hazenyc's Profile
Author's Posts
October 28, 2009
Gas fireplace installation
Im looking to install a gas fireplace in my condo.. does anybody have a good installer i can call? Any idea what price will be?
October 23, 2009
Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
Why is that for any address in any neighborhood in Brooklyn it is simply Brooklyn, NY ZIP.. While in Queens it is usually Neighborhood, NY ZIP .. (i.e. Long Island City, NY.. Astoria, NY etc etc)
Was just wondering!
September 30, 2009
Small washer/dryers
I have a relatively small laundry closet in my apartment.. it is a normal sized door and only about 25-26" deep. So far I have not found any stackable washer dryers that fit.. any ideas? The closet has a drain, hot & cold water hookups, regular and 440V socket and dryer vent.
September 3, 2009
A Fig Grows in Brooklyn
So it turns out that there is a fig tree growing in my backyard (I moved in over the summer so didn't realize it until this week!) --
Any good Fig recipes??
July 24, 2009
Sound Permeating Walls
I live on the ground floor and for some reason I can hear everything that goes on in the lobby outside my front door/walls. People chatting, checking their mail, calling the elevator. The construction does not seem at all shoddy and it's a relatively new building in Brooklyn. Is there any remedy you guys can think of to soundproof?
May 12, 2009
Advertised Sq. Feet on new bldg
If a new construction is advertising say: 1500 sq/ft 2 Bed 2 Bath outdoor yard and patio
...
is the Sq. footage only in the indoor usable sq footage or is that including the outdoor spaces also?
May 8, 2009
Brooklyn Property Tax rates
How is this computed? For a new construction (1535 sq ft) says the estimated monthly taxes are $1730 per.. thats $20,760 a year.. that seems ridiculous ?!
April 30, 2009
How to get a hottub to a backyrd
So there's a ground floor patio and would like to perhaps get a hot tub put there.. how could it possibly fit thru the apartment's front door and out the back door? Has anybody done this and how is it accomplished?
April 29, 2009
inside window bars?
I am looking potentially at a ground floor condo in bk but the window in the master bedroom faces the street and can be touched from anybody on the sidewalk. The broker has indicated that outside window bars or gating would probably not fly as that would alter the condo offering plan.
Can I install window bars Inside the window frame?
Aside from that and a security system and other ideas to increase safety?
April 27, 2009
Premiums for property 'perks'
How much of a premium are perks in a property worth today? Do they really add that much to the final price of a place? I realize this is a generalized question but I expect generalized answers.. some things I have seen highlighted as perks in open houses I have been at recently in Bk:
-views (of the manhattan skyline, parks etc.)
-brand new kitchen/bathroom appliances & surfaces,
-private terrace/roof deck
-parking
-gym
-doorman
-skylight
-southern exposure
and so forth..
Additionally for resale purposes is it worth upgrading an otherwise cookie-cutter residence with such perks?
-ah
Author's Comments
yes, i would have to run a chimney up the side of the bldg to the roof
Posted by: hazenyc at October 29, 2009 11:36 AM in response to Gas fireplace installation
the fireplace wouldnt be too far from a gas line so im not worried if there is a small amt of piping running along the ceiling..
Posted by: hazenyc at October 28, 2009 12:13 PM in response to Gas fireplace installation
well yeah you can write anything NY, 112XX it's the zip codes that really matter! I'm talking more about the convention of writing the addresses as such..
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
well yeah you can right anything NY, 112XX it's the zip codes that really matter! I'm talking more about the convention of writing the addresses as such..
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
Brooklyn was also made up of seperate villages also before it incorperated into Brooklyn city (Brooklyn, Willamsburgh, Gravesend, Flatlands, Flatbush, Bushwick and New Utrecht)_.. Queens was incorporated into NYC May 4 1897 and Brooklyn in 1898.. so that doesn't make sense as a valid answer to this question! Both counties were made up of 6 or so towns/villages and both joined the city around the same time.......!
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
hazenyc wrote a review about Mesa Coyoacan on October 23, 2009 12:10 PM
Love this place.. It also just got a Bib Gourmand from Michelin Guide 2009.. not a small achievement!
curious: How does the widget compare to Zillow zEstimate?
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 11:03 AM in response to 20 Clifton Place Sells, Kicks Widget's Ass
WAY too many people put stupid low prices which brings down the average. I think if you take the data then chop off the high- and low-end outliers you may get a more accurate picture. But it does seem obvious that certain people are "scamming" the widget by putting the lowest possible price in each time regardless of the property.
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 10:40 AM in response to 20 Clifton Place Sells, Kicks Widget's Ass
hazenyc wrote a review about Roebling Tea Room on October 7, 2009 3:51 PM
very unique dishes and specials daily in a cool space
hazenyc wrote a review about DuMont on October 7, 2009 3:49 PM
really good spot nice garden in the back
hazenyc wrote a review about Caracas Arepa Bar: Brooklyn on October 7, 2009 3:46 PM
yum
so i checked out that sight they are much more expensive (the Bosch or Ariston) compared to standard sized units. I may be better off with continuing my trips to the laundromat?! lol
Posted by: hazenyc at October 1, 2009 8:50 AM in response to Small washer/dryers
i heard the washer-dryer in one condenser/ventless units are not very good..
Posted by: hazenyc at September 30, 2009 10:43 AM in response to Small washer/dryers
i meant 110 and 220 ;)
Posted by: hazenyc at September 30, 2009 10:41 AM in response to Small washer/dryers
i cannot build the closet out deeper.
Posted by: hazenyc at September 30, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Small washer/dryers
I agree the Toren isn't a superb piece of architecture but I also don't think it's god-awful.. it's just mediocre imo.. but im curious if u spurn this bldg so much, what bklyn bldg or bldgs do you find architecturally pleasing in contrast?
Posted by: hazenyc at September 25, 2009 2:25 PM in response to The Toren
Im assuming that the tree has been there for decades based on its size - but I also didnt realize this climate supported figs (I think middle east/mediterranean) .. When the winter arrives I shouldn't be worried about it right?
Posted by: hazenyc at September 4, 2009 9:20 AM in response to A Fig Grows in Brooklyn
Rick- so does that mean ill need to go through condo board approval and such?
Posted by: hazenyc at July 24, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Sound Permeating Walls
Adam- that is because many ARMs are based on LIBOR which is still (artifically) very low.
Posted by: hazenyc at June 11, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Interest Rate Jump
(when is say treasuries up im talking the rates going up)
Posted by: hazenyc at June 11, 2009 10:13 AM in response to Interest Rate Jump
treasuries going up for any reason = weaker dollar which is the same as implied inflation. This usually precedes true inflation across the board but already we're seeing a change in sentiment, oil & commodities & food already rising
Posted by: hazenyc at June 11, 2009 10:12 AM in response to Interest Rate Jump
i just locked 5.25 30-yr fixed last week... i think we wont be going back lower any time soon.. lock now as inflation is gonna hit (even if its just implied inflation to start)
Posted by: hazenyc at June 11, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Interest Rate Jump
it says $1500 maint + $500 taxes == 2000 a month not including ur loan
Posted by: hazenyc at June 4, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 9 Pierrepont Street Revisited
despite the new legal limits, $417,000 seems to be the magic number
Posted by: hazenyc at May 15, 2009 12:50 PM in response to New Conforming Loan Limits?
despite the legal limits seems like $417,000 is the magic number..
Posted by: hazenyc at May 15, 2009 12:49 PM in response to Conforming Loan Limits?
kvn: #2 is a serious point.. if a building has contracts signed on say 45% of the units.. the buyers will have trouble getting mortgages.
In fact, now i believe lenders want to see 70% sold.. especially if you want FHA rates!
I believe that the smaller buildings (20 or less units) will sell out while the larger ones are forced into Nondo-dome.
Also what avg. price/sq ft. is the NV and Rialto now? was some crazy 800s and 700s before..
Posted by: hazenyc at May 4, 2009 11:08 AM in response to Signs of Life for Williamsburg Condos?
Alright so despite not getting much of an answer here I did look at comps (streeteasy, propertyshark, trulia, etc.) and had a price accepted on a great boutique penthouse (the only one in the bldg) 3 stops in to 11211 .. top top of the line appliances, 3BR 2 bath tons of outdoor space, views, skylight, the works. The price we met at was $650 sq/ft.. which is probably too high except this is a one of a kind not a cookie cutter in my opinion.
Of course I didn't pick the bottom.. but I certainly was able to afford a place that I would've been priced out of not 6 months ago! This will be a place i can live for years and start a family.. I am not interested in flipping or becoming a landlord in it.
As for the inflationary scenario, it certainly will happen (2010? 2011?) as the gov't prints more and more dollars and the fed monetizes debt.. So now is a great time to take a loan at 4.85%! Rates can't go much lower but can and will certainly go higher to counteract inflation.
One thing though, Do Not Mistake Declining Living Standards for Deflation!
Posted by: hazenyc at April 27, 2009 9:07 PM in response to What's Fair Value in Bk now?
ok so limit these to properties 5 or less years old, walking distance to manhattan-bound subway lines, and forget multifamily.
Basically I am looking to buy but I have no idea what fair values are anymore as things indeed seem to be in a bit of dissarray.. looking at the new constructions in W'burg you'd think the developers have been in a 6 month coma with the prices they are offering (even after "cuts")..
I think now is a great time for me to buy a place (to live in and grow a family, not to flip or rent out), but I don't want to pick myself off for being un-informed.
Posted by: hazenyc at April 26, 2009 7:34 PM in response to What's Fair Value in Bk now?
when do they expect people to begin closing and moving in (for those 30% who bought already?)
Posted by: hazenyc at February 28, 2009 2:09 PM in response to Price Cuts at Warehouse 11
StreetEasy data is not at all accurate.. I have bought in a large project (over 100 units) and streeteasy only lists 9 or 10 sales when I know that there is more like 30-40.. If the broker/developer doesn't update the stats then they will be wrong.
Posted by: hazenyc at January 21, 2009 9:26 AM in response to Checking In On Be@Schermerhorn
The sad fact is that economic downturns really do increase the disparity between the rich and poor/middle class. The reason is simple.. while the middle class and lower struggle to pay their bills and are living paycheck to paycheck those that have abundant savings and a nice income can snatch up the great deals, low prices, low interest rates etc and increase their wealth.. not necessarily at the expense of the former .. but still it widens the gap..
Posted by: hazenyc at January 7, 2009 9:15 AM in response to Quote of the Day
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
If you address something to Fort Greene, NY 11216 it till get there. So will "Queens, NY"
Posted by: serpentor at October 23, 2009 2:50 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
Well, for now on anything I'm using :
Crown Heights, New York 112**
lol
Posted by: A CrownHeightsLady at October 23, 2009 3:08 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
well yeah you can right anything NY, 112XX it's the zip codes that really matter! I'm talking more about the convention of writing the addresses as such..
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
well yeah you can write anything NY, 112XX it's the zip codes that really matter! I'm talking more about the convention of writing the addresses as such..
Posted by: hazenyc at October 23, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
BrooklynCouch,
Nassau County was actually the eastern part of Queens County; it seceded rather than become part of Greater New York in 1898.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at October 23, 2009 6:50 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
hazenyc,
The City of Brooklyn gradually annexed the other towns of Kings County and expanded to include all of Kings by 1894. Brooklyn merged with New York in 1898.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at October 23, 2009 6:54 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
OMG Bob Marvin I had it backwards! Thank you! That explains why the numbered street grid extends into Nassau; I just assumed there was a plan, aborted, to extent Queens County!
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at October 23, 2009 8:29 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
To be consistent, every address should just be the street and number and then ny, ny. I wonder if this would have worked before zips. Isn't anyone here a postmaster general?
Posted by: mopar at October 23, 2009 10:57 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
Though I can see how that would get confusing quickly, considering all the numbered streets in at least three of the boroughs. I guess there's the answer.
Posted by: mopar at October 23, 2009 10:59 PM in response to Mailing Addresses: BK vs QNS
And of course you've checked the venting requirements?
Posted by: denton at October 28, 2009 5:42 PM in response to Gas fireplace installation
hazenyc wrote a review about Oak Wine Bar & Café on November 19, 2009 11:22 AM
Delicious and creative food, nice wine selection, and cozy decor. The garden in the back is great when it's warm out.