Annoying she may be, but I actually agree with her "rude, self-important, obnoxious" observation. I used to be a fan in the early days. I have not eaten there in the past year as my 3 last visits in 2006-2007 were marred by rudeness on the part of staff. To hell with them and their petanque balls, I say.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at May 14, 2008 11:54 AM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

The price would be on target were this property in mint condition.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at May 8, 2008 2:20 PM in response to House of the Day: 162 Bergen Street

I think there is a lot more going on than a simple crack down on a tax scofflaw. Because of the continuous hanging out on that corner, it was a good cover for the drug-dealer lookouts as one can scope out car and foot traffic from 3-4 different directions from that corner. With the bodega closed, there is no excuse to hang out on that corner. It would be quite funny if the Scarano-building developers had a hand in this, though.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at April 21, 2008 3:06 PM in response to StreetLevel: Bodega Goes Up in Smoke

Existing comps and the work required to make this livable suggests a minimum of 1.7 and a maximum of 1.85 for this to make any economic sense.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at April 14, 2008 3:54 PM in response to Houses of the Day: A Couple of Price Cuts

Not for the claustrophobic.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at April 2, 2008 1:22 PM in response to House of the Day: 386 State Street

Howard Roark lives.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at March 4, 2008 1:22 PM in response to Development Watch: 110 4th Avenue

Missed opportunity by the developers on this one. They should have created more 3 bedrooms. I find it instructive that the 4 bedroom was the first apartment to go. Contrary to the negative posts above, there ARE people who would move their families to this location if the right sized space was being offered.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at March 4, 2008 1:19 PM in response to Condos of the Day: Price Cuts at 433 Warren Street

I have seen some of these buildings in my recent wanderings. Its unfortunate that "kosher buildings" are made so unattractive.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at February 4, 2008 9:37 AM in response to A Building Boom in Southern Crown Heights

Loved this bit from the Dean Street copy:

"plus a garden apartment for your live-in housekeeper"

I guess if you can afford Dean Street....

Posted by: crouchback 2 at February 1, 2008 2:10 PM in response to Open House Picks

The 1.7M paid in 2004 was way too much for such a narrow house that needed work (I am presuming). Hope the seller did not put too much into renovations as that puppy is not selling for more than 1.8M.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at January 15, 2008 1:41 PM in response to House of the Day: 40 2nd Place

The broker's description of 447 Sackett Street appears to be at odds with Property Shark and the building photo. I see 2 upper floors and a basement (and PShark shows 1995 square feet/665 per floor). Thus, the asking price is roughly $651 p/s/f. Unless I am missing something, that seems a little high for a down market.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at January 11, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Open House Picks

Only the Goldman Sachs people will be getting bonus checks this year. Layoffs are beginning to occur among Wall Street law firms with structured finance lawyers leading the way, followed by those doing M&A work. We are about to experience a white-collar recession similar to what happened between 1987 and 1992. Low interest rates may not make much of a difference if people are uncertain of where their next dollar is coming from.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at January 11, 2008 11:47 AM in response to Impending Rate Cuts: Good News for Real Estate Market?

McCain.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at January 8, 2008 11:36 AM in response to Which Way Are Readers Leaning in the Presidential Race?

Couldn't stop laughing after seeing this post. Should be entertaining if nothing else.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at January 8, 2008 10:25 AM in response to Marty: Will He or Won’t He?

Its the layout, which is unconventional for a brownstone duplex. The space does not flow. It is unworkable if you are a couple with a child or two. They would have been better of putting all of the bedrooms and full baths on basement floor and having kitchen, dining and living area on the (presumably) higher ceilinged parlor floor, with a small deck-stairway to the garden. The price would be okay if the configuration were different.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at December 13, 2007 10:25 AM in response to That Pesky Last Unit at 302 Washington Avenue

I agree with 1:52PM's post. Something is odd about the original purchase price.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at December 10, 2007 2:07 PM in response to House of the Day: 799 Carroll Street

Any ideas why Chan opted for the "kosher balcony" style on this project?

Posted by: crouchback 2 at November 14, 2007 10:47 AM in response to If You Can't Beat 'Em, Get Bought Out!

The apartments are overpriced for the neighborhood (Boerum Hill), and this specific location. The other factor is the design and layout which seems geared towards singletons or DINKS as opposed to a couple with child(ren) or planning on having a set. Its difficult to imagine wanting to breed in these boxes.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at November 7, 2007 2:49 PM in response to Prices Too Lofty on Warren Street?

The apartments are overpriced for the neighborhood (Boerum Hill), and this specific location. The other factor is the design and layout which seems geared towards singletons or DINKS as opposed to a couple with child(ren) or planning on having a set. Its difficult to imagine wanting to breed in these boxes.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at November 7, 2007 2:46 PM in response to Prices Too Lofty on Warren Street?

What am I missing with respect to Carroll Gardens? $2.45M for 2500 square feet?

Posted by: crouchback 2 at October 26, 2007 1:38 PM in response to Open House Picks: Houses

They have talked about doing the same thing at Gowanus for many years now. The political will is just not there.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at October 25, 2007 11:59 AM in response to HUD Official Speaks the Unspeakable: Selling The Projects

Here is a forum question: Is Scarano the Howard Roarke of our generation?

Posted by: crouchback 2 at October 24, 2007 1:43 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 433 Warren Street

Taxes on Warren Street are super-high. That may also explain the its languish time.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at October 22, 2007 12:32 PM in response to Residential Sales in Brooklyn

Loved Steve's response!

Posted by: crouchback 2 at September 28, 2007 11:28 AM in response to Man on the Street: Mortgage Crisis Hitting Close to Home?

I guess, with 482 Warren, it was 3 weeks on the market after the final price cut?

Posted by: crouchback 2 at September 28, 2007 10:26 AM in response to Just Sold in Brooklyn

Not sure why 398 Bergen which is 3 floors and has 2400 SF is so much higher than 99 St Marks which has 3500 SF.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at September 21, 2007 1:41 PM in response to Open House Picks

The price is in line with recent sales on Wyckoff Street between Bond & Nevins and on Bond Street between Wyckoff and Bergen for similarly sized houses. I say a 5% discount on the asking price at most.

Posted by: crouchback 2 at September 19, 2007 3:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 158A Nevins Street