bklnite: i don't understand your logic. if 209 rugby is smaller and less desirable wouldn't this house appraise for much, much more? it must be twice the size.

btw: does anybody know what the deal was with 209--it never really entered the market. it just showed up as sold on mary kay gallagher's website (too bad--i would have liked to bid on that one--i think it's cute as a button.)

the owner of 177 said it's fabulous on the inside, but needed a fair amount of work.

Posted by: manofelt at October 23, 2009 9:28 AM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

You grow up "upper middle class" the son or daughter of a physician, accountant, engineer or small business owner.

You get a job in publishing, journalism, graphic design, advertising, etc. making around $120,000.

You buy a small 2-bedroom apartment on the upper east/west side for $350,000 in 1999 with a little help from your parents.

Your parents/grandparents/favorite uncle pass away leaving you an estate worth over a million dollars.

You sell your small apartment for a post-boom $950,000.

You negotiate the price down to $2.0 mil.

You put down $1.5, easily get a 500k mortgage and you've still got a coupla hundred thou in reserve.

This is just one of a zillion scenarios (and no, alas it is not mine.)

Posted by: manofelt at June 29, 2009 3:52 PM in response to House of the Day: 357 Pacific Street

i happen to like the ebbinger house, buy i can see why others may not: dark, lots of work, etc.

you hang in there muffet, don't let 'em bully you. take as long as you need to find the right deal. i'm sure you're glad you waited this long. i know i am.

Posted by: manofelt at June 13, 2009 11:07 PM in response to House of the Day: 1600 Dorchester Road

A pool like that pretty much eliminates the worry that your friends in Manhattan won't come out to visit you.

Posted by: manofelt at June 11, 2009 1:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 1600 Dorchester Road

I'm betting that the appraisal value was disappointing.

Posted by: manofelt at June 4, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 9 Pierrepont Street Revisited

isn't the good italian ices place right across the street?

that's worth the price of admission right there.

unless there's hidden problem, i like this listing a lot.

Posted by: manofelt at May 19, 2009 1:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 161 Prospect Park Southwest

"children really aren't THAT expensive when you think about it, and you do get tax breaks, right?"

rob, i generally enjoy your posts, but on the above point...you have no idea, brother, not a clue.

Posted by: manofelt at May 14, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Can Ditmas Park Save The Middle Class?

I saw this house a-way back when it first was listed. I must say that they did an excellent reno job considering the condition it was in then.

It's a phenomenal space. Huge, with a central stair.

However, it's right across from John Jay--and that's a lot of cabbage to be living across from a pretty noisy school.

Posted by: manofelt at May 5, 2009 1:52 PM in response to House of the Day: 481 4th Street

Looks pretty nice to me. It ain't easy to find a move-in ready victorian. Unfortunately, the price is more than a stretch these days. There will be a lot of resistance over $999,000.

I personally would rather be closer to the park, but seems like there is a contingent that likes it out there.

Posted by: manofelt at May 4, 2009 2:24 PM in response to House of the Day: 1816 Glenwood Road

Robert Wilkanowski:
http://www.robertwilkanowski.com/

Good guy.

Posted by: manofelt at April 14, 2009 12:56 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

Sell now or be locked in forever!

The irony....

The irony....

Posted by: manofelt at March 31, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Getting a Jump on the Q1 Post-Mortems

"gang of regulars"

there's your problem.

no disrespect, as i think some of them make quite valid points. it's just that the same 10 or so posters seem to dominate nearly every thread. many threads seem to get hijacked off track pretty quickly, usually on the same tangents (bull/bear, nabe borders, economy, etc..) that's got to be alienating a lot of folks.

perhaps a moderator to keep threads on track and on point would be helpful.

Posted by: manofelt at March 27, 2009 11:51 AM in response to Let's Talk About Commenting

I'm not exactly familiar with that product, but if it is the same synthetic lawn that I've seen elsewhere with the "dirt" made from ground-up tires, I can tell you to be prepared to have tiny little black rubber dots everywhere in your house.

My son plays soccer on that stuff and we have to strip him down outside before he goes into the house. It even gets in his hair and ears.

Great to play on, but a nightmare in the home.

YRMV.

Posted by: manofelt at March 16, 2009 10:46 AM in response to synlawn or similar?

I know nothing about boilers, but I'll say this: That's a really nice picture you took, there.

Composition, lighting, balance...the masonry wall gives it nice feel and the color palate is perfect...very nice job.

Posted by: manofelt at March 4, 2009 3:14 PM in response to New boiler install

my very strong advice is to get a good pest control guy to "evict" them.

squirrels (or worse raccoons) can cause humongous damage if left alone. the mess and stink these tiny critters can leave is mindboggling. trapping them in is not an option. they will either chew their way out any way they can or worse, they'll curl up and die and the smell...all i can say is the horror....the horror.

get them out before they breed.

we had just one in a country house roof.

$800 later he was gone.

a neighbor went away for 3 months. 2 raccoons (momma and baby). they never told us the number, but it was in the $10's of thousands.

afterwards, you might want to look at the trees near your house and prune back any branches that would give them access to your roof.

Posted by: manofelt at March 3, 2009 10:12 AM in response to squirrels in the ceiling

For the record, I meant accelerated downward.

I'm going to guess that NYC is down at least another 5%.

Yeesh.

Posted by: manofelt at February 25, 2009 10:04 AM in response to U.S. Housing Prices Down 18.5%, NYC Almost 10%

Wow. That's only through November.

Anyone wanna take a guess as to where they are now?

Seems like things definitely accelerated in the last few months.

Posted by: manofelt at February 25, 2009 9:52 AM in response to U.S. Housing Prices Down 18.5%, NYC Almost 10%

Mr. B--slopefarm's got your quote of the day right up there at 2:54.

Posted by: manofelt at February 11, 2009 3:42 PM in response to House of the Day: 599 5th Street

adding to my point, i believe that this house is within ps 321 whereas the 15'er was in ps 39--that's worth something too.

so unless this sells for well above asking, hasn't the sky already fallen a least a bit and use of the word 'bull'....well, bull?

'team not-so-bear' maybe seems a bit more appropriate.

Posted by: manofelt at February 11, 2009 2:38 PM in response to House of the Day: 599 5th Street

I'm not sure i totally understand the whole 'team bull' 'team bear' concept.

a year or so ago this would have listed for 2.8 or more and sold at or close to asking.

2.4 is already 15% below peak. if it sells for 2.2 (which it might) that seems like a pretty far way from peak.

for reference, didn't a 3-story 15'er on fifth between 5th & 6th went for 1.9 last year. it was cute but not remotely in the same league as this.

Posted by: manofelt at February 11, 2009 2:32 PM in response to House of the Day: 599 5th Street

169 Stratford went into contract in August 2007 and I believe closed in October.

How is this a relevant comp in this market?

Posted by: manofelt at January 12, 2009 12:56 PM in response to A Couple of Sales

apparently carroll gardens doesn't exist as a neighborhood either.

Posted by: manofelt at January 6, 2009 9:34 AM in response to NYT Real Estate Classified's Redesign a Real Letdown

THE man you're looking for is Hugo Picciani in park slope. Probably the most learned living expert of old radio equipment.

If you are a fan of antique electronics his workshop/home is a rare treasure--and you should make some time to see his stuff and chat with him--you will not be dissapointed.

Don't have his phone# but my guess is, it's listed.

Posted by: manofelt at January 5, 2009 11:28 AM in response to Radio Hobbyist Needed

$1.799 and the master bedroom is directly off the living room?
No thanks...at any price.

Posted by: manofelt at December 22, 2008 12:05 PM in response to Checking In On Cumberland Greene

Slick,

What is the significance of a pre-feb. 28th close?
Am I missing something?

Posted by: manofelt at December 19, 2008 2:30 PM in response to Open House Picks

i think it had a slope to it, i don't remember. for a kid's floor--it was fine. the interior proportions to the house were not bad--even though it was impossibly cluttered when i saw it. it's 20'er.

on a quiet street it would have been a steal. in this location, i just wasn't going to bid.

Posted by: manofelt at November 11, 2008 3:15 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

oh, and there is a bar/lounge directly next door.

Posted by: manofelt at November 11, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

here's what your missing. the house needed a lot of work. the kitchen was on the third floor. it's a busy street and (for me at least) the clincher was that the bus stop is directly in front of the house.

Posted by: manofelt at November 11, 2008 2:18 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Is the bus-stop near this place?

Posted by: manofelt at November 6, 2008 3:08 PM in response to House of the Day: 399 Bergen Street

Does anyone here think that a frame house on 14th between 4th and 5th (no matter how nice) would sell for 1.95 mil today?

Posted by: manofelt at November 4, 2008 1:38 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

The Albermarle listing says "contract pending."
I'm gonna guess and say for a hundred thou less than asking.

Posted by: manofelt at October 24, 2008 1:41 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Maybe because I saw it pre renovation, I just didn't like it. The reno quality is not great.

Evidently, others agree--it doesn't seem to have much action on it.

You'll say I'm too picky, but I'm in no rush--and so far I'm glad I've held off.

Posted by: manofelt at October 17, 2008 7:35 PM in response to A Couple of House Sales

Oh Architerrorist, you and your taunts. No house yet, but don't worry I have time.

Are either of the houses beside yours for sale?

Posted by: manofelt at October 17, 2008 6:17 PM in response to A Couple of House Sales

I dunno, I stood in front of the house and heard the train clearly.

I came back a few days later to see if it was a fluke--it wasn't.

One caveat, I do not want to give the impression that it is super loud, a la the Blues Brothers apartment. But it is noticeable and for a million plus bucks I don't want to hear it.

Posted by: manofelt at October 17, 2008 3:04 PM in response to A Couple of House Sales

The Marlborough house has killer curb appeal, but its' proximity to busy Cortelyou and the train noise from across the street probably reflected in the price.

Posted by: manofelt at October 17, 2008 1:51 PM in response to A Couple of House Sales

OK it's ugly and out-of-character and the construction is poor--we all agree. But at what price would even the hatingest hater consider buying one of these units?

It is still a prime location, in a great school district, and has parking.

At some price you might swallow your pride and endure the scorn of your neighbors.

At $999,000 would you pull the trigger?

Posted by: manofelt at October 16, 2008 10:51 AM in response to 45 Third Place Not Moving

I'll take a stab at this one:

It's a rent controlled tenant (probably a son or daughter with cleared succession rights) taking a huge buyout from the 5th avenue building's co-op board and hastily buying a place that reminds them of home.

It's certainly not uncommon for buyouts to reach those kind of numbers and often they come with high pressure to move by a certain date.

Just a guess.

Posted by: manofelt at October 6, 2008 1:47 PM in response to Sales: Turner Towers Spread Gets Full Asking Price

Hey, what has happened to "The WHAT" anyway?

Haven't heard from him in a long time.

Anyone know?

Posted by: manofelt at September 29, 2008 3:45 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Just goes to show you what the discount is for 4+ family buildings--being that financing is apparently much harder to attain.

Anyone know what the taxes are?

Posted by: manofelt at September 24, 2008 1:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 169 Clinton Street

The guardianship sale was on April 8th down at the courts.

Posted by: manofelt at September 22, 2008 2:16 PM in response to As Predicted, 547 9th Street Sells Above Asking

Well the seller was dead--so I doubt they really cared what it went for.

Basically, my point is that Mr. B's "best deal in a long long time...." comment might be a stretch.

Posted by: manofelt at September 22, 2008 1:47 PM in response to As Predicted, 547 9th Street Sells Above Asking

A little context here. The house sold at a court appointed guardianship "auction." It didn't take 10 weeks, the house essentially sold on the day of the auction.

The house has great potential but needs a full gut renovation that is to say $400-500k plus carrying costs. Also while the details were all there, the quality of the wood (poplar, i believe) and the work was somewhat below what you see further north. The facade and stoop are in great condition and look fabulous, to be fair.

It's a 3-story building and there is a slight but definitely noticeable rumble from the subway. So I think the price was fair at best.

Posted by: manofelt at September 22, 2008 11:37 AM in response to As Predicted, 547 9th Street Sells Above Asking

Any house within the right eruv can be worth a whole lot of money to certain people.

What's a eruv you say? Oh go and look it up yourself.

Posted by: manofelt at September 17, 2008 12:54 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Hey Architerrorist, yes it is all about location and I'll look for as long as I like, thank you very much.

Are you suggesting that I buy a house that's overpriced and in a location that I don't like?

And by the way, thanks for the snobby comment. Jerk.

Posted by: manofelt at September 5, 2008 10:35 PM in response to Open House Picks

"There's some traffic at drop off and pick up..."

Read: There will be buses idling right outside your doorstep!

Posted by: manofelt at September 5, 2008 3:54 PM in response to Open House Picks

Rugby is directly across the street from PS139.
That's a dealbreaker.

Posted by: manofelt at September 5, 2008 2:11 PM in response to Open House Picks

Thank you "West" for the moron compliment. Lovely.
I visited the house. It IS only a few houses down from Cortelyou (check the map.) You CAN see and hear the traffic on Cortelyou from the enclosed porch (go ahead and stand there as I did.)

And you abso-fricking-lutely CAN hear the subway, period.

But please folks don't take my word for it. Go and see for yourself and realize just who is the Moron.

It is a nice house--no doubt--just not a peaceful location--which is, for me at least, a main reason for living in Ditmas Park.

Posted by: manofelt at August 4, 2008 12:17 PM in response to Open House Picks

The Marlborough road house is too close to Cortelyou and, even though it's on the good side of the street, the train noise is constant and LOUD.

Too bad, another good house in a bad location in Ditmas.

Posted by: manofelt at August 1, 2008 5:26 PM in response to Open House Picks