DIBS can it. You also misrepresented the report.

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 4:00 PM in response to Open Thread

Here you go--seems like the only "non-noise" was metaphase:

"Brownstoner made a hash of summarizing the report.

No where does the report that brownstone prices in northwest brooklyn increased 12%.

The report does say that overall brownstone median prices increased 12%. BUT this is the quarterly increase from Q3 to Q4. The year over year prices are down.

Brownstone median price is down 2% year over year, with 2 families showing a 9% median price decline. The overall price decline for all brownstones was buffered by median price gains in the 3+ family brownstone category (investment properties largely). Regardless, these number are from a total n = 60, which is subject to serious noise."

Posted by: metaphase at March 3, 2009 2:50 PM in response to Brownstones, Co-ops Outperformed Condos in Q4

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 3:57 PM in response to Open Thread

Well, maybe this post from HOTD has something to do with the removal of the report?

"As an aside, brownstoner summarized that report dead wrong.

Median sales prices for Brooklyn townhouses are NOT up. Median sales prices for brooklyn brownstones are down, with 2 families showing a 9% median price decline.

I'm not a raging bear, but fallacious reporting really irks me."

Posted by: metaphase at March 3, 2009 2:52 PM

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Open Thread

I guess the sarcasm in my first post did not come through.

BTW, what happened to the earlier post on Brooklyn/NYC RE prices? It's gone.

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 3:49 PM in response to House of the Day: 365 Parkside Avenue

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&refer=home&sid=aDZ_c0FbatiY

In reference to Manhattan median apartment price increases, but same for Brooklyn prices: "The gain mostly reflects deals from the first half of the year, before the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc..."

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 2:05 PM in response to Brownstones, Co-ops Outperformed Condos in Q4

"Deriving comfort from 4Q 08 statistics is like experiencing a tremor before a massive earthquake, and saying "hey, these earthquakes are actually not THAT bad!"

This should be quote of the day.

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Brownstones, Co-ops Outperformed Condos in Q4

It will sell--no problem! Median sales prices for Brooklyn townhouses are up.

Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 1:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 365 Parkside Avenue

Wow, the 7th Avenue house is really beautiful. I love how bright and airy the rooms feel. I really like the bathroom. It is stunning. My only complaint is that it seems to be missing its parlor doors. I also agree that the main problem is the location. 7th Ave right off Flatbush is very loud and busy-constant foot and car traffic. And there seems to be some sort of bizarre wind tunnel that forms on that block because there is always litter and paper strewn all over the sidewalk and the stoops. It's also right across the street from a billiards room/bar which adds to the noise, especially in the summer.

Posted by: nyc87 at February 20, 2009 5:13 PM in response to Open House Picks

Yes, I would consider renting to them. Bad credit should not be the only factor. Many people have bad credit and have had problems in the past but are still responsible and pay rent. Can you check their references?

Posted by: nyc87 at February 20, 2009 5:06 PM in response to Credit report

I heard that even fancy-schmancy Al Di La is offering discounts during the week.

Posted by: nyc87 at February 9, 2009 9:02 PM in response to Closing Bell: Weeklong Valentine's Day on Fifth Avenue

It's not that bad.

Posted by: nyc87 at February 9, 2009 8:41 PM in response to Wacky Times in Crown Heights

"I'm not a chick (seems like any idiot would be able to figure that out by now) "

Well I'm a total idiot then. You sound way too catty to be a guy. No way.

Posted by: nyc87 at February 9, 2009 8:32 PM in response to 268 Wythe Revealed: You Likey?

Sorry, 11217, I don't see the analogy. If anything, it reinforces what I was saying. Whiners, of which you are one, need not read this blog if they don't the content. Who are you to lay out, in a snarky three sentences no less, what standards the QOTD should adhere to? Seriously? It smacked of immaturity and totally random aggression. I mean, really, there are enough of your posts to scroll past on every thread. Do you have a compulsion? Or do you just *have* to have the last word every time? It's kind of pathological.

Posted by: nyc87 at February 5, 2009 9:54 PM in response to Quote of the Day

11217,

No offense, but why are you so shrill?

You must subscribe to the "I scream the loudest, therefore I am right" school of thought. Your posts, which take up about 30% of every thread, are truly thought-provoking.

And thanks for setting the standards for QOTDs--you've done a great service to this site.

Posted by: nyc87 at February 5, 2009 8:55 PM in response to Quote of the Day

The Gowanus Houses ARE the projects--it's an NYCHA housing complex. This house is about 40 feet from the projects. What exactly are you so upset about BrooklynChicken?

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/developments/bklyngowanus.shtml

Seller paid $830K in 2006.

Posted by: nyc87 at January 30, 2009 8:31 PM in response to 257 Hoyt Street - 600k+?

"I think you're the brick wall 11217. as indoctrinated in your dogma as the Mao youth of my youth.
Instead of waving a little red book you're waving a little green one and hoping that those who disagree with you die. nice"

Beautifully put. Thank you.

Posted by: nyc87 at January 29, 2009 7:28 PM in response to House of the Day: 370 Clinton Street

hey traditionalmod-- I'm not sneering, and I didn't set the totally arbitrary $1 million threshold--the posters who were complaining above set that number. Brownstoner REGULARLY features brownstones under $1 million, the most beautiful of which are in Bed Stuy. Shit shacks, on the other hand, don't generate much interest or many comments, so why should they be featured here?

Posted by: nyc87 at January 16, 2009 7:59 PM in response to Open House Picks

You're right BRG--point taken. That came out the wrong way, in the heat of the moment. What I meant was that brownstones in Brooklyn are, unfortunately, kind of expensive, for now anyway. So, with the exception of some beautiful places in Bed-Stuy, which DO receive extensive coverage on this blog, most properties are priced above the $1 million mark. What can you do? Supply and demand.

Posted by: nyc87 at January 16, 2009 3:46 PM in response to Open House Picks

Stop whining about featuring more affordable houses. This blog is mainly about BROWNSTONES, and the nice brownstones in Brooklyn, the ones worth discussing, are usually priced over $1 million--at least for now. Start your own blog if you want to discuss any old house.

Posted by: nyc87 at January 16, 2009 3:09 PM in response to Open House Picks

Truly probing expose.

Maybe if they'd said "comforter cover," a term used by many people, as opposed to "duvet" they might've gotten a better response. So obnoxious.

Posted by: nyc87 at January 6, 2009 7:40 PM in response to Closing Bell: FIPS Goes Undercover

Another big issue is the "new homes" selection. It used to be that new listings were those listed in the past 7 days. Now, a mix of old and some more recent listings (14 day!) comes up when you click "new homes". It doesn't sort them. Truly sucks. Big mistake. And who needs you to further specify between single family home or single family townhome??? Totally useless for NYC!

Posted by: nyc87 at January 6, 2009 12:54 PM in response to NYT Real Estate Classified's Redesign a Real Letdown

This is an absolutely horrible development. My saved listings were wiped out yesterday as well. NYT used to be the best place to look for new properties. Now, it's impossible to sort through the results with any efficacy. Another big issue is having to specify multi-or single-family townhouse. It used to be just "townhouse" as a category. Many brokers and sellers don't bother to specify this for a search function, or do so incorrectly. Sure, it looks nicer, but has lost almost all functionality.

Posted by: nyc87 at January 6, 2009 12:48 PM in response to NYT Real Estate Classified's Redesign a Real Letdown

Wasder, comparisons are appropriate and relevant. Especially when homes are priced pretty much the *SAME* now as they were a year ago. These incremental discounts are ridiculous and do nothing but delay the inevitable. Most properties in prime Brooklyn have not yet price-chopped enough to reflect current market and economic conditions.

From today's (January 6, 2009) NYT article, titled "Striking Declines Seen in Manhattan Real Estate Market":

“The worst is yet to come; there is a blood bath coming,” said Matthew Haines, a founder of the real estate site Propertyshark.com who prepared the Corcoran report.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/nyregion/06estate.html

Posted by: nyc87 at January 6, 2009 1:26 AM in response to House of the Day: 69 St. James Place

How is my comment not relevant, wasder? I don't get it. It's my opinion, and as relevant to this thread as any of your posts.

$1.75 million is a LOT OF MONEY. People who bought and sold in one of the biggest asset bubbles in history have been conditioned to think that a million bucks is nothing. Almost $2 million for a house in a neighborhood that most people outside of Brooklyn have never heard of (no offense) is insane. Your vested interest in property values in CH no doubt colors your own opinions, no?

Posted by: nyc87 at January 5, 2009 7:40 PM in response to House of the Day: 69 St. James Place

I remembered! Gavin Young Maloney--I think that's the guy you're referring to:

http://web.mac.com/gavinmaloney/iWeb/Site/Home.html

Posted by: nyc87 at January 5, 2009 6:04 PM in response to ISO Cont'r that Advert'd on BStn

I believe it was an Irish name, and it was a design-build operation. Maybe it'll come to me...

Posted by: nyc87 at January 5, 2009 5:53 PM in response to ISO Cont'r that Advert'd on BStn

This house would not have gotten $1.75 in PEAK bubble times. What makes anyone think it will get it now?

Posted by: nyc87 at January 5, 2009 5:51 PM in response to House of the Day: 69 St. James Place

This house looks so uninspiring. And that looks like drywall covering up the beautiful ceiling in the room converted to a kitchen. Photos are horrible, too.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 23, 2008 2:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 638 2nd Street

Ouch. I think we'll soon be seeing 2003 prices in Park Slope after all.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 19, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Is this the marching band featured in Dave Chapelle's Block Party?

Posted by: nyc87 at December 19, 2008 12:06 AM in response to Bed Stuy Band Bound for Inauguration

that's right--I remember an article about these buildings a few years ago. I'm going to try to find it. Serious water/foundation issues. Buyer beware.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 18, 2008 8:58 PM in response to House of the Day: 17 Old Fulton Street

Did anyone attend any open houses yesterday? Impressions?

Posted by: nyc87 at December 15, 2008 12:38 PM in response to

To further respond to your questions--you have to set up the LLC *BEFORE* the closing. It has to be in place FOR the closing.

Famous people put their property in the name of a trust or an LLC, but you can still see mortgage activity for a property, and many snoops quickly learn the names of the trusts or LLCs that belong to celebrities. It's horrible.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 14, 2008 8:33 PM in response to keeping your name off ACRIS, how to live privately

Unfortunately, it's virtually impossible to maintain privacy anymore. You could set up an LLC, and claim the home as your primary residence--that's perfectly ok. However, anyone who knows you and your new address would know the LLC is yours, and they can still see any and all mortgage activity associated with your house. Also, be careful with the LLC set-up; consult with a lawyer who can advise you through the process so that your name, signature, and current address don't appear on the deed as the owner of the LLC. I feel your pain. You could get it done c/o a lawyer or something--not sure on specifics, but a good attorney should be able to give you some options. Good luck.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 14, 2008 8:21 PM in response to keeping your name off ACRIS, how to live privately

I believe that a Hollywood star from the series Grey's Anatomy bought the Dean Street house.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 12, 2008 12:46 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Clear case of mortgage fraud.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 12, 2008 12:43 PM in response to The Curious Case of 88 Lafayette Avenue

Regarding this house, from a NY Mag 2005 article on Connelly: "Connelly’s dream home soon had “two massive floods that completely trashed the whole kitchen,” she says, eyes flashing wide, fingernails flying. “Water coming out of the light fixtures. Pipes burst. Twice! They dispatched the Fire Department.”

http://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/features/11953/index1.html

Posted by: nyc87 at December 11, 2008 10:06 PM in response to 17 Prospect Park Closes

All cash purchase.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 11, 2008 9:58 PM in response to 17 Prospect Park Closes

Biff--see NorthHeights list above.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 11, 2008 7:54 PM in response to House of the Day: 167 Baltic Street

Agreed NorthHeights. I recall two of the last houses of this size in Bklyn Heights selling for below $3 million--one on Orange Street, and another on Cranberry Street. Both houses needed updating but were absolutely stunning and had great curb appeal. Not every house in the Heights is a $6 million pad.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 11, 2008 6:31 PM in response to House of the Day: 167 Baltic Street

This is really silly. A 3-family house, with the owner's apartment, because that's all it is, an APARTMENT, sandwiched between two tenants, for $4 million???? Come on--that price would be considered ridiculous at the height of the market. Add to that the current state of the economy, and this listing becomes outright laughable.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 11, 2008 3:11 PM in response to House of the Day: 167 Baltic Street

And 318 1st Street, a HOTD:

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/11/house_of_the_da_597.php

It's crazy--all these listings on 1st Street! I think there are more...

Posted by: nyc87 at December 3, 2008 9:43 PM in response to House of the Day: 505 1st Street

Also, 555 1st Street, which was an open house pick in September:

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/09/open_house_pick_201.php

Posted by: nyc87 at December 3, 2008 9:40 PM in response to House of the Day: 505 1st Street

"Both 567 and 566 have been removed from the broker websites. Do we assume they sold...?"

No. Streeteasy says both are "temporarily off the market". Also, when a property enters contract, the broker websites show it as "in contract"--they don't just disappear.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 3, 2008 9:35 PM in response to House of the Day: 505 1st Street

Looks beautiful, priced way too high.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 3, 2008 7:13 PM in response to House of the Day: 505 1st Street

The house in Park Slope that got $4 million is a very unique mansion--I can't remember seeing a house like that on the market in a long time. No matter what crisis we're in, there will always people with lots of money, and they will pay a premium for special properties. It's not an indication of the broader market. This has always been the case, historically. So really, the bulls should not get too excited.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 2, 2008 12:45 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

If he doesn't return your calls, you should leave a message telling him you'll publicize his shoddy work on this forum. And then do it. Most contractors in Brooklyn know that people get recommendations from this site, and they probably wouldn't risk getting burned. Threaten it and then, if there's no response, do it.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 1, 2008 11:16 PM in response to HUGE Problem!! help!

Regarding renovations: "They should take a year or more to complete, and the couple found it cheaper to buy a house, on Sixth Avenue, instead of renting."

Truly, lifestyles of the rich.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 1, 2008 2:40 PM in response to The Peculiarly Plain House in Park Slope

$2,075 maintenance for such a small space?? I don't think so.
Also, the only two windows you do have apparently face an alley--see how close the other building appears in the photo.

Posted by: nyc87 at December 1, 2008 12:53 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 111 Hicks Railroad Loft

182 Clinton is reduced from $4.2 million. It's been on the market for over a year.

Posted by: nyc87 at November 28, 2008 1:20 PM in response to Open House Picks

First these tenants should ba able to afford the rent, if you calculate 30% of their income it would be $20,400, in the other hand your rent for a year would be $16,800, which is making this contract a possible solution. Once you checked their credit report and found that it is bad, you should know that the same may happen to you. You should find out more about stability of their income and all major expense in order to make a reliable decision.

Posted by: johnmillerik at May 13, 2009 11:06 PM in response to Credit report