gemini10's Profile
- 2003
- 2006
- Brooklyn
- Park Slope
- House
- Female
- 32
Author's Posts
September 14, 2009
Submitting an FSBO Offer
Hello!
We are interested in a property that is being sold FSBO. We have done our research and feel it's priced slightly high to comps. We were thinking it was fair to offer 10% off the asking price. But, how does one submit an offer to the seller of the property directly as it's an FSBO?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
July 14, 2009
Rental Apartment - timelines
Hi Folks!
So I warned you I would post annoying questions..
seriously though:
We will probably need to move into a rental apartment for Sept 1, when should we start viewing these apartments so we can secure a Sept 1 move in?
Any tips would be helpful
thanks!
June 4, 2009
House Values
Hi
Am hoping one of you smart Brownstoners can answer this question for me:
Bearing in mind we are "past the days of real estate hoopla"
What can one expect to gain each year on their house? Is it still 4% a year since the time you bought it. Is that compounded yearly?
For example if you bought your house in 2000 for $500K what would it's worth really be(minus upgrades)
Thanks in advance!
May 15, 2009
Anyone out there buying houses?
Is anyone out there buying houses in Brooklyn?
We have had our house on the market in Park Slope for almost 3 months now with A LOT of interest and a few offers(one offer which was low, but we were happy with almost went to contract but financing was the issue). But it seems to me the "buyers" who are out there either are scared, not really serious or are hoping to receive major discounts
However when I check around, I notice that none of the houses in prime nabes are selling or "flying off the shelves" and the only houses selling are the old junkers going for cheap!
Just posting to get some insight from other sellers and buyers and armchair quarterbacks....
It's a very frustrating time
May 12, 2009
Removing Moss from Brick Patio
Hi!
We have a brick patio in the backyard that has a layer of moss growing over the bricks. The bricks were put in with only sand and not with mortar to keep them in place(go figure).
How can we remove the moss ourselves? take a strong brush, rent a powerwasher, throw a bucket of vinegar water solution down?
Any tips?
January 23, 2009
Real Estate Companies-PS
What is everyone's take on using the same real estate company to sell/list your house that originally sold your house to you as a buyer??
Not sure if there is an upswing to this as I am assuming they would have the house info stored in their files. Also they have pics of the house before I would have done my renovations....
Also - what companies are good other than Corcoran at getting houses sold in PS?
Warren Lewis, A&H,Brooklyn Properties,Brown&Harris?
Any thoughts would be appreciated?
January 13, 2009
Telling Tenants We're Selling?
As some of you know we are planning on selling the old homestead within the next 1-2 months. Currently,we are trying to "declutter" and all that jazz. The plan is to have some agents come in Feb to give their market evaluation. What and when do I tell my tenants that we are selling our house? Their lease is up on June 30.
December 2, 2008
Diners!!
Hi Everyone,
wanted to gauge your thoughts on the need of a good diner! My husband and I really want to open a food establishment but with more of a soul/southern style experience. We were thinking Red Hook as the only diner I know is Hope & Anchor and that gets mixed reviews. We live in Park Slope and the now that "The Usual" is gone and Grand Canyon is just "ok" - do you think a diner is a good fit
November 18, 2008
Green Parrots?
So... - am walking to the train on 15th street and look up into one of the bare trees and see a green parrot and think aww someone's bird must have escaped from their home. until I see 4 other rather huge green parrots all munching on the berries left on the trees. Anyone know of "wild" green parrots in Brooklyn?
October 29, 2008
Anyone Know What's Going In as the Replacement to Tea Lounge
I was walking to work this morning on 7th avenue and noticed the facade was painted black and there were new overhead lamp/lights installed - any idea or did we all agree it was the Vietnamese sandwich place???!?
Author's Comments
haha - I think it's hilarious the only place Rob digs on this block is babeland
anyway City Subs is AMAZING and the comic book store is good too!!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 18, 2009 1:12 PM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer
IJ has a point though with his 12:55 comment
again, I think it's a combo of factors from parental involvement and teachings to what abuses they suffered as kids, learned beviors from their friends and the signals they get from the media be it games, TV shows or movies/music all contribute to their lack of respect for life
Posted by: gemini10 at November 18, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Shooting In Boerum Hill
NSR - very true
I do think that some people who play violent video games do get sucked into a "fantasy world" where they are involved in strategic shootings and murder scenes whether it's God Of War, Halo, or Grand Theft Auto. I think there are some people who have emotional/mental deficiencies already whether chemical or environmental that are then triggered by playing these games and then go out do harm and not really understand they caused this destruction of life.
Disclaimer - I work in marketing for music and this is my dimestore analysis. haha
Posted by: gemini10 at November 18, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Shooting In Boerum Hill
The problem really is that many young people today are not taught the value of life and how quickly that life can be taken by reckless behavior either with guns or knifings or a bottle to the head in a fight
Kids are WAY to desensitized to violence and it's because of video games plain and simple.
Posted by: gemini10 at November 18, 2009 11:57 AM in response to Shooting In Boerum Hill
WOW!
how ridiculous
and of course the wackjobs who will show up to protest curbcuts will be the only ones who even know to show up as people with curbcuts are usually not as crazed....
sorry but curcubts don't "take away precious parking from others" all it does is guarantee a spot to the person who has the curbcut, otherwise you would then be competing with this person for the same spot...
Seriously - doesn't the city have more important things to be worried about...
Posted by: gemini10 at November 17, 2009 3:42 PM in response to City Planning Targeting Curb Cuts
Ok am confused
if her lease is up and she's not rent controled and she then refuses to stay in that apartment PAST her lease term
isn't she tresspassing?
Posted by: gemini10 at November 5, 2009 3:56 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?
HAHAH
we actually were going to buy that South Slope House in 2003 when the lady selling it was asking $450K, we had an engineer come and my contractor friend both of which told us to RUN RUN fast. We tried negotiating the price down due to all the problems, but alas she wouldn't come down for us
clearly she found a sucker - b/c they had to at least put $150-200K in structural AND gut renovations so the new sellers obvioulsly didn't make that much of a profit if they had to sell it at 700K
I feel bad for them
Posted by: gemini10 at November 5, 2009 11:28 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million
GO IMBY!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 5, 2009 9:56 AM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!
bxgrl: that's outrageous, what woman would want to do that? for reals!!!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 5, 2009 9:55 AM in response to Open Thread
Bxgrl - are you kidding, no I didnt hear about birthing parties - ugh
Rob - can you NOT like horses????
Posted by: gemini10 at November 5, 2009 9:49 AM in response to Open Thread
I have to agree that any Luxury carline that got bought or merged with some American car company usually loses it's edge and prowess
Ford/Jag
Mercedes/Chrysler
Even the high end car companys that have come out of standard car companies like Lexus/infiti and Acura - it's a shame b/c they share the same body shell and can swap parts devaluing the engineering that one is supposed to find in a high-end performance car...
that's why BMW stands alone as greatness
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Open Thread
DH - good points - gotta think about this for reals
it would be totallly weird for me to move back to my old hood, but it would be kinda cool to send my kid to the school I went to - haha!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 3:26 PM in response to Open Thread
DH - why do you dig JH?
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 2:40 PM in response to Open Thread
UGH Roosevelt Avenue is sooooo ugly
11217 - ok gotcha, let me talk it over with the hubs -he's concerned as there aren't too many black folks who live there... so he wants to be comf
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 2:33 PM in response to Open Thread
11217 - ok so your friends who live in JH - they like it b/c they get much more space for the $, but they admit the nabe doesnt offer too much more than that
(I know except great indian food and some authentic Argentinian/Colombian as well)
haha - oh totally am a pro-driver/car person all the way!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 2:15 PM in response to Open Thread
Delepp - so true! - I actually was born in Jackson Hts and lived there until I was 6, parents got divorced and dad moved back to JH, so I spent every weekend there until I was about 16.
Well, most of the gorgeous coops are on 34th and 35th avenues which is about 2-3 avenues away from the 7 or the E,V,F
I just wonder if they have the amenities I like... (like good cafes/bakeries, markets)
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 2:07 PM in response to Open Thread
11217 - I vaguely remember "Sam" and you sparring. Like I remember he was sorta old and curmudgeonly in his retorts against you. I have to go back and re-read some of Minard's posts.
I agree that Stevieb came outta no where, but his first attack was actually against me in some weird sarcastic ish on the OT last week
am sorry!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Open Thread
So.... I was checking out Co-ops online in Jackson Hts
OMG - the prices there are silly
2-3 BR co-ops approx. 1000-1300 sqft can be had for anywhere between $350-$500K depending on the shape of the interior. Some of the places looked gorgeous, some had terraces, many had garage spaces.
am sorta considering giving it a look
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 1:51 PM in response to Open Thread
I think it's kinda cute
it's on a nice block
I agree - under 1 million gets the deal done
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 1:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 238 Windsor Place
GET the bedbug sniffing dog
it's piece of mind to you that your new apt will be clear of bugs
good luck!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Bed Bug Early Detection
11217 - what the hell happened?
Minard asked for YOU to banned, are you kidding?
THL - totally agreed with your 11:35am take on why most voters went with Christie
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 1:43 PM in response to Open Thread
Cobble - exactly! agreed with Dibs, he has to put the heat on!!!
am fine with bloomies winning - but enough with bike lanes, k?
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Open Thread
Ringo - thanks for answering my question
I think they did a nice job with many of the renovations, but 100% my style- but very nice!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 1:24 PM in response to House of the Day: 28 Middagh Street
here's my dumb question for the day:
Why was this house sold for ONLY 1.28mil in 2004?
I would think the houses down there in 2004 would have been able to fetch 2 million, no?
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 1:22 PM in response to House of the Day: 28 Middagh Street
wow - this place is gorgeous
the kitchen space is GREAT - you just need to change what you don;t like in terms of appliances/counter/cabinets
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 126 Greene Avenue, #2W
I agree with Snappy
or perhaps - if they are a couple - they might be breaking up and cant afford to live there
sometimes it's just best to cut your losses and start fresh with new tenants
keep the deposit
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 12:52 PM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease
I don't think this is a good idea for a toddler to be placed in a basement....
isn't your boiler located in the basement?
and the first human to be in contact with said boiler is your toddler???? scary stuff
SO that means if the boiler has a leak of Carbon Mon or gas leak or ignites, then your toddler is the in harms way...
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 11:30 AM in response to Air Quality Assessment
Hiya
Geez - at least Snappy lists her changes! - Bloomie nor Thompson have not....
AM SOOOO over those dips who keep forcing glossy paper into my hand when I walk down into the subway.
Like hello - don't you know I am going to throw it away as soon as I find a trash can
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Open Thread
NO that won't help at all
WHAT A MESS that whole exit is
ALL the jerks drive in the left/middle lanes to avoid the back-up in the right lane and than at the last minute decide to cut over right
SO dangerous!
They need to create those orange posts that are implanted into the concrete (like in the toll plazas) to avoid traffic jams in the left and middle lanes for drivers NOT exiting to the BK bridge!
I mean DUH!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Squadron Helps Drivers Get Off (The FDR)
OMG - I met David Gahr
he was a funnny old timer who would ALWAYS get into my building and eat at our cafe. I presume he would just call up the many publicists he was friends with and gain access
RIP!!! - he was sweet
I have to agree with Wasder this will sell close to ask
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 2:00 PM in response to House of the Day: 49 8th Avenue
ha - I do find kids nowadays to be polite trick or treaters - however I think b/c they are accompanied by parents.
well - the whole pricing thing makes me angry b/c it's robbing an experience from most of the city where in the old days of baseball, tickets were like $5-10 and even cheaper for day games. they don't even play double-headers anymore right?
Is meshuggnah "crazy" b/c that's what my mom called me often as a kid..... "you are such a meshugganah!"
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 12:17 PM in response to Open Thread
What's a keppi
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 12:11 PM in response to Open Thread
riiight ok
(thnks THL)
b/c what I notice is that fans in the stands at the phillies stadium are regular joes and get all whipped into a frenzy chanting "yankees suck" ever 2 seconds. However at Yankee stadium - they are all stuffy professionals trying to impress clients and coworkers etc
sorry - I just think it stinks that a regular joe can't just take his kid to a ball game withouth dropping like $200 +
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Open Thread
I have a general Baseball question:
Do seats cost as much at the Phillies stadium as they do at Yankee stadium?
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 11:52 AM in response to Open Thread
Thanks evryone
Agreed though they DO clean up the marathon pretty quickly!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 11:44 AM in response to Open Thread
Today's my 2 year wedding anniversary!!!
we watched the marathon - unreal! agreed so many runners are inspiring!
I love being able to watch them so up close - also it was cool as we now live off of 4th and can watch from the terrace!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 10:12 AM in response to Open Thread
you could also call a moving company (like an Allied or United) who they refer customers to - normally movers won't transport cars but they always work with a company they trust...
Posted by: gemini10 at November 2, 2009 8:52 AM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast
arkady did you see my question?
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Open Thread
arkady - thanks! - I am just so moved by some of their needs - sorry perhaps it's my naive ignorance, but why isn't the gov't giving them toothbrushes and kleenex etc?
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 1:19 PM in response to Open Thread
Delepp
omg - yesssss with their diana ross baby!
priceless
and mannie and his poncho
Rob - of course kids go trick or treating in NYC - esp park slope
hellooo - why not head up to 7th avenue on Saturday around 5pm and they have a parade and all the stores hand out candy
I would think PS parents would actually not be interested in Frosty coupons due to the fact the frosty isn't organic
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Open Thread
did you guys see my post about supporting the troops?
Geeeeesh!
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 1:08 PM in response to Open Thread
Ditto -you can find PG tips at fairway.... you know?
ha
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Open Thread
Deleep - I did! - it was GREAT -seriously the best show on TV! - you have to remember when it's on so you can watch!
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Open Thread
hiya
the only positive thing I got out of the Yankee game was to get my ass to support the troops!!
so I implore anyone to try and send the troops treats/hygiene products/socks/magazines and letters of appreciation
yes you have the pain in the ass job of shipping them via the post office -but you can do it all online from your home or office and fill out the customs form
I was so moved by some of what the soliders were asking for. Just basic items like toothpaste, coffee and wet wipes... - check out this site.. - just click on any of the names on the left column
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/
Posted by: gemini10 at October 29, 2009 12:48 PM in response to Open Thread
Stevieb:
will you please reveal yourself??????????????
Posted by: gemini10 at October 28, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Open Thread
DH!
well I am a conspiracy theorist at heart and all this time am like -ok clearly the US govt is busy doing something they don't want the US media OR the US public to know about - hence the heavy coverage of swine flu epidemic...
but I think now that I know someone who has it in my office - now am a bit concerned....
Biff - me 2
Posted by: gemini10 at October 28, 2009 4:49 PM in response to Open Thread
ha - I went to a progressive private pre-k/Kindergarten in Jackon Hts, Queens called the "Garden School" in the late 70's-80
and I recall making a Turkey using a hanger and pantyhose - probably not the safest of materials now that I think about it - but whatevs!
I wish people weren't such panizes now
Posted by: gemini10 at October 28, 2009 4:32 PM in response to Open Thread
Bxgrl:
am thinking the same thing. his first post ever was to ME on the OT about submitting an 100% off asking price on a condo.
Benson - HILARIOUS! - well first off - I drink the riesling there or a bellini! - hahahahaha!
Posted by: gemini10 at October 28, 2009 4:29 PM in response to Open Thread
Dibs:
omg - haaaaaaaa
or the macaroni and copper paint can?
Posted by: gemini10 at October 28, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Open Thread
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Apt time to bring up a new movement starting in the neighborhood -- it's called "Parking Around Me" and it allows people share info about open parking spaces via text message or Twitter.
As a PS resident, i got involved b/c i've felt the pain of parking and really hope this can help bring some order to the chaos.
Seems to be getting some attention: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Park-Slope-Service-Uses-Twitter-Text-Messages-to-Share-Available-Street-Parking-Intel-70340582.html
Interested to hear what people think...
Posted by: smk67 at November 19, 2009 10:05 AM in response to park slope parking question
Hi,
I am starting work with a bed bug dog in the Metro NY area and would gladly come to your apartment free of charge. Let me know if you are interested at lbrowning@discoverydogs.net. Thanks and good luck.
Posted by: Lee Browning at November 19, 2009 10:36 AM in response to Bed Bug Early Detection
Another thumbs up for Eric - 917-854-7090.
Posted by: RichardK at November 19, 2009 10:40 AM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!
Hi Everyone
miss you all lots, but I have
THL - ok have been closely involved with beyonce/gaga video and lets just say this:
gaga is one ugly broad -geesh
beyonce looks double ga-ga's size in the video
but Beyonce always wears a girdle-type contraption that covers her entire a$$ and is never really flattering, you know?
also she wears stockings that eliminiate every jiggle she has and shrinks her thighs 2 sizes
Posted by: gemini10 at November 18, 2009 1:22 PM in response to Open Thread