Bell in North Slope

I don't know from cats, but I can tell you our dog is terrified of mice. Jumps in my lap at the sight of them, funny because his breed (Brussels Griffon) supposedly are ratters.

Posted by: likes2lurk at October 30, 2009 9:37 PM in response to Mice in Bed-Stuy

Curb cuts in brownstone neighborhoods are an abomination, pure evil, an irredeemable crime against civility, truth, honor, and anything remotely decent or human. They symbolize the prevailing Republican ethos of "I've got mine, eff all of you. I can take something beautiful, rare, and historic, and twist it into some horrifying mess to suit my own selfish whims, just because I bought it and it belongs to me," while ignoring the fact that if it weren't for the community around it your pile of bricks wouldn't be worth squat.

But for the original post, this thing would have gone through, and there would be one more blow against civilization. Bravo, Brownstoner.

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 25, 2009 11:49 PM in response to DOB Posts Letter of Intent to Revoke on St. Marks Ave

Are these the puppy kickers I've been reading about?

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 14, 2009 8:29 PM in response to Monday Blogwrap

Everybody likes a nice fruit basket. I would make sure she is a drinker first before giving wine. I am not, and I've had to pass on a lot of bottles of wine.

Not aware of any rule against accepting gifts from an individual who is a private client.

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 4, 2009 12:09 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

Central air? It's a brownstone. We don't even have window units in ours, just fans. If you want central air, move to Atlanta.

As for "ensuite masterbath," you'd rather have the storage space instead. Trust me.

Posted by: likes2lurk at August 23, 2009 11:59 PM in response to Open House Picks

Oh, boy, a church question! I bet we get 100+ posts in no time ;)

The only church I've tried in Brooklyn is Saint Johns Episcopal at Saint John's Place and 7th Avenue. It was nice, but didn't really click for me. I, too, sneak across the river to Trinity on Wall Street. Before that, Incarnation on 35th and Madison.

BTW, how did that random WASP dig get into this thread?

Posted by: likes2lurk at June 26, 2009 10:56 PM in response to Restoration of Slope Church Begins

We had to wait for a table at Franny's once because they had "run out of menus."

Only about half full at the time.

I am not lying.

Haven't been back.

Posted by: likes2lurk at May 28, 2009 4:00 PM in response to StreetLevel: Franny's Cheese Shop Opening Soon

Isn't there a logical inconsistency between "deals to be had" and "someone swooped in and took my apartment in crappy neighborhood at $200 more per month."?

Just asking.

Posted by: likes2lurk at May 20, 2009 11:49 AM in response to Verbal Agreements with Landlords

if the building has been modified at any point, i believe you still would need C of O, no matter when it was built.

Posted by: likes2lurk at May 15, 2009 8:09 AM in response to Lease document

used him a long time ago, good guy.

did sawyer (lost) give you your handle?

Posted by: likes2lurk at May 14, 2009 6:01 PM in response to Refi--Universal Mortgage

"OTR" actually stands for "on the record," as in "about that short sale, FINRA wants to see you for an OTR interview."

Posted by: likes2lurk at May 6, 2009 4:45 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 11 Garden Place

Simple math:

920K x .65% = 5,501,600,000

Posted by: likes2lurk at February 24, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

I'm in the dark about Adrian Grenier. Who is he and why is his name popping up on BS?

Posted by: likes2lurk at February 20, 2009 9:33 AM in response to Open Thread

Thanks, sixpoint, and kudos for your candor/responsiveness.

That's funny that nobody cared about him a year ago, and now he's the president. It still seems like a dream. This afternoon I was waiting in a bank line and they had cnbc on, without sound. I don't know what the story was, but they showed Mr. O walking to the helicopter, laughing and putting his arm on people's shoulders. Then he stepped up to the gangplank and snapped a salute to the two marines standing guard. Freaky and mesmerizing.

Posted by: likes2lurk at February 12, 2009 4:36 PM in response to The Feds Ordered Sixpoint to Shut Down 'Hop Obama'

Why is everyone so baffled that you can't use the president's name to market beer?

Don't you need permission before you use anyone's name for commercial purposes?

Posted by: likes2lurk at February 12, 2009 3:42 PM in response to The Feds Ordered Sixpoint to Shut Down 'Hop Obama'

Although talking with the tenant directly seems reasonable, our lawyer warned us to be very careful in dealing with the seller's tenants prior to the close. If something goes wrong with the deal, the seller could later claim that you interfered with his/her relationship with the tenant. I could see the tenant getting nervous about having a new landlord and then deciding on her own to move to a cheaper place before the close. The seller then could blame you for that if the deal falls through.

I would follow your lawyer's advice. Just my 2 c.

Posted by: likes2lurk at February 4, 2009 8:28 AM in response to 2 Fam purchase, estoppel letter

We live around the corner, and it has always distressed me how this corner of Saint Johns/Douglass and 5th seems to have missed out on the improvements that have taken over the rest of 5th Avenue. The bodega across the street never really recovered after a fire, and that whole building has been abandoned for some time. I was pleased to see that the vacant lot was finally being developed, and the rendering looks nice, but now this development appears to have stalled.

Posted by: likes2lurk at January 28, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Development Watch: 137 5th Avenue

"Go to the carroll street bridge at 6:30 and see what you can hear."

hmmmm... Not that curious.

Posted by: likes2lurk at November 26, 2008 10:37 PM in response to Bell in North Slope

Could someone explain the building in the background?

Looks like load bearing wall with sheets of plywood stapled to it?

Posted by: likes2lurk at November 25, 2008 1:41 PM in response to Tuesday Links

Strategic use of cactus...is that to discourage guests and small children from wandering into designer kitchen?

Posted by: likes2lurk at November 10, 2008 3:31 PM in response to Cabinet maker -- Photos posted

Montrose's post needs to be broadcast in some fashion.

Posted by: likes2lurk at November 4, 2008 1:45 PM in response to Long Lines, Everywhere

I voted at PS 282 (the site of this vertiginous video). The line was long, but the whole thing took only half an hour...know you're ED# before you go and it goes quicker.

I've been waiting 44 years for this day, so no big deal.

Posted by: likes2lurk at November 4, 2008 9:28 AM in response to Long Lines, Everywhere

Also, these are federal probationers, and the federal courthouse is on the other side of Cadman, much more than 100 yards away.

I was one of the people who initially thought this was a lot of hysterical, overcaffeinated NIMBYism, but when I actually saw the proximity of the facility to the school, children gamboling about among armed marshalls, it is a little alarming. In the city there will always be jarring juxtapositions, part of the fun of urban life, but when you have RL chase scenes during lower school pick-up, enough is enough.

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 26, 2008 6:59 PM in response to Escaped Parolee a Game-Changer for Saint Ann's Stance

A_Guest, why is that link at all interesting? Sad and morbid, maybe, but definitely not interesting.

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 25, 2008 1:03 PM in response to Checking In: On Prospect Park

Wouldst thou desist from use of "amongst," lest thy fellow swain claim of thee a tongue hoary and hidebound?

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 16, 2008 4:07 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Saint Ann's kids would not purposefully knock books off of shelves, except perhaps for Derrida, Foucault and other late century deconstructionists, in an ironic sort of way.

Posted by: likes2lurk at September 12, 2008 10:40 AM in response to Wild Teens Trash Court Street B&N, Assault Manager

Somebody mentioned Portland, Maine. That's Buffalo, with seagulls.

Posted by: likes2lurk at August 26, 2008 11:32 AM in response to Can't Cut It In Brooklyn? Try Buffalo.

I can't believe they already have snow in Buffalo...it's not even Labor Day.

Posted by: likes2lurk at August 26, 2008 10:23 AM in response to Can't Cut It In Brooklyn? Try Buffalo.

Was anyone on the other side of the fence? What was it like? Playlist?

They were playing "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" at Gorilla Coffee yesterday. Man, that guy had some chops, at least as a 20 year old. "Masters of War" C'mon.

Posted by: likes2lurk at August 13, 2008 10:02 AM in response to Fencing In Bob Dylan

Not to doubt you old timers, but according to this blog "the problem has gotten worse every summer."

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2008/06/to-battle-brooklyn-mosquitoes-bring-on.html

Check out the link. The proposed solution? Bat condos!

Posted by: likes2lurk at August 7, 2008 11:57 AM in response to screen doors to garden??

The idea of needing screen doors in Brooklyn is startling. When we moved to PS 15 years ago, a mosquito was something you only saw in the country. Now they're so fierce we hardly ever use our backyard in the summer. Recently, they've started coming in the house, like what this poor woman is experiencing.

Is it the climate, or gentrification -- all those koi pools being used as breeding grounds? At least you're safe on the stoop...for now.

Posted by: likes2lurk at August 6, 2008 11:13 PM in response to screen doors to garden??

Uh, Rule 1.8(c)(1).

Look at the mountain of ethics opinions on the issue and you'll get an idea of how muddy the waters can be.

Accepting anything with a substantial value is aksing for trouble.

Posted by: Lo Kee at September 4, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

I had a similar experience with my attorney - Zerline Goodman. Your attorney got paid well for the work s/he did, but a small gift of thanks is in my opinion always appropriate. I would not spend more than $35 - it's not necessary. The important thing is the gesture.

Posted by: UnprotectedWrecks at September 4, 2009 12:48 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

NO NO NO!
Your lawyer was working for you that is why they were helpful. You already paid them a lot more money than they deserved. The only gifting that should be in the process is the real estate agent should buy you a housewarming gift. I wish people would stop feeling the need to gift every single person that they deal with. Generally you do not tip people who make more money than you. You tip bellmen, postal workers, letter carriers, etc. etc.. Would you give $5 to your nephew for their birthday? Would they give you $5 for your birthday?

Posted by: funstraw at September 4, 2009 12:58 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

funstraw, giving a gift is an emotional decision, not some sort of obligation. OP sounds emotionally grateful. You make me thing of dear old dad, who was fond of buying gifts at the thrift store and wrapping them in used supermarket bags. I would have preferred a heartfelt hug, if he ever could have mustered one up. Joy is for enjoying!

Posted by: altervoce at September 4, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

funstraw - When I moved from the co-op that i was living in, one of the doormen gave me a book of drawings by Rembrandt.

Another idea: make a charitable donation in his/her name. It sort of skirts the eithics issues.

Posted by: quig at September 4, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

why assume they make more than you do?

Posted by: Ringo at September 4, 2009 2:48 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

funstraw - how is earning an honest living providing a valuable service getting "a lot more money than [the lawyer] deserved"?

A good real estate attorney can save clients time, money and certainly a lot of headaches.

Try closing on your own the next time buy a property. Good luck.

What do you do for work?

I am certain whatever you make, you will still be aksing for a raise at the next opportunity.

Posted by: Lo Kee at September 4, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

Somebody already suggested referrals, so let me second that opinion. I really liked my lawyer (Christine Bell, from Rheem & Bell), so when it came time to write my check, I bumped it up a little so that she got more than the sponsor's attorney. The ~$100 wasn't making or breaking anyone (you know how closings are - the 0s just go flying by), but knowing that I purposely paid her more than the harpy she'd been wrangling with all afternoon made her day.

Posted by: ari at September 4, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

P. S. I just read the part where you said the sponsor's attorney was great too. That's hysterical (especially given my comment about my sponsor's attorney) - shows how much times have changed in the 2+ years since I closed. So, what I did may not work for you. The general guideline for gifts is, I think, the personal touch.

Posted by: ari at September 4, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

"More money than he deserved" Classic nonsense by funstraw. Sometimes I wonder if half of these posters actually have real jobs, or are they just wannabe hipsters posing as; out of work graphic designers. For the record, you shouldn't feel obligated to give your lawyer anything. A nice bottle of wine or a couple of broadway tickets if you're sentimental. As the others have said: Referrals are the best gift.

Posted by: Crownlfc at September 4, 2009 11:46 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?