We've used Matthew Barnett from Allied Inspectors twice now, once on a building that ended up being too derelict to buy and once on the building that we're going to be closing on soon. He's around $700, neither the cheapest nor the most expensive we found when we were shopping around and we've gotten a wealth of knowledge from the walk-throughs we've done with him. Highly recommended.

Posted by: kprestek at November 19, 2009 10:12 PM in response to engineer inspection

This Daily News article might offer one option; http://www.nydailynews.com/real_estate/2009/10/23/2009-10-23_designer_showcase_b_moores_name_now_a_mantra_for_accessible_brooklyn_design.html
Maybe you can negotiate a lower rate for just the one room.

Posted by: kprestek at November 12, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Design a Room

Does anyone have a sense what kind of development this will mean -- better, newer industrial or something more commercial that would actually benefit residents of the area?

Posted by: kprestek at September 30, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Development Funds Flow into Sunset Park

Thanks very much for your suggestions. I should add that we don't have a car so do need to be close to the subway.

Posted by: kprestek at June 23, 2009 11:30 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Glendale or Middle Village, in Queens. Transport is kinda tough, as its a bus-subway connection to midtown, but the M goes downtown.

Safe, and Trader Joe's!

Posted by: bugleg at June 24, 2009 6:51 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I agree with the other Bay Ridge posts. We've been renting here for a while, and now with two young children decided to buy in the neighborhood. We're in contract on a 3BR house west of 3rd Ave with outdoor space and a garage and paid just under $600k. Needs a little work, but very livable. I work in midtown and the commute is not that bad, restaurants are great and lots of parks for the kids. Good Luck!

Posted by: nyj85 at June 24, 2009 9:26 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I am not clear how you can compare these two neiboughhood. Bayridge one of the safest places in Brooklyn. Bedsty - the oposite. I once walked down the Myrtle ave. The shop had bars so homeless will not steal the shopping carts. And some teens thew rocks and bottles at me (I am white). Or just check the murder map bellow.

Bayridge established itself for long time. Has decent schools, etc. Bedstay - the opposite.

Posted by: bobjohn at June 24, 2009 10:40 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I totally agree that you have to consider schools. As a parent who has spent the past 2 years trying to get her kids into a "good" school it is a PITA. It is much harder now as the DOE is trying to be stricter about keeping kids in their own districts. The baby boom doesn't help either. One strategy that has worked historically is moving to a good zone, enrolling first born for Prek or K & then moving as younger kids will be grandfathered (or siblinged in). Might also think about nabes/schools in transition as you have 5 yrs, like PS 9/Prospect Heights, but you aren't going to get anything for 600K there, but you could "commute" as the district border is quite close.

Posted by: gingerbrownie at June 25, 2009 6:58 AM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I'm surprised that some people would even consider neighborhoods like Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, PLG, etc. (OR QUEENS, FOR HEAVENSAKE!) before going to Bay Ridge. There's honestly no comparison. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn her entire life -- trust me -- you do not want to be in any of those neighborhoods instead of Bay Ridge.

Bay Ridge is really on the rise. It's always been a safe, family friendly neighborhood with great schools and AMAZING restaurants. It's just a further commute into midtown (about an hour) than Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens. But Bay Ridge is totally affordable and those neighborhoods just aren't anymore. Since the neighborhoods closer to the city are becoming insanely expensive, there's definitely a flight deeper into Brooklyn. For the quality of life (without sacrificing being in walking distance of a million restaurants and parks and the water), Bay Ridge is the way to go.

Posted by: bkoriginal at June 25, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I'm surprised that some people would even consider neighborhoods like Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, PLG, etc. (OR QUEENS, FOR HEAVENSAKE!) before going to Bay Ridge. There's honestly no comparison. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn her entire life -- trust me -- you do not want to be in any of those neighborhoods instead of Bay Ridge.

Bay Ridge is really on the rise. It's always been a safe, family friendly neighborhood with great schools and AMAZING restaurants. It's just a further commute into midtown (about an hour) than Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens. But Bay Ridge is totally affordable and those neighborhoods just aren't anymore. Since the neighborhoods closer to the city are becoming insanely expensive, there's definitely a flight deeper into Brooklyn. For the quality of life (without sacrificing being in walking distance of a million restaurants and parks and the water), Bay Ridge is the way to go.

Posted by: bkoriginal at June 25, 2009 2:49 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Sorry, bkoriginal, but I have to give a dissenting opinion here. We've been raising our family in Bed-Stuy for the past 5 years and we love it here. We never considered looking in Bay Ridge... an hour long commute to Midtown would be a dealbreaker for us. Here we are right by the Nostrand Ave. stop on the A train, which is about a 30 minute ride to 42nd St. There are some lovely blocks around here comparable to the ones around the Utica Ave. stop.

I will give Bay Ridge its props though: I love the Century 21 they have out there! Same stock as Manhattan but so much less crowded.

Many people have an outdated view of Bed-Stuy. It's a huge neighborhood. There are certainly some sketchy parts in the northern end, but the southern end is mostly quiet and safe, with gorgeous housing stock and good subway access. As with many Brooklyn neighborhoods (dare I say most Brooklyn neighborhoods?), you do have to be willing to spend some time researching school options. In addition to the local schools that others have mentioned, there are several public charter schools that either serve all of District 13 or all of Brooklyn. We ended up in one of these.

Posted by: StuyMom at June 25, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it’s not about the individual but it can be with everyone.Estate Planning

Posted by: lalpri at June 26, 2009 6:22 AM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

I'm a big Bay Ridge fan. Parts of it are charming, I do really like the restaurants. It can be too conservative for me but the new residents are less conservative. However, as one who chose PLG, I agree with Stuymom. An hour commute from Bay Ridge or anywhere was a dealbreaker for my husband. It's 15-20 minutes to Midtown from PLG on the B/Q. That's a big difference when somebody is thinking about whether they get home early enough at night to see their children before bedtime. It's also 1.5 to 2 more hours a day you have to pay the nanny in a household with two working parents. That's $150 extra a week, $600 more a month. I'm not bashing Bay Ridge or anywhere else that's a longer commute, but just saying a long commute is not such a small thing to consider.

Posted by: traditionalmod at June 27, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Townhouse for $600k?

Try Heather at design-bud.com

She's great to talk to, has great taste and is affordable. oPricing is on the website.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 12, 2009 5:18 PM in response to Design a Room