lan's Profile
Author's Posts
November 18, 2009
Mortgage Broker Recommendation
I want to HIGHLY recommend Adam Dahill (who posts a lot on this site) for anyone who's looking for a mortgage broker. We had a great experience working with him on the refinancing our loft in Williamsburg. He's well-organized and knowledgeable and helped us refinance at a reasonable rate- after we had an awful experience dealing with Wells Fargo directly. He can be reached at adahill@wcslending.com.
October 1, 2009
Finding Commercial Tenant
Our co-op is looking for a commercial tenant for a storefront space about 2000 sq ft on a prime street in Williamsburg. Does anyone know brokers who specialize in this area? Is it normal to have an exclusive with a broker? How can we find comparables? We would love to find a store without a huge amount of trucking activity..any advice or resources would be appreciated.
June 24, 2009
Commercial tenants
Our co-op in Williamsburg is considering renting a vacant storefront space formerly used as an artist studio to a store or other commercial use. I'd appreciate hearing about anyone else's experience with this. Are there legal concerns to be aware of? How long are leases usually? Does anyone know real estate agents in the area who deal with commercial tenants? How do you attract a book store, or even a large clothing store? Thanks!
June 17, 2009
Refinancing warning
Do not work with Billy Ahmetaj at Wells Fargo! A year ago, Wells Fargo financed our 30 year morgage on our co-op. We have more than 50% equity in it, solid jobs, great credit, and it's a terrific building with great financials. We wanted to refinance when rates went down, and he locked it at 5%. But after paying over $1000 in fees, we got an e-mail from him saying that we had been turned down because our building makes too much tenant income! Which they knew all along, should be a good thing, and in fact, Wells Fargo still holds the mortgage! We have called him at least 40 times, and he refuses to return our phone calls , even once. We lost the locked rate and our fees. Does anyone know if we have any recourse? No way to do business!
January 15, 2009
refinancing: comparison shopping
We are going to refinance our 30 year mortgage that we took on a year ago at 6.375% We were advised to just go to out bank, Wells Fargo, and not the mortgage broker we worked with. Does this make sense? Should we be comparison shopping between other banks or mortgage brokers? Thanks!
July 23, 2008
Old computers?
Does anyone know anywhere in Brooklyn to donate old computers? One is an I-Mac that works, but only is set up for dial up, the others could be repaired or used for parts.
Amana quiet cool air conditioner available-$40, moving
Air conditioner is several years old, but works well. It is the appropriate size to cool a bedroom. We're moving on Sunday, so the buyer must pick up on Saturday, walk it down 2 flights of stairs, and get it home. We also have a used electric dryer and washer available for the same price. Call me at (347) 563-8700.
July 22, 2008
Inexpensive Ceaserstone
We are looking for names of Ceaserstone counter fabricators. We had heard that it was the same cost to do quartz as granite and marble but so far the estimates are higher. Any recommedations would be appreciated.
February 21, 2008
european style non-custom cabinets
Does anyone know where I can find full-overlay (european) style cabinets that are not custom? I like the style of ikea, but have heard negative things about their quality; I've been advised to buy kraftmaid cabinets with upgraded plywood boxes, but don't much like the look of them, and have read that their Venecia line is available only with particle board interiors. I've thought about buying doors and boxes separately. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
January 2, 2008
countertop sources in new york
Does anyone have recommendations for relatively inexpensive sources for corian and granite countertops in the new york/brooklyn area? Also, I'm interested in places that sell recycled materials. I know about Green Demolitions. Are there others? Thanks.
Author's Comments
Actually, artists don't want to rent in Williamsburg when they can get way cheaper spaces in Bushwick. In this case, the owners are working artists trying to afford mortgages.
Posted by: lan at June 24, 2009 10:01 PM in response to Commercial tenants
Sprout on Grand Street near Kent in Williamsburg is great!
Posted by: lan at April 9, 2009 11:33 PM in response to Buying cut flowers in Brooklyn
Try Matt Viederman. He just finished our loft in Willimsburg which we love, and spent many years working in Paris. His e-mail is mv@kv-arch.com, and you could also email me at lanewman@vassar.edu.
Posted by: lan at November 4, 2008 8:20 AM in response to architects
Brooklyn plumbing supply on Flatbush was great- got us Toto toilet and sinks at good prices, fast.
Posted by: lan at July 23, 2008 7:08 PM in response to Sources for bath reno supplies?
We used Benjamin Moore Opalescent on the walls and a cooler white- I think called Ice White on the ceiling-love it.
Posted by: lan at July 22, 2008 8:04 PM in response to Color-b(l)ind
There's so much misinformation here! The zoning amendment's purpose is to support 5 or 6 story buildings in the neighborhood, not huge towers that will block out people's light and overwhelm the already overburdened infrastructure. I am a propery owner for 23 years in this neighborhood and want a nice place for my family, not just a chance at cashing in on selling out to a developer.
Posted by: lan at March 24, 2008 8:05 PM in response to Williamsburg Rezoning - Property Owners to Lose 25% of Property Value
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
You need a commercial real estate broker to handle this. Very complicated to handle on your own.
How big is the space? If you want a chain then you need to speak with the bigger commercial brokers such as CBRE or Cushman Wakefield.
Give Michael Higgins a call at CBRE. 212-618-7011
Posted by: Adam Dahill at June 25, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Commercial tenants
The 80/20 rule was modified last year (that a co-op had to get at least 80% of it's income from tenant shareholders), but there are still some 'rules' that you need to be aware of.
Just make sure that you can pass one of the tests listed here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/realestate/20cov.html?scp=1&sq=co-op%20rental%20income&st=cse
And make sure you have a good co-op lawyer.
Posted by: kimmc at June 25, 2009 3:21 PM in response to Commercial tenants
I wonder if the person who thinks there isn't as much interest in playing tennis in Greenpoint has ever tried to get a court at McCarren Park during prime hours... it can be brutal!
Posted by: lan at September 17, 2009 12:02 PM in response to Ace Plan for Tennis-Friendly McCarren Makeover