 5:25 PM in response to Closing Bell: The New Yorker's Nod to Brooklyn

If they have made structural changes during the renovation ie moved a wall, and if the property has been vacant for a number of months ( not quite sure on the time line there) then the apartment could be de-stabalised and go for market rate.
go with the links from vinca

Posted by: binnyG at August 12, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Renovated Rent-Stab Question

just came back from ireland, this is very much the case there

Posted by: binnyG at August 12, 2009 9:42 AM in response to DB: Half of Mortgages Will Be Underwater by 2010

traffic uses this turn off from atlantic, constantly, it's incredibly, busy. noisy etc

Posted by: binnyG at July 7, 2009 5:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 113 Boerum Place

anther iffy kitchen, those units should be banned!

Posted by: binnyG at June 30, 2009 2:49 PM in response to House of the Day: 358 Prospect Place

thanks for the feedback, sounds like an amazing project for the right person

Posted by: binnyG at June 23, 2009 9:53 AM in response to 329 Adelphi Visit

dibs...it would be great if you could post a follow up tomorrow after your viewing!

Posted by: binnyG at June 22, 2009 1:43 PM in response to House of the Day: 329 Adelphi Street

i thought this house was charming the first time I saw it...but that ingle nook at the entrance is just odd. if they re configured that area, and made it less of an olde world specific feature i think they could sell..and have a broader appeal

Posted by: binnyG at June 8, 2009 1:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 540 16th Street

serious lack of style here. Could they not have plated up the industrial aspect with the fixtures etc...at least for the kitchens? Could have been a winner...but looks blah

Posted by: binnyG at May 29, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Red Hook Townhouse Project On the Market

what is that big box protuding in the left corner of the first photo? is it the kitchen????

Posted by: binnyG at May 20, 2009 2:28 PM in response to House of the Day: 449 Bergen Street

too small for a couple, and how much would you have to earn/put down/have on hand to get mtg approval in this world?

Posted by: binnyG at May 12, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 38 Livingston Street, #54

if the current trend in the neighborhood continues, gallery, book store. But how they'll afford the rent who knows?

Posted by: binnyG at May 8, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Hasker on Smith Bites the Dust

I thought it was a union meeting house, carpenters or something

Posted by: binnyG at May 7, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Building Collapse at 217 Court Street

true, Dumbo is pricey, but sort of depressing after buying in, to wake up in a windowless box ( if you sleep in the "study") or with a view of your kitchen

Posted by: binnyG at May 7, 2009 9:38 AM in response to Rentals, Price Cuts and Loan Extension at 1BBP

as LOW as 500,000....for a studio!!!!!

Posted by: binnyG at May 7, 2009 9:14 AM in response to Rentals, Price Cuts and Loan Extension at 1BBP

Since, here in NY, we saw declines later than anyone else, do you think that mabye we still have more reduction to go...not as drastic as 30%, but some?

Posted by: binnyG at April 29, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Case Shiller Index: Negative Numbers Across the Board

it looks like a battery park city apt...but in Brooklyn, with no Brooklyn charm.
The only reason I could see someone buying this over Battery park is if you wanted your kids to go to school in Brooklyn.

Posted by: binnyG at April 21, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 75 Henry Street

Shame that the living room is quite tight. but a livable space compared to some. i could see it go for 545

Posted by: binnyG at April 20, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 39 Remsen Street, #1E

no, the spiral stairs is for the roof. It was a while ago, I think it was via the side ( Kane St) somehow, definitely not the spiral

Posted by: binnyG at April 16, 2009 2:53 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 314 Clinton Street, #3

I've been to this apt ( when it was owned by someone else) the front room & den where one space. But the back of the apt was a little warren like. the roof deck is fantastic, being on a corner.

Posted by: binnyG at April 16, 2009 12:56 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 314 Clinton Street, #3

by the way, love the widget!

Posted by: binnyG at April 14, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Price Cut at 465 13th Street

suspect the light is not great in the back, what do those bedrooms look out onto I wonder, no pics..maybe a brick wall. plus the bathroom & kitchen reno 750 tops

Posted by: binnyG at April 9, 2009 4:46 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 62 Pierrepont Street

Tragic story.

NOP, I like the background history of the area/building. i'd like to see more of this kind of perspective in current posts.

Posted by: binnyG at March 30, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Death at Eastern Parkway Drug Den

25% down, 6 month mortgage payments in the bank, and if 60% of the building isn't already sold, getting the bank to cooperate could be difficult

Posted by: binnyG at March 11, 2009 10:16 AM in response to To Buy or Not to Buy

Prop 65
Law in Ca,
http://oehha.ca.gov/Prop65.html

Posted by: binnyG at March 10, 2009 9:56 AM in response to Lead Paint Paranoia

11217...that's a surprise. maybe as lil bit of luck suggests, the fact that the area is less driven by customers with access to credit, may have some reflection on it;s sucess as a retail hub?

Posted by: binnyG at February 27, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Fulton Mall Appears To Be Bucking Retail Downturn

I don't know how Macy's survives. the area is a sea of discounters ( who as you rightly say, seem to weather a downturn best)I know the plan for the area was to make it more of an upscale shopping experience, but with the change in the economy, I could see the anchor store sight becoming something lower end, like a kohls

Posted by: binnyG at February 27, 2009 10:44 AM in response to Fulton Mall Appears To Be Bucking Retail Downturn

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/
program title
Inside the Meltdown

Posted by: binnyG at February 23, 2009 10:38 AM in response to NYC Real Estate Market 'Most Challenged'

did anyone watch Frontline on PBS last night? It was about the Bear Stearns/ Leahmans melt down.
The root of the whole problem "toxic assets"
How there was no regulation is insanity.
The money NEVER actually existed in these mortgages/insane prices...it was all paperwork and speculation on the continued rise of the market.A huge gamble that never came off.

Posted by: binnyG at February 23, 2009 10:19 AM in response to NYC Real Estate Market 'Most Challenged'

dismal...400K would be more appropriate

Posted by: binnyG at February 19, 2009 2:13 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 238 South 3rd Street

i remember Dom's sandwiches, let's hope he left some karma in there....they were delicious!

Posted by: binnyG at January 26, 2009 5:07 PM in response to Streetlevel: The Return of Chicory on Degraw

If I were Target I'd be seriously embarassed and praying that this doesn't find it's way to network news.

Posted by: binnyG at January 7, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Closing Bell: FIPS Goes Undercover

650, I can't justify more than that

Posted by: binnyG at December 16, 2008 1:49 PM in response to House of the Day: 37 Wolcott Street

will the Bergen St location remain open. It looks like such tight quarters, are they relocating, or is this a new branch?

Posted by: binnyG at December 16, 2008 8:36 AM in response to Countdown to Hanco's

are we to expect more of this, with the changing economic climate?
I told a friend, who is planning to move to Brooklyn from Manhattan to beware of certain blocks in boerum hill for the same reason...muggings, often by young kids. Seems like we have a spate of them, then you see beat cops for about 2 weeks, they disappear & it starts up again.

Posted by: binnyG at December 8, 2008 10:36 AM in response to Violent Mugging on South Elliott Place

Agreed! It's a sad day when NY is importing brands from Chicago. Even sadder when it's happening in Brooklyn!

Posted by: binnyG at November 21, 2008 10:00 AM in response to Downtown Brooklyn Now Has a Morton's To Call Its Own

it looks like a Finnish Co-op building got a make over by a hotel designer.

Posted by: binnyG at October 15, 2008 2:31 PM in response to One Sunset Park: A Blogger's Review

Does anyone remember the giant greenhouse that was in this spot? book Court used to be just one side of the store ( where the existing front door is) They expanded into a florist shop next door...which had a huge greenhouse at back. i was hoping they would end up utilizing the space. it took a while, but good! Well done BC!

Posted by: binnyG at October 13, 2008 11:18 AM in response to Book Court Expands

I just looked at the floor plan which is better than I anticipated. I've seen worse recent renovations that can't even accommodate modern day furniture ( the building on 46th st in Sunset park comes to mind, a 2 bedroom there is 419K) I would say 550K at best

Posted by: binnyG at October 9, 2008 12:57 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 50 Sterling Place

I live in a 4 storey walk up with narrow stairs. The thought of hauling a bike up them is not appealing.And the landlord only provides basement storage for "market rate" tennants. I was wondering if the city had any plans for longer term bike parking. Maybe a lock up version of the shelter idea for longer term parking, with key access to the shelter and then self lock up to the rack. If this was available I'd get a bike immediately. I'd pay a fee if necessary.

Posted by: binnyG at September 12, 2008 9:10 AM in response to How to Get a Bike Rack Near You

So, 50% of your income annually, for these little boxes!
So what are the chances of resale on this, when you eventually ( if ever) can afford something bigger or better?

Posted by: binnyG at August 29, 2008 1:33 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 154 South 3rd

works out to about 4,000 per month with mortgage & mtc!
pretty hefty!

Posted by: binnyG at August 18, 2008 3:55 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 1 Plaza Street

An odd article really, considering everything hinged on the price & the condition of the apartment...and there were no photos!

Posted by: binnyG at August 18, 2008 10:26 AM in response to When Lowering A Home's Price Doesn't Sell It

I would be extremely surprised if it is rent stabilized after they fix it up. Under the RS law, they can add 1/40th of the cost of any improvements to the monthly rent, in addition to the vacancy increases. Once the legal rent gets over $2,000 the apartment can be destabilized if vacant. Assuming that the landlord's insurance restores it to its previous condition, the landlord can reno the bathroom and kitchen, replace the appliances and windows and pretty quickly get that legal rent over $2,000. The landlord can discount the rent but still keep the legal rent over $2,000 - that's what happened in my last rental. Most landlords destabilize their apartments if they can, it makes it a lot easier to get rid of a troublesome tenant.

Posted by: bohuma at August 13, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Renovated Rent-Stab Question

Insurance money DOES NOT count towards 1/40th rent increases (neither does sales tax for that matter.)

Posted by: IronBalls at August 13, 2009 7:06 PM in response to Renovated Rent-Stab Question

I didn't mean to imply that it did. What I was trying to convey is that the insurance would get it back to the condition it was in before the fire. To count as an improvement it would have to increase the amenity of the apartment. So fire destroys apartment, LL uses insurance to restore apartment, can get vacancy rental increase only. If, after the restoration, LL renovates the kitchen and bathroom (i.e. rips out the restoration), those renovations count towards the 1/40th. If LL makes a mistake he'll pay for it in Housing Court.

Posted by: bohuma at August 13, 2009 9:07 PM in response to Renovated Rent-Stab Question

Here's the link to dulling spray...
http://www.krylon.com/products/dulling_spray

Posted by: denton at September 25, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down

Agree with binnyg- I've used it and it's quite cool in certain applications. Dulling spray or a coating of matte acrylic varnish will work too (rough up the surface. Golden makes a great one. YOu can antique over that. Won't last 100 years but I have the feeling you won't be keeping the fixtures 100 years :-)

Posted by: bxgrl at September 25, 2009 5:45 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down

As my sister so often says: You can't spell brass without "ass."

Posted by: lucille at September 25, 2009 7:25 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down

Try Van Dyck Restorers (sp?), Renovators' Supply - google them, they're online sources. In one of them I know I've seen "antiquing" fluid specifically for this purpose, and perhaps also a separate fluid to strip the lacquer. Maybe this is the same as the "dulling" spray others have mentioned, but I think it might be a different product and perhaps worth a look. If you don't feel like doing the work yourself, I once spoke with a guy at www.antiqueplumber.com who said I could ship him any fixture and he would change the finish - e.g. from chrome to antique brass in my case, so very likely they could help you.

I hate shiny brass too - at least in houses where everything else looks old. I had to look high and low to find an uncoated brass faucet that would age attractively. My dad thinks the idea of buying something that will tarnish ON PURPOSE is nuts.

Posted by: StuyMom at September 25, 2009 8:23 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down

Note steps 5/6 at the bottom of the page:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4499916_remove-lacquer-finish-from-brass.html
Also:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2126150_use-ammonia-clean-tarnished-brass.html

Posted by: kelly at September 27, 2009 9:35 AM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down

There are common solvents to remove lacquer, the commonest of which is called lacquer thinner aka acetone. As for dulling, many agents will work (besides expensive "dulling" solutions -- just an excuse to charge you up the wassoo) and I've always been happy with the results I've gotten from using -- no kiddin' -- oven cleaner.

Posted by: grand army at September 27, 2009 9:29 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down