rd684's Profile
Author's Posts
February 20, 2008
Solarium Kits
Has anyone used a Solarium kit to add a Sun Room or enclosed porch to their deck
or onto the back of their house? There seem to be alot of options and I'm curious about
how good they turn out, durability and installation costs.
For now I'm interested in which companies make the best ones, installer recs, and any other useful info.
I'll deal with FAR & DOB permits etc. later.
thx
Author's Comments
2:45pm, your comments we're very enlightening. I'm also considering an extension but finding it difficult to find an architect. Most of the one's I've spoken with seem interested in larger, or super high-end projects.
Would you mind sharing who you used as an architect and builder? Or contact me directly at rd135@hotmail.com if you're open to discussing your project & experience more fully.
thx
Posted by: rd684 at November 20, 2007 4:19 PM in response to Brownstone Extension + Parlor Kitchen thoughts...
Friends of mine recently sold a 2 family house FSBO and it was a big roller coaster ride. Several deals were close, but than fell thru. It took a serious amount of time & effort, and was very stressful at times, but in the long run they're glad to have saved money. If you have the time, patience and skills to deal directly with all sorts of buyers and their issues, it's certainly a good way to save money.
When I sold my coop in 2005 I negotiated to pay 5% commission. My broker also negotiated a much better price than I could have, which helped offset the potential FSBO savings by alot. So speaking for myself only, (i can hear the collective wrath of brownstoner readers as i type), I would rather focus on my work, as a self employed photographer & web designer, and use a realtor to sell my house.
Bear in mind that doing an FSBO will incur some expenses, so you won't be saving a full 6%. You'll need to allocate some marketing resources, setup a basic but prof. looking website, advertising in the NYT online + Sunday printed version. You'll also probably
use more billable hours with your RE attorney for advice &/or to handle things that a broker would normally take care of. Selling a condo/coop might be less complicated than a selling 2 family house, although if you're dealing with a coop board, who knows.
Posted by: rd684 at November 25, 2007 3:14 PM in response to Thinking of selling apt -- does FSBO actually work?
I'm a photographer and web designer.
Here's a link to a FSBO site I did recently
(the house just sold/closed)
http://www.southslopefsbo.com/
Post your contact info if you'd like to discuss.
Thx, Robert
Posted by: rd684 at December 5, 2007 5:45 AM in response to Photographer Needed for FSBO
I feel your pain. I had a squirrels in my previous duplex and oh my god what a nightmare trying to seal the place.
Put chicken wire over all your chimneys and vent pipes, no matter how small. They'll squeeze thru almost any sized opening.
Not sure why you need a full fledged roofer but I was very happy with Pete at
Bensonhurst Construction, who who replaced my roof. p718 449-1665 c917 559-4308. He's generally busy but worth a try.
If you need someone for gutters/drainpipes who could also do misc. repairs, I was happy with Steve at Crystal General Contracting. He replaced my drainpipes, did a nice job at very reasonable prices. 718 238 9433
Posted by: rd684 at April 15, 2008 4:38 PM in response to War against Squirrel Nation - Need roofer
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Usually the fsbo owner's mess it up in terms of pricing, negotiating their best possible deal, juggling more than one seriously interested buyer, and also by moving forward with buyers who aren't qualified and then not having a backup buyer in place. But some get lucky. Most don't. And then they list with an agent and it feels really stale and that crop of buyers have moved on and so it takes a while to get any momentum with the next crop of buyers. But it is certainly possible to go fsbo. But odds aren't with you that you will get the best price. But sure, you can sell it.
Posted by: guest at November 26, 2007 9:38 AM in response to Thinking of selling apt -- does FSBO actually work?
Do an FSBO, but be willing to pay any agent that brings you a buyer, that closes of course, 2-3%. You will get more action that way. Good luck.
Posted by: guest at November 26, 2007 8:57 PM in response to Thinking of selling apt -- does FSBO actually work?
hi--i know a couple looking! and i'm not in your building! ;)
happy to speak to you..or email...but not sure how without making contact info public..
agree with all-- great photos, nyt, craigs, blogs, neighbors, AND would add e-mails to all friends and acquaintances in bklyn,manhattan,etc--don't discount that!
did it and sold in 10 days.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:40 PM in response to Thinking of selling apt -- does FSBO actually work?
If your place is nice and priced right, you should be able to do it, if you are willing to put in the work. If it is nice, I don't think you need a website, just a NYTimes ad. But your ad has to have GOOD looking pics AND a floorplan. Floorplan doesn't have to be perfect, but you need to give people a sense of the layout and room sizes. And yes, offer brokers 3% - exclusives are never good for sellers.
And as to 9:38's comment about messing up pricing, best deal, juggling too many unqualified buyers at once - sounds like what my broker tried to do with my place. Had to keep broker from pricing too LOW (got full price offers immediately); had to point out who was not qualified that broker thought was (perhaps was greedy when unqualified one came with no broker, so my broker would get whole fee, no split); had to point out who was indeed qualified when broker thought not. You have to be involved in the process even when you use a broker.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 7:04 PM in response to Thinking of selling apt -- does FSBO actually work?
I highly recommend you do a FSBO. I just had a very bad experience with an incompentent broker and my prime property is still sitting on the market. I can confirm that brokers can be everything from useless to a liability.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 5:50 PM in response to Thinking of selling apt -- does FSBO actually work?
Robert,
That's funny cause I actually saw that FSBO--and almost bid on it. So, yes, I'd like to chat. lynnehaney@earthlink.net.
Posted by: lah at December 5, 2007 8:31 AM in response to Photographer Needed for FSBO
I had a great experience with Reclaimed Home. Phyllis is an experienced photographer with a background in real estate. She staged my home, took great photos and wrote the text about the house and neighborhood. Even more valuable was the great tips on marketing she gave me. I whole heartedly recommend her.
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 9:31 AM in response to Photographer Needed for FSBO
Avital Aronowitz: avitalphoto@gmail.com
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 4:00 PM in response to Photographer Needed for FSBO
Hi
I can recommend Ariel Jones for all photography.
her website is mostly headshots, but her interiors are great as well.
www.arieljones.com
Posted by: zapzap at December 5, 2007 6:57 PM in response to Photographer Needed for FSBO
get a fucking camera, take the fucking pics
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 11:34 PM in response to Photographer Needed for FSBO
I regularly use Dun-Rite. They have the lowest prices I've been able to find, and I did alot of calling around. The guy's name is Jose, at 917 577-1103
Posted by: rd684 at November 13, 2007 8:26 AM in response to Somebody to cart away bricks & concrete