I'm an architect and also happen to be pregnant too. I can't tell from your post if you are planning to paint yourself. I strongly urge you against this. You should be out of the space for at least 48 hours after application. The US Green Building Council (LEED) uses the Green Seal Standards to establish the limit for VOC content in environmentally friendly paints. For flats this is 50g/l and for non-flats 150g/L.

Posted by: rasmalai at January 4, 2008 9:30 AM in response to paint and pregnancy

I would imagine that any architect that stepped up to do a final sign off for you would have to do an exhaustive evaluation of the permit drawings to verify that they are code compliant. this is especially so in this case because it was a self-cert application, so things that might have been picked on by a plan examiner flew under the radar through the self cert. So after an exhaustive review a new architect may say that a few things have to be amended in the drawings, and filed under a post approval amendment to make sure they are a part of the record set the city has. Then, any changes made would have to be reflected in what's built in the field..and this is were the can or worms opens up. I think you understand what I mean w/o having to get into detail. Finally there is a liability issue that the architect would have to address in terms of any future problems. I don't know what the scope of your project was, but I don't see anyone stepping into this kind of situation for less than 7500. If I were you I'd start off with an expeditor who know his business, maybe JAM consultants, or with an architect that does both architecture-expediting: Michael DeLuna. Both of these guys have been mentioned various times in other threads on this forum. I know them both, and you can find their contact info. online.

Posted by: rasmalai at January 5, 2008 12:28 PM in response to Architect MIA for TR1 final signoff

I've used bamboo from Massachussets, a Cherry tree, and a maple tree...really nice colors and activity in the yard thanks to them.

Posted by: rasmalai at January 5, 2008 12:30 PM in response to Trees?

Changing the wall construction from glass to masonry will not result in a change of C of O. If all you're doing is changing that exterior wall, and gutting the rest of the first floor to create an open studio for yourself, I can't imagine the total costs including architectural and expediting exceeding $3K.

Posted by: rasmalai at January 5, 2008 12:35 PM in response to Architect or expediter question

My husband and I are in a similar situation. We are moving back to Brooklyn after 18 months away. We've got a little baby so are looking for a 2 bedroom. We used to live at 5th Ave and 3rd St in Park Slope but need more space now. Does anyone know a broker for Prospect Heights? I walked around there last week and didn't see any realtors.

Posted by: rasmalai at May 12, 2008 3:05 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

Oh and I mean on the west side of Washington. Or PSlope. What would the price for a 2/1 with w/d/dw be?

Posted by: rasmalai at May 12, 2008 3:17 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

I don't live in NY anymore but have a home in Clinton Hill. I love my neighborhood but every hood has something to recommend it.

Brooklyn Heights is lovely and your hubby is active can walk the bridge to work or be home in 2-3 stops. It has just about everything a neighborhood can offer but the downsides are parking and price. If your hubby in entry level in a training program then he's on the way up $$ wise. You could struggle and stretch your money and when he's making good bank and you are back to work then BH would be great. It has wonderful schools all train lines intersect there, restaurants, the promenade etc.

Park Slope is also a good hood but parking, price and just about the same as BH. You will have benefit of tons of young families and a very active community.
Downside (for me) Crime. There are an element that find the slope to be a ripe grazing territory for petty crime. Alot of muggings break-ins, theft, push-ins etc. But folks find it worth it.

Clinton-Hill/Fort Greene - Emerging. It has been emerging for decades now but just can't quite get over the hump. The housing stock is excellent and you can pick stuff up cheaper than in PS or BH (but not by much). There is not the obvious wealth that is evident in the heights or parts of the slope but I love it because of its diversity, restaurants, and quiet. There is a good family dynamic and a few schools are notable. The downside is the Atlantic Yards Project which will kill the soul of the neighborhood. That coupled with the fact that the there are small pockets of drugs and crime that the city government could care less about really keep it from being a great neighborhood.

Posted by: bklyngirl at May 12, 2008 8:51 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/abo/678315386.html

Check out this 3 bedroom for $2300 in Bay Ridge. Looks decent and the price is right.

Posted by: guest at May 12, 2008 9:29 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

I would definitely look at Bay Ridge.

I don't know how early the expresses run, but he can take a bus and probably be at work in 20 minutes tops, especially so early.

There is a terrific group of parents on Yahoo.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bay_ridge_parents/

There is quite a bit to do with a little one with tons of great parks.

If you stick around schools will surely be an issue and Bay Ridge has some of the best elementary and middle schools.

Posted by: guest at May 12, 2008 10:12 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

I would Move to Carroll Gardens or Cobble Hill. THey are very safe. The F train is 25 min to Midtown.

Posted by: guest at May 12, 2008 11:06 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

Hey OP -
The advice you're getting is all over the place. A 3 BR in Brooklyn Heights could cost you 5K+. The people on this list have no clue regarding how much people on Wall St. make. If you're talking about an entry level broker postiion on Wall St. of 60K+ commission & bonus, the landlord will only count on the 60K. The same rule applies to an entry level associate banker position (aka Vice President) which usually generates just 70 - 100K plus bonus. Again, the landlord will only factor in the bonus. Typically you must make 40 times the amount of monthly rent per year. That means that if your rent is $4000 per month, you must make 160K.

So what's your price range? 2K might get you something in Crown Heights or Prospect Lefferts Gardens. 3K might get you something in Kensington, Ditmas Park, Windsor Terrace, South Slope, or the extended border of Prospect Heights. $4K might get you something in Park Slope and Prospect Heights proper.

For the commute, I'd certainly agree with all of the posters that suggested anything on the 2/3/4/5/A lines. They offer the fastest commute to Wall Street via train. Forget anything by the R and C trains since the wait alone will add 15 - 30 minutes to your husband's commute each day. The F train is also not that fast, since it's local and you have to switch to the A to get to Wall Street (Fulton, then walk for about 7 minutes).

Alternatively, you could move out to Kensington / Ditmas Park (close to the F or Q trains at Church) and for $5 hubby could take the express bus to work (just 15 minutes to Wall Street!). You just need to be close to the intersection of Ocean Parkway and Church Avenue.

Make sure that you visit the neighborhoods that you are considering at night and during the weekends to make sure that you are comfortable in the area.

re: schools - check out www.insideschools.org for some very useful information

(BTW, my partner is a manager at an investment bank and I am a Brooklyn real estate agent).

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 8:46 AM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

You can actually get a 3bdrm for less than 3K in Kensington and you don't have to only be near the intersection of Ocean and Church to take the express bus, If you live on the east side of Kensington(east of Ocean Parkway) and near to Cortelyou, you can pick up the bus at Stratford and Cortelyou. It takes my husband 30 minutes to get to Park and 23rd in rush hour. If your husband has to be at work by 6:30, even the Q train with a switch at Atlantic for a 2,3,4,5 won't take that long.

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 10:23 AM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

Kensington is great for someone on a budget. But if I had additional funds, Park Slope would be my #1 choice.

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 10:38 AM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

Kensington is great for someone on a budget. But if I had additional funds, Park Slope would be my #1 choice.

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 10:38 AM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

someone already posted a link to a nice looking 3 bedroom duplex for 3300 in brooklyn heights -- so don't listen to "real estate agents" who say you can't get anything for less than 5k. look yourself. Halstead, Corcoran, BHS, Elliman (all .com) are just some of the brokers with online listings.

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 10:41 AM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought

You definitely need to give us your rent budget.

Also consider that in many of the brownstone neighborhoods, there just isn't that much stock of true 3BR apts, so they are priced high and take longer to find. You will find more 2 BR + den/office set-ups.

Posted by: guest at May 13, 2008 12:35 PM in response to Returning to brooklyn - advice sought