691 St. Johns just went for $815,000 in late September. Same block, similar house.
http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/nyc/Reports2/showsection.html?propkey=152226

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 16, 2009 1:51 PM in response to House of the Day: 685 St. Johns Place

tyburg. not true.
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/real_estate_finance/pdfs/tenants_rights_guide.pdf

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 5, 2009 5:11 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

Why is everyone saying to ask for a rent increase? Just don't renew the lease. Give her a letter with 30 days notice that you are choosing to terminate the lease and that if she doesn't cooperate, there will be legal proceedings. This coupled with what DIBS said should scare her away.
If it doesn't work, you'll know that she's ready for a fight. Then you have the decision to make - go to court or trying to compromise.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 5, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

NSR - a neighbor of mine is selling their late 1990s civic hatchback. It only has 50k miles on it.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 5, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Subway Service on Weekends Is F@#%ed

ah. I saw that you might do cork. I take back what I said. Depending on the type of floor you put in, you might be able just to use a miter saw.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 4, 2009 11:45 AM in response to DIY Beginner Project?

to do a good job on the floor you'll need a table saw. This is a big investment for a good saw. Also a good taper jig is a must.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 4, 2009 11:21 AM in response to DIY Beginner Project?

Untrue BKALLDAY. Many on here are fans of some of the better designed condos. I'm a brownstone owner but my favorite new projects include a couple of the Hello Living projects and the Toren building.
New product will be built. It's better to see ambitious projects going up than bland ones or even worse, poorly designed buildings.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 4, 2009 10:10 AM in response to Development Watch: 527 Lincoln Place

The design is very non-offensive, but not exciting. This has an interesting location right next to the S-shuttle track. The track is in a ravine covered with a good deal of trees. It's almost like a mini park right next to your house that obviously you can only look at.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 3, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Development Watch: 527 Lincoln Place

Re: Park Slope is most favored for investment in near term. There is a selection bias here. If Park Slope is most represented in the survey then it makes sense that owners there would wish to think that their investment is the best compared to others. It would be interesting to see how many people thought that their neighborhood was the best investment vs. people that thought another neighborhood is a better investment.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 29, 2009 5:55 PM in response to Brownstoner 2009 Survey Results

Does anyone know what the next step is? Is the district landmarked, or will there be more hearings, procedures, votes, etc?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 28, 2009 12:15 PM in response to LPC Tees Up Phase 2 of Crown Heights Landmarking

These openings had a little spice to them.

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53651

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 27, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Coffee Boomlet on Franklin

A pool that small is nothing but a giant bathtub with lukewarm water. Good for a non-satisfying splash but not much more.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 27, 2009 12:32 PM in response to Dive In at 80 Met

Rob, this trend has already begun. It will have to take hold gradually as furniture and other household items are designed for smaller spaces. But now you see builders in places like Orange County that are building >500 SF 1BR's and in the process breaking all kinds of soft 'design rules' that have been accepted for decades.
The problem was the condo boom around here didn't help this trend. If NYC would ever remove the rent restrictions we might actually see a building boom in affordable rental apartment buildings.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 22, 2009 11:13 AM in response to No Surprise: Building Falls Off in City

wow, he's really moving. Nice shot B'stoner!

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 22, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Matt Damon Does Red Hook

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31885

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 15, 2009 3:48 PM in response to Hot Water System Help

The Bed-Sty house clearly needed a lot of work on the inside.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 15, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million

The Crown Heights sale is one of many to prove the bears wrong.
From the HOD thread
>>"This place has depreciated in this market to completely nullify the upgrades...YES zero growth...not worth a penny more than $700K in our opinion and that is being very generous."

Generous?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 15, 2009 11:14 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million

In addition to the restaurants near Eastern Parkway, Washington Avenue has improved its retail/restaurant/bar offering in the last year and continues to do so (Muertos, Ortine, Wash Commons, Shane, Way Station). Also Classon and Franklin are seeing the same thing.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at September 24, 2009 2:39 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 475 Sterling Place, #3I

That street is the major feeder into the Manhattan Bridge north side bike path. Without safe access to the bridge, many cyclists choose to take the Brooklyn Bridge, which has a much safer approach. Cyclist should avoid the BB if possible.
Sands street rarely has much vehicular traffic on it, but because of the on ramps for the BQE, is very, very dangerous for bikers on the road. This bike path is very useful.
Additionally, there is room to double park on the road. It's just not as room as a beautiful new bike path.

I and thousands of New Yorkers ride every day of the year to work. It's thousands of less people in our subway every day. Enjoy the space anti-bike curmudgeons.
I was recently in Munich and saw the city entirely by bike. No one wears a helmet, including the many older women who ride. The major difference - respect for bikers. In America we're still digging out of the hole we created in the car-centric 20th century - both with design and people's attitudes.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at September 9, 2009 3:40 PM in response to Possible Perils of the Sands Street Bike Path

If you look hard you can see Tony Soprano coming out in his bathrobe. Truly horrifying.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at September 4, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Bay Ridge McMansion

yes. I biked through there for the first time in 6 months on Friday. What a relief! No longer do we have to negotiate BQE ramp traffic! Well done NYC D of T.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at August 10, 2009 5:32 PM in response to Closing Bell: Sands Street Bike Lane Opens

make sure that you hit a lathe. The plaster will not hold it.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at August 6, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Mounting on Plaster Wall?

There is next to zero risk for an institution that only lends FHA single family loans. TB,&W didn't sink from making 'bad' loans.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at August 6, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Brooklyn Monthly Foreclosures

Rob, when a biker swerves to avoid a J-walker, swerving or falling into a car, how can you say that? I have seen this with my own eyes. The biker was mid-block and the pedestrian was breaking the law, who was at fault and who was the danger to whom? The biker went to the hospital with broken a vertebrae and femur.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 20, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Wednesday Links

As a biker who does stop at lights and obeys laws, I have had several accidents avoiding pedestrians J-walking or popping out behind cars. This behavior contributes to the animosity between the two groups. Any crack down on bikers should be followed by enforcement of pedestrian laws.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 20, 2009 11:38 AM in response to Wednesday Links

Anti-biking curmudgeons - When do you draw the line on pedestrians breaking the law? They are just as much a danger to bikers as the other way around.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 20, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Wednesday Links

The biggest problem for someone buying these properties is financing. Not to see that it should or will get better. But even if buyer sentiment was there, the financing options are limited. (i.e. 30% cash down at 6.75% interest rate). This is much different than the single family, conforming loan market.
BHO - 1/2 of the comments are yours on this post. Take a deep breath.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 8, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

is this to lay over an existing floor/sub-floor or over joists?
I know that the 5/16" parquet or strips are not that expensive if you're laying over a floor.
I recommend that you go to Verazaano flooring and talk to Dave.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 7, 2009 3:07 PM in response to Affordable Hardwood Flooring

M4L - It's all relative. Just because a specialty shops charges more than a bodega for coffee and people happen to be hanging out there doesn't mean that they will not do volume. You have a point that $4 lattes will not fly on Nostrand, but a coffee shop similar to many than have taken root in cheaper priced neighborhoods can easily get away with charging twice as much as the corner bodega for superior products and inviting environs. My point is simply that the demand is there for, gasp, $1.50 medium coffees. . . . . .

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 5, 2009 4:18 PM in response to Nostrand Ave: Many Hair Salons, No Cafés

M4L - But if that 'existing' community is well catered to and the new arrivals are not at all, where is the demand/opportunity? Econ 101. . . . . .

The crux of your argument is that you say "what is perceived to be trend of newbies coming into the hood and gaining mass density". You're obviously starting from an assumption that some have this perception when is actually may not be case. I can speak for new and older residents that the demand for another type of retail product is there and under-supplied.

I know that the first upscale coffee shop or other well-conceived product will have a much better chance of surviving than the next nail or hair salon. I've seen many of those open and close in the last several years. While other products mentioned above three blocks away on Franklin or Classon are thriving.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 5, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Nostrand Ave: Many Hair Salons, No Cafés

more4less - totally untrue. All of the newer businesses on Franklin and Classon are doing very well (Glass House, Chavella's, Franklin Park, Abagails, etc). It is a stretch to say that just one can't survive on Nostrand? I know of many residents in that neighborhood that are hoping for something similar.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at May 5, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Nostrand Ave: Many Hair Salons, No Cafés

BHO - Subprime is a category of borrower based on their FICO score. Just because Real Estate is in an area you consider 'ghetto', doesn't make it sub-prime. If the sellers finance an apartment with 50% down, is it still sub-prime? Don't let your silly preconceived notions cloud your judgment.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at April 7, 2009 9:53 AM in response to 658 Park Place: The Little Condo That Could

We attended the CSA sign-up event this weekend at Franklin Park. The pent-up demand for quality services in this neighborhood is very evident. It makes sense that well configured housing at reasonable prices would fair the same in this location.
Also, this is much closer to the 2,3,4,5 and the shuttle is convenient for folks taking the B or Q from Mid-town.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at April 6, 2009 12:30 PM in response to 658 Park Place: The Little Condo That Could

mopar,
"US defaults"? LOL. Runaway inflation maybe, but a country cannot default on debt repayable in a currency they control.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at March 31, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Getting a Jump on the Q1 Post-Mortems

Pitbull,
"is it wrong i love jumping in front of A-holes on bikes to make them swerve out of control?"
.... and into the path of traffic? or just out of control scraping across the pavement and into the hospital?
Is this what you really want? What's wrong with you?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at March 24, 2009 11:20 AM in response to City Planning Pushing New Bike-Friendly Rules

Vinnie Barbarino - The stock market crash was not the cause of any of the real estate problems in the early 1990's. It was the late 1980's real estate bubble and the systemic banking failure involving the S&Ls.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at March 3, 2009 10:44 AM in response to Brownstones, Co-ops Outperformed Condos in Q4

apparently the "say no to granite" campaign is not working. . . . .

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at February 20, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Free Granite for all Kitchens

Does anyone have an idea about an affordability component in this?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at February 11, 2009 2:59 PM in response to Development Watch: 840 Bergen Street One Year Later

Just as bad, many churches have the right to double park during services. Many of them park their cars in bike lanes with complete impunity.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at February 11, 2009 12:00 PM in response to Turn It Down! Church Blasts Bed Stuy Neighbors

MM,
According to Hopstop, this is a 8 minute walk to the Franklin Avenue 2/3/4/5 stop, not a long walk by any standard.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at February 3, 2009 11:29 AM in response to Testing the Crown Heights Waters

Scottsdale, Gold Coast, Mercer Island, etc? Has PS really become a philistine neighborhood as stale and exclusive as these bedfellows?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at January 23, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Park Slope One of Nation's "Dreamiest" Neighborhoods

They couldn't even dust the floors before they took photos? That begs the question of what other details have they over looked that you'll discover weeks after moving in.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at January 5, 2009 2:03 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 330 Park Place

does anyone know where one can view the actual report?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at December 11, 2008 10:00 AM in response to What the Census Says About Us

there is very little money out there for new construction! This will not be built for a long time. . . . . .

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at December 9, 2008 10:26 AM in response to 150 4th Avenue: The Renderings

Battery Park City anyone?

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at November 21, 2008 5:06 PM in response to Here's What 40 Stories in Greenpoint Looks Like

If it's a historical house you probably want to go aluminum.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 27, 2008 12:40 PM in response to Windows - vinyl clad or aluminum exterior?

I'm seeing a lot of money coming from weird places wanting to invest in real estate right now. The Fed actions of the last several months have had impacts, and smart people are taking risks as we speak. Don't believe the hype. The same media that parroted that home prices will never go down and the same people feasting on the 'panic' story. Many people will look back after several years and realize that they missed an equity buying situation.

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 24, 2008 11:39 AM in response to Oh no.. World markets collapse..

thanks folks. My wife was talking about 'saving' the hearth stone and moving it into another room. That seems like a real pain, so I'm all for removing it by any means.

Also, I've talked to flooring experts regarding the subfloor situation. Some say it's ok, others that it would be better to remove it and go plywood. The floor seems fine to me, it's there (the plywood is not), so it's staying. . . .

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 24, 2008 8:50 AM in response to new floor over old hearth stone problem

yawn

Posted by: lincolnlimestone at October 24, 2008 8:42 AM in response to Oh no.. World markets collapse..

Why possibly would you want her to go month to month without a rent increase? It doesn't jibe with your story.

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at November 5, 2009 7:35 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

Sounds like a previous tenant I had.

Some people are just needy. I'm an excellent landlord and I had a woman like that years ago. She even called me to tell me she had fainted on the subway and wanted me to know she may be having a health issue...wasn't sure if she wanted me to say to call me if she needed something. Weird.I did want to say EAT SOMETHING since she is one of those young women that hold up the trains because they go without food and then pass out.

Don't renew. Good riddance.

BTW people automatically assume the landlord is the problem yet there are tenants that are hellish....and being a good tenant is about more than just paying on time.

Posted by: argentina at November 5, 2009 10:11 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

"she may likely just stay on as a holdover and not pay rent. *You will then be forced to evict and bring her to Court, a major pain in the neck.* She will try to argue that the place was unihabitable - you didnt fix problems etc etc. So you need to document everything you have done and are doing for the tenant to demonstrate that the apartment and building is quite habitable."

Posted by: saminthehood at November 5, 2009 2:25 PM

Tater, saminthehood has a valid point of how it could go; something I've seen before. Even with all the validation, photos, and contemporaneous notes you take, she could hold you up in court for an entire year and you could lose an entire year's rent. People who know how to play the system can do this. Her lawyers can keep you held up in court for a long time with delayed appearances, etc.

As mentioned by a few posters, nicely raise the rent and she may go easily. One can do this without seeming antagonistic (read all above posts). Why sign another lease, though, as you ask for increased rent? You don't need to do that and it would be counter-productive to what you want if she accepts (her gone).

Even if you go with the suggestions that she no longer has a valid lease and legally has to go -- please see again the paragraph by saminthehood. It could go like that, a legal quagmire for a year to prove everything and whatever and you lose a lot of money, with nothing ever being proved (proven?) A long time and a lot of lawyer games.

The tenant may have a disorder similar to bipolar or something and I say that with no disrespect. This sounds difficult.

Reread -- northridger at 2:44 PM: " ... months to get them evicted with lots of pain all around." It is similar to saminthehood. Of course reread Vinca.

Posted by: BklynSoFar at November 5, 2009 10:12 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

I wouldn't give her a new one year lease, but go month to month, and raise the rent. This gives her time to move and keeps you from being stuck with her for another year.

Posted by: Rick at November 6, 2009 6:24 AM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

Here's my opinion:

1. send her a notice of rent increase....a big one.
2. offer to let her out of her lease immediately b/c she doesnt seem content.

Yes, it could be ugly but you cant live in fear. Presumably, you vetted the tenant and she has assets and a job. Further, she wont want to be on the blacklist.

Posted by: slick at November 6, 2009 6:00 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

My two cents.
Replacing bathroom fixtures is really easy if all goes as planned, but throw in a leaky shut off valve, corroded pipes, or any of the million other things that can go wrong and things get annoying very quickly. If I were a novice, I would make sure I had a friend on standby who knew what he or she was doing and could come over and bail me out if it came to it. Otherwise you may end up shaving (or worse) in the kitchen sink for a few days.
Installing crown molding in my opinion is more difficult to do than flooring, but it's going to be a lot less intrusive on your life style than the flooring.
If you're doing tongue and groove hardwood, you can get by with a circular saw since if you do it correctly, all of your cuts will be hidden by either baseboard or shoe molding so you have a little wiggle room. Rent the nailer, which will put you on a tighter timeline for getting things done, but it's one of those tools that you're not going to use very often. Laminate click and lock flooring is easier and requires very few tools.
I hate installing crown molding. It's a pain in the neck to get it perfect, and it looks terrible if you don't.

Posted by: Bond at November 7, 2009 12:17 PM in response to DIY Beginner Project?