feral's Profile
Author's Posts
June 24, 2009
Oil Tank Inspection Fee
Hey gang,
I got a letter from the Fire Department that I had to set up an appointment to have our oil tank inspected (we're recent owners)... An inspector came in February, said everything looked great, then left. Cut to this week, when I received a "notice of pending fines and/or lien proceedings," since I didn't pay the $90.00 fee to have my tank inspected that no one had previously told me about.
Anyone have this happen? Is the $90 fee standard, in your recent experience?
Thanks!
April 16, 2009
Switching Architects
Hey everyone,
I have a really pressing question. We are mid-reno on a 3-to-1 family conversion, and are completely fed up with our architect. How difficult is it to change mid-stream? Does anyone have any experience with this?
I've heard rumor that if you do the DOB will review everything the first architect has self-certified up to this point (this took months for us the first time, hence our wanting to switch). Could that possibly be true?
Thanks so much!
Author's Comments
God, Action Jackson, I hope you're right... That extension is the bane of the 'hood.
Posted by: feral at November 11, 2009 4:39 PM in response to Development Watch: 333 Carroll Street
No, PHfamily, you're wrong. I bought a house last year for the purchase price of $999,000. No mansion tax.
As for closing costs, Corcoran has an easy guide (just make sure you're looking at the right kind of purchase, i.e. co-op vs. house)"
http://www.corcoran.com/guides/index.aspx?page=ClosingCosts
Posted by: feral at November 11, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Mansion Tax
I grew up here and no one ever--EVER--called it Willowtown.
I think it's just a cutesy neighborhood association name.
Posted by: feral at November 4, 2009 1:11 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 32 Willow Place, #9
Exactly my thought, solidago!
Posted by: feral at October 29, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Carroll Gardens Downzoning Sails Through Council
I hope this means someone will finally do something about that joke of a project at 333 Carroll Street...
Posted by: feral at October 29, 2009 12:25 PM in response to Carroll Gardens Downzoning Sails Through Council
You can't fit through those things with either luggage or a stroller... Are they really suggesting that's feasible?
Posted by: feral at August 17, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Carroll Gardens Up in Arms Over MTA Doings
Do NOT have your architect self-certify anything, ever again. architect66's post is right on re auditing...
It's totally counter-intuitive and frustrating, but you'll get through the process much faster by directly submitting for review.
Posted by: feral at July 8, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Approvals Sob Story - Normal?
According to this article, a final decision will not be made until at least September:
Posted by: feral at July 6, 2009 8:54 PM in response to EPA's Decision on Gowanus Canal?
I'm with SenatorStreet. You've been put in an unfortunate situation that you unfortunately will have to "pay forward" to your landlord, whether he likes it or not. Homelessness is not an option!
Tell him kindly that you will be staying for another month and will be paying him for it in usual fashion. Then make sure the sellers pay for your time accordingly.
Posted by: feral at July 2, 2009 12:22 PM in response to If Closing Date is Postponed?
The NY Times real estate section--in paper and online--is still considered the gold standard for all real estate sales listings. Make friends with it!
Where are you looking? Remember, realtors are a local resource--they're best utilized for their own particular neck of the woods. When you go to an open house, introduce yourself to the realtor, take their card, tell them exactly what you're looking for, etc.
Good luck!
Posted by: feral at June 30, 2009 10:05 AM in response to How to Buy?
Thanks vinca! Much appreciated.
Posted by: feral at June 25, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Oil Tank Inspection Fee
The real problem is for refinance/resale/etc, in which case you must must must have a c of o that reflects the actual state of the house. So probably no rush but you should do it eventually!
Posted by: feral at June 23, 2009 12:55 PM in response to Using 3unit townhouse using as 2
Pretty sure that you'll only need a new C of O if you are changing the usage (ie going from a 2-fam to a 1-fam), but definitely have your lawyer investigate, as well as yourselves!
Posted by: feral at June 23, 2009 12:52 PM in response to 2 Family C of O
Holy simultaneous posts NorthHeights!
Posted by: feral at June 23, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales
I used to live at 160 Hicks--not sure if 161 is right across the street, but it may back onto the Love Lane Garage condo conversion. Not sure about that though.
Posted by: feral at June 23, 2009 12:44 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales
Christopher is exactly correct.
Posted by: feral at June 10, 2009 9:44 AM in response to Cobble Hill or Carroll Gardens?
What the first three posters said. They would be crazy in this market to stop showing the place without a signed contract!
Posted by: feral at June 4, 2009 9:56 AM in response to Open Houses After Accepted Offer
If the cost to fix it is under 3K, by all means get it fixed if you can swing it. The added resale value is at least five times that.
It's also good karma to keep the building well-maintained, not just bricking up the problem areas!
Posted by: feral at May 13, 2009 10:29 AM in response to Value of a Fireplace
$500/sqft as an estimate is pretty spot-on--if you plan on coating the entire place in gold leaf, that is. We're doing close to an entire gut now at half that price (not crazy high end, but pretty darn nice). Don't be scared!
And I agree with i_disagree--why make an offer without bringing your contractor first? Any decent-minded contractor will be willing to spend half an hour walking through a place with you and tossing out (an albeit) rough number. Then you're offer will be actually, you know, accurate.
btw, contractors need work these days, and the cost of raw materials has plummeted in the past year. Haggle!
Posted by: feral at May 13, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Estimating Renovation Costs
The thing is, being a sex offender is different than other offenders due to the nature of the compulsion and the demonstrable recidivism rate. It's not an issue of "shaming" perpetrators, it's one of actually protecting the community. By the way, those on the list are not "accused," they've been convicted.
That said, I completely recognize the "witch-hunt" potential here. It's a very gray area.
Posted by: feral at April 22, 2009 12:00 PM in response to The Sex Offenders Amongst Us
Also, there are totally sex offenders in Brooklyn Heights. Just put in 11201!
Posted by: feral at April 22, 2009 11:04 AM in response to The Sex Offenders Amongst Us
I just saw on this site that there was a sex offender living across the street from a friend. I sent her the link and it turns out he'd been following her. So, basically, that's all I need to know about whether there should be a sex offender registry.
Posted by: feral at April 22, 2009 11:01 AM in response to The Sex Offenders Amongst Us
Andra Grants at Brooklyn Bridge Realty is very sweet, very knowledgeable, and very, very patient. 917.723.1022
Posted by: feral at April 22, 2009 9:59 AM in response to Buyer's Agent
Thanks for the tips, y'all! Much appreciated.
Posted by: feral at April 19, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Switching Architects
tybur6, I was at the meeting last night (you can find out more at http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2009/04/at-last-nights-gowanus-superfund.html), and the issues surrounding the contamination are indeed complex (yes, it is still being actively contaminated, according to the EPA).
That's why we need the EPA to develop a comprehensive plan, instead of any feigned attempts at spot-cleaning the canal.
Posted by: feral at April 15, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Conflict over Gowanus Canal Superfund Status
Having the feds come in and finally address the overall health of the canal is a godsend for people, like me, who live and work along the Gowanus.
I attended last night's meeting, and there is nothing at all that will prevent the city and state from continuing their own cleanup plans, including the flushing tunnel.
I am so tired of the constant fear-mongering on the part of developers, and now the mayor's office. You did nothing for us for years, and now your developer buddies are getting screwed after buying warehouses along a waterway that is obviously toxic? Cry me a canal.
Posted by: feral at April 15, 2009 10:31 AM in response to Conflict over Gowanus Canal Superfund Status
People who have lived in a condo or a co-op (especially a co-op!) will pay a premium not to live in one again... A place like this in move-in condition is going for at least 1.1M. Anyone who says otherwise has little idea what's going on in the Carroll Gardens market.
Posted by: feral at March 31, 2009 2:16 PM in response to House of the Day: 93 2nd Street
For what it's worth, any time my husband and I look at property we're always disappointed when there is no kitchen on the parlor level (we are "kitchen is the heart of the home" people, tho).
I would put the family/kiddie space on the garden level (who wants them running around above you?), and mack out your parlor as kitchen/dining/front sitting area. Put stairs/deck/whatever you can off the kitchen and down to the garden to eat alfresco.
Garden apartment can be restored at will.
Posted by: feral at March 26, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Where to put the kitchen?
I've been waiting for y'all to tell me what was going on there! I couldn't even figure out what the new street address was...
*hides in shame*
Posted by: feral at March 5, 2009 3:19 PM in response to Development Watch: 348 Sackett Street
1st Street between Hoyt and Bond is--no contest--Carroll Gardens.
Ask literally any single person on this block or the blocks to the north and south.
Posted by: feral at March 5, 2009 3:13 PM in response to House of the Day: 17 1st Street
Actually, since they started again in January, this building is going up at a shockingly fast speed... I should know, I overlook it!
Posted by: feral at March 5, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Development Watch: 348 Sackett Street
The largest unit was kept by the developer, and hence was never in contract. They live in the building next door, and took the apartment largely, I would imagine, to retain the enormous landscaped garden.
Posted by: feral at December 22, 2008 11:54 AM in response to Checking In On Cumberland Greene
First listing is Carroll Gardens, not Park Slope. Also, two doors down from that odd place with the bedbug sign in the window. Anyone know what's up with that?
Posted by: feral at December 19, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Open House Picks
Ditto BH76-- I've eaten at Saul's numerous times and never had a problem with the portions. Always have a stellar meal there (my favorite place in Brooklyn, actually).
Posted by: feral at December 5, 2008 2:26 PM in response to Streetlevel: Bye-Bye Boerum Hill Food Company
I hate this festering boil with a fiery passion. My husband finds the double-tall addition strangely compelling, but I blog to differ. What an eyesore.
Posted by: feral at October 31, 2008 10:03 AM in response to Hell Not Freezing Over at 333 Carroll
CMU, this project is across the street from all of the homes that run along neighboring 1st, 2nd, and Carroll Streets, not 4 blocks away. It is basically in people's backyard, casting shadows over their houses, being built up on a "small hill" they plan on constructing, with a plan to help clean up the canal by building a gigantic building complex right on it... Swell.
Posted by: feral at September 26, 2008 11:04 AM in response to And the Verdict on Toll Bros.' Gowanus Project Is...
What happened is the owner--who lives next door--kept the ground-floor apartment in the development, and hence retained the garden.
In other words, no units have been sold (nor will they at these outrageous price points).
Posted by: feral at July 24, 2008 2:21 PM in response to Condos of the Day: Cumberland Greene
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Wine Lover -- Real Estate *transfer taxes* or *flip taxes* exist EVERYWHERE!!!!! The difference is, that NYC has decided to up the ante for folks that CAN AFFORD IT.
Guess what? I really don't have a problem if taxes are making people stop for a millisecond and evaluate the price tag on something. "Wait, there's a 'mansion tax' on this million-dollar property?! Oh -- maybe a MILLION DOLLARS is actually a lot of money!"
Who'd a thunk?
Also -- I have to agree with you. High sales taxes are a terrible thing. They are most harmful the poorer you are. The quality of life of someone making $500,000 is almost not affected by sales tax (be it 4% or 15%) -- but the guy making $25,000... guess how that figures into his income? The proportional effect is staggering.
Income taxes? Absolutely... let's get rid of them. AND RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO AN EQUITABLE LEVEL!!!
But I am truly saddened that you had to pay transfer taxes on your multi-million dollar transactions. It's heart wrenching. Have you been able to recover? I hope so, sweetums.
Posted by: tybur6 at November 11, 2009 4:06 PM in response to Mansion Tax
tybur6, you sound like an utter moron.
Posted by: Splenda at November 11, 2009 4:50 PM in response to Mansion Tax
Do I Splenda? I'm glad you think so. I hope your taxes go up.
Posted by: tybur6 at November 11, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Mansion Tax
I love the logic of pay the tax because you feel he should and it is some kind of good thing because it prevents over spending.
LOL - pure genius.
Posted by: crimsonson at November 11, 2009 5:10 PM in response to Mansion Tax
Where's stevieB and the "screw the middle class" mantra on this one?????????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 11, 2009 5:57 PM in response to Mansion Tax
We've all neglected the second half of the poster's question:
"Any idea on what the closing costs would be on a home this price?"
I've heard that a buyer should expect to pay, in taxes, closing costs, and other fees, between 5 and 15 percent of the purchase price. But this is such a wide window. Plus, I don't know about the accuracy of this estimate.
Does anyone have more intelligent or detailed info about closing costs, closing taxes, and other expenses associated with closing?
Posted by: Pigeon at November 11, 2009 6:09 PM in response to Mansion Tax
Crimsonson -- I may be being a bit hyberbolic, but...
(1) I get a little grumpy when someone presents their "problem" as trying to avoid ponying up $10k when they have just said they basically have the equivalent of a chest of gold. ($1 million is cash!) The amount of money involved, when you look at the bigger picture, almost doesn't justify even *asking the question* never mind consulting lawyers, accountants and so on. Like I said, everyone is fine with paying the realtors $50k for their (combined) 25 hours work... whining about a $10k tax seems obnoxious.
(2) Umm... yeah... if it takes a tax to remind some of you that $1,000,000 is IN FACT a lot of damn money... then so be it. Something has to remind you of this once in a while. If a million dollars "doesn't buy you much in NYC" -- that suggests to me that like the market has gone of the deep end. The least of your worries are the 1% transfer tax.
Jaysus H. Christmas
Posted by: tybur6 at November 11, 2009 6:12 PM in response to Mansion Tax
That is my problem - you label it as 'avoid'. I mean when we all do deductions on our taxes we inherently avoid paying certain amount of tax. And pretty sure we have dodge significant amount of tax by extending deductions a 'bit'.
Who cares if he has a million dollars. So when a hobo starts giving you lessons on your income tax return I'm sure you will be open to that?
Of course I don't condone exploiting loop holes or anything illegal but to grandstand about OTHERS SHOULD be paying in taxes is bit much.
Posted by: crimsonson at November 12, 2009 10:16 AM in response to Mansion Tax
tybur6, your rants are getting more insane by the day. First, just because someone buys a million dollar home, does NOT mean they have a million dollars. You ever hear of a mortgage? As someone else pointed out above, they likely put down between $200,000 and $400,000 of the purchase price. Second, the buyer does not pay the realtor - the seller does. So, your point that the buyer is fine with payign a realtor $50K but not $10K in taxes is moronic as well. Furthermore, even if the buyer was paying the realtor his/her commission, that does not mean the buyr "is fine with" it (as your state). Rather, it measn the buyer wants the property and will pay what he needs to pay (which may include a broker commission). Third, just because a buyer can afford a home, that does not mean that he wants to pay taxes. If he can get around the mansion by paying less than a million, then great. Have you ever heard of a tax shelter? (Since you probably don't know, it is a mechanism to shield income from taxes and 100% legal.) But, I guess in your deluded view of the world, everyone should be happy with with paying taxes. I repeat - you sound like a total moron.
Posted by: Splenda at November 12, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Mansion Tax
Splenda -- First, thank you for calling me a moron.
Second, I would point you to READ the original post. He, in fact, did say he has a suitcase of cash... not a $200,000 down payment.
Third, my view is not "deluded" -- in fact, I would argue that someone employing "tax shelters" (legal or otherwise) are anti-social and deluded... and YES, everyone SHOULD be happy paying taxes (in general). It's called paying for SHARED social services and products. It's called living in a society.
Fourth, I sincerely hope that these tax shelters are destroyed and the wealthy (yes, folks that can afford a $1 million house are wealthy... 20% down payment types and all-cash alike) and the wealthy are required to endure a progressive tax burden for ALL of their assets.
Fifth, I find it amusing that you share the opinion that $1 million is not a great deal of money.
Sixth, yes... the buyer pays the realtors -- either directly or indirectly. And I find it disgusting that the real estate market has absolutely no problem tolerating the inadequacies and overpriced services of real estate brokerage firms, BUT will turn around an bitch about $10,000 that will help fun street lights, police, fire fighters, etc.
Posted by: tybur6 at November 12, 2009 11:09 AM in response to Mansion Tax
feral wrote a review about Casa Rosa on November 16, 2009 12:31 PM
I've consistently had fantastic meals at Casa Rosa over the years... I have yet to see the reno, however, so I have refrained from scoring on "ambience."