I lived on the same block over on 12th and never noticed a problem.

Posted by: mksk at November 4, 2009 12:09 PM in response to 11th Street Firehouses

Mullane's on Lafayette in Fort Greene has a lot of screens and a nice crowd.

Posted by: mksk at October 28, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Best sports bar in Brooklyn?

more4less, I didn't think the prices were that outrageous. We looked at a 2-bed 2-bath unit, the model unit with full kitchen and pantry, lots of closet space and huge rooms. I think it was listed for $489k? The biggest killer for me, aside from the ugly exterior, was the location. For what it was, I think it was priced well. And I've been looking in that range for over a year so I feel comfortable with comps on condos like that.

Posted by: mksk at October 16, 2009 2:34 PM in response to 270 Greene Avenue Hits the Market

Hideous from the outside, agreed. But I was at an OH there last weekend and the apartment I looked at was quite spacious and nicely laid out. Some cheapish finishes, but overall it was much better on the inside than on the outside.

Posted by: mksk at October 16, 2009 12:27 PM in response to 270 Greene Avenue Hits the Market

I looked at the market rate units. I'm not sure how they differ from the affordable units, but they were really nicely done. Smart layouts and good spaces. Everything was gutted and rebuilt.

Posted by: mksk at October 15, 2009 11:39 AM in response to Closings and Move-Ins at 420 Classon Avenue

We must live on the same block. I have the same problem out my back windows. The dogs bark at each other incessently. The barking only stops when one of them starts howling for hours on end. Its disturbing because of the neglect issue and also extremely irritating to remain in my apartment with that kind of noise. I also can't figure out which building it is coming from.

Posted by: mksk at October 9, 2009 11:32 AM in response to Dogs Barking...Constantly

$600k for an unrenovated glorified 1 bedroom? Are you crazy?

Posted by: mksk at October 2, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Price My Apartment

I live one block away from a HS and would caution you to be careful. The students treat the surrounding blocks like their living room. I often come home to strange kids sitting on my stoop. They usually just smoke pot and leave, but they make a ton of noise and often leave trash and cigarette butts behind. Maybe you could visit the property during the after-school hours (pick a broad range to sit and watch) and see what its really like? That will give you the best answer.

Posted by: mksk at September 22, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Living Across from High School

These were quite poorly done when you actually look up close at the details. And, whoever the broker is keeps re-listing them as 'new' each week so they constantly look like they are just listed even though they've been on the market for quite some time. That's really irritating.

Posted by: mksk at September 21, 2009 1:47 PM in response to Checking In On 353 6th Street

DeLepp, how can you even compare a 2-bed at this price and one for $699k? You are not talking about the same buyers, not by a long shot.

I was at this open house last weekend. This is really a 1-bed that was converted. The second bedroom has no closet and was actually the kitchen. The kitchen was moved forward into the LR. You can still see the wall where the former kitchen should have ended. The real 2-beds in this building are enormous!!

Posted by: mksk at August 27, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 269 Clinton Avenue, #D2

I saw these units several weeks ago. It looks like it switched brokers recently and was re-listed. At a HIGHER price than when I saw it. This place was a big old mess from top to bottom. The buidling is literally falling apart, with the central staircase crumbling underfoot and pulling away from the wall. The broker at the time said that the studio and the floor-thru could not be combined. Both units are in need of massive work, and the top floor floor-thru needs to be gutted completely. It is un-liveable as it is. The broker described it as a laid-back coop, with each original owner holding a floor thru and a stuio each. This brownstone has an addition on the side that makes for 8 units total. I think most are rentals. Everything about this listing and the showing just screamed "shady!!".

Posted by: mksk at August 11, 2009 2:08 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 214 Carlton Avenue, #5

Its not the most beautiful block compared to others nearby but it is a great location. I think that section between Greene and Fulton isn't landmarked like other blocks nearby. Or, landmarking came too late to save the block from those ugly condos.

Posted by: mksk at July 17, 2009 12:03 PM in response to Adelphi Street

Thanks Rocketien. I did do the lot and block search based on the address. I guess I'll keep digging!

Posted by: mksk at July 14, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Searching ACRIS for Co-op Info?

I would love to support a local bookstore. I can't wait for this to open! And so close to where I live!

Posted by: mksk at June 3, 2009 12:27 PM in response to Greenlight Bookstore Location Revealed!

Is it just me or does this kind of maintenance make no sense? Its almost a whole other mortgage payment, and must be a huge deterrant to folks who might otherwise be looking in that price range.

Posted by: mksk at May 28, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 80 Poplar Street, #1R

I met the guys that are running this place not to long ago at Brooklyn Public House. They had just signed the lease that night and seemed super excited. They were nice.

Posted by: mksk at May 12, 2009 11:59 AM in response to Black Lotus Revealed

I'm curious about what's wrong with them. Is it a company policy to bully buyers or is it the individual brokers that have the reputations?

Posted by: mksk at May 6, 2009 3:39 PM in response to Aguayo & Huebener broker?

I love when Rob says "poo mist"

Posted by: mksk at April 23, 2009 2:26 PM in response to House of the Day: 1265 Dean Street

These priced seemed high when they started selling, and they still seem high to me even with these cuts. The only good news is that the tower planned for right across the street has been canned, so buyers have a better chance of maintaining their views.

Posted by: mksk at April 21, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Price Cuts at Forte

Thanks karo25!

Posted by: mksk at April 16, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Mortgage rates

What kind of credit scores are going along with those good rates? Are banks raising the scores they want to see for under 5%?

Posted by: mksk at April 16, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Mortgage rates

I think you'll be waiting a looooong time for someone to recommend a well-built new construction condo in Brooklyn.

Posted by: mksk at April 14, 2009 12:45 PM in response to A well-built, well-run condo

At that price (or what I appraised it for) the maintenance is approaching the mortgage payment!! How can someone looking in that price range, even the list price range, afford that kind of maintenance fee?

Posted by: mksk at April 14, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 415 Argyle Road

No way is this better than the red siding next door. This is hideous!

Posted by: mksk at April 3, 2009 12:32 PM in response to Horror Show Friday: 170 Clermont Avenue

The layouts are great in these co-ops but I think the maintenance is super high given what the building services actually are. The complex has security, but no doorman. You have to open the main doors yourself after a certain hour (no more buzzing in), and ancient elevators.

Posted by: mksk at April 1, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 325 Clinton Avenue, #11E

Make A Frame on Atlantic gets my vote. They do a fantastic job and are an absolute pleasure to work with.

Posted by: mksk at February 11, 2009 1:06 PM in response to Picture Framing

What will become of the existing building?

Posted by: mksk at January 29, 2009 12:15 PM in response to 470 Vanderbilt Cleared for ULURP Take-Off

For more complicated stuff, I like Hong Kong Tailor Jack in the Village. He's located on Waverly Place on the southwest corner of 6th Avenue. He makes suits custom, if that helps give you a sense of his capabilities.

There's also a dude named Ramon on Mott between Bleecker and Houston in a dry cleaners. He's quite good as well. Probably less exepnsive than HKTJ.

Posted by: mksk at January 21, 2009 1:14 PM in response to Tailor ??

Speaking of things moving/not moving in Fort Greene, does anyone know what is going on at Clermont Greene? Are any of those units moving? Are there price cuts yet?

Posted by: mksk at December 22, 2008 12:45 PM in response to Checking In On Cumberland Greene

@Kris... a Corcoran broker lives in one of the buildings over there, so I'm not surprised that prices keep inching upwards in these coops when everywhere else they are inching down.

I love the layouts of these apartments but can't justify the super high maintenance for such few amenities. Maintenance for the true 2-beds is inching towards $900 a month.

Posted by: mksk at November 25, 2008 2:54 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 193 Clinton Avenue

I love this building. The true two beds are beautiful, and they just did a major repointing outside and other improvements inside. I'd love to live here!

Posted by: mksk at November 13, 2008 1:00 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 360 Clinton Avenue One Bedroom

I'm wondering if we have the same neighbor...
Have you tried going through your landlord? If they are small rental buildings, they might know the owner of your neighbor's building and can bring it up as an issue.

Posted by: mksk at November 10, 2008 12:47 PM in response to Noise Issues

You might try looking for local nonprofits. Check out the Pratt Area Community Council for leads. Through my day job, I know of Fort Greene SNAP (on Myrtle) and Bed Stuy Family Health Center do a lot of community work on maternal/child health stuff. Also, the MOCADA building (80 Arts, or 80 Hanson Place) is chock full of non-profits.

Posted by: mksk at November 10, 2008 12:45 PM in response to clinton hill volunteering

I've lived up the block for 6 years and have never seen any activity there. Not even a car in the lot. Oh wait, except for that time an SUV was set on fire and then left to rot for months. While I'd like to see the space used, and a nice, clean grocer would be nice, I won't be looking forward to a construction site outside my door.

Posted by: mksk at November 10, 2008 12:40 PM in response to Big Plans for 470 Vanderbilt

Speak of the devil... I just saw the beefy dude with cameras in tow at my gym yesterday (Crunch on Fulton). He was literally preening for the lens (and the mirrors) while working out. It was a rather disgusting spectacle.

Posted by: mksk at November 10, 2008 12:36 PM in response to "Real World" Cast and Crew Not Ruining the Nabe

Dittoburg, I'm interested in your comment about mortgage interest deduction. Just how exactly does all that stuff work? Can I really push my budget higher knowing that I can offset that at the end of the year? I have yet to figure this one out... I expect that its some simple thing I'm just missing...

Posted by: mksk at October 9, 2008 3:53 PM in response to House of the Day: 1380 Dean Street

I was at the first open house a few weeks ago. They were nice looking apartments, good layouts, lots of closets (which so many apartments seem to forget is required in a residential dwelling) and decent bathrooms. My biggest takeaway, however, was how obnoxious, disinterested and uninformed the brokers were. One was on the phone the whole time, and the other could either not answer or refused to answer any of the questions asked. We left with such a bad taste about these, mainly because we would have hated to give those two jerks a commission.

Posted by: mksk at September 23, 2008 12:50 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 470 Washington Avenue

TownhouseLady, it was the NY City Council that was looking to pass something about commercial businesses that blast their A/Cs and leave their doors open, thus wasting energy. I do not recall the outcome...

Posted by: mksk at September 19, 2008 1:34 PM in response to Whose Tree Is It, Anyway?

Sell prices may have been lower than Oro and Forte, but it was still priced way too high for that location. I'm not surprised at all that its going rental.

Posted by: mksk at September 18, 2008 1:04 PM in response to Zoinks! The Clermont Going Rental

It was Park Slope Sports & Fitness. Same owners of Fort Greene Sports & Fitness (on Fulton), which is now also a Crunch. The changeover happened for both sites about 2 years ago.

Posted by: mksk at August 14, 2008 3:54 PM in response to Streetlevel: More Crunch on Flatbush

This is really a one-bed that has been converted to a two bedroom - the second bedroom is actually the dining area and has no closets. The real two-beds in these coops are selling in the high 400s, though I've recently seen a few on the market for low 500s.

Posted by: mksk at August 11, 2008 4:12 PM in response to For those who think there are no deals left in Brooklyn

If you do decide on 200 Fifth, get there early as it is sure to be PACKED beyond belief.

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at October 28, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Best sports bar in Brooklyn?

Hmmm.... it sounds like 200 Fifth will be a nuthouse, which is good (or it might just be a short ride to Mullane's on Lafayette.) We'll check out 200 Fifth. Thanks a lot! Now it just has to stop raining.

Posted by: donatella at October 28, 2009 2:26 PM in response to Best sports bar in Brooklyn?

Plan B! on Vanderbilt!

Posted by: Smokychimp at October 28, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Best sports bar in Brooklyn?

Um, Circuit City went bankrupt and liquidated all of their stores over 6 months ago.

Otherwise a fine fine joke, Fawn.

Posted by: MR at October 29, 2009 1:08 PM in response to Best sports bar in Brooklyn?

I prefer the Dram Shop on 9th ave between 5th & 6th over 200 5th. Lots of TVs. Best burger. Good crowd.

Posted by: teepeeteee at October 29, 2009 6:42 PM in response to Best sports bar in Brooklyn?

don't know about problems with this firehouse (although I once lived a couple of blocks away) but I DO live on Midwood II, in PLG, around the corner from a firehouse. They use their siren when they're near my house. You get used to it very quickly--it's NOT a big deal at all.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at November 4, 2009 4:00 PM in response to 11th Street Firehouses

Great to hear!

Check out Colson's Bakery at 9th and 6th--they have really, really good croissants and pastries.

And always pick up the circular from the Associated on 9th--they sometimes have amazing specials. We got chicken legs for 39c a pound! Hard to beat!

Posted by: bkrules at November 4, 2009 4:01 PM in response to 11th Street Firehouses

I actually know three different couples who live on that block of 11th Street (two rent and one own). They love it. The firemen don't turn on the lights or sirens until they cross 7th Avenue. There is an active block association who keep the firemen in check! It's a great block and a wonderful part of the Slope. Congratulations on finding an apartment there.

Posted by: BlueHills at November 4, 2009 8:34 PM in response to 11th Street Firehouses

The horn and siren are safety devices used to warn vehicles that a firetruck is approaching the intersection. The officer controls them with foot pedals. The driver can also hit the horn. I am sure if someone in the firehouse sees the comment that the block association has them "under control" you will hear a lot more of the horn and siren.

Posted by: Grumpy at November 4, 2009 8:53 PM in response to 11th Street Firehouses