Massada Home Sales?

A good accountant to do the schedule E and help you figure out the depreciation, deductions etc is essential, I couldn't imagine trying to do our annual taxes without that. And we keep very good records and receipts and do an annual worksheet with all the major expense categories and line items so our CPA can work from accurate information.

A separate checking account for the property income/expenses is also a good way to easily keep track of things.

And I echo all the advice above about how essential it is to have good communication and clear expectations with the tenants. We treat our tenants with respect and make it clear that we are trying to do our business conscientiously (but that it is a business) and they reciprocate.

Also we find it's really useful to have both a tenants' legal guide and a landlord's legal guide so we know what both sides can and can't do. Nolo Press has great guides, for example.

Posted by: dogpatch at November 13, 2009 8:22 PM in response to Becoming a Landlord

If it's a rental isn't the landlord supposed to put new locks on with a new tenant?

Posted by: dogpatch at November 13, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Door lock Suggestions

Do lots of renovation companies and brokers list 2 families as 3 unit places?

Posted by: dogpatch at November 9, 2009 10:12 PM in response to Massada Home Sales?

The block is mostly big apartment buildings so I'm sure it's more dense than a brownstone block and at night and on weekends there is some noise from people hanging out outside, double parked cars etc.

It's a long block and there is a tiny rise about halfway down that seems to split it in two so it sort of feels like there's the Underhill half and the Washington half.

But it all seems very vibrant and safe and, and a lot of the neighbors seem to know each other. I come and go at all hours and always feel safe, and it's hard to find a more convenient location for subways, park access, food etc.

Posted by: dogpatch at November 5, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

I have family on that block and I stay with them for a week or so every couple of months, it's a great street.

Posted by: dogpatch at November 4, 2009 8:46 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Been on the block for more than 10 years, having come up from the Slope. Get to know the stoop hangers and you're fine. It's a friendly place, much quieter than St. John's, and plenty of hipsters and strollers have moved in in recent years.

Posted by: linkinplace at November 5, 2009 11:09 AM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

The block is mostly big apartment buildings so I'm sure it's more dense than a brownstone block and at night and on weekends there is some noise from people hanging out outside, double parked cars etc.

It's a long block and there is a tiny rise about halfway down that seems to split it in two so it sort of feels like there's the Underhill half and the Washington half.

But it all seems very vibrant and safe and, and a lot of the neighbors seem to know each other. I come and go at all hours and always feel safe, and it's hard to find a more convenient location for subways, park access, food etc.

Posted by: dogpatch at November 5, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

The block is great for a number of reasons including its proximity to the subway, museum, park and library. The stoop sitters are fine (and diminishing in number.) They know what's going on and will help to keep you safe. As for the noise, the block is pretty quiet for most of the year. In the summer there is a backyard of a building on Washington, where residents think that they should SHARE their tastes in music. Given the number of apartments and the number of days in the year, the good far outweighs the bad.

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at November 5, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Many thanks for the feedback. It's hard to resist being so close to the park (at the moment, I am DRIVING there to go running in the morning, when I'm not too lazy...), and it's nice to hear good things about the block. It is after all, the city, so I don't expect crickets.

Speaking of driving, any opinions on the ease of parking? They just changed my current nabe over to a twice weekly cleaning schedule, I hate to give that up.

Posted by: snowbunny at November 5, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

thinking about moving to Prospect Heights from Fort Greene as well... finally tired of there not being any real subways close to where I live and having to rely on buses to good subways. if you know of any other good rentals in the area please let me know. thanks

Posted by: myrtleandwashingtonave at November 5, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

If you have a 9 to 5 or a variation on that schedule, parking stinks!

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at November 5, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

I know both areas well. If you have been living on Myrtle and Adelphi for years, then you are probably comfortable with anything. Prospect heights, like others have stated, varies block by block. Generally, the closer to Washington you go, the "worse" it is. Both Lincoln and St Johns between Underhill and Washington are full of large buildings with families that have been there for years. Both have folks "hanging out" though St Johns has alot more rowdy kids who are generally harmless but can be a bit intimidating for someone not used to that sort of thing. In general if you are coming from Myrtle, youll be fine - you have the same noise, loitering (and littering). Id say if you were coming from the Upper East Side or North Slope you might be a bit uncomfortable with the folks hanging out, but its safe - just have your wits about you when walking around, just like Myrtle.

Posted by: saminthehood at November 5, 2009 12:53 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Yeah -- When I lived on St John's between Underhill and Washington (left 1-1/2 yrs ago), it took me a while to get used to the stoop drinker/weed smokers. But then I figured out they are pretty harmless and seemed to actually keep the gang activity away from the Underhill end of the block.

I tried to avoid walking to the Washington Ave end of the block at night... I would walk east on Eastern Pkwy. Though, there have been some changes to Washington lately... new shops/bars, less vacancies I think. So...

Posted by: tybur6 at November 5, 2009 1:21 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

there's nothing wrong with "stoop sitting" or drinking or smoking (even weed) on one's stoop. such coded language in here it's absurd, and i dont throw around the racism card very often.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at November 5, 2009 2:06 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Butterfly, maybe there's nothing wrong with smoking weed in public in your world. However, for people (of all colors) with jobs - it is a problem.

I have no patience for young men that make a nuisance of themselves all day, disrespecting people around them, themselves, and their race.

Unfortunately, this block still has a few too many. It has gotten better over the years but Snowbunny, if you're used to Myrtle and Adelphi then this is a walk in the park.

Posted by: Crownlfc at November 5, 2009 2:25 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?