thanks all - the joist that requires repair is the first short one that goes across in the very front of the house, right up against the masonry. (inconveniently, right where the gas, electric, and oil tank are). It's 18' long, and the last 4-5' are damaged.

Any ideas about how to attach the new wood to the old?
I know that the new wood should be bolted along the length of the repair, and should be more than the length of the damaged part (we're going to try to do 10' of new wood) but I can't get a bolt into the old joist because it is right up against the masonry, except for the 2' where the front hatch (and the worst of the damage) is.

Posted by: jellystew at October 14, 2009 11:05 AM in response to What kind of wood do we use

we rented the machine from home depot, which came free with the purchase of 30 bales of cellulose, and did it ourselves in an afternoon for under $500. We did it last january or february, and could feel the difference in the house the second we finished the job. this summer was our first summer in the house though, so i don't know whether it had any noticeable effect on heat absorption.

Posted by: jellystew at October 13, 2009 9:51 AM in response to Blown In Insulation

Z. Abedin is doing a fabulous job on my stoop right now - with a 15-year guarantee. He has a great crew but has been doing the finish work himself, and is certainly an artist. If you call, please tell him that Jen on Bainbridge passed his number along, and let me know if you would like to check out the work. His number is 917-903-0196.

Posted by: jellystew at October 6, 2009 1:56 PM in response to Brownstone Contractor Needed

Thanks mopar - Would appreciate a recommendation.

Afroskully - We use an independent local exterminator, and I couldn't be happier with his service, knowledge, and willingness to explain things until they make sense to me. We considered the big companies, but they seemed to be more about sales than extermination. Let me know if you want my guy's number.

Posted by: jellystew at October 2, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

Sorry - original post wasn't clear - we need someone to repair or replace the 2 or 3 wooden joists (going across, not the long one down the middle) that have been damaged by termites.

Posted by: jellystew at October 1, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

I've been having a similar problem - does the "refi plus" program exist for 2 family homes? I put 80% down 8 months ago, but have lost some value, and now would like to refinance at a 90% LTV.

Posted by: jellystew at May 12, 2009 5:12 PM in response to PMI

I rent out half of my house about 2 blocks from the Utica station (about six months ago, we took the same leap you are contemplating). We rent out a big 2BR, plus front parlor, for $1600, but it is not newly renovated by any stretch of the imagination. I think your prices are on the inexpensive side for the area, and would allow you to fill a vacancy very quickly.

Posted by: jellystew at April 27, 2009 11:05 AM in response to Rental Reasearch

The Bed Stuy limestone is the one next to the park - I noticed the sign in the window this morning. I'll be taking a look this weekend.

Posted by: jellystew at April 17, 2009 2:52 PM in response to Open House Picks

I have a variety of pavers, rocks, concrete, etc. from redoing the back garden, and you are welcome to the excess. I would estimate that I have about 5 wheelbarrows full of assorted rocks, averaging about the size of a brick. Please email me at jellystew at gmail if you are interested in taking them away.

Posted by: jellystew at April 14, 2009 11:10 AM in response to looking 4 bricks bluestone rocks

I haven't done it yet, but am starting to plan a vegetable and flower garden for the concrete pad that is presently my backyard. I'd love to discuss ideas and exchange resources - I've mostly been working on my compost and collecting seeds - but I just started some seeds in my front window for when it warms up.

My plan is to try a little of everything and see what works.

Posted by: jellystew at February 25, 2009 3:38 PM in response to Forest Gardening

Any chance of your coming down Macdonough to Stuyvesant Avenue? I'm renovating on Bainbridge between Stuyvesant and Malcolm X, and many of my neighbors are as well.

Posted by: jellystew at September 24, 2008 3:24 PM in response to Best Block for Brownstone Renovation

Thanks Amzi Hill!

As to anything for sale, we had the best luck walking around the neighborhood on Saturday mornings, taking down phone numbers and talking to everyone we met. It was a lot of work- but fun- and we saw a lot more houses that way than by just looking on craigslist and agency websites.

And calling it SH is fun - like ssshhhh ... let's keep it our little secret. Probably a little late for that now.

Posted by: jellystew at September 12, 2008 4:36 PM in response to Barbara Goes Long Stuy Heights

I just bought a 2fam around the corner from these limestones and walk the dogs by them every day (scooping the poop). Love my new neighborhood (nabe? 'hood? ugh) and glad to know I'm not the only one.

Posted by: jellystew at September 12, 2008 4:16 PM in response to Barbara Goes Long Stuy Heights

Thanks - Let me see if I have you right. If it was used as a 4 family prior to 1938 (which we might be able to find out from the electrical system and billing information) then no CO is necessary, but we may have to conform to the requirements anyway for the deal to go through?

Some of this may have been done, the building has a fire escape, separate meters, circuit breakers, etc., I'm sure the inspection will clear some of it up.

ps - buyinG a brownstone

Posted by: jellystew at May 29, 2008 2:12 PM in response to Buyin a brownstone with no CO

Separate Heating Units in Brownstone Apts.
I own a three family brownstone in bedstuy and would like to put separate heating units in each apt. There is a duplex (garden floor and parlor), and two floor thru apts. Currently we have steam heat from radiators. It is Oil fired. Last year we paid over $8,000 to Petro. I refuse to pay that again for an inefficient furnace. I want to convert to gas and put in three units. I am looking for advise on whether I should put three small furnaces in the basement. How difficult is it to separate the piping to the radiators? Should I put a gas furnace inside a closet in each unit? Should I put forced hot air furnaces in a closet in each unit. Lastly, how can I do this cheaply? Should I purchase furnace and hire plumber?

Eventually, I would like to convert building to Condo for when market recovers.

Any recommendations on plumbers, furnace installers in brooklyn bedstuy?

Posted by: Oldlady at April 28, 2009 12:44 AM in response to Rental Reasearch

Oldlady,

Not to be all territorial about my thread here, but you're probably better off starting a new thread with your question, which is somewhat (substantially) different.

To hypocritically answer your question that shouldn't be here: Make sure you know what that will do to your property tax. Our landlord did the same in the 90s and is paying $11,000 in property tax on a block where the next highest is looking at ~$3000.

The Rest of Youse,

Our math is based on 75% occupancy. We've been down this road before with some recalcitrant sellers (That place is still on the market, down 20% from what we'd offered. Not that they'll ever see a dime.) and are pretty attuned to the full list of expenses.

What we're trying to get our heads around is whether we're being reasonable about what is market rent and about the immediate neighborhood overall.

We're looking a good six or seven blocks from the train, but they're short blocks. We did get mugged (nearly got mugged) on MacDonough and Stuyvesant a few years ago. We're trying to keep in mind that two different neighbors have been mugged basically in front of our house while we've lived there. So there's nothing special about Stuyvesant Heights.

Posted by: serpentor at April 28, 2009 10:58 AM in response to Rental Reasearch

josereyes is right: it really isn't that hard to evict someone who isn't paying rent. Especially in a building that isn't rent regulated.

Posted by: serpentor at April 28, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Rental Reasearch

hey Serpentor,

you can definitely bank on more than $600 for the studios, but I'd think hard about converting them both to a single floorthrough. Less people to deal with, even if you'd get more for two studios in the same space.

I've got two floorthroughs, and have managed to keep them fully occupied since day one (two years ago). Knock on wood. But definitely build up a reserve fund as quickly as you can.

Can't speak to the crime issue, though I know muggers don't respect historic district boundaries.

Good luck!

Posted by: Frederick Law Homestead at April 28, 2009 5:50 PM in response to Rental Reasearch

"Refi Plus" is good for 1-4 units properties including Coops and Condos.

Both Conforming loan amounts and Conforming Jumbo Amounts apply.

This is your tax dollars at work so go grab it while you can. I sure as hell am.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at May 12, 2009 6:24 PM in response to PMI

my pmi expires after 10 years maximum.

but of course I'm hoping that the house will appreciate, I'll fix it up, and will be able to reappraise at a higher value sooner than that. But 10 years is worse case.

Posted by: cottontop at May 14, 2009 3:17 PM in response to PMI

At the risk of being called ugly names by rob, my advise is that all you have to do is sister the joists, not replace them. In other words put in new beams next to the old ones to carry most of the weight. This is a very simple piece of work, you don't need an architect.

Posted by: Minard Lafever at October 1, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

We have similar problem and were told sistering the joists in our case would be OK. But, I'm sure OP would still love a name to do that actual work because I know I would. Thanks!

Posted by: kensington gal at October 1, 2009 3:48 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

We used Eagle Contractors to do that type of work in the basement. They did a good job. He is located on 39th Street in Sunset Park.

Posted by: Bklyn born at October 1, 2009 6:40 PM in response to Basement Structural Work

Might have a name for you in a few days ofsomeone in Bushwick. We are doing the same thing, also in Bed Stuy.

Posted by: mopar at October 1, 2009 6:59 PM in response to Basement Structural Work