I just was rejected for a bid on 242 Washington, (a former house of the day):

http://www.corcoran.com/property/listing.aspx?ListingID=1163417&Region=NYC

We offered 2.215--the sellers countered with 2.75. We walked. These sellers think the days of getting ask (or very close to it) are still with us.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 1, 2008 11:46 AM in response to Open House Picks 8/10/07: Six Months Later

Oops! sorry I meant to say that they countered with 2.275, for a 2.3 ask.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 1, 2008 12:01 PM in response to Open House Picks 8/10/07: Six Months Later

I didn't mean to berate anyone--of course the sellers have every right to reject our offer--I just happen to think it was as very good one. ;) I posted this info in the spirit of sharing and perhaps helping others that are in market for a house. One of the things I find frustrating about the process is how opaque it all is. A little info goes a long way.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 1, 2008 12:16 PM in response to Open House Picks 8/10/07: Six Months Later

The beer milkshakes at Schnack were really really yummy.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 6, 2008 2:21 PM in response to Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up

Is PH really considered that dangerous (say compared to FG or CH)? We were seriously considering buying there. (On Carlton and St Marks.) Currently we live in FG on Myrtle and Clermont (going on our 6th year) and have never had any issues, so would love to know what to expect in PH. Thanks!

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 6, 2008 5:48 PM in response to Closing Bell: Slope-Heights Online Mugging Map

Hi Guest @ 9:52--

Glad you are considering Brooklyn, aka "the planet" (paraphrasing Mos Def). It's a fantastic and diverse place. That in mind, it's hard to say which neighborhood is "the best." I would suggest you take the time to read up on the various 'hoods to see what appeals to you. A good resource for neighborhood profiles is the "If you're thinking of living in.." series from the NYTimes, or the NYMag.com Neighborhood listings. (Both are online) Beyond that, nothing can replace an actual visit to our borough to decide which is "best" for you. Good luck!

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 7, 2008 10:24 AM in response to Market Report: Decent Price Gains in ’07, Fewer Done Deals

I thought this was a lovely story and this family seemed like nice folks whom I am happy to have as neighbors. Why is it our business where they got their money? So much class anxiety on this board...

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 11, 2008 11:45 AM in response to From the West Village to Fort Greene, With Few Regrets

The Korean Grocer directly across the street from Mrytle Ave Associated has lovely produce. I usually head there after buying non-perishables from Associated. Just a thought!

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 19, 2008 10:56 AM in response to Good news/bad news for Clinton Hill residents who eat...

Thanks for the responses Mrs. Limestone and Housesearcher. To answer your question as to the size of the parlor floor it is 16x42. The existing kitchen is quite small, (it only has a mini-fridge currently) and so we would want to expand it to a more livable size. Of course I'm not quite sure what this would entail either, but just wondering if it seems reasonable to engage architects at this price (100 to 150k). I've read some stories on the board of firms that balk if you have less then 200k of work for them.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 20, 2008 10:05 AM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Yes we are prepared to pay up to %25 percent for architects fees. I feel it's better for me to share our budget up front so that we can be sure to find someone who is willing to work within it. Of course I realize there will be some unforseen costs, but better to work with someone who is interested in the challenge of staying within the lines.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 20, 2008 11:38 AM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Yes we are prepared to pay up to %25 percent for architects fees. I feel it's better for me to share our budget up front so that we can be sure to find someone who is willing to work within it. Of course I realize there will be some unforseen costs, but better to work with someone who is interested in the challenge of staying within the lines.

Posted by: fortgreenest at February 20, 2008 11:38 AM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Are you kidding? OF course you could. Everyone on this site is so CRAZY how much they spend on these renovations. You are really getting taken for a ride...

If you want a great job done for less, forgo the architect (it really doesn't sound like you need one) and go straight to Anais Rogers, 646-460-0100 - she is a designer who works with her huband,Greg, a high end independent contractor. They both do amazing work, are totally reliable AND, as a bonus, are fun to work with.

By the way, for a 16x42 ft wide brownstone, there probably aren't any load bearing walls - As long as the beams span the whole width, 16 ft is narrow enough that you don't need support other than the outer brick walls. Make sure the spanning beams are doubled up at either end of the staircase opening.
(I know this because my house is 16.67 ft wide and I knocked out the whole wall that divides staircase from living room - makes the space look SO much bigger.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 12:18 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Just watch all the materials you choose. That's key and that's what puts people over budget, getting excited at the kitchen design place and going overboard. It might be hard to pass up fancy cabinetry, but do it, say no and pass it up. Same with appliances. The U.S. brand appliances are totally FINE. Don't worry about keeping up with the Joneses and you can do this within your budget.

If you want fancier cabinets and appliances someday then you put it in years from now when you can afford it. Spend the real money on the mechanicals in the kitchen, the walls, the permanent things. All the rest can be replaced later.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 12:30 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

I know where OP is coming from--I just had an architect (Jeff Sherman of Delson or Sherman) balk at my project, which is not too far from the 150k mark. We had originally wanted to spend more (around 200-250k,) but the markets have been cruel recently, and things changed in the week since he and I met. When I approached him with my revised budget, I was met with a terse response: "Oh, that's a very different project isn't it--no, we would not be interested in a project of that scale--I wish we had known from the start."

Not exactly the friendliest reaction--he definitely made it seem like I had royally wasted his time!

So I definitely recommend being clear with your budget up front if you are looking to work with an architect. It will avoid hurt feelings all around. Good Luck!

Posted by: bklynrosie at February 20, 2008 12:36 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Bklynrose, Jeff Sherman has been a good friend and colleague of mine for twenty years now and I find your description simply unbelievable. His firm does set a minimum size for a project, which is a perfectly normal and natural business model for an office of that size. But as well as being a talented architect he is a consummate professional, extremely considerate and thoughtful, and your description as written above is simply not plausible to anyone who actually knows him.

Posted by: Smokychimp at February 20, 2008 12:50 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Smokychimp:
This was not meant at all to be a personal attack.

I found Jeff to be lovely and professional upon our meeting. I think he was perhaps a bit miffed that he had spent time on a visit and putting together a proposal and then finding out we were below his minimum.

I think it's totally fair and reasonable that D+S should set a minimum project size, and was simply stating that if one is looking to hire an architect you should try and be as clear as possible regarding budget, to avoid situations such as this.

I was heartbroken we couldn't use Jeff--I think they do great work and wish the outcome had been different, but c'est la vie!

Posted by: bklynrosie at February 20, 2008 12:57 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Right, no problem, I just thought you were stepping up on my homeboy. You're right they do excellent work.

I would recommend Robert Schultz (at Khanna/Schultz). They will do smaller projects and they are absolutely great.

Posted by: Smokychimp at February 20, 2008 1:06 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Since when is an $150k project a small one? Sheesh.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 1:11 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

Smokychimp said:
"I find your description simply unbelievable"..."your description as written above is simply not plausible"

Okay so Smokychimp, bklynrosie's post was inappropriate and yet it was not inappropriate for you to outright say she's lying? That was so rude.

If we're not allowed to tell our honest experiences good AND bad, then I don't need to come to this site anymore. That is, if all this place provides is advertising for architects and contractors.

I come here looking for the straight story. Thank you, bklynrosie, for sharing. Everybody else here really appreciates it.

As for Jeff Sherman being such a great guy, I'm in a creative business, I've had to turn away many potential clients who weren't the right match for me, and there are plenty ways to tell someone that without sending them away offended.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 1:27 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go

The people on this site obviously have no conception of what it takes to run a business.

$150K is not a large project for a multi-person firm.

$150,000 X 20% fee is only $30,000. At a 3.0 multiplier that's only $10,000 in labor. If you average a team of people working on the job making $25-$30/hr that gives you only 400 hours total to do the entire job. That's 10 weeks of work; 2.5 months. That doesn't really sustain a practice for very long. As a business you need to make a decision to take on projects that are going to keep your employees and yourself gainfully employed for longer than 2 months.

Obviously some phases take longer than others, but you'd need to have 10 of these projects in your office at the same time in order to sustain having an employee.

So, it's a small job.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 1:54 PM in response to 100 k--how far can this go