Bernie12,
My experience with Fibertech isn't resolved yet. I posted here and on my blog how crappy I thought their quality and service was. Apparently it hurt their business. They were very interested in me after that, although it was more about getting me to remove the blogs than anything else. A year later and they have still not compensated me for their horrible service. I am still not happy with the windows. My girlfriend can't open or close them. I have to do it for her. Fibertech blames it on the installer. But the frames are so weak they bend really easily IMO. They chip easily too.

Posted by: gennaro at October 23, 2009 10:27 PM in response to Fibertec Fiberglass Windows - WATCH OUT!

You are looking for entertaining offers? :)

Posted by: gennaro at July 27, 2009 10:24 PM in response to Iron entry doors

Paul Marino hes the best
718 986 6542

Posted by: gennaro at July 27, 2009 10:22 PM in response to Structural Engineer

If you do buy the place and decide to take down the aluminum siding I'd love to salvage it. I use it for radiant floor heating. Much better than sending it off the the scrap yard IMO. Gennaro 347 244 3016.

Posted by: gennaro at July 9, 2009 5:57 PM in response to Aluminum Siding Removal

It is amazing how similar my experience is to the above comments. Right down to dealing with the same people! I ordered my windows nine months ago and they have still done nothing to fix them. They keep accusing my installation. And in other conversations they will admit the windows were built badly. BUT, they say, I have to reinstall them to their satisfaction before they will fix the manufacturer's defects. The installation and defects are totally unrelated: the locks are broken due to bad manufacturing and a different installation won't change a thing. I believe it is just a tactic of theirs to discourage me and make me go away. I have found my dealings with Fibertech to be very unpleasant. In my experience they are not honest and purposefully draw things out in the hope you will just fix the things yourself. In my opinion based on my experience with them they are a horrible company and should be avoided at all costs. Save yourself the headache and spend the money on a vacation. Either way you won't get good windows but at least you'll be relaxed, something you definitely won't get dealing with them.
PS. They are now threatening to sue me for my posts against them. Meanwhile I'm still waiting for them to fix the windows....Any smart company would realize the posts and the window fixing are directly related. Fix windows = good posts. Don't fix windows = bad posts. No amount of legal action is going to change that simple rule of business in the internet age.

Posted by: gennaro at June 8, 2009 9:27 PM in response to Fibertec Fiberglass Windows - WATCH OUT!

I had a mentor once who had made hundreds of millions in real estate. I asked him about the direction of the market one day and he said, "Who cares, there's always a good deal out there."
The moral of the story in my eyes is to not let the ups and downs of life control YOUR life.

Posted by: gennaro at April 24, 2009 8:51 PM in response to Good time young couple to buy?

If you remember that in surveys taken RE Brokers compete with car salesmen for most despised "professionals" you can look at the situation a little more objectively and take for granted that:
1. the broker could be lying.
2. the broker could be manipulating the sellers.
3. the sellers could be insane.
4. the broker and sellers could be insane and liars.

So that said, how badly do you want the property? Is the price they are asking something you want to pay? Is it fair market value (2009 market value)?

If you want the property at that price don't let their insanity keep you from it. Otherwise don't waste your energy (because you know they will).

Posted by: gennaro at April 24, 2009 8:44 PM in response to Broker tactics

Hi sunspot19 thanks for the offer. How can I contact you?

Posted by: gennaro at April 11, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Fire escape or Metal Needed

I love it. Where can I get salvaged vault lights?

Posted by: gennaro at April 1, 2009 6:36 PM in response to Fire escape or Metal Needed

eman1234, did you call yourself that because you can only count up to 4? :)

bunkerlabs, there is an opening in the floor so the light from the wall of windows streams into the lower level. The catwalk is to go across the opening to the garden. It looks really cool.

Posted by: gennaro at April 1, 2009 1:36 PM in response to Fire escape or Metal Needed

Nice photo.

Posted by: gennaro at March 31, 2009 8:15 PM in response to trying to fix a lantern skylight

eman1234 I posted about your comment here:
http://ecobrooklyn.com/try-something-new-despite-what-they-say/
Thanks for the comment! It made me think.

Posted by: gennaro at March 31, 2009 1:09 PM in response to What size do risers need to be?

Dipping can be a real time saver with stair spindles though. Your experience with the chair sounds like you let it sit too long. You want to let it sit just long enough to eat the paint but not more. Then you oil and reseal the wood to keep the natural oils in.

Posted by: gennaro at March 31, 2009 12:38 PM in response to Hand or Dip Stripper?

Forgot the link to the diagram
http://ecobrooklyn.com/hot-water-home-run-return-mixing/

Posted by: gennaro at March 29, 2009 4:32 PM in response to What size do risers need to be?

That is a good link at Engineeringtoolbox.

I've thought a lot about hot water returns.
Here are my conclusions in short.

You want a small hot water return pipe to reduce the heat loss. 1/2 is ok. You put a variable rate pump with a temperature gauge on it.

Once the return temperature reaches a certain hot temperature level the pump slows down to a trickle to offset the heat loss through the pipes. If you are insulated that loss in minimal and the trickle can be miniscule.

This way you aren't wasting electricity on the pump.

You also want a timer on the pump so that it is is completely turned off during off peak hours. For example at night and in accordance with your daytime usage.

You want to insulate the pipes like you are obsessed. Just go crazy with the insulation.

If you really want to make it as efficient as possible then instead of the constantly on pump with variable rate gauge on it you have the pump default be off.

Then you put a button near the hot water faucets. When you want hot water you press the button, which turns the pump on, and then you wait a few seconds before opening the hot water faucet. With a normal faucet you would wait as well, the difference is that in this case the water is flowing down the hot water return pipe back to the boiler instead of flowing down the sink.

This second way isn't about having instant hot water. It is about saving water. You are taking a luxury feature and turning it into a green feature. As a green contractor that is more important to me. You aren't really inconvenienced since you have to wait anyway.

(You don't want to have a motion control sensor turn on the pump because a lot of times you enter the bathroom but don't use the hot water. This could create too many false alarms [70% from one study I read]).

The first option with pump constantly on but low is a mix of the two best options: You have the luxury of instant hot water and you aren't wasting that much energy. The little energy you do waste is offset by the water you save. I've not done the numbers but that is the logic at least.

Here is a diagram of what a hot water return looks like. I think it is a good feature and worth the investment since it reduces on water bills plus gives you instant hot water. Green and more comfortable! That's the spirit!

Posted by: gennaro at March 29, 2009 4:21 PM in response to What size do risers need to be?

I didn't read your other post. You need to support the bricks at the top where the 3 levels of chimney breasts used to be since they are hanging in the air and could possibly fall.

Posted by: gennaro at March 29, 2009 3:52 PM in response to Unfinished Brick Work

call paul marino. say gennaro sent you. i've worked with him on my jobs and good results.
718 986 6542

Posted by: gennaro at March 28, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Seeking a Structural Engineer

honeycut,
welcome the land of waste and stupidity. to tear down or even gut these buildings is like lighting cigars with $100 bills. decadent, egoistic and in disharmony with what society and the earth needs.

Posted by: gennaro at March 28, 2009 3:44 PM in response to To Houses Coming Down - Salvage

You can edit a forum post?

Posted by: gennaro at February 23, 2009 6:05 PM in response to My Boiler: a Sports Car Engine!

The radiant heat was installed under the floor because the ceiling space in the floor above is low so we didn't have any space to put it above the subfloor. Eco Brooklyn installed it. But it isn't done yet. As you can see there are no fins, although we might go with another high mass alternative to fins for cost reasons.

Posted by: gennaro at February 23, 2009 1:38 PM in response to My Boiler: a Sports Car Engine!

vinca! nice to see you again. you are like obsessed with me. i love it.
lest we forget why i posted: buderus and NY solar. I recommend both if you ever want a new boiler and somebody qualified to install it.

Posted by: gennaro at February 22, 2009 9:06 PM in response to My Boiler: a Sports Car Engine!

There are enough nit pickers on Brownstoner to delouse a whole colony of Baboons. The pex is oxygen barrier, there are a whole bunch of people working on the building and obviously they are local, the radiant floor isn't fully installed etc, etc.

Posted by: gennaro at February 22, 2009 4:48 PM in response to My Boiler: a Sports Car Engine!

Get a shower curtain. It's easier to stab people through a shower curtain. But get a natural one that doesn't give off those toxic plastic fumes. That stuff will kill you!

Posted by: gennaro at February 21, 2009 8:25 PM in response to Are Shower curtains a turn off?

I can recommend a reputable asbestos person if it turns out you need one. And if it turns out your roof does have asbestos, that's when it gets nasty expensive. I can suggest a reasonable asbestos abatement company. Gennaro 347 244 3016.

Posted by: gennaro at February 7, 2009 5:45 PM in response to Is a permit needed to re-roof?

Uh Putnamdenizen, I was making the exact opposite point through irony and counter example.

Posted by: gennaro at February 7, 2009 5:25 PM in response to Security Deposit Problems

This is a classic example of real estate "ethics". It is not the first time where I have seen ethics be corrupted by what is legal.

You don't legally have to give your room mate anything. You could claim you let them stay for a couple weeks and they over stayed their welcome. You could sue them for trespassing. You could steal all her stuff and change the locks. Let her try to fight it in court (and all the expenses that would go with that).

I was told by a broker that I would get some money for work I did on a rental. When it came time to pay up he not only didn't pay but he denied ever agreeing to it. Because I never got it in writing he knew I could never legally hold him to it. In his eyes he remained a law abiding citizen, which technically he was.

Real estate temps people to think that as long as they are legal they are also morally correct. But it is so easy to be a complete scumbag crook and yet never break a law.

What is harder is to be morally correct in spite of any legal loopholes or short term monetary gain. But long term it is a no brainer IMHO. End of sermon.

Posted by: gennaro at February 7, 2009 11:18 AM in response to Security Deposit Problems

I have plumbers and electricians on file. If you want I can pass their numbers on to you.
Gennaro 347 244 3016.

Posted by: gennaro at February 2, 2009 7:11 PM in response to Need electrician & plumber

Thanks for checking. Yes that's the one. You are in the neighborhood? Come by some time. It is a green show house so I am happy to show the green technologies and methods we're building.

Posted by: gennaro at January 28, 2009 9:22 PM in response to Wanted: Roof Slate

Bernie12,
Please let me know how it goes. Can I come by and see them??
I am looking for a fiberglass window company to represent.

Posted by: gennaro at January 16, 2009 10:18 PM in response to Fibertec Fiberglass Windows - WATCH OUT!

eman1234,
you looking for work? I might have a job for you. pls call 347 244 3016 if you are. gennaro.

Posted by: gennaro at January 4, 2009 11:33 AM in response to BOILER QUESTION

RE: "Bottom line: fiberglass creates much more carbon monoxide than cellulose."
Sorry I mean carbon dioxide.

Posted by: gennaro at January 4, 2009 11:26 AM in response to cellulose or loose fiberglass insulation for the atic?

I don't think you guys are looking at the full picture. When considering the environmental impact of a product it is important to not just look at the product in its isolated form.

My point about fiberglass is broader than whether it has formaldehyde or not. I'm talking about the cradle to grave view.

To make fiberglass this is basically what you have to do:
1. Use heavy machinery to extract it from the earth and transport it to the processing plant.
2. Subject it to high temperatures to melt the sand and turn it into fibers of glass.

This is a tremendous amount of embodied energy. Another huge point is that if you use fiberglass it needs to be made expressly for you. i.e. it is a brand new product that consumes new resources to create. i.e. it is not recycled.

Cellulose on the other hand has very little energy embodiment. If you were crazy you could make it yourself. Just take newspaper, shred it up and spritzer it with a mixture of water and borate.

Cellulose is also recycled. This means that no new resources were wasted to make it. The materials were already there.

On a large scale if everyone switched to cellulose then all that energy consumed to make fiberglass could go to other things, like making cheaper electricity for example.

Bottom line: fiberglass creates much more carbon monoxide than cellulose.

In the isolated state I think cellulose is still a superior product. Inch per inch cellulose has a higher R value. Also, R value means nothing if air is passing through the product and fiberglass lets more air through than cellulose.

Posted by: gennaro at January 4, 2009 8:25 AM in response to cellulose or loose fiberglass insulation for the atic?

I think a large problem with the contractor/client relationship is that there is so much pressure to provide a cheap bid and there are so many variables.

I think contractors, like all people, are generally honest. But because of the intense competition, often from lowballers who have no idea what they are doing, means contractors are forced to provide bids with dangerously slim profit margins.

Add that with the huge number of things that can go wrong once you open up a wall and see whats behind it and you have a large percentage of contractors who end up losing money on a job.

They are then faced with continuing to loose money or bail on the job. Or simply cut corners.

The end result is the client gets screwed and the contractor has no way of making it better.

Solution? If, and this is a big if, there is trust between the client and contractor the issues can be remedied. Anything that builds trust between the two parties so they feel they are both on the same side tackling an issue together is needed.

These are hard things to define.

From the contractor's point of view it means always keeping the best interest of the client in mind and remaining honest.

For a contractor who tries to unfairly charge a client then the honest issue is easy to fix. On the flip side, well intentioned contractors sometimes lie and say a job will cost less than it actually does. The reasons for this are varied, from simply being embarrassed of the real price to a misguided belief they can somehow do the job under required budget. This kind of dishonesty also needs to be eliminated, however hard it is to deliver the blunt truth (and possibly loose the bid).

From the client's point of view I think it requires an active involvement in the process. They might not understand the mechanics of the job but if they see more of the steps then they might be able to gauge better where the money is going.

Posted by: gennaro at January 4, 2009 12:08 AM in response to What Would You Want In a Construction Company?

That really sucks. I can have one of my guys fix her handyman issues at cost. She can pay him directly. If interested please call me 347 244 3016.

Posted by: gennaro at January 3, 2009 8:47 PM in response to Fellow Brownstoner Needs Assistance

I took the photo with my left hand.

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 11:55 PM in response to What do you think of this concrete floor?

Give it a rest vinca. You are right, it is construction debris I'd like removed from the site. Obviously. I don't think that isn't clear to anyone.

It is not about the money. Today I paid two workers a full day pay to cut the wood up into fireplace size blocks and pack them into manageable and weather tight garbage bags.

I have to pay to get rid of it anyway but I would rather pay my workers and give somebody firewood than pay to fill up a dump. And somebody on the block wants it.

They were overjoyed to have free firewood for the whole winter. My workers were happy. And it didn't cost me any more than what I would have paid anyway.

That for me is green!

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 11:53 PM in response to Free Firewood

A lead abatement company will do the job well and quickly if you pick the right people. But they have high overhead and justifiably have to pass that cost on to you.

I don't know if you need professional documentation of the abatement but if you don't another much cheaper option is to hire some workers off craigslist and buy the materials yourself.

Post something like, "worker with lead abatement and removal experience, $15/hr" and you'll get a hundred qualified responses. You'd get an avalanche of responses for 10/hr since things are so dire right now but I'd do 15.

Is it mostly paint? Home Depot has some good lead paint removal products that are eco friendly. I've used most of them and suggest PeelAway. It is a non noxious paste you smear on the paint and the next day you just peel it off like a band aid and wash the surface with soap and water.

I hope this helps.

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 11:43 PM in response to Lead abatement

pig three,
What is your opinion on fireplaces?

IMO a fireplace is nice aesthetically but not that practical. I debated wood vs gas and for me the smoke and ashes outweigh any romantic aesthetic of real wood fire. I grew up with them and by early spring getting the ashes out of the house is one more chore in my already busy life.

I am putting in two gas fireplaces to be used once in a blue moon to get the house toasty quickly and for mood. I also added them to increase the house value slightly and to increase the rentability of the units.

But mostly they are indulgences since I don't think fireplaces are energy efficient and energy efficient comfort (both financially and physically) is my main focus. The house has radiant heat, solar gain design and fanatic insulation so will stay constantly warm for very little money.

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 11:30 PM in response to Free Firewood

I hope somebody with a fireplace finds this post soon otherwise I have to send it off to the dump :(

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Free Firewood

termites usually stay pretty hidden from light so i'm not sure they are termites. but sounds like the same shape....

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 2:16 PM in response to Bug ID

PS. The main point here is that fiberglass is as friendly to the environment as it is to your skin. Try rubbing that lose fiberglass on your arm and that's what it does to the environment in terms of embodied energy and resource use.

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 2:12 PM in response to cellulose or loose fiberglass insulation for the atic?

Fiberglass lets of nasty gases wet or dry. Go with cellulose. Please. I think boric acid sounds a lot worse than it is. I apply borate mixed with water all the time to wood and it doesn't cause any corrosive harm. In fact it helps keep the wood longer. Wet fiberglass is just as useless as wet cellulose in terms of R value. But anyway, how often do you plan on wetting the stuff?? Never if it is correctly sealed.

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 2:10 PM in response to cellulose or loose fiberglass insulation for the atic?

I think market prices have a long way to drop before they reach the assessed value given by the city. If they drop that far that will be the least of our worries.

Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 8:34 AM in response to NYC Assessed Value

I agree with Master Plvmber. Steam is an issue in large old buildings because they are very inefficient. Since the building is old it has air holes, which causes air to come into the building from below and the heat to rise up the building, making the lower floors cold. People on the lower floors complain they are cold and the super raises the heat. But then it becomes unbearable on the upper floors and people open windows. Then you are heating the sky and nobody is really comfortable.

But in a small house that is not so much an issue. PLUG ALL HOLES AND INSULATE, which is cheap, then your steam system will work just great. IMHO.

Posted by: gennaro at January 1, 2009 7:40 PM in response to Converting Steam System to Hot Water

Apart from humidity and dust issues effecting health there is also a carbon monoxide issue. Is the dryer gas or electric. If gas then you really want it to vent outside. If not then definitely have a CO monitor in the room. It is not going to kill you because if the dryer works fine then minimal CO is going to build up over the short time it takes to dry clothes, just like when you burn gas on the stove. But still it can cause headaches and other mild irritants to extra sensitive people. I'm not a plumber but IMHO.

Posted by: gennaro at January 1, 2009 7:32 PM in response to dryer exhaust question

It is basically the basement but because the ceiling on the south side will be taken out and because the 1st floor south wall will have a wall of windows you actually get a lot of really nice light shining down.

It is the living room area. The upper floor of the duplex has the sleeping and eating elements. Down there will be a cozy fireplace and hang out area.

At first I was like, "OMG, I've created some sort of subterranean bloody womb!" Womb, as in uterus. But it is starting to grow on me. Not the womb, the color :)

Once I refine the elements and tone down the red I think it might work.

I'm still on the fence about the grout. It would give me a chance to add light colored lines into the mix which would lighten the mood.

Posted by: gennaro at December 31, 2008 12:42 PM in response to What do you think of this concrete floor?

vinca i hadn't realized were paying so much attention to me! should i be flattered. but honestly trying to twist my post to say i don't care about the environment is a little low. maybe idiotic was too harsh but you know, in the spirit of brownstoner slag "idiotic" seemed appropriate at the time. but now that i know you read everything i post with such attention i retract my accusation entirely.

Posted by: gennaro at December 31, 2008 11:22 AM in response to Free Working Boiler!

bricktop your point is a good one. And the other points too. Upon reflection I think if I do make grout lines they will be filled with a light beige/yellow. I'm not trying to make it look like something else since cement is its own thing. but i sort of like the grout lines because it adds another element of design.

Unfortunately it has dried exactly the same color. I'm not sure I like it. I'm probably going to sand it down some to see if I can remove some of the stronger colors. That will also increase the shinny cement look which can be nice.

Here are more images of the process:
http://ecobrooklyn.com/installing-concrete-slab/

Posted by: gennaro at December 31, 2008 11:11 AM in response to What do you think of this concrete floor?

Master Plumber I actually was calling somebody else an idiot not you :)

Posted by: gennaro at December 30, 2008 10:03 PM in response to Free Working Boiler!

RE: "I really don't get what the real estate agency has to do with the dumpster or problems in construction. "

It was an artistic stretch on my part since there is a big sign on it by Corcoran. But there is a connection. The properties are owned and being sold by a couple. The gentleman who I met is the designer and builder and the woman is a Corcoran agent. From the little I know. But the wood might be from another of their properties. Who cares, I'm just grateful they didn't want the wood.

Posted by: gennaro at December 30, 2008 9:53 PM in response to I love how Corcoran's dumpsters are so "upscale"

Actually, it sounds reasonable to me. The contract has not yet been signed by the buyer. The seller is still free to consider other offers.

One percent higher is not much. (Then again, they could be lying). It's possible they have a decent offer but the buyer doesn't have a big down payment or good credit, and they might think your offer would be more solid. This happens with coop sales all the time.

Dunno.

I guess the question is whether the amount is what you want to pay. Definitely, it would be silly to pay higher than market rate because the agent is pressuring you with a story.

Posted by: mopar at April 25, 2009 11:18 AM in response to Broker tactics

I'm with Mopar, at least in that there could be nothing at all wrong here.

Not inconceivably, the folks sitting on the contract are dawdling around. They haven't signed, they're trying to add things they knew all about back into the negotiations ("our engineer says that the flooring has to be replaced" when actually it was obvious to anyone with eyeballs that the floors were shot.) and the sellers are saying "Look, if you don't want to sign, fine. We'll find another buyer." I don't think that is really so awful. Or, they just can't close. Things change all the time. So the buyer said "sorry, we can't sign a contract afterall."

Do you even know that your offer is higher? I wouldn't sweat the last contract but if you don't want to go up, don't. That is negotiation. If you'd rather not buy the house than pay 1% more, okay. If you're willing to call their bluff and walk away, okay. If you think it is worth 1% to know this will be your next home, well then ...

It is an imperfect science. They want the most they can get but they also want to sell. You want to play as little as you can, but you also want to buy. So you negotiate.

Posted by: serpentor at April 25, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Broker tactics

I'm leaning toward the 'bucket' camp.

First, you don't know if the contract hold-up is on the sellers' end or the buyers'. The buyers could have signed off and are waiting in good faithe for the sellers to sign, and the sellers' greed was piqued by your call. Add into that the fact that the broker says the sellers will 'consider' (not agree to) a higher offer and it seems like someone is trying to ignite a VERY late-in-the-process bidding war.

A more ethical way for the broker to handle it would have been to tell you: contract out, should be signed by X date, if sign date passes, seller will entertain other offers.

I'm also a little uncomfortable with the broker's soliciting your offer. It's one thing if you call up and say, hey, here's our offer if the property is still available. It's another for the broker/seller to give you a HIGHER number for you to get admitted into the process.

I'm of the mind that if the seller/broker is playing this game with you, they'll keep playing it when you're the one on the other end of the contract.

I guess you have to gauge how much you want the property and your tolerance for dealing with characters like these. If you do go ahead, go in with your eyes open and put in the contract a firm and fast "contract sign" date for both parties and be prepared to walk if it's not met.

Good luck.

Posted by: zeebee_in_bklyn at April 25, 2009 12:53 PM in response to Broker tactics

It depends how badly you want the house and whether or not the higher price makes sense.

Posted by: IronBalls at April 25, 2009 7:01 PM in response to Broker tactics

just for clarification, when brokers have told me about "offers at $X", I generally laugh and tell them they need to sign quickly.

Posted by: slick at April 25, 2009 8:00 PM in response to Broker tactics

Just one very simple thought: Place your bid (totally independent of whatever bullshit they say is on the table) and treat the broker like an ugly chick (assuming you're a dude). Either "she'll" call you or you just completely forget about the whole opportunity.

That's power (to the one most willing to walk). That's leverage. If and only if it is meant to be.

Good luck (to the seller - you don't need it, there's too much growing inventory).

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at April 26, 2009 12:24 AM in response to Broker tactics

BUY AND SELL BROOKLYN HEIGHTS 1 BR WITHIN 5 YEARS @ -50% LOSS

$1,667/mo, ($100K Down)/(5 years)/(12 mos/yr)
$1,800/mo, 30 yr @ 4.8%
$700/mo, Cc/Maint
$283/mo, ($17,000 Cash @ Close To Cover Loss)/(5 years)/(12 mos/yr)
------------------
$4,450/mo, Total Monthly Cost (tax credit offset by other costs)

RENT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS 1 BR FOR 5 YEARS AND THEN SHOP AT HALF OFF

$2,250/mo, Total Monthly Cost (rent, fee and utilities)

Renting still seem silly?

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at April 26, 2009 1:23 AM in response to Good time young couple to buy?

Holdup. I just re-read your post.

"The broker then comes back and says the seller’s have agreed to tell us the accepted offer, if we pay $xxx (less than 1%) over the accepted offer they will consider."

Bull hickey. The contract is out and they're trying to get higher bids? Especially in NYC where it is pretty standard to sink a few grand into a property before you sign (engineer and lawyer) that is some bad faith.

We had a situation where the broker asked the seller's lawyer to prepare a new contract while we were negotiating our contract (details about the fire escape and an existing tenant that we'd verbally agreed on but that weren't in the first version of the contract). The seller was pretty upset because 1) she hadn't agreed to any new contract and 2) she thought that was pretty unethical. They had actually cut off communication with the broker because they felt she was out of bounds.

It is not inconcievable that the broker, not the seller, is the shady party here.

I would definitely hold my ground. There've been some discussions here about written offers, which the broker is legally obligated (as I understand it; I am not a lawyer) to relay. So consider saying "no, our offer stands, and we'd like to put it in writing."

Posted by: serpentor at April 26, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Broker tactics

As I read it.. the seller hired a broker to get the HIGHEST offer.. legally of course. It is perfectly legal to sell to the highest or best bidder. That is EXACTLY what the seller is paying for.

Also, the buyer called the broker a few months after they first saw the property. They are indicating SOME level of interest... the broker told his client, and the seller is fishing for a higher offer. HELLO??? what is wrong here>>>????? NOTHING.

Poster, either make the higher offer, or stop wasting everyone's time. Jeez... if you like the property, GO FOR IT... BUYERS change their minds all the time, the seller has the same rights. There could be a hundred reasons why the deal isnt executed yet,,, could be the seller OR the buyer delaying... but why is the SELLER and/or BROKER being villified???

Posted by: howrealnyc at April 26, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Broker tactics

Since the Clinton Hill Co-Ops was mentioned, I have lived in a 1-bedroom there for the past 4 years. I love it - close to subway, the neighborhood is great, super friendly neighbors, and really spacious.

But, as was also mentioned earlier.. if you are planning a family, consider if a 1-bedroom is enough ... I am now pregnant so I am thinking about selling -- hoping to get a 2-bedroom in the co-ops. There is a dining area that lots of people convert to a nursery, which is a thought.

I haven't put the place on the market, as it's not a huge rush (the baby is small at least the first year - haha). But if you have decided to buy - it's recently renovated (kitchen/floors), high floor with views, and way less than $450k - you can email me at clintonhill_girl@yahoo.com

Posted by: clintonhillgirl at April 26, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Good time young couple to buy?