In my layman's terms, I believe you make the offer for $X, and then you write the contract with the conditions of the purchase, which includes the contingencies on things like financing, inspection, etc. If you do a little Googling, you can find a survival guide to buying NYC Coops/Condos from a few years ago, which I thought was pretty helpful. Get the lawyer ASAP!

Posted by: meerkatz at October 5, 2009 11:53 PM in response to CoOp Offer Subject to Financing?

I got State Farm through Meilee Chu in downtown Manhattan. She/they are also recommended elsewhere on the forum. Decent prices, but haven't made a claim, so can't speak to how well they stand up!

Posted by: meerkatz at August 3, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Condo Insurance

Last I knew, the tax code doesn't include donations of aluminum cans, but you might want to ask your accountant. If you want to make a "donation," leave the cans outside, like other people said, or drop them off at a redemption center. If you want the deposit but are too lazy to redeem the cans, that's another story. If you're willing to accept a percentage, I suppose you could "hire" a homeless person to do it for you, at, say, 2 cents per 5 cents redemption. So you have some options!

Posted by: meerkatz at August 3, 2009 3:16 PM in response to Donate Aluminum Cans

Yeeech -- I used to live on this block, and I'm amazed at the development over there. It's next to the BQE, far from the subway, and it still feels sketchy to me. What are they thinking?!?

Posted by: meerkatz at August 3, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Fort Greene About to Get Fingered

Great! Congrats!

Posted by: meerkatz at June 23, 2009 2:17 PM in response to Prospect Heights Landmarked!

Wow. I heard they combined a lot of units, but I don't know how many/how to confirm. I have also seen more people moving into the back/St. Johns Place-facing side, which I think would be less attractive, view-wise, than the Plaza St. East side. (But maybe cheaper?)

Posted by: meerkatz at June 23, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Apartment for Rent at Meier's OPP

Ooo! Cute!

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 5:33 PM in response to Free vintage stove

What's wrong with a a strip-sex club with occasional ghettofab parties? ;)

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 5:30 PM in response to crossroads supper club 3rd ave

RAR, sounds like monkey business to me! Be careful!

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 5:17 PM in response to multiple year lease?

Echoing what Vinca said, about multiple-year leases going for commercial spaces. Never heard of it for residential.

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 5:15 PM in response to multiple year lease?

Ugh. I used to live not far from there, and I agree with other posters that NFW could you pay me to live there, much less invest. You'll be comfortably nestled between the screaming tractor-trailer brakes on the BQE and the gunfights of the projects. I moved to Bed Stuy after and felt WAY safer - at least I was in a neighborhood, rather than the weird no-man's land the developers have created here!

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 5:07 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 130 St. Edwards Street

Hmm, I have a pretty different opinion from the previous poster -- I live nearby, and while the interiors aren't fancy, the apartments I've seen on Butler have been modest and clean, and I've recommended friends to look there. You may be able to low-ball an offer. I love the fact that there is no traffic on the street. I don't understand what's so hard about crossing Plaza St -- Look left and right for cars and squirrels, and you'll be fine. As for amenities, there is plenty of stuff on Vanderbilt, Flatbush and a short walk to 7th Ave/Park Slope, etc. Good luck!

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 4:52 PM in response to 44 Butler place

Ugh. Get the word out to any friends/contacts as soon as possible, but I've heard brokers say you should start looking 30 days before you want to move. Many apartments aren't ready before then, but you may get lucky. I would work the first two weeks of the month before you plan to move like h- and see as many properties as you can. Basic thing to say, but know what you want and what you may need to give up (roughly, it's usually space versus location). Trust your gut, but have the checkbook ready! There's always turnover, but I'd guess that a big exodus happens end of May, what with student and other turnover for the summer. But there should be plenty of stuff in July. Good luck.

Posted by: meerkatz at May 27, 2009 4:42 PM in response to Best time to find a rental?

I agree that this should have been a job price, not an "hourly rate." It's not genius work to spread peat/mulch and cut out some old roots. Hell, I can come do it for free. ;) Did your parents pay yet? If not, I would try to negotiate. The workers are just as unprotected for not having a contract.

Posted by: meerkatz at May 5, 2009 3:45 PM in response to cost of landscaping?

If you find a bag of bats, can you get me one, too? ;)

Posted by: meerkatz at May 5, 2009 3:38 PM in response to How to attract bats

Keep bugging the DEP. The complaints are anonymous. They will come measure at your place. The problem with approaching the owner directly is then that they'll know for sure it was you who complained. Get your neighbors involved, too, if you can. I agree that the business should be more careful from the outset about compliance with noise code, rather than putting the burden on residents to complain. If you don't want the DEP to come, you can hire an independent co. to come measure the noise, but I hear it's $$$. Whoever services the unit should have a way to measure the noise to see if the system is in compliance, I would think -- ?? Good luck.

Posted by: meerkatz at May 5, 2009 1:18 PM in response to Retaliation for DEP Complaint

Taking it out is annoying and messy, but it is probably worth it, especially for a small sq. footage like a bathroom. We were wondering if we could do the same in our bathroom - tile over tile - but everyone who has looked at it has recommended to take it out and do a fresh layer. May as well, if you're going through the trouble already!

Posted by: meerkatz at May 5, 2009 12:58 PM in response to TILING OVER TILE??

Ugh, that sucks. I would probably cut my losses, tho. If you didn't actually see the old lady do it, it's hard to prove, and it's always possible somebody else did it (were other cars keyed, or just yours?). Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Posted by: meerkatz at May 5, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Keyed Car Incident

Agree that it depends on you. For me, I like views, sun, outdoor space. Skylights are a bonus. Don't give a rat'z azz about the other stuff.

Posted by: meerkatz at April 30, 2009 9:19 PM in response to Premiums for property 'perks'

That's insane that you found that! How awesome! I would echo the place on 5th and Albert's.... Let us know how it goes!

Posted by: meerkatz at April 30, 2009 9:01 PM in response to Stain Glass Restoration & info?

Woo! We built an extra wall for soundproofing using stuff we bought from Isotrax.com. Reduced the sound of the neighbor kids and music, and vice versa for them. You need to build an extra wall with a bit of space to stop the vibrations. Won't eliminate everything, but could make you more sane if the nabe isn't willing to turn down the tunes. What we bought from Isotrax was metal framing with a soundproof pad attached and soundproof sealant. You may be able to achieve similar results using typical materials from a non-specialty source. You will lose two or three inches, due to the thickness of the framing and the sheetrock on top. Bass is tough, tho. Good luck!

Posted by: meerkatz at April 30, 2009 8:58 PM in response to soundproofing

BBG and Grand Army Plaza greenmarket. Prices are okay, but what's more important is that the plants are pretty healthy. I won't buy plants any more from the Home Depot, because they have typically died on me, so that's a lousy return on investment. Have fun!

Posted by: meerkatz at April 30, 2009 7:40 PM in response to herbs in brooklyn

Makes me think of Gardenia, but I don't think that's what it is. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden may be able to help.
http://www.bbg.org/lib/grc.html

Posted by: meerkatz at April 30, 2009 7:30 PM in response to What's this Plant?

Woo! Cute, I'm jealous!

Posted by: meerkatz at April 30, 2009 7:25 PM in response to Rare industrial Trolley

Tried this last fall, I think I saw the van in Soho around Mercer... It was okay, but overpriced. For that price and with all the hoopla, I would expect it to be more tasty. But sorry, guys, I am an ice-cream snob! I think Blue Marble is better.

Posted by: meerkatz at April 9, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Streetlevel: Artisanal Ice Cream Truck Stops in Dumbo

And p.s. no, I don't think I would go. I would probably leave town, like someone else suggested. :)

Posted by: meerkatz at April 7, 2009 2:24 PM in response to Closing Bell: Woodstock 40th Anniversary at Prospect Park?

Using the "Woodstock" name is just a sad attempt to make $... I was living in the Hudson Valley when they had the first W-stock "reunion," and it was a disgusting mess. The field was a swamp of mud, abandoned camping supplies, muddy clothes, and bottles of urine. Took them ages to clean up the field. I think it's fine to think about expanding programming and concerts in the park, but grasping at an event like this seems kind of pathetic. And I agree that the Prospect Park Alliance would probably think carefully about the damage to the grass and etc., although some people don't care about that kind of thing. They had Dylan last summer. Why not stage a series of smaller concerts? Easier and less expensive to manage. Michael Lang just needs to go away. Hasn't he made enough money?

Posted by: meerkatz at April 7, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Closing Bell: Woodstock 40th Anniversary at Prospect Park?

Thanks for all the comments! It helped me find a guide from Jeld-Wen online that explains the process. I will try to fix it myself. Steve, I may give you a call if I need some help. :)

Posted by: meerkatz at March 27, 2009 9:50 AM in response to Crappy falling window

Wow, that is a huge tree! Aside from contacting an arborist, you could call the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. They have an info line and may have some ideas. I guess the tree is pretty high/dangerous to climb, but for the lower goodies I would also look for some neighborhood kids or hippies. There may be someone who would love to make applesauce, and could be fun way to meet some neighbors.

Posted by: meerkatz at March 26, 2009 4:36 PM in response to Arborist/Company to Pick Apples

Is there a precedent for people climbing down there? They might not dare. However, I would agree with TownhouseLady and Gemini10 to talk to the LL, stressing that you're reducing the vermin problem and that you'll keep the noise levels down. Ultimately, you're making the whole building better for all surrounding residents (no more garbage dump to look at), but sadly not everyone values these kind of things. Good luck!

Posted by: meerkatz at March 19, 2009 2:58 PM in response to Garden Party?

Oh wait! I thought of another snarky comment... Sorry I didn't think of it earlier. They should totally convert it to condos, since the architecture is way nicer than a lot of the crap that's been going up. ;)

Posted by: meerkatz at March 19, 2009 2:44 PM in response to Split Decision on House of Detention

I agree w/bxgirl and others... This thing has been here for as long as I remember. It's not like they just built it. It's a wart in the nabe that you're just going to have to love, and over time you will forget about it. I think it's highly unlikely that axe maniacs are going to escape from there and run across the street into Brooklyn Industries to hold shoppers hostage. (Although maybe good idea if they did - KIDDING!!) And I know some people won't like this, but I think it's "better" to have the facility in a functioning nabe next to the courthouse than relegated to a borderline, struggling nabe that wouldn't need any new problems.

Posted by: meerkatz at March 19, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Split Decision on House of Detention

Lived for 5 years off Myrtle, near the BQE. Rode my bike everywhere because it took so long to get to the subway. Tried all manner of bus and etc. to get around. (Yes, there was and probably still is a bus on Myrtle. One on Flushing, too, that goes to Red Hook, as I recall) Eventually the lack of transpo wore me down. Recently went back and shocked at how much it's changed... But the lack of transpo would keep me from ever going back.

Posted by: meerkatz at March 19, 2009 2:30 PM in response to The Myrtle Miracle?

Hi Bktk, yours is a good question. How do you make your needs known, rather than just sitting and waiting for things to happen? I don't really know, aside from spending money in the small businesses that I wanted to support on Fulton and elsewhere, e.g. the African People's Farmers Market. The Bed-Stuy Restoration Corp might be worth talking to: http://www.restorationplaza.org/. Let us know if you find some other sources.

Posted by: meerkatz at March 3, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Changes in Bed Stuy

From time to time the basement of our 16 unit building stinks to high heaven. The configuration of the pipes must be less than optimal, or people are flushing really big stuff. The plumber has come and cleaned out the system (I haven't witnesses firsthand what he does), and the smell has gone away. I would call the plumber and generally be careful about what gets flushed down the drain. Even hair can be a problem and build up. Sorry, this is pretty vague, but that's all I can think of!

Posted by: meerkatz at March 2, 2009 4:43 PM in response to Basement sewer smell

Hey there, I've had many revolving room-mates over the years. I always gave back their security, and just got the "new" security from the new room-mate. I wrote a check from my account for the departing person and had the new person write me a check, to avoid bothering the landlord. It's only fair that she gives you a month's notice, and if she hasn't trashed anything, it's only fair to give back the security. Does that address your question?

Posted by: meerkatz at February 11, 2009 4:30 PM in response to Security Deposit Problems

In case you didn't know about him, if you're obliged to find something period, try Eddie's salvage in Clinton Hill on Greene Ave. for doors. I would think his prices would be the best, but the doors may need some TLC. You can find other discussion about him on the forum here.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 11, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Can Landmarks Do This?

San Art on 7th recently cut some nice archive-quality mattes on archive board for me, around 12" by 16", for about 20 dollars each.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 11, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Picture Framing

P.C. Richards/Atlantic Ave. was fine for me. Nice sales people, helpful.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 5, 2009 7:33 PM in response to Best place to appliance browse?

I changed a flapper recently, and it's very easy. It's just the little black or red rubber ball-shaped thing. I think I paid $5 for it. You may need a pair of needle-nose pliers to twist/break the current flapper off, if it's made of hard plastic (stupid design!). If the new flapper doesn't block the leak, try the vaseline to better line the hole. It may help to put some food coloring near the hole to see where it's leaking through the hole.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 5, 2009 7:32 PM in response to Running Toilet Tank

Look great, nice save!

Posted by: meerkatz at February 5, 2009 7:18 PM in response to Assorted Salvage Doors - $25/ea

It sounds unreasonable to charge people more for cubic space. I echo the sentiment to check the offering plan... If it isn't addressed there, well, I've heard of a coop board charging a small fee for inconvenience during renovations (but things like this are why I found coops less attractive than condos). I would be more concerned about fire and safety issues than nickel and diming owners, but that's just me. Also, I agree that if you do this in your apartment, you may be bothered by what more you may hear from neighbors above.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 5, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Issue for our Co-op Board

I've heard of Lee Stone, somewhere in Greenpoint (next to the BQE?) but have never been.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 5, 2009 12:01 AM in response to granite countertop scraps: where

Damn, that's gorgeous! :)

Posted by: meerkatz at February 4, 2009 11:59 PM in response to Antique French Oak flooring

We have a Bosch from P.C. Richards for $500 or $600 from a year ago, works fine. We bought the warranty, just in case. Sometimes there is that dried stuff on the dishes mentioned above, but not enough to really bother me.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 4, 2009 11:56 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

Errgh... Sounds gross. I hate to say it, but I would move on. You will have enough on your plate, let alone cleaning up someone else's mess. Shouldn't your lawyer have more of an opinion on this, if they are truly experienced with the RE market here? I'd think this is the kind of thing they should be protecting you from.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 4, 2009 11:53 PM in response to HELP: Cert. of Occ. issue

I echo RG... Eddie on Green at Grand sold us some awesome solid antique wood doors for $20 each. Delivered for cheap, too! We stripped them, which was a pain, but worth it. He will have his guys strip them for you, for at least $100 more (don't remember how much, but it's probably still cheaper than many nice new doors). Also try Dalton who runs the antique shop the Victorian on Tompkins and Jefferson in Bed-Stuy. Great guy, good prices. Good luck!

Posted by: meerkatz at February 4, 2009 11:44 PM in response to Cheap but Good-Looking Doors?

Hi, y'all. I lived on this block for a few years, and it sucked. 20 minutes walk from the subway... The apartment was always covered with a layer of filth because of the BQE. I used to actually mop the walls in the bathroom, it was so dirty. I wouldn't buy on this block, but more power to whoever does. I agree with Dave re: better deals in Bed Stuy (where I moved after here), and you can be in town faster on the A than from Adelphi and Myrtle.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 4, 2009 11:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 78 Adelphi Street

I know you're looking for a contractor, but we did DIY on the walls and floors with Isotrax and floor padding products from this co: http://www.americanmicroinc.com/. Don't know if they would have a reference. Or, Green Depot in Williamsburg may have some names for you. Good luck!

Posted by: meerkatz at February 2, 2009 8:50 PM in response to ceiling soundproofing

I'm tiling over the old stuff... and here's why:

I pulled off the 20 year old tile and found the original hexagonal 1" (or smaller) tiles that were laid originally - the type that always accompany 'subway tiles' on the wall. The original tilers poured a bed of mortar about 4" thick between and rising above the top of the floor joists about 1 1/2". This thick bed of mortar only concerns me in terms of weight but it has lasted for 94 years and the floor joists still seem fine. I'm going to go the extra distance and sister some lamibeam to each of them underneath in the basement level - just because it will make me feel better.

If it were as easy as 'popping up' some old tiles - I might consider it. But these are so firmly locked into this thick bed of mortar that to remove them would require removing the entire bed. I'll trust the 'old world' artisans that evidently put this together, use their tile as my bed and reinforce for weight /longevity reasons.

Posted by: PulSamsara at September 8, 2009 12:48 PM in response to TILING OVER TILE??

Obviously whatever Denton is smoking is also affecting his penmanship. Credit to slopefarm for actually reading the question, an offer is not binding to either party and since it seems as though you don't have a buyer’s broker, it's up to the owner, especially a seller's agent to vet the obvious: are you pre-qualified for a mortgage, (esp. for Co-op boards) your assets/liabilities, income, do you have the min 20% to put down etc.
She may even want you to put it in writing with the offer but a financing contingency is in your interest to have, however, it goes into the contract. Unless you can manipulate time and space, it is impossible to finance an apt without an accepted offer to begin with.

Posted by: Crownlfc at October 6, 2009 12:21 AM in response to CoOp Offer Subject to Financing?