I think it really depends on how comfortable you are with negotiating real estate. If you're new at it or just uncomfortable, then maybe it makes sense. But on the other hand, since the seller is paying out broker fees, there may be less $$$ to negotiate w/ you. I would think that the sellers are ultimately looking to maximize what they put in their pockets...and it may not matter whether its as a buyer credit or a broker fee.

Posted by: brwnstngrl at October 23, 2009 2:09 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?

I would guess that any noise impact yo might feel involves any commercial uses that might be adjacent to your backyard (ie the crunch, the deli or the drycleaners). Otherwise its no noiser than any other block.

Posted by: brwnstngrl at August 17, 2009 3:55 PM in response to Noise on St. Johns

we had a similar problem---our house is adjacent to a paved church play-yeard that didn't have good drainage. we dug up along that side, had a roofer apply a waterproofing product (grace prepruf) to the outstide of the house and ran a perfortade pipe along the outside under the ground. It has worked great. from an abundance of caution we also placed a sump pump, which has helped during these flash flood type downpours where the volume is just too much. good luck.

Posted by: brwnstngrl at August 17, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Waterproofing Cellar?

You didn't say if it was back real estate taxes, which I'm assuming it is...It may be as innocuous as the real estate tax abatement hasn't been finalized yet. Depending on where/when built, the development likely qualified as -of-right for a 421a tax abatement. These take a while to process through the dept. of finance. check the discussion of real estate taxes in the offering plan.

Posted by: brwnstngrl at August 11, 2009 5:00 PM in response to Iffy New Developement

bessie - dump basement during summer months is a normal condition. During summer outside air has more moisture in it. when it moves into the basement it cools down and increases its own relative humidity. This is base physics and you cannot do anything with this besides drying out basement air or keeping basement temperature not lower then outsides.

Posted by: bobjohn at August 17, 2009 5:59 PM in response to Waterproofing Cellar?

For a seemingly quiet area you do get a lot of noise. Church groups on Sunday Mornings that linger on Seventh Ave and St. Johns. Truck/Bus traffic on Seventh moving fast towards downtown and yes you do get the traffic moving up St. Johns to GAP and they are often speeding up the street because they ARE using it as a cut through as northsloperenter mentioned.

Posted by: beatgirl at August 17, 2009 6:57 PM in response to Noise on St. Johns

On the same topic - quality of life in this area - I'm only one block over on Seventh. Am I the only one who has noticed the increase in noise from car radios? Stereos blasting from parked cars etc. I moved to the Slope from Bklyn Heights to get away from the noise (an issue for me too Allison!) and am finding that the same problems are following me here.
Again, you can tell me to move to N.J. BUT I'm actually just curious if anyone is experiencing the same issue and if they've just accepted/ignored it or ever taken it up with local C.B./Reps/police.

Posted by: beatgirl at August 17, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Noise on St. Johns

If you're really serious about this, best thing you can do is visit the block at different hours, weekdays and weekends. There will always be something. Like beatgirl, I've heard that the church on the corner of St Johns and 7th can be noisy. And obviously close to 7th Ave, there will be more traffic noise -- as there is on every commercial thoroughfare. But the retailers on Flatbush shouldn't impact you since there are no restaurants or food stores on that block and just a bank on the corner of Flatbush and St John's. Also if you're on the south side of the block, you could be backing up to Berkeley Carroll school on Lincoln Pl. I often walk on this block and I haven't noticed heavy traffic although I agree with posters above that some cars are using it to avoid Flatbush. But frankly to be this close to subways and shops you have to accept that most of the nearby side streets represent a short-cut to somebody. You'd have to move deep into a large neighborhood like Crown Heights or Bed-Stuy to get away from that. I love the peacefulness on many blocks in those nabes but you do give up a big measure of convenience.

Posted by: grand army at August 18, 2009 4:48 PM in response to Noise on St. Johns

ARKADY - I think your french drain in the yard idea is my best solution. I'd like to know more about how you did your. Could you please contact me at MJ at VANRHYN dot COM, or 917-647-7319. Thanks.

Posted by: HappyDaddy at August 18, 2009 4:50 PM in response to Waterproofing Cellar?

Thank you all for your help. We have been meaning to go by at peak times, but it is a bit challenging with a toddler in tow. Thanks for the comments about the church too, we were wondering about that.

Posted by: allisonk at August 19, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Noise on St. Johns

also what types of noises are most bothersome? and also where on block....if really close to 8th/Flatbush can make some difference. Mid-block not going to hear avenues.
Worried about neighbors throwing parties on stoops/backyards, traffic-horns, people walking by yapping into cellphones, etc. Is it the daytime or when trying to sleep?
Sometimes living on quiet block you get more startled when horn/radio/yappy cellphone talkers goes by than more trafficed blocks where more constant din/background noise.

Posted by: Petebklyn at August 19, 2009 10:39 AM in response to Noise on St. Johns

Guys, you had an OP ask a fair question, and you had someone come on and give a broker's sales pitch as an answer, without disclosing that she was a broker. It deserved to be called out.

I don't care if you all use Bernie Madoff as your buyer broker. I call BS when I see it. Good luck.

Posted by: joe_the_bummer at October 23, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?

That was not a sales pitch and I have never hidden the fact that I am a broker -- as anyone who's ever read my posts can attest. No BS involved and I am currently working with enough buyers not to be trolling here for business.

Posted by: babs at October 23, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?

OP (yeah you know me) here.

Thanks so much for the lively and varied responses. All of of our offers were within 10% of asking and one was over asking. And we've got 15-20% down payment, our credit is excellent, etc. I was just wondering if using a buyers agent was a potential negative factor that we hadn't considered in the whole process.

One thing I will say, is no matter how crazy NYC and Brooklyn real estate is...one thing works: this forum! Thanks!

Posted by: noodlemanias at October 23, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?