An amendment to my post from July: although I didn't like living near the BQE personally, I know plenty of people who have absolutely no problem with it. So go for it! There are lots of folks happily and healthfully living on the many blocks near the BQE.

Posted by: rabbit at November 17, 2009 2:25 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

I'm the new owner of the Bed Stuy house, and here's the deal: doesn't need a lick of work, except interior painting. Some original details remain, including one tin ceiling, three fireplaces, and some moulding throughout. New boiler, HW heaters, updated electric, new roof. Beautiful back yard, great neighborhood. We're very happy with the place!

Posted by: rabbit at August 7, 2009 3:07 PM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million

I recently went through the FHA appraisal process, and it wasn't as difficult as I had imagined. Our place has updated mechanicals and newer everything else, so we had no requirements at all from FHA. Apparently, they're big on stair-railings, and our seller put one on the basement staircase for us. Good luck!

Posted by: rabbit at July 20, 2009 5:34 PM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

Do you think that's the one with the stunning view of the White Castle parking lot? Hope so.

Posted by: rabbit at July 17, 2009 4:56 PM in response to The Absolute goes Rental

I lived on a BQE block (Ryerson between Myrtle and Park) for almost nine years, and the amount and persistence of black dust in the house always annoyed and troubled me. The general age and poor condition of our house (a rental) certainly contributed to the problem of dust and such, but I'm sure the BQE also had something to do with it. It seemed that every day brought a new coating of dust, noticeably worse in warm months with open windows; troubling to think about breathing that soot. Personally, I would never buy on a block so close to the BQE.

Posted by: rabbit at July 17, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

Did anybody ever see the "Dodi and Di" Deli in the East Village, popped up right after Princess D bit the dust? Now THAT was a classy move.

Posted by: rabbit at June 30, 2009 12:49 PM in response to Closing Bell: Obama Pitching Myrtle Deli

brooklyn terminal market--i believe it's in flatbush...?

Posted by: rabbit at June 28, 2009 8:09 PM in response to Source for Plants in Bulk?

ritaknoxrealty.com

Posted by: rabbit at June 24, 2009 12:21 PM in response to List of local brokerage shops

I've got a wonderful mortgage broker who is doing our FHA loan--Robert Slifer at Eastern Bank, 212-582-5222. Martin Murray of Bedford Funding also does FHA loans.

Posted by: rabbit at May 30, 2009 10:17 AM in response to FHA mortgage

Matthew Barnett at Accurate Building Inspectors is WONDERFUL. Very meticulous. I don't know anything about 'inspection insurance,' but with this guy, you wouldn't need it.

Posted by: rabbit at May 29, 2009 10:58 AM in response to looking for a good inspector

Hey Mopar--I sent you an email yesterday about our situation. We're in contract at Halsey/Lewis (just got our confirmation letter from the bank today!!) and totally excited. Just on this thread, we've got 5.37 percent interest on an FHA loan. Send me an email when you get a chance.

Posted by: rabbit at May 28, 2009 9:30 PM in response to Interest rates

Yup--piles of rotting garbage everywhere. Broker pointed to a couch (one from that photo) and said "that used to be white." It was crazy. We called it "The Bainbridge Horror." It was plenty obvious that the young man (who was there, lounging half-naked with his half-naked girlfriend in front of the TV, spaced out and looking at us like we were the nutty ones--which we probably were) doesn't have any interest at all in selling that house. He's probably getting some kind of a free ride. That was our sense, anyways. Pretty funny!

Posted by: rabbit at May 27, 2009 3:15 PM in response to House of the Day: 456 Bainbridge Street

I've been in this place, and it is a total wreck. So bad that the broker was actually embarrassed and kept apologizing. The situation is weird: young man inherited it from a relative who passed, and he's clearly been partying it up in the house for months. Broker said that each time he enters, the place is in worse condition. Those pictures on the listing website are absolute lies.

Posted by: rabbit at May 27, 2009 2:52 PM in response to House of the Day: 456 Bainbridge Street

Hey Mopar--I'm not worried!! The place on Halsey has some inside details, including 3 great fireplaces, one tin ceiling, and some crown molding/ceiling medallions. But, most importantly for our cash-poor selves, it doesn't require any major renovations. At all. We're FHA buyers, so needed something totally livable. What's up with your search? We saw a lot of total dumps, but a couple of possibilities. I'd love to correspond with you, and maybe meet and talk about these ups and downs. contact me at jean.murley@gmail.com if you like. Good luck!

Posted by: rabbit at April 10, 2009 11:02 AM in response to SHUTTER TO THINK

Hey South Stuy Blog--I'm headed into contract on a place on Halsey between Lewis and Marcus Garvey. I'm looking for neighborhood friends!! (kind of kidding, kind of not...) and advice!! particularly about getting tenants. We're buying a two-family brick with a 1.5 bedroom rental; we can swing the mortgage without tenants for a couple of months, but would be eating rice and beans/ramen noodles while doing so. So I'm nervous about getting good tenants, and getting them kind of quickly. We'll be a 7-10 minute walk to the A at Utica, which is pretty good (I think?). Any words of wisdom? Thanks in advance.

Posted by: rabbit at April 6, 2009 6:12 PM in response to SHUTTER TO THINK

Mopar, I saw this house and loved it too. But it's just too much work and $ for me. I hope you get it and give it the love it obviously deserves!

Posted by: rabbit at March 30, 2009 9:20 PM in response to House of the Day: 735 Decatur Street Revisited

Mopar, I saw this house and loved it too. But it's just too much work and $ for me. I hope you get it and give it the love it obviously deserves!

Posted by: rabbit at March 30, 2009 9:20 PM in response to House of the Day: 735 Decatur Street Revisited

This is why I don't understand DUMBO, but I assume everyone there just never opens their windows.

And I agree, those blocks by the BQE are tempting, because they are cheap... but then again, there is also cheap stuff off Fulton near Nostrand in Bed Stuy, and that seems like a far, far better location.

Posted by: Heather at July 17, 2009 6:05 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

As I've posted before, I lived a half block down from the BQE in Carroll Gardens, and got the black soot on the windowsills every week. Greasy and impossible to wash off. Noise also too loud in summer with windows open.

It's got to be at least the equivalent of smoking a pack a day.

Particles in the air are associated with premature death by heart attack. I wouldn't go near the place again.

Posted by: mopar at July 17, 2009 11:09 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

Or well maybe three cigs a day. Anyway, you get the picture.

Posted by: mopar at July 17, 2009 11:10 PM in response to Enviromental Impact of BQE?

This is good to know. Thank you. I'm trying to remember if there's a stair rail in the basement...think so! We'll need to update the mechanicals at some point, but they work now. The house is in better shape than a lot of homes we've seen. If anyone else has also experience with the process, it would be great to hear it.

Posted by: egut at July 21, 2009 12:05 PM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

What if the boiler hasn't been turned on in years? What if the stoves aren't connected to the gas lines? Do they do asbestos testing? What if the buyer does asbestos testing on the side -- could they keep the results a secret?

Just curious.

Posted by: mopar at July 21, 2009 12:39 PM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

Good questions. I'm not sure. I think they want to ensure a place is "livable," safe, and the buyer isn't going to be hit by a massive expense the day after closing. -Don't know how deep they'll go to determine that though. I wouldn't think they could require someone to provide information gotten through a specialist.

Posted by: egut at July 21, 2009 5:31 PM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

I'm a FHA approved appraiser, we not as scary as you think, FHA is mainly concerned over safety issues, and that all utilities should be in good working condition. There are limits how far we can check, remember we are appraisers and not building inspectors. We do not check for asbestos, but we may recommend an additional inspection by a profecional, if a safety issue is identified.

Posted by: NYAppraiser at July 22, 2009 3:47 AM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

Thank you so much. That sounds reasonable. -the whole process is anxiety producing.

Posted by: egut at July 22, 2009 3:53 PM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

Thanks, NYAppraiser.

Posted by: mopar at July 22, 2009 5:03 PM in response to FHA Appraisal Process

Dear NYAppraiser,

I just bought a home in NJ where the original room was built in 1700s but has been built on since. Now includes nice kitchen, master bath, etc.

I am running into a major hangup with the FHA Appraisal. The first FHA appraiser quit because the job was "too complex." The barn is very old and looks like a safety hazard but built very sturdy. Why are they getting hung up on the barn? It's the house I want to live in. I've heard from my loan processor that "FHA doesn't normally insure old homes." Is this true?

There are plenty things to find wrong with the place but nothing that a little Tender Love and Care can't fix.

How do I get over the hump of getting the FHA appraiser to ok everything? So I can move forward. I already have home owners insurance on it, signed contract and ready to go to closing. Just FHA appraiser standing in the way....any advice.

I just want to purchase my first home...and start living the American Dream of homeownership.

Posted by: EricH at August 8, 2009 7:37 AM in response to FHA Appraisal Process