I passed by The Usual today and it appeared to be open for business.....

Posted by: bricktop at December 3, 2008 3:21 PM in response to Diners!!

I would take the apartment but rather than pay your future broker fee, have them reimburse you for the broker fee you would pay to take the apartment. That gives you more leverage -- they would reimburse you as soon as they notify you of the two months notice, rather than you having to try and collect as you're on your way out.....You are doing them a favor by renting the place -- don't forget that. Otherwise sounds like it would just sit empty and they are just waiting till prime selling season to try again. And there's a good chance you won't have to move at all....sounds overpriced.

Posted by: bricktop at October 31, 2008 7:38 PM in response to Weirdest rental situation

don't have this problem. I use Safari on a Mac.

Posted by: bricktop at October 29, 2008 7:49 AM in response to Adobe Flash Popup

And where is it?

Posted by: bricktop at October 20, 2008 7:31 AM in response to Looking for Retail Space to Share?

It's definitely an ugly thing, that's for sure too.

They look crapola.

Posted by: bricktop at October 17, 2008 12:57 PM in response to Chromed Out Houses?

used to happen all the time to us until we started taking a drill and "writing" our house number around the can and on the lid in small holes that we drill through the plastic. That way the guys who steal them can't use them for beer coolers (what I think they used to do).

Posted by: bricktop at October 16, 2008 7:17 PM in response to Trash Can Theft

Eons ago we looked at this house, which was then an SRO.....and too much work for us at the time. A nicely done traditionalist look in the renovation. But it was foolish not to make the garden level a rental apartment......

Posted by: bricktop at October 16, 2008 1:31 PM in response to House of the Day: 132 St. Marks Avenue

Putting in bluestone would have looked much nicer....

Posted by: bricktop at October 4, 2008 7:53 AM in response to scooter off the street and safe behind bars.

no offense, justinm, but you sound like a first-time buyer. Not that your stress isn't warranted, but this is just how real estate lawyers tend to behave -- without much apparent regard for their clients. But, unless yours is really bad, they do tend to get it done. Your job is to stay on him.....these things always seem to have complications until the last possible moment....I'm sure it will work out. Just try not to get an ulcer in the process.

Posted by: bricktop at September 30, 2008 6:50 PM in response to Help -- real estate lawyer problems

The owner of All-Star, Joey, lies and ripped us off.....this is the truth from a former customer/landlord....and I WISH it weren't so, because I need a neighborhood locksmith we can count on!

Posted by: bricktop at September 27, 2008 12:30 PM in response to ALLSTAR LOCKSMITH

The owner of All-Star, Joey, lies and ripped us off.....this is the truth from a former customer/landlord....and I WISH it weren't so, because I need a neighborhood locksmith we can count on!

Posted by: bricktop at September 27, 2008 11:46 AM in response to allstar locksmith

look at ParkSlopeParents.com, under recommendations and then interior help, and then painters, for many reviews of his work. I hired him -- and was sorry I did.

Posted by: bricktop at September 22, 2008 11:18 PM in response to Di Santo Painting?

begin by hiring a good real estate lawyer.

Posted by: bricktop at September 21, 2008 5:43 PM in response to How to turn a brownstone co-op? Commercial property?

I've seen this several times as an open cabinet/bookshelf type thing for cookbooks and trinkets. I also saw closed versions in fancy Italian made kitchens....if I were you I'd start by going to a kitchen cabinet manufacturer or reseller to ask. If all else fails ask at Loew's.

Posted by: bricktop at September 14, 2008 9:27 AM in response to Rounded Kitchen Cabinet?

some lenders will cooperate with this and others won't. Some charge a fee -- we once paid $1500 -- for one. It's a big, fat, hairy pain in the butt to deal with but can save you thousands on taxes. If you have a mortgage broker s/he should be dealing with this. You have to contact your lender directly, if not, to as if they will.

Posted by: bricktop at September 9, 2008 8:58 AM in response to Mortgage Tax on a Refinance

We need our Hot Bird! I live near Vanderbilt, used to patronize you, and still miss you!

Posted by: bricktop at September 9, 2008 7:44 AM in response to Hot Bird Founder

It looks like a Victorian lesbian sex toy.

Posted by: bricktop at August 27, 2008 3:14 PM in response to What the heck is this?

the trick with Sanitation workers is that they can't accept "tips" to take away stuff like this but at the same time they won't do it without that little incentive.....we "dropped" $20 bills on the street in front of them when we needed them to take away post-renovation stuff (that all fell within DofS guidelines, but they wouldn't take it otherwise). They picked up the money and the garbage, too!

Posted by: bricktop at August 4, 2008 9:28 AM in response to hauling away heavy bags

you asked -
do TOTO toilets provide a superior bathroom experience?

indeed they do.

Posted by: bricktop at July 31, 2008 2:59 PM in response to House of the Day: 1721 Glenwood Road

I've been getting the same thing, on my lower legs.....I figured it was an allergic reaction to the weeds or whatever it is I'm brushing up against in my own back yard. Its weird....and those tiny no-see-ums are vicious right now!!!!

Posted by: bricktop at July 31, 2008 2:58 PM in response to backyard bugs

This is a sad day for Brooklyn.

Posted by: bricktop at July 31, 2008 10:48 AM in response to LICH Selling Off More Cobble Hill Buildings

you never know with bank appraisers. We just got a HELOC from a major bank and while here, the appraiser literally wouldn't say one word to us beyond hello and goodbye...not at all interested in being shmoozed. We thought he'd come in way under what we think the house is worth but actually he appraised it higher! So I guess ya never know. But like slopefarm said, be prepared with your own comps in case the appraiser is receptive to your 'help.'

Posted by: bricktop at July 30, 2008 9:42 PM in response to Bank Appraisal for HELOC

top floor ceiling heights are low -- maybe 7 feet -- and they put a pendant lamp in one of those top-floor bedrooms, so anyone over 5'5" would bang their head on it.

It's not all new construction on the 3rd floor -- they left in the existing layout and (weird) closets up there......

Posted by: bricktop at July 25, 2008 1:46 PM in response to House of the Day: 210 Prospect Place

The photos on Corc's website make the rooms look much bigger than they feel when you're standing in them....anyone else here actually see the house?

Posted by: bricktop at July 25, 2008 12:02 PM in response to House of the Day: 210 Prospect Place

Was at the open house. Saw the house before it sold, too. It had been a total dump. The renovation is nice, but very generic. Take away the staging props and it looks like every post-war apartment you've ever seen. They ripped apart the building in record time and did away with alot of what I thought was the charm. To be sure the developer added some nice touches, like raising the roof a little, adding good windows at top level out front, putting back the stoop. And it looks absolutely fabulous from the street. But there had been charm to the house under all the original owner-family's crapola, and that too has all been demolished. Now you have ordinary sheetrock ceilings with some of those plastic faux-plaster centerpiece thingys tacked up (and you can still see the nails on at least one). They look really out of place in an otherwise modern and very simple interior. I think the dark-stained floors and bathroom fixtures -- all very trendy -- are going to look hopelessly dated in about a minute. The kitchen cabinets are basic moderne, off-white, and look fine. They left a weird concrete sort of race-track in most of the back yard and put little landscaping rocks over part of it, leaving very little usable room. Somebody will probably buy it at or above ask, but that's because most people don't know any better. Also the central a/c wasn't working on the first two floors -- not a good sign.

Posted by: bricktop at July 24, 2008 7:06 PM in response to House of the Day: 210 Prospect Place

Check PropertyShark.com

Posted by: bricktop at July 24, 2008 12:59 PM in response to How do I research comps?

glad to hear it.

Posted by: bricktop at July 22, 2008 1:54 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

PropJoe should be kicked off the board for his racist comment.

Posted by: bricktop at July 22, 2008 12:09 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

DON'T use All-Star Locksmith on Flatbush Ave. He'll rip you off.

Posted by: bricktop at July 15, 2008 11:11 AM in response to Locksmith recommendations?

Try Norman Calvo at Universal Mortgage, they have an office in Park Slope and one in the city. He's been helpful to us before.

Posted by: bricktop at July 14, 2008 8:56 PM in response to Financing? How do you do it?

We've been happy with Alix Figliolia for this kind of thing -- 718-643-0900 alexfigliolia.com. -bricktop

Posted by: bricktop at July 14, 2008 9:07 AM in response to Check of Sewer and Water Lines

We had one of our buildings come in at less than we thought once when we applied for a HELOC....explain to your bank contact that you think it's too low and why, provide some comps yourself, and ask that they send another appraiser....it could work.

Posted by: bricktop at July 12, 2008 2:58 PM in response to appraisal values

The exact same thing happened to us -- he quoted one price to replace a lock, replaced it and then tripled it to $450 when he was holding our new keys. This guy claims to be a born-again Christian -- he is a total hypocrite. He tried to "witness," me when I was in his shop making keys before this whole thing.....he is a total crook.

It's too bad, too, because the nabe could use a trustworthy locksmith.

Posted by: bricktop at July 10, 2008 8:16 PM in response to allstar locksmith

Occurs with curbed as well. Some google ad syndicate message. Advertizing problems?

Posted by: 7foundry at October 29, 2008 1:05 PM in response to Adobe Flash Popup

Still having the problem- both at work and at home. Internet explorer on both (different versions, though).

Posted by: bookgrlny at October 29, 2008 2:13 PM in response to Adobe Flash Popup

problem at work only and on Curbed also.

Posted by: Petebklyn at October 29, 2008 2:59 PM in response to Adobe Flash Popup

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Posted by: jfss at October 29, 2008 6:25 PM in response to Adobe Flash Popup

Sounds like you're really set on this place. You should go in as a total hardass on the $ negotiations. It's not making them any $ empty, esp. with those wack rental conditions. They need you, go get 'em!

Posted by: pattunia at November 1, 2008 4:13 AM in response to Weirdest rental situation

Find another place. There are plenty of other apartments out there that won't give you the kind of hassle that this place will.

Posted by: Boerum Hill at November 1, 2008 10:04 AM in response to Weirdest rental situation

I would definitely be a hard ass about what you demand, but as long as you're getting all your extra expenses paid, go for it. Moving isn't that much of a hassle -- if you don't have a lot of stuff. I moved twice in one three-month period. Just pare down and throw out the junk. It's like going on a diet. Feels good. Don't forget the cost of buying boxes twice. But I wouldn't count on the apt not selling. Maybe. Depends on how unreasonable the price is. Can you rent to buy? Ha. Now there's a demand. Have you seen anything else this good in Fort Greene? Check the by-owner listings on Craigslist. You will find large floor-throughs as low as $1800.

Posted by: mopar at November 1, 2008 10:25 AM in response to Weirdest rental situation

Then again, maybe they need to face reality and just rent the apt with a normal lease and not try to sell it.

Posted by: mopar at November 1, 2008 10:26 AM in response to Weirdest rental situation

One more consideration is if Ft Greene is really a neighborhood you love, moving into this place for 1 year could give you a chance to make contacts in the neighborhood in anticipation of finding future places.

Posted by: Schultz at November 1, 2008 1:41 PM in response to Weirdest rental situation

Maybe my math is way off, but if not, your rent is $2300/mo., and with 20% down the monthly mortgage would be just over/under $4,000. From that point of view, it's hard to picture a sale in the near future (at least, at the current price). I think bricktop's got it right: try negotiating two month's notice as well as full refund of 12% broker's fee at time of notice (not at/after vacancy), six month minimum rental. Maybe even incentive payment if vacancy in less than two months after notice, or penalty if failure to vacate in 60 days.

Posted by: vinca at November 1, 2008 3:01 PM in response to Weirdest rental situation