jasetheace's Profile
Author's Posts
September 14, 2009
Child safety window bars
We just moved into an aptmt and i need someone to put up child safety window bars (not sure of their exact name). can anyone suggest someone who can do that for me.
thanks!
September 11, 2009
Contractor Deposit
We will be doing some minor renovations soon and Im starting my research. What's the standard (recommended) % deposit for contractors? I know it varies for contractors and jobs but any insight would be appreciated.
thx
September 9, 2009
Plumbing/Electrical 101
New first time brownstone owner here.
Now that we’ve dealt with the joys of purchase we now have to quickly switch to the joys of owning a 100 yr old home.
Are there any classes where they teach plumbing/electrical 101?
tia
September 8, 2009
Anyone know whats going on here?
Business up front, party in the back
Carroll btw Hoyt and Bond
August 10, 2009
Asbestos Replacement
We’re going have our asbestos insulation around the basement water pipes removed.
What is the best alternative to replace it?
I’ve heard PVA, fiberglass, insulating cardboard, rubber...
Any insight?
TIA
July 14, 2009
Bathroom renovation
We want to renovate our existing bathroom.
Basically new everything. Tiles on the floor, new toilet, bath (with shower) and sink etc.
Im being told it would take two weeks and the family should move out for the duration. We don’t mind going to relatives for job, but two weeks?
How long should this take if they’re on the job everyday, or is this two weeks fluff time?
April 24, 2009
Broker tactics
Lets take a “hypothetical situation”
You look at a property.
You pass.
After a few months, you contact the broker.
He says there’s an accepted offer and contract out pending signature.
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.
Its April 2009 not July 2007.
Thoughts?
April 17, 2009
Add a floor to a Framehouse
Assuming there is enough available FAR. Does anyone have a ballpark figure, even experiences, adding another floor to the top of a house?
It may not need to be a whole floor but a large 17x20 room, with bathroom.
tia
February 18, 2009
What to do
We are in a situation were we are renting. Our landlord agreed to sell us the apt 12 months ago.
We agreed on the price, we had our lawyers draw up a contract and had a building inspection.
Upon the inspection we we're told that there were a bunch of permits that weren’t closed due to a renovation.
After constant emails to the owner about the status of the permits he said that the deal is off because I’m sick of your emails.
We have now found another place to buy.
My question is that if the owner agreed to a price, a contract was presented to him and then he tells us in writing (email) that the deal is off. Can we deduct our attorney costs and inspector (or take it to small claims) if he takes it out of our deposit.
FYI: He is in an industry where negative press against him would not be seen as a benefit.
Brownstoner Search..............
Is it me or is the brownstoner search capability just hit or miss.
Example: I am looking for an attorney. I find a reference regarding david fainkich.
I search for him ( david fainkich,'david fainkich',"david fainkich",fainkich) to find out if there are any other references to him. Not one comes up, not even the one I found originally . I google him and two links to bstoner come back.
You have a mountain of data that is really useful, but when I search for stuff that I know is there, it doesn’t come up, which gives me the impression that the results I get for other stuff is incomplete...
brownie, you need one of these.
http://www.googlestore.com/appliance/product.asp?catid=3
Ive set one up before. Takes 45mins.
Well worth the 3k.
Author's Comments
Google waterhammer
Posted by: jasetheace at October 28, 2009 11:06 AM in response to Those Clanging Pipes
To combine two posts...
"Every buyer should have someone on his/her side.
The seller's broker's undivided loyalty is to the seller.
Buyer's brokers also bring a wealth of experience with previous transactions and can offer all kinds of advice"....
....."the buyers broker is also getting a percentage of the selling price"
jus sayn
Posted by: jasetheace at October 23, 2009 12:35 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
We're in a recession.
Its the Google maps guys without the car.
Posted by: jasetheace at October 21, 2009 4:38 PM in response to People with Camcorder?
There's no service on the downtown side!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xopwmval2jY
Posted by: jasetheace at October 13, 2009 11:11 AM in response to MTA Sets Course for F Train
Nice!
This is soooo much better
Posted by: jasetheace at October 8, 2009 10:59 AM in response to new google maps street views
"He took his liquor license and went home"
Was their partner Jon Gosselin?
Posted by: jasetheace at October 7, 2009 12:04 PM in response to The Slope's Most Cursed Corner?
Note to the owners of 702 President Street.
CLEAN
UP
CLUTTER
Posted by: jasetheace at October 2, 2009 2:41 PM in response to Open House Picks
Why does it seem that Corcoran the only major broker that keeps their sold properties on their site?
Posted by: jasetheace at September 23, 2009 11:17 AM in response to 69 St. James Sells For A Lot Less Than Originally Asked
After reading about this here a while ago I had them knock on my door. I said "Wait, you really exist,let me get my camera I wanna post your photo"
He ran like the wind.
Posted by: jasetheace at September 17, 2009 10:58 AM in response to ESCOs: U.S. Energy Savings
Dont mention what you just said ever again.
Move her in to the "illegal basement apt" and enjoy your live-in help.
I wish we had space for one.
Posted by: jasetheace at September 16, 2009 5:30 PM in response to Live-in help in two family house
Posted by: jasetheace at September 7, 2009 4:38 PM in response to Green Builder
Cut fig in half
Crumble blue cheese on top
Broil at 450 for 4-5 mins
Bellissimo!
Posted by: jasetheace at September 3, 2009 5:25 PM in response to A Fig Grows in Brooklyn
Joe Pasaturo
Search the archives
Posted by: jasetheace at August 31, 2009 6:02 PM in response to Engineer recommendations wanted
Tell the broker to go fuck him/herself.
If you had a sign-in sheet and the buyers really like your place.
Call them and tell them you'll sell it to them.
Posted by: jasetheace at August 31, 2009 5:36 PM in response to FSBO - Dealing with Buyer Broker
Brokers when buying are of no value.
No matter what, they still work for the seller as you're not paying the commission.
$0.2c
Posted by: jasetheace at August 31, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?
Capital PLUSA looks like an longtime poster who's worn out their old name.
Posted by: jasetheace at August 31, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Brokers: Contracts Up, Pessimism Somewhat Down
Heres one
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/08/landlord_proble.php
Posted by: jasetheace at August 19, 2009 2:47 PM in response to Looking for 1 Bedroom Apartment
"How is that area?"
The area is not for everyone.
During our search, every broker we contacted in this area said straight up. "Are you familiar with the area"
Posted by: jasetheace at August 17, 2009 1:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 2101 Albemarle Terrace
^^Grand Central
Posted by: jasetheace at August 5, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Brooklyn Spared In Great Post Office Purge of 2009
tybur6 -
FYI, the PO at Grand Station is awesome. They actually have an employee that keeps the line moving AND assists you with anything you may need while in line.
Posted by: jasetheace at August 5, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Brooklyn Spared In Great Post Office Purge of 2009
If the branch on 9th st in the Slope closed today, I would still stand in line and my wait may actually be less
Posted by: jasetheace at August 5, 2009 10:12 AM in response to Brooklyn Spared In Great Post Office Purge of 2009
That was fierce.
Or to quote march1 "fucking awesome".
Its not a contest, its Jay-Z shoutin out(and filling in) for a fellow artist thats sick.
Now watch it again and tell me you dont feel anything.
Posted by: jasetheace at August 3, 2009 10:23 PM in response to Closing Bell: Jay-Z's 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn'
You dont have to shlepp to lower Manhattan.
Just pick the right day.
http://www.govisland.com/Visit_the_Island/directions.asp
Posted by: jasetheace at July 22, 2009 9:56 AM in response to New Ferry Service Between Brooklyn and Guvs Island!
Check this out
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/realestate/07lizo.html
Posted by: jasetheace at July 21, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Buying REO
Joe Pasaturo AVT Enterprises (718)720-5088.
We've used him more than once
Do a search for him in the archives.
Posted by: jasetheace at July 20, 2009 8:50 AM in response to Home Inspector Recs?
The same thing happened to me 5 yrs ago when we put our property on the market FSBO.
This Russian chick at a hole in the wall broker stole our craigslist text and NYT photo's, added 15% to the price and listed it.
I thought it was kinda comical. It was my daily routine. Wake up, look for her posting on cl and flag for removal.
I couldn't do anything about her website but didn't really care.
Posted by: jasetheace at July 10, 2009 10:10 AM in response to Awaye Realty Caught Lifting Listing from Owner
The women's shelter does and will still take up the 8th Ave end
Posted by: jasetheace at June 29, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Slope Armory on Track to Open in September
I saw the WT house 6 mths ago.
Passed in 5 mins.
Needs large price chop.
Posted by: jasetheace at June 26, 2009 2:38 PM in response to Open House Picks
Not a fan of living to close to schools either.
Too far to walk to the liquor store.
Posted by: jasetheace at June 25, 2009 1:52 PM in response to House of the Day: 460 2nd Street
Add 1094 Park place to that
$960,000
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/12/open_house_pick_230.php
Posted by: jasetheace at June 12, 2009 2:38 PM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million
I was wondering why this place looked familiar.
"I came i saw.." reminded me.
Serious shanty town going on downstairs!
The broker tried to warn me, but WOW.
This wont go for over a mill.
Posted by: jasetheace at June 8, 2009 1:31 PM in response to House of the Day: 540 16th Street
Hey What.
You should teach copy and paste 101.
You really got it down.
Posted by: jasetheace at May 25, 2009 8:55 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later
Wow!
smatlantic is right on.
Take a look at google maps. Its shaped like a funnel.
Thats why there's no floor plans.
Posted by: jasetheace at May 19, 2009 1:41 PM in response to House of the Day: 161 Prospect Park Southwest
1st street will close well below 1.5
Seller really needs/wants to get rid of it.
Posted by: jasetheace at May 15, 2009 2:08 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later
Ha
You just know the Outer Space guy was serious too.
Posted by: jasetheace at May 12, 2009 9:18 AM in response to Closing Bell: Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn
Mr B.
"the person who routinely votes as high as possible and banning that person is in the queue of the programmer's to-do list.
Why dont you get a Median widget instead of an Average?
Posted by: jasetheace at May 11, 2009 3:38 PM in response to House of the Day: 174 Clinton Avenue
Muffy,
I hear what you're saying about the 14th St South Slope house.
That was one crazy turn of events.
I monitor it just to see when the price cuts will start.
But its mysteriously disappeared from Warren Lewis' site.
Any ideas?
Posted by: jasetheace at May 8, 2009 5:42 PM in response to Open House Picks
Is it me, or is the NO inventory out there.
My usual search used to bring up 50+ listings.
Now it returns 6 ?
Posted by: jasetheace at April 16, 2009 9:17 AM in response to Douglas Elliman Q1 Report: Down and Downer
I see "Park Slope Parents 2.0" popping up.
I'll jump.
Posted by: jasetheace at April 2, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Park Slope Parents to Start Charging for Membership
Nice widget.
Two things though.
1. You should have to log in to vote
2. One vote per house
$0.2
Posted by: jasetheace at March 31, 2009 2:20 PM in response to House of the Day: 93 2nd Street
google earth it
Posted by: jasetheace at March 27, 2009 1:00 PM in response to pool?
For what its worth, if you send a letter to:
NYC Department of Finance
Hearing By Mail Unit
PO Box 29021
Brooklyn, NY 11202
They will always reduce the ticket.
Posted by: jasetheace at March 27, 2009 9:17 AM in response to Ticketed for Double Parking
"The owner is a Corcoran agent."
The owner is the listing Corcoran agent.
Posted by: jasetheace at March 24, 2009 2:12 PM in response to House of the Day: 154 St. James Place
was done in sf years ago
http://www.rock-on-rock-on.com/
Posted by: jasetheace at March 24, 2009 9:10 AM in response to Closing Bell: Balancing Slabs on Dumbo Beach
I thought pilots just pulled in and said "Fill her up"
Posted by: jasetheace at March 20, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Fed up with 1/8 inches
I lived on Amity@Henry for two years.
The ambulances dont sound their siren on the outgoing neighborhood streets, and on incoming they come from the other direction, so you dont hear them.
Parking sucks.
Otherwise i loved it.
Posted by: jasetheace at March 13, 2009 4:57 PM in response to Shout out for Cobble Hill
1. Miss Muffet. I thought you said you were done with posting.
2. If you're gonna start posting again, WE ALL KNOW YOU "sold at the peak and have cash in your pocket"
You may as well add that to your signature.
Posted by: jasetheace at March 6, 2009 9:35 PM in response to Open House Picks
Just hope your neighbor doesn't buy the same brand (as mine did)
You'll be checking your door all night.
Get a regular one.
Posted by: jasetheace at March 3, 2009 7:36 PM in response to Wireless doorbells
Check out this cool graphic
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/12/04/business/economy/HOUSING_PRICES_GRAPHIC.html
Posted by: jasetheace at February 24, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Open Thread
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
they are checking the windows for suits of armor.
Posted by: slick at October 22, 2009 12:36 AM in response to People with Camcorder?
Sorry, joe, I don't work for Corcoran, so I'm not familiar with their sales pitch when working with buyers. And I'm not saying there aren't less-than-honest brokers out there; I'm just saying that a good one won't betray his/her client. And, yes, at times I would rather give up half of my commission for a smoother, speedier closing so that I can devote my time to other, more lucrative, areas. And I'm successful enough as it is, thanks, so I don't think that most of my clients and customers feel I'm conning them in any way.
Unless Mr. Brownstoner wants to restrict posting here to non-brokers only you'll just have to deal with it, joe.
90% of the properties in brownstone Brooklyn aren't on the Brooklyn MLS, which is primarily in southern Brooklyn and is subscribed to only by smaller firms and those not even in Brooklyn.
But noodlemania, if you've lost three places, it's time to ask your agent (and yourself) why. Are your offers too low? Are your offers presented in their best light (meaning do your finances look as good as they should)? Do you have a good mortgage pre-approval? Are you putting a sufficient amount down?
As a seller, I would go with a lower offer from someone who had a higher downpayment and better mortgage pre-approval/pre-qual than a higher offer from a low down payment person, because the liklihood of closing is much higher.
This is not a buyers' market in the sense many people here would like to understand. It doesn't mean that you can submit lowball offers and have them embraced with open arms. Most selling prices out there now are already considerably lower than they would have been a year or two (or even three) ago, and I personally have seen several properties go for over ask. Again, your agent is the best person to counsel you on the state of the market -- and if you don't feel you're getting the information and attention you need either speak up or change agents. Good luck to you in anay case.
Posted by: babs at October 23, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
And yes, jace, the fact that the seller is paying the entire commission may seem counter-intuitive for a buyers' broker acting in the buyer's best interests, but most brokers I know do a good job of keeping it that way. And isn't it in the buyers' best interests to get the property they want as smoothly and at as fair a price as possible?
Posted by: babs at October 23, 2009 12:40 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
I thing Babs said it best, "joe the bummer" is just that a "bummer" what would you expect froma guy who uses MLS for his Brooklyn listings search?!?
Posted by: IrieMan at October 23, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
Irieman you have me confused with mopar. MLS is not really relevant, but all the listings brownstoner people care about are visible on the NY Times or on the seller brokers' websites.
babs, I'm sure you're honest but the reputation of your industry is in shambles. I've had brokers lie to my face quite often.
OP -- whether or not you use a buyer broker, verify ALL of the information (school districts, transportation, % of building sold, etc) and don't take any referrals.
Posted by: joe_the_bummer at October 23, 2009 2:02 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
I agree with Babs and IrieMan...
1. I think we're all adults here and can draw our own conclusions about people's posts. Frankly, I'd rather have as much information as possible from a variety of sources and make my own judgments about credibility, usefulness etc... than have someone appoint themselves gatekeeper.
2. Joe: Let's keep it civil.
Posted by: SJ at October 23, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
I think it really depends on how comfortable you are with negotiating real estate. If you're new at it or just uncomfortable, then maybe it makes sense. But on the other hand, since the seller is paying out broker fees, there may be less $$$ to negotiate w/ you. I would think that the sellers are ultimately looking to maximize what they put in their pockets...and it may not matter whether its as a buyer credit or a broker fee.
Posted by: brwnstngrl at October 23, 2009 2:09 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
Guys, you had an OP ask a fair question, and you had someone come on and give a broker's sales pitch as an answer, without disclosing that she was a broker. It deserved to be called out.
I don't care if you all use Bernie Madoff as your buyer broker. I call BS when I see it. Good luck.
Posted by: joe_the_bummer at October 23, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
That was not a sales pitch and I have never hidden the fact that I am a broker -- as anyone who's ever read my posts can attest. No BS involved and I am currently working with enough buyers not to be trolling here for business.
Posted by: babs at October 23, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
OP (yeah you know me) here.
Thanks so much for the lively and varied responses. All of of our offers were within 10% of asking and one was over asking. And we've got 15-20% down payment, our credit is excellent, etc. I was just wondering if using a buyers agent was a potential negative factor that we hadn't considered in the whole process.
One thing I will say, is no matter how crazy NYC and Brooklyn real estate is...one thing works: this forum! Thanks!
Posted by: noodlemanias at October 23, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Using a Buyers Agent?
We also used DAS
http://www.dasautoshippers.com/
LA -> somewhere in NJ.
May have been Linden.
Cant remember the price
Also no problems
Posted by: jasetheace at November 2, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast