jb312's Profile
Author's Posts
June 24, 2008
Wholesale Savings with Architect
We're in the process of negotiating with an architect for a renovation. We have a pretty clear idea of what fixtures we want, and balked at paying an architect's markup on these. His reply is that he can source things at a 25% trade discount, so the markup is actually a savings. Does anyone know if this is actually the case in this age of deep discount big boxes and internet shopping?
March 11, 2008
Condo near Public Place
I'm looking at bidding on a a condo on Luquer St. near the Gowanus Public Place project. Do people think that the impact of living near a major brownfield remediation and construction site for 5 years has been properly factored into asking prices? Recent sales? Are we crazy to think about buying there at all?
Author's Comments
There's a process called certiorari where tax-payers can formally contest the assessment, which can often lead to an abatement. I've no idea as to the details, only that my co-op does it every year and it saves us money, despite the legal costs. Ask a real estate lawyer.
Posted by: jb312 at June 26, 2008 6:31 PM in response to Real Estate Tax
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
My property tax went up about 1700 dollars from last year. I wrote to the Dept of Finance and they told me it was too late to contest. The deadline was in March. However this increase was not in the yearly statement I got in January. They are supposed to let you know in advance what the increase will be. I am still in the process of working it out
Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 9:38 PM in response to Real Estate Tax
I wish people would actually talk about the properties, instead of arguing about the economy, how they fit into the NYC income distribution, or whether Brooklyn real estate is on the way up or down. Can Brownstoner create a separate section of the site for incessant whining and bickering?
Posted by: jb312 at May 17, 2008 4:47 PM in response to Open House Picks