bmfesq's Profile
- Brian
- 1996
- 2004
- Brooklyn
- Crown Heights
- House
- Lawyer
- Male
- 38
Author's Posts
October 16, 2009
Bank Refi Runaround
Has anyone experienced resistance with their banks in trying to refinance their current mortgages? From May until now I have had alot of issues with HSBC, really what is their incentive? Today I was told they do not have to follow Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae guidelines, is this true?
August 11, 2009
Ticket for Trash - Who Pays?
I woke this morning to find four garabge bags on my sidewalk put there by an over zealous tenant 12 hours too early and was promptly handed a ticket for $300. They have been tenants for 2 yrs. Who should pay this in your experience?
March 31, 2009
Real Estate Values
Is there a consensus on how much housing prices have declined in last year in Brooklyn?
June 25, 2008
Assessed Property Value
Does anyone know the formula the city uses to determine the fair market value of your house?
Has anyone tried to challenge the city's determination?
June 4, 2008
Can I Stain Those Faux Grain White Interior Doors?
I know you can paint them, but has anyone try to stain them? They feel like they are somewhat permeable. Has anyone tried this?
May 6, 2008
Saving $$$ Shutting Off H/W Heaters
Does anyone have opinion on shutting off their H/W heaters while they are at work for most of the day or away for the weekend? How long does it take to get a 40-50 gallon tank up to temperature again? Is there a marketable savings?
March 10, 2008
Water in Basement Fix
A lot of water and basement chat lately. I was away and came back to 4 inches of water in my basement. Appears to be come from inside the side wall.
Can foundation water problems be remedied from the inside?
We have a neighbor's house abutting ours so not sure what alternative would be.
February 27, 2008
Backyard Design Suggestions
I have a blank slate to work with, approx. 25 by 30 with 12 foot high brick walls on each side of my backyard to work with. East and south exposures.
Any suggestions on design websites? Or local landscaping designers?
February 11, 2008
Do you need to treat Granite Countertops?
I wanted to know if new granite kitchen countertops need to be treated with any type of sealant?
February 4, 2008
Anyone acid wash their concrete?
If so, did you do it yourself or hire someone?
Any recommendations on what companies do this and the cost?
Author's Comments
SPONSORED AD- talk about creepy. Cannot trust a RE firm filled with NYC newbies, especially one that replaced a landmark deli, Latticini Barese.
REAL ESTATE NEWS: Look for "For Rent" sign above old Manzione place in next 6 months.
Posted by: bmfesq at October 30, 2009 11:06 AM in response to Realty Collective Buys Out Frank Manzione!
bmfesq wrote a review about Bark Hot Dogs on October 22, 2009 12:27 PM
$6-$7 hotdogs? gourmet hotdogs? can you say those two words together? I wish them the best but that is a tough sell.
It already has the nickname of "The Woody"
Posted by: bmfesq at September 30, 2009 4:25 PM in response to Development Watch: 170 North 5th Street
WTF? Lawsuits? Maintenance workers? Angry neighbors. Put the door back, tighten up the screws and adjust accordingly, there usually is a little play with the hinge plates.
Posted by: bmfesq at September 29, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Who is Responsible?
I love Bjork, but she is hardly a celeb to draw any attention to herself or her family in and around Henry St. As for the orange outfits, she is Icelandic, what would expect?
Posted by: bmfesq at September 28, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Confirmed: Björk and Barney Take the Heights
If you have nice rims/tires use a wheel lock, they are lugnuts that have an unusuak shape and need a specific key to loosed or tighten.
Posted by: bmfesq at September 25, 2009 12:14 PM in response to Look, Ma, No Wheels
It is somewhat funny that YOU are looking for a "competant" officer rather than one that is "competent."
Posted by: bmfesq at September 24, 2009 5:08 PM in response to Competent Mortgage Officer
That SQUARE FOOTAGE for that apartment is WAY OFF. At best it is 33' by 22' which is 726 sq. ft. FAR SHORT of the listed 1100
Posted by: bmfesq at September 24, 2009 2:26 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 475 Sterling Place, #3I
Absolute std. with contractors- 1/3 at signing of contract, 1/3 the day they start and the last 1/3 (where their profit is) when job is done (and you are satisfied).
Posted by: bmfesq at September 24, 2009 11:17 AM in response to Contractor Deposit-Too early?
I like it, well landscaped and designed, must be 8,000 sq ft.
Posted by: bmfesq at September 4, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Bay Ridge McMansion
NEWS ALERT: The homeless shelter WILL NOT be turned into a rec center in our lifetimes, in fact, the city has promised to increase its capacity with the closing of shelters in Manhattan.
Posted by: bmfesq at August 21, 2009 1:53 PM in response to Crown Heights Condo
Thank you all for your opinions, gives me some things to consider.
Posted by: bmfesq at August 12, 2009 1:44 PM in response to Ticket for Trash - Who Pays?
That is actually the part that is on Nelson.
Posted by: bmfesq at August 11, 2009 10:08 AM in response to Partial Collapse at 455 Smith Street
Looks like illegal three family...shhhhhhhh.
Posted by: bmfesq at July 16, 2009 1:31 PM in response to House of the Day: 265 Sterling Street
Nuisance complaint may be way to go, naming tenant and landlord (they usually spook at lawsuits involving shitty tenants).
Posted by: bmfesq at July 15, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Neighbor's Huge Tent
Thanks Daily News...Former Squatters' Paradise
Posted by: bmfesq at July 15, 2009 10:28 AM in response to Williamsburg: Squatters' Paradise
POLICE: Check the garbage cans east of Nams once you take down the tower, that is where the kids hide their little baggies for their customers. Very clever if not too obvious to anyone who walks past there.
Posted by: bmfesq at July 8, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Sky Watch Sets Up Shop on Franklin Avenue
It's a freakin' jail, throw some paint on the walls and put it back in service. And boo-hoo to anyone that complains that "people" live right next door, the jail was there first.
Posted by: bmfesq at June 26, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Court Hears Both Sides of House of Detention Debate
bmfesq wrote a review about City Sub on June 19, 2009 4:01 PM
Defonte's and Esposito's are top delis in area, in you like City you will love these places.
Those will look great in a lot of my neighbors backyards. Nail 'em down!
Posted by: bmfesq at June 17, 2009 10:26 AM in response to New Street Furniture Outside Borough Hall
Anyone else? I have been waiting since my initial app from July 2007. A deficiency was cured in October 2008, but still no final decision.
Posted by: bmfesq at June 16, 2009 1:17 PM in response to REBNY Pushing for Sweeter 421-a Deal
I am trying to refi on a 30 yr 6% fixed on three family that I purchased in Jan. 2008.
Despite putting down around 23% with excellent credit and documented income, HSBC, my current mortgage co. says the y will not refi me since my income for 2008 was too low.
This is due to me showing a loss on my schedule E due to maintenance, repairs, mortgage %, taxes, etc. WTF???????
Everything is the same except I could be paying hundreds less each month, where is their incentive to refi?
Posted by: bmfesq at May 28, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Interest rates
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
and the Fire Trucks blare their sirens
and garbage trucks come by at 5am.
Puhlease!
Posted by: bmfesq at May 20, 2009 3:14 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
the B61, and hope and pray the first few do not pass your stop
Posted by: bmfesq at May 18, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Red Hook
Wow, those are much more mature than the trees the Parks Dept. plants in front of homes.
Posted by: bmfesq at May 18, 2009 2:40 PM in response to Brooklyn Bridge Park Gets Some Trees
Application? There is the same bulding 90% vacant 6 doors down near Rogers Ave., on Sterling Place.
Posted by: bmfesq at May 7, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Development Watch: 792 Sterling Place
Are they breaking in, busting windows? prying open doors? Or is someone leaving the front doors open or ajar?
Home Depot and CostCo sell CCTV-like systems, but unless people close and lock doors and windows, capturing the crime on video is of little use.
Posted by: bmfesq at April 30, 2009 10:25 AM in response to Security camera
BBG are FREE on Saturdays before noon!
Posted by: bmfesq at April 29, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Cherry Blossoms Galore in Green-Wood
I used Exterior Landscape and Design, amazing job. You can see some pics here on Brownstoner:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/09/garden_of_the_d_25.php
Posted by: bmfesq at April 21, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Patio Contractor Needed
I am in process of refi now with Sovereign Bank, 4.375% and .25 pt. on 3 family with an LTV now of about 75 or so.
Posted by: bmfesq at April 2, 2009 1:48 PM in response to 1% penalty on 2 family?
If you want to go cheaper route Home Depot has a few choices of metal fences you can put around these beddings.
Posted by: bmfesq at April 2, 2009 1:45 PM in response to Sidewalk street tree gate???
That will heat up to 150 degrees in the summer, and will catch the wind like a sail and come down sooner rather than later.
Posted by: bmfesq at March 31, 2009 11:39 AM in response to question about fencing
Is there a type of ground cover that likes full sun?
Posted by: bmfesq at March 24, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Ground cover for shady backyard
Old Drafty Male Slot? Let the ccomedy begin....
Posted by: bmfesq at March 20, 2009 3:39 PM in response to Old drafty mail slot
There is as much weed and coke in Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights, only difference is it is all home delivered.
Posted by: bmfesq at March 18, 2009 5:34 PM in response to Drug Dealing Hotspot in Crown Heights?
What are you looking to do? And what is your budget?
Posted by: bmfesq at March 16, 2009 3:56 PM in response to Landscaping
Sub Prime Mortgage Crisis is a drop in the bucket according to experts, compared to the Alt-A and Option Arms whose teaser periods are not due until the earliest Jan 2009 and thru Jan 2012, another TRILLION plus! And 70% will default and many are defaulting with just the small payments!!!
Posted by: bmfesq at December 15, 2008 12:23 PM in response to
Too little too late, try Prospect Heights or North Crown Heights that only has Tom's which has very limited hours and is not open on Sundays.
Posted by: bmfesq at December 3, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Diners!!
Attention all beer drinking derelicts on stoops in front of their buildings. Go to the bar or go inside.
Posted by: bmfesq at November 21, 2008 12:19 PM in response to Stoop Drinking Still Illegal
It is the future...nobody is building brownstones.
Posted by: bmfesq at November 14, 2008 1:24 PM in response to Horror Show Friday
All your policies are safe as the potential payouts are all in reserve. AIG had trouble with their investments in paid debt and paying execs billions.
Posted by: bmfesq at November 12, 2008 4:06 PM in response to AIG Insurance?
You REALLY should be putting a fourth wall of cinder blocks (narrow ones) against the neighbors wall. I have become a real fan of the cultured stone, looks great.
Posted by: bmfesq at November 6, 2008 3:32 PM in response to Mr. and Mrs. Tikihouse get stoned!
Leekie Cock Soup? You're kidding, right?
Posted by: bmfesq at October 23, 2008 5:24 PM in response to Quote of the Day
BACON: God's Perfect Food
Posted by: bmfesq at October 16, 2008 10:39 AM in response to Closing Bell: Mmmmmmm, Pig Roast
Kinda wonder what the fire department's view on the Succots is considering there placement on many fire escapes.
Posted by: bmfesq at October 15, 2008 5:11 PM in response to Wednesday Blogwrap
Neighbors aren't gonna like that. Will you waterproof that? Or tell them about the exposed side?
Posted by: bmfesq at October 7, 2008 3:25 PM in response to Crack that pad! The back yard demo begins.
bmfesq wrote a review about Sugarcane on September 24, 2008 12:04 PM
What, what, what? Those prices would command valet parking and cloth napkin service, but wedged in between restaurant suppliers and auto glass garages on the gritty sidewalks of Atlantic Ave. cause me to pause.
Roti can be had for between $5-$8 at most local spots, $12-$15 is not even close. $10 drinks are a tough sell in Manhattan, but on Atlantic Ave. in Prospect Heights will not last.
Yes, same old do or die Bed-Stuy, I got my car broken into and window smashed on Saturday at the Home Depot. Apparently a common occurence for those who park near the nursery near Nostrand according to the head of security there.
Posted by: bmfesq at September 24, 2008 9:41 AM in response to New Bed-Stuy More Like Old Bed-Stuy?
WEBISTE ALERT- I went to there site twice and it froze up my computer both times!!!
Posted by: bmfesq at October 30, 2009 11:11 AM in response to Realty Collective Buys Out Frank Manzione!