If you offering good incentive and appreciation it is very good to offer a courtesy to Brokers. Brokers will definetly give a good response.

Posted by: naimh at December 5, 2007 4:01 AM in response to Should I offer "Courtesy to brokers" or not with FSBO?

You should first find out the reason for such perspective after talking to contracter will make realize the mistake done by him while constructing. Try to deal of final payment after sorting a problem only.

Posted by: naimh at December 5, 2007 3:58 AM in response to Caulk/Grout cracking question?

Bugs in the cristmas tree is common First try to decorate on small brown bugs or it is more good to go and buy a new fine tree which is much better than the previous one.

Posted by: naimh at December 5, 2007 3:55 AM in response to Christma Tree Bugs

The only thing that matters is that you get a good offer and sell the place.

Remember, only 2% of Open Houses result in sales. Anyone can advertise in the NY Times and have an Open House.

The biggest problem you're going to have is that folks looking to buy an apartment in Bed Stuy are not going to be the strongest financially. Otherwise, they'd be looking somewhere else.

Unless you don't mind spending several months showing unqualified "lookers" your apartment, I'd hire a broker and have him pre-qualify prospective buyers. You can also order your broker around to make life easier for yourself.

Unless you don't work and don't mind risking the further downfall of this shaky real estate market, you should hire a broker.

Of course, if you price the apartment well below market, it should go fast either way, but I highly doubt that's your plan.

Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 9:19 AM in response to Should I offer "Courtesy to brokers" or not with FSBO?

I also had the same problem. I ended up touching up the cracked areas myself with additional grout and now a year later their still perfect. (Knock on wood).

Posted by: Giovanna at December 5, 2007 9:54 AM in response to Caulk/Grout cracking question?

Google around for DIY tips on grout and caulking. We too had this issue; the contractor used grout between tub and floor, tub and baseboard, etc, and it's starting to show small cracks just 2 months later. I read somewhere that for surfaces that move slightly (the tiles are on top of cementboard on top of wood, and the other side of the wall are hardwood floors that definitely move), it's best to use something that stretches, like silicone. I'm planning to add a thin layer at the places where the floor moves.

Posted by: linkinplace at December 5, 2007 10:17 AM in response to Caulk/Grout cracking question?

Thanks for all the helpful responses. The bugs appear to be aphids (thanks for the article link Bren). I noticed a few more yesterday but thankfully they were all dead. So I'm going to stick it out.

11:20, I purchased the tree from the Home Depot in Sunset Park.

-Judith

Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 10:20 AM in response to Christma Tree Bugs

hhitchc, thanks for the tip but I'm wondering whether spraying anything with alcohol on the tree is safe? Wouldn't that make the tree more flammable?

-Judith

Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 10:24 AM in response to Christma Tree Bugs

I'm not a contractor, just a homeowner, but I do know that when grouting, as well as repointing (putting new mortar between bricks), that you should keep the grout and mortar wet for awhile after application. I've always followed this advice in when doing these home projects but only recently learned the reason why. The tiles and/or bricks are very porous and will suck the water right out of the grout/mortar, causing the material to dry too fast and possibly crack. I use a plant spray bottle to keep the grout moist. Don't know if this is your particular problem, but maybe a factor? This is particularly true during warm weather-- less so in a cold space where the grout/mortar dries at a slower rate anyway.

Mike Z

Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 11:07 AM in response to Caulk/Grout cracking question?

Heh. Aphids. Not too bad. One year my parents tree in Iowa was infested with hundreds and hundreds of baby spiders!!!

We were passing out presents and i noticed a bunch of flecks on a present. But the flecks were moving. Gah. Then we discovered the extent of their multitude.

I assume they hunker down for the winter, but when their home is cut down and brought into a warm house...Hey, it's spring! Wake up!

Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 11:20 AM in response to Christma Tree Bugs

Uh... Is that a metaphorical "Christmas Tree"?

Posted by: GHB at December 5, 2007 11:48 AM in response to Christma Tree Bugs

Thanks for all the responses. I will have to check with the contractor to see what he used. A friend said to me that he should have used some kind of latex so things wouldn't dry out like they have. As for one posters question about heat, we have a forced air duct in the bathroom, but the problem isn't just in the area right by the duct it is all over the bathroom. Any other thoughts would be great and wish us luck :-)

Posted by: leslie at December 5, 2007 1:46 PM in response to Caulk/Grout cracking question?

Hi Judith. I have had no problems with the spray on any of my house plants. Again its diluted 1:1 so half water, half alcohol. You can use less if you prefer. I have read that mouthwash works equally as well because the mint is an added pesticide. You can do a test spot to check. Christmas trees are super hardy so I would not worry. If it was a delicate plant with soft leaves, I would do something more gentile. If you google you will see this is a widely used herbal pest remedy.

Good luck.

Here is a list I use.

Herbal remedies
http://www.comfycountrycreations.com/bugspray.htm

Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 2:21 PM in response to Christma Tree Bugs