diors's Profile

  • Doris Brautigan
  • 2003
  • 2008
  • Brooklyn
  • Prospect Heights
  • House
  • Photography Consultant/Brooklyn Flea Vendor
  • old enuf

Author's Posts

November 23, 2009

Wood shutters

We've got a 1907 Renaissance Revival style house with a lovely bay. I would love to have
those old shutters put in, but I'm being discouraged by my contractor, who has pointed out
that the deep space in which the window is set (can't recall the proper word for this) is
quite irregular, and that I'm in for a heap of trouble getting them to fit properly. If anyone has
ever put salvaged shutters in, I'd love to hear about the trails and tribulations.

November 5, 2009

Free Door for a Good Home

Oak door, five panel, 88.5 x 25.5 inches. The other side is painted. Let me know if you have a use, and means to pick up and it's yours.

July 28, 2009

Builder's Risk

We're about to start a near gut renovation on two floors. I called my insurer (Brownstone) and they said that I'd need to get a Builder's Risk policy for the duration of the construction, and gave me a referral to another agent and a lengthy application. I suppose this is all very necessary, and will add costs, but is there any other way? I guess I'd like an affirmation from a few of those who've gone through the process. I will speak to our contractor about the insurance they carry as well.

July 27, 2009

Internal Move

I've got to find someone to move one floor of our furniture to the basement so our renovation can begin. Can anyone recommend two strong movers?
Thanks!

February 25, 2009

Unused kitchen appliances 4 Sale

I have two sets of unused kitchen appliances. All Frigidaire: 16.5 cubic feet fridge, d/w, micorowave, and stove. They are pristine, purchased in '07, and again...never used. I can send links to similars or identicals, if you're interested. Good value.

February 17, 2009

cat 5 connections

During construction, our contractor ran cat 5 cables from the entry in the wall down to two other rooms in a straight run. He said that cablevision would come to pkace the cat 5 connectors on the ends of the lines. But when cablevision came, they said they do not touch cat 5 lines unless you are a business. Does anyone know a electrician/internet person who could come and connect up several lines in our two stories? It would involve placing the cat 5 connectors and possibly a splitter at several locations (I think). Thanks

Author's Comments

Great job Mr B and Senor! Not so long ago, it would have been unimaginable to think that Brooklyn would one day be to NYC as the Left Bank is to Paris. Viva La Flea!

Posted by: diors at November 10, 2009 8:33 PM in response to Martha's Brooklyn Show Wrap

Hi there, Are you still looking for doors? I have a five panel oak door. Contact me at 917-318-9492.

Posted by: diors at November 5, 2009 1:29 PM in response to Salvage Doors Wanted

Antiques and the Arts has a stolen items listing. No doubt you can get the word out to a large number of dealers on this site.

Posted by: diors at October 21, 2009 11:07 AM in response to Stolen Statue

Windows We Are installed Trim Line on our street side, and aluminum clad in the back. The crew was great.

Posted by: diors at October 16, 2009 3:09 PM in response to Window We Are

We've used Ro's Appliance Repair and have been happy with the work. 347-328-3043.

Posted by: diors at October 16, 2009 3:06 PM in response to Dryer repair recommendation?

Agree with poster Brooklyn 11218. Your pricing is too high. Start at 50% from retail on new merch. I doubt you'd get such negative comments on the style if your price was more realistic.

Posted by: diors at September 14, 2009 8:28 PM in response to Atlas Shelving System for Sale

Thank you all for your comments.

Posted by: diors at July 28, 2009 10:57 PM in response to Builder's Risk

It's now 2009. Has anyone installed photo voltaics? I think there are new federal tax credits of 30% of the cost and a new initiative by NYSERDA that covers 40-45% of installation cost. I'm considering, and am beginning to research. I wonder what Landmarks has to say about rooftop panels?

Posted by: diors at March 19, 2009 9:32 AM in response to Solar Power System

My former landlady sent a man named Ro who fixed our appliances. I would use him in my place. 347-328-3043.

Posted by: diors at March 8, 2009 7:29 PM in response to Refrigerator/stove repair needed

I second All Star. We just used them to move from the Slope to Pros. Hts, and they did a great job with a huge volume of 'stuff.' No damages, and no unforeseen charges. Unfortunately I had a bad experience with Flat Rate the year before where the crew was inexperienced and did not blanket everything, and moved some pieces on their corners and they damaged three pieces of furniture.

Posted by: diors at March 5, 2009 1:54 PM in response to good movers?

amybnyc, Your email address bounced back to me. Please supply another, if you are still interested. thanks.

Posted by: diors at February 26, 2009 7:00 AM in response to Unused kitchen appliances 4 Sale

Yes, they are full size.

Posted by: diors at February 25, 2009 5:05 PM in response to Unused kitchen appliances 4 Sale

I'd need to see photos, and dimensions.

Posted by: diors at January 28, 2009 7:47 PM in response to Selling Entryway Bench/Coatrack

I think your packaging looks very good. I'm not sure about your asking price, since I don't know your area and what you are using for comps. I priced mine about 3 % lower than what my comps showed and in the end I took an offer about 6% lower than my asking price. But my buyer was all cash, and that was worth it to me to be certain that the deal would fly. Make sure you qualify your buyer; don't be shy about asking about their assets, salaries, etc.

Curiously, the brokers who were interested in listing were recommending that I drop the price to a number 25K lower than what I ultimately sold it for!


Posted by: diors at January 21, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Tips on FSBO?

I just sold my apartment (co-op in Park Slope) and advertised in the NYT. I also created a nice looking show sheet with photographs and a floor plan that was printed on cover stock. That was pretty much it in terms of marketing tools. There were other apartments for sale in my building, and since my open house was scheduled at the same time, there was probably some additional traffic, to everyone's advantage. My apartment was the only one of it's kind in terms of layout and size, so that it distinguished itself and justified its higher price. If there are other properties for sale in your condo, try to create some added value for yours. Make sure that you have your visitors sign in, so that you have a record in the event you decide to co-broke. Good luck!

Posted by: diors at January 21, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Tips on FSBO?

How about those ultra narrow 'terraces' where you couldn't even set a chair down? We call those 'smoking terraces.'

Posted by: diors at November 19, 2008 8:47 PM in response to Closing Bell: New Entry to Real Estate Lexicon:

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

I liked my experience with Wong Movers (Vivian Wong is the proprietor/answers calls: 718-888-7707).

Posted by: Crumpler at March 6, 2009 9:54 AM in response to good movers?

I've used Oz twice, and both times they were friendly, professional, and faster (and cheaper) than their estimate.

Posted by: phbalanced at March 6, 2009 12:36 PM in response to good movers?

Very good experience with Shea Moving.

Honest, reliable and inexpensive.

Posted by: 146steven at March 6, 2009 4:44 PM in response to good movers?

Search the forum for "appliance repair" to find previous recommendations.
Figure out whether you'd rather pay approx. 1/2 the price of a new appliance for a repair, or purchase new appliances. Good stoves and refrigerators for rental units can easily be found in the $500 range. For purchases, I recommend: http://www.shopeba.com/

Posted by: vinca at March 9, 2009 8:46 AM in response to Refrigerator/stove repair needed

Repair people sometimes charge just as much as if you were to buy a new stove or frig. Lowe's usually have reasonable prices (especially for a rental apartment) also check out their open box section sometimes you can find very good deals.

Posted by: nako at March 9, 2009 1:19 PM in response to Refrigerator/stove repair needed

Is it a gas oven? Its possible for the gas valve to stick shut if the oven hasn't been used in a while. Can you increase the room temperature then put the oven on broil and see if it opens up.

As to the fridge- has something blocked the vents between the freezer and the refrigerator section? First try to thaw and clean the unit. Unplug it, put some old towels inside to catch the melting water and then vacuum out the coils and air registers from the outside (behind and under the unit)

Posted by: Karka at March 9, 2009 1:56 PM in response to Refrigerator/stove repair needed

You did say "rental" apartment, didn't you?

Shouldn't your landlord be the one to call?

Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 9, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Refrigerator/stove repair needed

Diors - I'm also looking into solar energy,I'm in Brooklyn. If you have a good contractor who's experienced (with references) I'd be interested.

Posted by: justme123 at March 19, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Solar Power System

heard about www.relocationestimate.com from on of my friends. it consists the details of different moving companies and provides moving quotes.

Posted by: steven001 at May 1, 2009 3:35 AM in response to good movers?

Apartment Therapy and Dwell had nice things to write:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/brooklyn/atlas-industries-as4-shelving-001424

http://www.atlaseast.com/publications_dwelloct04.html

To counter all the amazingly negative posts so far, my wife and I were really intrigued by this adjustable shelving system last fall when we were trying to figure out a shelving system for one of our walls in our renovation. Key here being it is *adjustable*. Obviously if you don't want that type of system, you probably won't like this look.

We went to see Atlas in person and one of the guys there (really friendly, not pushy at all, just proud of his product) showed us around, showed us the quality of their material and workmanship, and i have to say though I was super skeptical once we went I admit I thought the shelving looked beautiful (to me, admit all a matter of taste). I had been shown on line photos and I think it feels better to see it live.

This all stated, this is an extremely expensive system and that is why we ended up taking a pass. It also didn't perfectly work with our new rooms where we didn't need to go with an adjustable system.

But it is definitely elegant compared to other alternatives like vitsoe. If you want an adjustable shelving system, the choices are few in terms of the top quality makes. And this one, in wood, is really pretty than most of the alternatives.

Posted by: sunspot19 at September 15, 2009 1:40 AM in response to Atlas Shelving System for Sale