newhomer's Profile
- 2002
- Brooklyn
- Park Slope
- House
Author's Posts
October 1, 2009
Recarpet Common Stairwell
Does anyone know a good (cheap) place to buy carpeting for stairs? I'd also need it installed. It's for the common hallway, so I'm not looking for anything fancy.
September 23, 2009
Handyman Recommendation
I'd like to recommend my handyman, Brian Piersol to anyone looking to do any upgrading to their homes. I actually found him on this forum and he's been a great help to me in many projects this summer. He recently finished sheetrocking my basement walls and ceiling and did some electrical work as well. He did a great job and was reliable and conscientious during the whole process. I had a lot of nightmarish experiences in the past with contractors and handypeople (a lot of tears!) so I'm really grateful that he's been so helpful to me.
You can reach him at: piersol33@gmail.com
June 18, 2009
Cellar Flooding from Neighbor?
While working on my cellar the past few weeks, my contractor told me that whenever it rains heavily (which it has been, obviously) there is a puddle of water that forms on the side of my cellar. My building sits slightly below the neighboring property and he thought that the water was coming in from a broken sewer pipe or something. I stood outside today in the rain in front of the neighbor's property and I don't see any flooding in the area where the puddle is forming. (His house is set back about 15 feet from mine, so the sewer pipe would be underground in his yard(?). I would assume the pipe is my neighbor's responsibility? Is there any way of checking to be sure?
May 26, 2009
Architect recommendation
I'd like to recommend my architect, Eric Safyan to anyone looking for one. He worked with me on my kitchen reno and also the necessary permits and expediting. He also went out of his way to follow up and offer advice when I needed it.
eric@es-architect.com
May 15, 2009
Neighbors trash dumping
I own a house that sits next to a stretch of wall that is the side of the neighboring property. People have been taking to dumping their large trash items in front of the wall (currently a mattress and boxspring, surely full of bed bugs.) The wall is also tagged with graffiti. There are no lights along the wall or any signs. I'm grossed out and annoyed by the trash that is constantly left over there. plus once people see trash they think they can dump whatever is in the hand in the immediate area, which unfortunately is my front yard. I'm pretty sure it's not the actual tenants of the building, but rather people in neighboring buildings. Previously, I've just waited for the garbage men to eventually pick up the stuff (they sometimes don't because it's not really an official address, i think). And once, when I was out of town, my tenants called 311 to request a large furniture pickup for a particularly smelly couch. I know large items have to get tossed somewhere, but the people who are doing the dumping don't care what day trash pickup is so the stuff tends to sit there for days.
Anyway, I tried to look up the owner through proerty shark, but there's no phone number. Last night I also went into the business that is in the front of the building, and gave them my info for the owner to contact me. Nothing. So do I:
a) call 311, and schedule a trash pickup since the owner won't.
b) call 311 and lodge a complaint about the trash, which might get the owner a ticket. But then maybe he/she will be forced to address the situation, by possible putting lights or signs up.
c) Fume silently.
d) Try looking the owner up elsewhere (suggestions welcome) and contact him/her.
Also, is the owner legally obligated to do something?
Thanks in advance!
March 17, 2008
Company to install window screens?
Does anyone know a place that will measure and install window screens for my townhouse? I have about 10 windows i want to get screens for. Also around how much per screen?
My last coop tried to use Park Slope Windows and after 4 months of jerking us around, they told us they lost the order. I'm hoping for a place that does them quickly.
Thanks!
November 14, 2007
Anyone used Shatter Gard window protectors?
I saw something in an old post about Shatter Gard protectors. Anyone have it installed? More importantly, has anyone had someone (a burglar?) try to gain entry and was deterred by the Shatter Gard? I want to secure my house but don't want to get ugly security bars. Also would anyone know how much it is for materials and installation?
Author's Comments
My tenants have their own boilers so i don't know what temperature they set their apartments. I keep my apartment at 71 degrees during the day and 62 at night. But even though I have it set at 71 in the daytime, i tend to bump it up a couple of degrees when i'm home because i find it too cold (and yes, i wear sweaters). A couple of degrees seem to make a big difference though. So i'd suggest you bump it up to 72 or 73 and then maybe you can make up for the difference by lowering it starting at 10pm instead of 11 or lowering it to 66 at night.
Posted by: newhomer at October 16, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
newhomer wrote a review about 200 Fifth Restaurant & Bar on October 12, 2009 11:29 AM
This is the first restaurant I went to when I moved to Park Slope. And I've been back many times. It IS loud and there are a lot of TVs, but I don't go in there expecting to have a quiet, romantic dinner.
I think the food is pretty good, better than the usual sports bar fare. I usually go there for burgers, and sometimes steak.
For my rental apartment:
Gas heat/hot water - $30/month for warm months, $150/month for the three or four coldest winter months (with temp set around 72 degrees, lower at night). Should average roughly $90/month.
Electricity - $85/month. But of course this will depend on usage.
I (landlord) pay the water bill. It's been about $140 each quarter for my three family house.
Posted by: newhomer at September 17, 2009 10:28 AM in response to Utilities Bill
I always think the beer at Eagle would be stale or skunky, especially the ones near the window. I wonder how much turnover they have on their stock. For me, Costco or 9th Ctown for meat and Big Apple for vegetables. I haven't tried Little Buddy, but i love their awning. Makes the walk home more interesting.
Posted by: newhomer at August 31, 2009 5:57 PM in response to StreetLevel: New Bakery in the South Slope
If she is one of your best friends, your relationship with her won't get that much better, but has the potential to get a lot worse.
Posted by: newhomer at August 28, 2009 12:05 PM in response to Renting to a Friend
Luigi's pizza on 5th between 20 and 21 is pretty decent. But I'm psyched to have another good pizzeria in the hood.
Posted by: newhomer at July 31, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Looks Like Lucali is Coming to the South Slope!
aww, it's kind of cute.
Posted by: newhomer at June 29, 2009 4:15 PM in response to Closing Bell: Obama Pitching Myrtle Deli
Whatever you do, make sure you get a good tiler. And inspect the corners and edges when they're done to make sure they are neat. I didn't and the messy job the tilers did still bother me a year later.
Posted by: newhomer at June 29, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Bathroom renovation questions
I used to walk by this school on my way to work and fantasize about getting a few people together and buying it. We'd each have a nice, high ceilinged floor to ourselves and a big backyard and a gymnasium.
Posted by: newhomer at June 22, 2009 2:20 PM in response to What's Going on at St. Thomas Aquinas?
I spoke with my neighbor last night and it looks like water is seeping in from my cracked wall along his property. He happened to have a pile of debris right at that spot, which was why so much water went into my basement because it was accumulating in that spot. The previous owners did a terrible waterproofing/plastering job on the walls so now it needs to be redone. I am so glad it was not the neighbor's sewer line because now I can patch the wall up without involving him. Does anyone know a good waterproofing/plastering person? I'll need 3 exterior walls done. Thanks for everyone's help!
Posted by: newhomer at June 19, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Cellar Flooding from Neighbor?
I will try your suggestions. Thanks!!
Posted by: newhomer at June 18, 2009 5:08 PM in response to Cellar Flooding from Neighbor?
The leak might also be coming from an outside wall, which would make it the coop's responsibility. Definitely should go through the super's ceiling to check.
Posted by: newhomer at June 11, 2009 4:34 PM in response to leak mess
I also used Joe Pasaturo for my home inspection and thought he was great.
Posted by: newhomer at June 4, 2009 3:02 PM in response to Inspector recommendation
Hi bk_bstoner. This was my first renovation and Eric was recommended by my contractor. I had Eric draw plans for my kitchen and also submit plans for a permit for a back door. I did ask my friend who had been through several renovations with different architects if he thought how much I was being charged was fair and he seemed to think so. Hope that helps.
Posted by: newhomer at May 26, 2009 3:13 PM in response to Architect recommendation
Thanks for the good advice. I actually called 311 and scheduled a pick-up. I'll use this as their last get-out-of-jail-free pass. Next time I will call sanitation.
Posted by: newhomer at May 15, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Neighbors trash dumping
I forgot to add that you should check what qualifications your coop board needs for entry in the building. Generally, the percent down payment, how much in assets on top of that and salary requirements. Make sure you and your buyer use lawyers to do paperwork.
Posted by: newhomer at May 7, 2009 3:05 PM in response to Broker or FSBO
I sold my one bedroom in Park Slope a couple of years ago as an FSBO. Here's what I learned:
1) The people who are looking in the one bedroom price range are usually younger people and therefore more tech savvy. They will definitely be looking in the NYtimes (to a lesser extent, craigslist, but listing is free on cl, so why not?). It's true, the more expensive the place, the more likely people will be relying on brokers to do the digging around. But that's not the case for your one bedroom.
2) Learn the market and price right. Look at listings and recent sales in NYTimes. Find places similar and price accordingly. You can also get a good idea about wording for your own ad.
3) Clean and declutter. Take down any personal photos, figurine collections, etc. No one cares or wants to see it. Don't forget the closets and cabinets because people will look in them. The fewer items you have sitting on shelves, tables, etc. will make the place bigger.
4) Definitely need a website with photos and floorplan. Save yourself (and other people) time by posting this information because you don't want people showing up and finding out it's too small or all wrong, etc.
5) Stage the hell out of the place. I rented a storage space for the duration of the sale and removed almost half my furniture and crap. I also moved furniture before open houses to give ideas of how to use the space, even though i didn't live that way.
6) Schedule open houses. Keep a sign-in sheet so you can follow up with people who are interested if you want. Also have a printout of the apartment layout with a few choice photos and pertinent info. Get some plants and flowers.
I managed to sell my place for more than I expected. It IS hard work, with scheduling, cleaning, decluttering, more cleaning, photos, website and ads. But I also saved myself almost $15,000. Good luck
Posted by: newhomer at May 7, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Broker or FSBO
My friend had this problem in front of her building and nothing was working; bleach, water, yelling, etc. Finally one day the landlord switched the front door to swing OUTWARD thus constantly hitting whoever happened to be sitting on the stoop when someone left the building. Also they had to move anytime anyone wanted to go in the building. That finally stopped people from hanging out there. Not sure if it will work in your case, but I thought it was genius.
Posted by: newhomer at November 14, 2008 1:09 PM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment
If you get a security door, make sure it's double keyed or else someone can just break the glass, unlatch and open. Some of the security doors at Lowes only have key access on the outside, which i don't understand. Maybe it's just for the illusion of security?
Posted by: newhomer at April 7, 2008 11:46 AM in response to Replacing parlor floor window with door
Thanks for the info!
Posted by: newhomer at March 18, 2008 2:01 PM in response to Company to install window screens?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
yeah, water bill is way up. Stealth Bloomberg tax on middleclass.
Posted by: Petebklyn at September 17, 2009 4:36 PM in response to Utilities Bill
checked out the place myself today, spoke with landlord, and (gf's) friend in more detail. she pays like 60 a month for heat/water (budget billing) and like 100 a month for electricity. not bad.
Posted by: guikazoid at September 17, 2009 10:56 PM in response to Utilities Bill
I think 10k will be required for both materials and labour cost.
Posted by: beesondirect at October 8, 2009 5:34 AM in response to Bathroom renovation questions
I love your use of standard lease words like "quiet enjoyment". Yes, I used the words "character flaw"...although, I was really talking to you smeyer. Maybe you can direct your angsty-ness elsewhere.
Posted by: cillmylandlord_again at October 16, 2009 1:53 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
I was not talking to you...
Posted by: cillmylandlord_again at October 16, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
when you post on an open board you are talking to everyone. You don't control the answers. You can control if you read them by not reading them. I know you are not talking to me its one of your character flaws to think you can control all the conversation.
Posted by: smeyer418 at October 16, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
Wow...all of that, lol.
Posted by: cillmylandlord_again at October 16, 2009 2:15 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
Just turn it up a degree or two, you stingy ass landlord. I'm sure it's not as warm as you think it is.
Posted by: MAT at October 16, 2009 2:31 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
Hit send before I was able to say -from the homeowner who keeps his own heat at around 64. lol!)
Posted by: MAT at October 16, 2009 2:35 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
One degree actually could make all the diffence in the world.
Maybe you could meet your tenant half way.
Posted by: italiana71 at October 16, 2009 2:37 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.
Have you considered lowering your rental price to take into account how much you would pay a broker? I feel like apartments that don't rent are too expensive, regardless of whether a broker is showing.
Posted by: newhomer at November 4, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Landlord Paying Broker?