bklyn22's Profile
- Bklyn22
- 2006
Author's Posts
January 25, 2008
Expressing interest in buying someone's house IF they ever choose to sell it
What are your thoughts on approaching a homeowner about possibly buying their house (via a note or letter)? Is it generally considered insulting or flattering to the owner? I don't want to offend anyone, but I was wondering about sending a note expressing my interest in case they ever decide to sell. (And no, it's not in Ft. Greene or Clinton Hill).
December 15, 2007
24-hour Brooklyn?
What specific areas in certain neighborhoods are the best for late-night or 24-hour activity? I work late/am a night owl, and I'd like to know that I can run out to a diner or coffee shop and also a grocery store at any hour if need be, and that there will be people on the street. The few neighborhoods I know in Brooklyn seem to shut down after 10-11pm, even in downtown Brooklyn. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
December 9, 2007
What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
How long are you supposed to wait to hear back from seller's broker after making an offer? I made an offer and was then actually told they were going to approach another party who had expressed interest, but had not yet put in an offer? WTF?
December 4, 2007
Laundromat with Extra-Large/Industrial Size Washers & Dryers?
Anyone know of a laundromat that has extra-large washers & dryers? I need to wash some king-size comforters and they don't wash well in the regular-sized washers. Thanks.
December 1, 2007
Scam or What?
So, I respond to a Craigslist ad for an apartment for sale in Park Slope. (By the way, I later realize that something like 10 rinky dink brokers have this listing and they're all on Craigslist). I ask this "broker" a question about the size and configuration of the apartment. A week later, I get a threatening email from this "broker" that says:
"(My name): New york State law requires you identify yourself as a Broker when trolling for listings. I will report you to the department of State should you contact me again without identifying yourself. (Name of 'broker')"
What the hell is that? Is it some sort of phishing scam or similar?
November 30, 2007
Public Gardens & Future Development
What's the deal with public gardens, for example the one on Union Street (between 4th & 5th Ave) in Park Slope? Can they ever be sold and built on?
Has anyone ever used Berman Realty in Park Slope?
Anyone ever seen any properties through them?
September 21, 2007
Deciphering Ownership History
I'm looking at a former SRO brownstone that has a very convoluted history of ownership. The most recent sale date is listed, but NOT the sale price. However, the last owner DID obtain a mortgage on the same date as the most recent sale date. Is it safe to assume that the amount of the mortgage is the purchase price for the property?
Author's Comments
These rental listings are kind of embarrassing for an SVP of Brown Harris Stevens, no? And after reading the broker's statements above, BHS's respectability just went down a couple of notches in my mind.
Posted by: bklyn22 at November 30, 2007 4:01 PM in response to Rental of the Day: 562 Court Street
This lot is owned by the City Parks Department--can it ever be sold and developed? I googled the issue but can't find any info.
Posted by: bklyn22 at December 1, 2007 12:22 PM in response to Public Gardens & Future Development
2:34--199 Huntington's open house is Sunday. How is it you went to today?
Posted by: bklyn22 at December 1, 2007 4:06 PM in response to Open House Picks: Carroll Gardens Edition
Neighborhood doesn't matter. Anywhere in Brooklyn or Manhattan would be fine.
Posted by: bklyn22 at December 5, 2007 12:00 AM in response to Laundromat with Extra-Large/Industrial Size Washers & Dryers?
Yes, I do intend to put pressure on them since I'm not going to be waiting around indefinitely. My question is how long is a standard wait time before I ask for a decision OR take my offer off the table and say screw it?
I know the job of a seller's broker is to get the best offer, but I am shocked the broker actually told me they were going to shop around. I responded that my offer wasn't good indefinitely and that I, too, am still looking.
Posted by: bklyn22 at December 9, 2007 8:47 PM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
I think the huge laundromat on Atlantic and Nevins or is it 4th Ave?, has them.
I'm positive about the Laundry Queen on Atlantic Ave. between New York and Brooklyn Ave in Crown Heights. They have quite a few extra large machines, and they also have a parking lot, if you are driving. They used to be open 24/7, maybe still are. This is a clean, pleasant laudromat, especially at off hours.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 5, 2007 1:06 AM in response to Laundromat with Extra-Large/Industrial Size Washers & Dryers?
I can't recall the name, but there is a relatively new shiny laundromat in Bushwick at the corner of Knickerbocker and Myrtle that has big washers. There is also plenty of parking.
FYI, if Bushwick gives you pause, bear in mind that this is in the heart of a very busy commercial district.
Posted by: tinarina at December 5, 2007 11:02 AM in response to Laundromat with Extra-Large/Industrial Size Washers & Dryers?
Check out Clean Rite laundry centers... they're conveniently located in most Brooklyn neighborhoods...
http://www.sunset-park.com/mall/CLEANRITE/index.html
Posted by: bren at December 5, 2007 12:58 PM in response to Laundromat with Extra-Large/Industrial Size Washers & Dryers?
Meant to add the location at 627 4th Avenue is between 18th and 19th Street... :)
Posted by: bren at December 5, 2007 1:07 PM in response to Laundromat with Extra-Large/Industrial Size Washers & Dryers?
I'm not surprised the broker is pulling that on you. ( Stay cool but don't freeze.) if you were the seller you would want the highest price too. Did you ask the broker when they would get back to you? If you use this time to shop around, you may surprise yourself and find something better. Wouldn't that be nice...... when the broker does get back to you, you can tell them that boat already sailed.
Posted by: Rick at December 10, 2007 7:05 AM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
Pressure them, in the current market, if you have good credentials then they would be foolish to make you wait. Give them 48 hours and withdraw if no response. It is a business afterall!
Posted by: guest at December 10, 2007 10:16 AM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
Don't take this the wrong way. You have no right to a response at all, let alone one within a certain time frame. There are no rules, at least until someone signs a contract.
Based on the fact that the seller did not respond to your offer, my guess is that (i) it wasn't high enough to warrant responding or (ii) the seller isn't serious about selling their place.
Keep shopping and leave your offer out there. Worst that can happen is you find a better place.
Posted by: Emigre at December 10, 2007 10:53 AM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
My two cents: When we bought our brownstone, we made an offer on Monday, heard nothing by Thursday afternoon, and the broker told me, "You have not made an accepted offer. The owner is entertaining other offers." I came in at less than 10-percent below what was a reasonable asking price. I wanted the place and believed that the asking-price was fair. On Friday morning, I upped the offer to asking. But it was with a caveat: "My offer is good until 5:00 this afternoon. After that it's off the table." I did not want them to use my offer as a floor. They accepted the offer by 2 p.m., and we got the house. It's proven to be one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.
Posted by: guest at December 10, 2007 3:44 PM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
You have to be willing to walk away or you have no hope of making them do anything.
You have to give a hard deadline, exploding offer and then walk away forever if they fail to meet the deadline (no re-bid). Otherwise, you just have to play by their rules.
I've been in your shoes and with no such thing as a true "buyer's broker" in NYC, you have to be as tough as the bitchy Corco agent across the table from you.
Posted by: guest at December 10, 2007 8:37 PM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
I agree with everyone else about presenting a deadline. And meaning it. If they come back later begging to make a deal, consider it, but you must truly walk away if it comes to that.
That's how my father bought my first house. He told the sellers they had 24 hours to accept or we'd walk away.
Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 12:00 AM in response to What is the standard wait time after making an offer?
Should have specified that the owner who got the financing is a developer... does that change it? The mortgage is just under $1 million, so I don't think you'd need two mortgages necessarily (in response to 5:03). The property has been going back and forth between 3 entities and individuals for the past 15 years, has dozens of violations, liens, strange lending arrangements, etc., and I'm just trying to sort out what the heck is going on.
Posted by: bklyn22 at September 22, 2007 11:30 AM in response to Deciphering Ownership History