The windows don't match. Or line up. The whole place is made out of cardboard and aluminum. Franklin is a freeway right there and those wacky decklets on the Franklin side are just going to be soot covered smoking decks.

The developer is in trouble because the building is shoddy and anyone can see that. And, I am pretty sure that no one is paying $2700 for a one bedroom apartment on the G train just yet.

Still: I'm confused. The last time this building came up, didn't someone claim to be in contract on a second floor unit?

Posted by: serpentor at November 22, 2008 1:23 PM in response to Another Developer in Distress

The problem is that all of these places are on a horrendous block with zero trees. Franklin moves really fast right along there and, as someone who has spent a lot of time staring at 120 Lex while waiting for my laundry ... the building is astoundingly cheap. Seriously: stand back and stare at it for a while. No two panes meet at right angles. It is shoddy construction. The places across the street are miles out of my budget, but they're at least in substantial buildings.

Posted by: serpentor at November 22, 2008 1:02 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 120 Lexington Avenue

I'm so confused, but I know a great florist if you want to bring a bouquet or two on your next date.

Posted by: serpentor at November 14, 2008 12:13 PM in response to i heard there's a new H&M coming to brooklyn!!

Um, Lisa, I try to bite my tongue because I know you're new and all, but seriously: Sprout Home isn't Williamsburg's first florist either.

Maybe the first upscale florist that caters to your particular aesthetic, but do you think that you could maybe take a deep breath and find a mantra that will help you remember that Brooklyn existed long before we did. And that in those centuries (1638 is a nice number, if you like the Dutch) hundreds of flower traders have come and gone from what is now the 11211. And today, right now, there are at least a half dozen shops, probably nearly invisible if you're looking for Sprout Home, that will make a lovely flower arrangement for your baptism, quinceanera, graduation party. They also carry potting soil. So, can we stop acting like Brooklyn is the moon and we all just landed on it?

Posted by: serpentor at November 14, 2008 11:48 AM in response to Petals for Williamsburg

You could try scaring them off with punctuation!

Seriously, though: water. Don't pour it on anyone (no really. don't.) but as soon as they leave dump a bucket of water out on the stoop (hot and soapy if they've been pissing).

Posted by: serpentor at November 13, 2008 3:21 PM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

SnarkSlope, thanks for the reality check.

$375,000 is a little more of the "buyer's market" that I'm looking for.

(and yeah, for my fans out there. I'm squarely back on the market and so defeated by the sellers from h-e-double-hockey-styx that I'm looking fondly at coop listings.)

Posted by: serpentor at November 13, 2008 3:10 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 360 Clinton Avenue One Bedroom

For what it is worth, since you all (some of you anyhow) were such a lovely little support network ... we got our deposit back.

They actually tried to fight us on it, even though they actually have so many liens (okay, one plus the mortgage) on the house that they couldn't have afforded to close even if they wanted to. I still think that the lien (mechanics lien for nearly six figures) is a fiction that was invented to try to squeeze some extra money from someone (us, the bank that is foreclosing on them, a rock -- not sure who), but the lien exists nonetheless.

So we asked for our money back finally, they said "no" and sent us a time is of the essence letter. We sent our own letter, they scheduled a closing but wouldn't return calls from our title insurance company.

And then, this weekend, they just handed us a check.

I have no idea what I just learned, but I am seriously glad it is over and ready to start looking again and hoping for a bit more market tankage.

Posted by: serpentor at November 12, 2008 4:19 PM in response to Close? Or Walk Away?

Not to be dense, but I think of a "tool bag" as a rather useful accessory. Especially for a homeowner. Is that even an insult?

Posted by: serpentor at November 12, 2008 4:13 PM in response to Quote of the Day

For everyone who didn't major in comparative religion:

Universal Church: http://www.universalchurch.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Church_of_the_Kingdom_of_God

Unitarian Universalist Association: http://www.uua.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism

Universal Life Church: http://www.ulc.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Life_Church

Three very different faiths. This is a Universal Church.

Posted by: serpentor at November 10, 2008 1:07 PM in response to Universal Church Almost Ready, Still Ugly

My landlord brings us squash and wants to be introduced to anyone we're giving keys to. He gets up in everyone's business a little bit, but the rent is cheap. You make trade offs.

And he's only ever rented apartments by word of mouth.

Posted by: serpentor at November 7, 2008 1:53 PM in response to studio apartment for rent

Your studio is not on the internet.

If you walk around and talk to the old men, listen to their stories and say you're looking for a new place, something under $750, small is fine, they'll know where to send you.

I know someone who signed a lease for a $700 one bedroom in Clinton Hill. She listened patiently to a lot of old men and their stories before she made her way to her new landlord.

Posted by: serpentor at November 7, 2008 11:11 AM in response to studio apartment for rent

Seriously: is Brownstoner going to turn into "mugginggossip.com"?

Posted by: serpentor at November 7, 2008 11:05 AM in response to Borough Hall Attack

I have a whole repertoire of near mugging stories, all of which end with me making a spectacle of myself and not getting mugged. The kids who chased me on my bicycle and may or may not have had ill intentions -- I squealed to a stop in front of passing couple and said simply "don't leave me alone." The woman said "yeah, no problem, we can stay right here." and then told her friend to "just hush" when he started trying to ask me what was going on. By then the kids had sped past and were well out of site and I rode home uneventfully.

On top of not disappearing into your phone or headphones, you have to also be willing to look foolish.

I haven't looked at the numbers so I don't have much to add to the crime stats conversation.

Posted by: serpentor at November 3, 2008 11:38 AM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

I should add that it is worth using an inspector who understands Brownstones, if only so you won't spend the whole walk through listening to them say what terrible shape it is in (newsflash: old brownstones are about 99% likely to be in terrible shape. You want it anyway. You want to know what it will take to make it work.)

Posted by: serpentor at October 31, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Inspector for brownstone?

If you don't want to take chances, you should get a general contractor to give you an estimate.

Posted by: serpentor at October 31, 2008 10:39 AM in response to Inspector for brownstone?

So, basically, I can walk through a quaint homey neighborhood on my way from the train to my penthouse riverfront apartment with unobstructed Manhattan views and private river access?

Nice.

Posted by: serpentor at October 31, 2008 10:29 AM in response to DCP Wants to Keep Williamsburg and Greenpoint Low-Rise

How big is your building? Would it be reasonable to give your tenant access to a basement laundry room? That seems like it would be a lot less headache in the long run. Or ... listen to Vinca.

Posted by: serpentor at October 30, 2008 1:04 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D

Look at the records again: what I see is a $50,000 sale in 2007, and the lis pendens filed against the seller who unloaded the place in 2007. My money says there's more to this than meets the eye.

Posted by: serpentor at October 30, 2008 12:56 PM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 167 Prospect Place

Hey, on the upside it does look to be flush with the adjacent building.

Posted by: serpentor at October 29, 2008 3:01 PM in response to Development Watch: 272 19th Street

You don't have to let people go through your bedroom, but yeah: closing off the yard access is a silly idea, even if someone blocks it with furniture.

I'd look at fire codes, though: I'm pretty sure you are required to have egress at both ends of a multi-family dwelling.

Posted by: serpentor at October 29, 2008 2:26 PM in response to Leaving a door on the garden level?? Thoughts, please.

"Very common and rarely used. Your attorney is correct." is actually not the same as "The right of first refusal is very common and very often used in a sale of a condo unit!"

Keywords being "rarely" and "very often."

Posted by: serpentor at October 29, 2008 2:24 PM in response to Purchase Contract Questions (help!)

My mother, who knows pretty much everything, says that vinyl expands and contracts with changes in the temperature and eventually you have to replace them. Anyway, they're uglier than aluminum windows. Which are pretty ugly.

Also, at least one engineer/inspector dude backed my mother up on the vinyl expanding and contracting.

Posted by: serpentor at October 28, 2008 11:10 AM in response to Windows - vinyl clad or aluminum exterior?

Is a programmable thermostat still likely to be mercury based rather than electronic?

And di, if you're opening windows to manage the heat, you probably need to either re-read the installation manual or get a professional to help you out.

Posted by: serpentor at October 27, 2008 12:44 PM in response to House is too hot.

Vanburenproud, home compost is legal. End of story.

People who freak out about compost ... I don't even have time to go there. I do a lot of composting in a community garden, and I work with kids there and we've had rat problems in the past (we're pretty high volume and the tear down next door didn't help much) so I'm particularly attuned to the potential problems posed by rats.

I'd discourage anyone from composting in the open (rather than in a container) in NYC, but if it is working for you, that is great.

And ... I guess sheet mulch is lazy. It is also not necessarily true that the most labor intensive solution is the right one. Twice a year our neighbors tear out their overgrown back yard and leave bare dirt. And the weeds grow back. If they were mulching all that they'd have soil they could grow something nice in.

Posted by: serpentor at October 27, 2008 12:38 PM in response to What's a Proper Sheet Mulching

PS. Why do the worst bigots always have the worst grammar? Or do I just tolerate well phrased bigotry more willingly?

Posted by: serpentor at October 26, 2008 10:39 PM in response to New Chinese landlord...lots of mice...and they dont care.

How's that "bigot" flag coming Brownstoner?

It pains me to let "dj" have the final word on a thread that everyone thought was dead, but I know none of this garbage is worth responding to.

Newsflash: there are more than 3 million Chinese people in the US (errr, at least according to wikipedia) and like the how ever many million white people in the US, they run the gamut. Some of them are asshats, some of them are delightful. Some of them are bigots. Some of them are slumlords. If your landlord is a POS, your landlord is a POS. It has fuck all to do with them being Chinese.

Which you already know or are committed to not knowing. One or the other.

Posted by: serpentor at October 26, 2008 10:36 PM in response to New Chinese landlord...lots of mice...and they dont care.

Wasder, now you're cooking. Love this website idea. Maybe some reporters who cover the real estate beat along with a little preservation, land use and plain old house-lust, and forums where people write about their experiences in real estate and renovations and debate the relative merits of recessed lighting. It'd probably be popular! Freaking brilliant.

Posted by: serpentor at October 23, 2008 6:21 PM in response to UNRENOVATED BROWNSTONES!?

Um ... did you have a question?

Look at Property Shark comparables and search these forums for "SRO" and "Certificate of no Harassment."

Posted by: serpentor at October 23, 2008 6:11 PM in response to Lefferts place Clinton hill Bed Stuy

Oh Vigilante. How totally unlike them, to show up and say you better decide fast or it will cost you even more money. SODECIDERIGHTNOWTOGIVEUSMONEYORELSE...

Posted by: serpentor at October 23, 2008 6:07 PM in response to Boiler-Chemical Cleaning

@sirk98 maybe four family doesn't count, but we haven't seen a single roach in at least three years.

Posted by: serpentor at October 22, 2008 3:56 PM in response to i'm so sick of these roaches

C'mon, for once the What is right. I hear that Asshat Hill carries complete lists of reno-ready brownstones, arranged by neighborhood market inflation and cross referenced by potential future rents.

And ... nybk01, I think you mean "you're a jerkoff," but you've got "your IP" down.

Your: possessive; You're: contraction of "you" and "are."

Posted by: serpentor at October 22, 2008 3:54 PM in response to UNRENOVATED BROWNSTONES!?

Honestly, I'd let the exterminator in once and then get roach motels.

In the long run, you'll be roach free. Just rotate the motels if/when you start seeing roaches again.

I normally don't like chemicals as a rule and have all kinds of argument and analysis about our over-reliance on chemical solutions but in 10 years in NYC I have not found any other magical way to get rid of roaches. For six years, I tried all the home remedies I could find. For the last four years, I've lived with Combat motels and no roaches.

Posted by: serpentor at October 20, 2008 3:27 PM in response to i'm so sick of these roaches

I'm with vanburenproud, though I don't do holes.

Pull everything up and get your hands on some hedge clippers. Cut stuff down to size and let it break down over the winter.

Pile it to one side or spread it out and use it as a foundation for proper sheet mulching. I could advise you for hours, but seriously, if you have a yard and you're in the process of reclaiming it, you can use the compost and you can save yourself so much hassle by building a pile.

Posted by: serpentor at October 20, 2008 3:20 PM in response to Leaves & Garden Clippings Compost/Recycling?

No offense or anything, but doesn't it seem like "ability to use Acris" would be at the top of the job requirements for any european real estate agency that wants someone to analyze that data?

Posted by: serpentor at October 19, 2008 12:02 PM in response to Help with Acris

You should write a letter and, if you have lawyers around, get someone to read it, but write her a letter and put it in the mail saying something like "per our contract, enclosed, I'm writing to formally request return of our deposit of $000. We vacated the premises on June 30 and expected prompt return of our depoist; now, X months later, we must insist that our deposit be returned immediately."

Don't bother asking why it might be delayed, just put it in writing and get it to her.

Posted by: serpentor at October 19, 2008 11:56 AM in response to Deposit return ???s

PS. so you can add Bed Stuy to the list of neighborhoods.

Posted by: serpentor at October 17, 2008 1:43 PM in response to Energy Scammers Plaguing Brooklyn?

Hah. They came to my door, but strangers asking to review my bills never sits right so I said no. And felt kind of mean and paranoid for saying "no". Glad I was right.

The same week there were signs up on our block about someone posing as a meter reader and robbing houses, so I was double suspicious.

Posted by: serpentor at October 17, 2008 1:42 PM in response to Energy Scammers Plaguing Brooklyn?

You all are nuts. I'd buy it in a heart beat (well, okay, maybe I'd like to know what they want for it)

There is nothing wrong with this place that I couldn't fix myself. I already have a sledgehammer (yeah, I do. In my apartment. Okay?) with which to rip out the paving and put in a lovely shade garden.

Ugly front door? Replace it.

Don't like the banisters? Okay, so I couldn't do that overnight, but even there we're not looking at vinyl siding or frightening chrome. I think a person could make that work.

So yeah: what are they asking?

Posted by: serpentor at October 16, 2008 11:43 AM in response to The Charming Paint Peeler Reincarnated

Well, it turns out there aren't any grocery stores nearby , so maybe not so ready?

Seriously, it is a good question. Is Bushwick ready to be gentrified? Are the current residents prepared for what is about to come? Or is that not what you are asking?

Posted by: serpentor at October 14, 2008 12:09 PM in response to New Development Coming to Bushwick

If your basement/cellar is 100% below grade (or more than 50%), it isn't habitable. Not legally. All over NYC people live in sub-subterranean basements, some with little casement windows, some with no windows. But it isn't legal to do more than lift weights or shoot pool down there.

If you can't live there, legally, it isn't a story. But when you list the building? People say all kinds of things on listings. Including "habitable basement" when what they really mean is "carpeted dungeon that you can't legally live in or rent out"

This place:
http://www.prudentialelliman.com/Listings.aspx?ListingID=981100

Is listed as two stories even though the lower level is 100% subterranean. From the street, you look down through a grate to the windows of the bottom level. So the downstairs bedroom has windows but they don't even reach the street.

Soo: maybe you could fine tune your question (do you mean "can I call it three stories?" or do you mean "can I put a unit down there?" or do you mean "can i put a bedroom down there?") because I think the question is different in each case.

On the whole though, I'd be peeved if I showed up to look at a "three story building" and only two of those stories were actually above ground.

Posted by: serpentor at October 13, 2008 11:52 AM in response to habitable Basement/cellar

This is what I'd keep in mind:

"For every person crying that the sky is falling I know of another person (you and myself included) sitting on a pile of cash. Ask yourself how many people you know who are hoping to purchase a distressed property in the next year or two."

There are a lot of people who were priced out of NYC real estate over the last few years and are holding out until something they want and can afford comes on the market.

Sometimes, when I look at it, I look at it like this: there are a lot of people in NYC with stable salaries, partners, money in the bank. People who are good and ready to own their home and would have bought ten years ago if they lived anywhere else in the country (I guess except San Francisco or something). So all of those people (us), if they have half a brain, realized that they need to take saving very seriously if they want to own. And some of them did. Or they went to dad. Whatever, they're ready to buy and they still can't freaking afford it. Not to cash in on the crazy ride, but just to own their home. To know that if they can afford to get someone to build the perfect counter or tile the bathroom as per fantasy, that they can do that and they won't just be doing the landlord a big old favor.

And while we all kind of want to get the most bang for our buck, we're also not wanting to get left out again. So when the market-grapes finally sag to within our reach, we're grabbing them.

It is a theory. I don't think anyone really knows.

Posted by: serpentor at October 7, 2008 3:48 PM in response to Front Page Forum: Walk Away from Downpayment?

I wouldn't sweat too much about the seller. They just got $38K, free and clear, if she walks.

I'm in the same boat and thinking it through, thinking it through, thinking it through except that:

* I'm looking at a brownstone, not a one bedroom. I'd think that a one bedroom is by nature a short term investment. Maybe not, but aren't you eventually going to want to share your life with more people and need more space? So you definitely want to do some math about how long you plan to be in this place.

* And, I wouldn't have to give up my deposit. Because the sellers are the ones who dragged it out this far, I'm entitled to just get my deposit back.

I think the really important question is about how long you plan to be there. You can't game the market, even if thwackamole does have me pining for a $90K apartment. If you know that your lifeplan is to sell it in two years and cash in on your equity, I'd start to re-arrange that lifeplan.

Posted by: serpentor at October 7, 2008 11:03 AM in response to Front Page Forum: Walk Away from Downpayment?

Past rate comparisons from around these parts ...

Water/Sewer:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/09/watersewer_bill.php

Gas Heat:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2007/12/replace_the_boi.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/07/oil_to_gas_conv_4.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/01/heating_costs_s.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/01/pricecheck_on_g.php

Oil Heat:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/04/oil_bills_this.php

It'd be kind of nice to structure this a little, create a database of square footage, oil v. gas and what you're paying. Because it is useful, not just to know if you're paying more than others but to budget when you're trying to sort out what you can afford, housewise.

Posted by: serpentor at October 6, 2008 5:28 PM in response to Utility Bill Comparison

We're talking about G Train (but on the park) Bed Stuy, not A Train Stuyvesant Heights and Bread Stuy Bed Stuy. So I think we're safer with our $1250 estimates than dreaming of $1700, though that'd be sweet.

And, slopefam, I thought we were taking your advice! Our version of "not screwing around" was to just dig in our heels and say we aren't leaving or letting you out of this contract. That was a lot easier than actually suing them for specific performance. We have been looking for better deals but haven't really come upon any yet.

Posted by: serpentor at October 2, 2008 1:13 PM in response to Close? Or Walk Away?

"most renters I know are NOT socking away that "extra cash" they are supposedly saving by not buying" --11217

yeah. that is the scary part. I'm amazed when I talk to my peers (early 30s, working but not lawyers or anything) and realize that most couldn't come up with anything beginning to resemble a down payment. I think there's a correlation between that and the way I'm always envying their travel and wardrobes and stylish home furnishings.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 3:03 PM in response to Has the Bubble Finally Burst?

Wasder, it isn't that they're not negotiating in good faith (not about the roof anyway), but rather that things we were thinking would need fixing immediately upon closing have now had to survive a few very serious storms.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 2:55 PM in response to Close? Or Walk Away?

PS, we just need 1250 for our one bedroom apts, but we're in Bed Stuy.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 2:51 PM in response to Close? Or Walk Away?

There is no question about the escrow.

We had a 30 day contract and we've spent the last three and a half months sending them letters asking for a closing date. It is pretty cut and dry that we're entitled to get out.

Meanwhile, I know for a fact that the roof hasn't gotten any better since we last had it inspected, so if we have to pull some "whoah, this isn't the roof we agreed to buy, you better fix all this new damage" we can.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 2:48 PM in response to Close? Or Walk Away?

I don't have installation advice, but that is gorgeous!

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Installing floor mural/tile persian rug

lechacal & Biff Champion

I'm getting off topic so I'll just start a forum post.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 1:58 PM in response to Has the Bubble Finally Burst?

Isn't $500K a lot for a starter apartment?

And, is a starter apartment really what you want to be buying in this market? It seems like anything you plan to sell in the next few years better be seriously cheap to be worthwhile right now.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 1:49 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 147 South Oxford Street, #3C

Sigh. I don't think there are that many "bitter renters." I'm a frustrated renter, looking at a potential closing in two weeks after the sellers dicked us around for months. We're trying to figure out whether to walk away now or go through with it.

Posted by: serpentor at October 1, 2008 11:15 AM in response to Has the Bubble Finally Burst?

Built in ipod docks?

Can we start taking bets on how soon those will be relics?

Posted by: serpentor at September 11, 2008 12:06 PM in response to 660 Bergen Hits the Market

I'll second @hakonechloa point about worker protection: you have to make your own decision, but you should think really hard about letting some day laborer tear out asbestos in a little dust mask. Asbestoses is a serious condition and while you can justify anything if you really put your mind to it, figure you're giving anyone without a proper mask one "go straight to lung cancer" card with a fine glaze of "no workman's comp; no health insurance" to sweeten the deal.

And no, I wouldn't assume that mister $3000 is going to provide adequate protection or that the $600 contractor won't. I wouldn't assume anything. But I would ask.

Posted by: serpentor at September 10, 2008 1:45 PM in response to Cost to Remove Asbestos

Sounds like you aren't in New York State?

Laws vary widely in different states, but it does seem like you have a decent leg to stand on, even without a lawyer.

I'd go into this playing a little bit dumb. Your position should be that you need to understand everything and you may have been confused and so to prevent further confusion you need to get everything in writing so that you can figure out who you owe money to and why.

Don't let him bully you into paying anything out. Don't even bring your checkbook to the meeting.

Do bring both bids, any contracts you signed with him, and at least a log of what checks you wrote and to whom.

Mostly though, keep your cool. No reasonable person signs papers under duress or writes checks under duress and if you're reaching a point where he's insisting you just come back to that, say "I'm clearly confused and I'm going to read this over before I sign anything."

If he gets you half convinced that he has some kind of standing, then go to JC Roofing and lay it out for them and ask for some clarification of who you owe what to.

Posted by: serpentor at August 26, 2008 3:49 PM in response to mechanic lein

Look for comps on Property Shark. That is what it is there for. There are other carriage houses in Ft Greene, some of them must have sold recently.

Posted by: serpentor at August 25, 2008 12:53 PM in response to Carriage House

Omnivore doo is only off limits if you want to grow food. Or if the shitter's on a lot of pharmaceuticals. You can make a lovely flower bed with humanure.

And, um, not sure it needs to be said, but Petebklyn, there there is a long road and a whole body of social work research between handing out money and legally compelling treatment. Some if it includes things like providing supportive housing for people who decline other treatment. Which can be mighty unpopular, but it does keep throop loop stoop poopers from needing the services throop loop stoop pooper scooper. Everything has got tradeoffs.

Posted by: serpentor at August 22, 2008 1:53 PM in response to Return of the Stoop Pooper

Is it terrible that I think this is brilliant? Maybe this is a political statement or maybe she knows that you flagrantly misplace both apostrophes and capital letters alike and wants you to know that she knows.

I haven't had the pleasure of stepping over a poop on my own stoop just yet, but there's one that's been festering on the Brooklyn Bridge for a week and there are a few train station exits that see regular use. Honestly, I'd rather she pooped out on a stoop than in a subway staircase.

My parents think I make people take shoes off in my apt because I'm worried about scuffing the floors. Or because I have a fetish for Asian culture. These are not why. Why is because I know what they've been stepping in with those shoes all day and it is nasty.

The bigger issue that no one is addressing is the profound lack of supportive housing and mental health services citywide.

Posted by: serpentor at August 22, 2008 11:27 AM in response to Return of the Stoop Pooper

I'll chime in on traditionalmod's admonition: I wouldn't have bought there either, but that isn't really the question they asked.

Or, I guess it was, but the point is that it is total BS to say you can't discuss a document like that. It doesn't always mean they're scumbags, either. A friend of mine moved into a subsidized PACC building recently and they were shocked when she said she wanted to read the lease and see the apartment before she signed. Somehow the idea that she'd want to do a little due diligence before signing on the line that is dotted was a completely bizarre move to them. She read the lease, debated the pros and cons and moved in this month. But they were all over her to just sign. Granted, they weren't trying to get money from her, they probably just want to get the units filled with a minimum of admin time, but still.

You don't have to walk away from a hard sell, but you shouldn't sign just because you feel pressured. And if they say they'll fix things, they ought to be willing to sign a document saying they'll fix things. Shouldn't be a big deal.

However, do we have any reason to think that someone whose post on Park Slope parents was forwarded to Lisa is actually going to stop by and read everyone's advice? Not so much.

So I guess the question is, are there Novo buyers around here who've experiences to share.

Posted by: serpentor at August 22, 2008 11:15 AM in response to Tale of Woe at the Novo

I'm with Smokeychimp: my question is why are they unloading halfway through a project like that?

I did look at at least one three family that was halfway renovated and the realtor actually told us that the project destroyed their marriage. Or, rather, that Mister had always wanted this and Missus was not having it any longer. So there are reasons, but this sounds like an investment project not a home renovation, so I'd want to know a lot more about why they're jumping ship.

Plus, how do they have a C of O for unfinished work? If the conversion isn't complete enough to be lived in by six families, is the C of O final or some kind of provisional thing?

All of that said, your lawyer can argue just about anything. If you need a two family to keep the mortagage and R.E. tax in line, you can probably make a case that the work has not been completed. If you need the rental income from the units to support your mortgage application, same story, though you'll probably have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to complete the renovation to a point where you can get the tenants you need.

Posted by: serpentor at August 20, 2008 2:47 PM in response to Appraisal & C of O

I'm just waiting to see whether they can come up with some halfway affordable property.

Posted by: serpentor at August 15, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Brooklyn Co-Housing Moving Closer to Reality?

For one thing, in most co-housing schemes, everyone has their own kitchen. The common kitchen and dining room is for events. You don't have to share if you don't want to.

Posted by: serpentor at August 15, 2008 12:48 PM in response to Brooklyn Co-Housing Moving Closer to Reality?

I'm confused. How do you sell a building you've already flipped?

Maybe I should watch one of those shows, too?

Posted by: serpentor at August 8, 2008 1:23 PM in response to HELP!

Also, the gift cap is $12,000 per person. So if your relative has a partner and you have a partner, the allowable gift is actually more like $48,000.

Posted by: serpentor at July 30, 2008 10:36 PM in response to How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?

slopefarm, noooo! don't leave me!

These pep talks, I need them.

Posted by: serpentor at July 30, 2008 4:49 PM in response to Including Costs in Contract

Fear not. We're not letting them out of their contract.

But while we're waiting for that to play out, I started looking at listings again. I mean, this is a pretty market rate building, it isn't like it is some kind of steal that can't be replaced and isn't the market supposed to be tanking?

So I'm looking at listings.

While I look, I'm thinking about how to avoid this in the future. I kind of know that there is no answer. In this case, they couldn't afford the damages even if they were in the contract. Supposedly. All we really know is that they are absurdly dishonest. In some other case, with less broke sellers, we wouldn't have this problem because we could just say "fine. pay our expenses and we'll give you back the contract."

Posted by: serpentor at July 30, 2008 3:47 PM in response to Including Costs in Contract

And some people will reject a higher offer if it comes as they're midway through hashing out a contract with you, just because they think it is dishonest to turn away from someone they're actively working with. They'll do this, they'll tell you, the buyer, about how incensed they were that their real estate agent argued with them about it and tried to get their lawyer to send out another contract. You will think to yourself, "nice to be working with honest people" and sigh.

Then, a month later, when you are trying to schedule a closing with these nice honest people they'll freak out and decide that they don't want to sell. They'll dig their heels in, make up lies about mechanics liens, threaten to file for bankruptcy.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 5:19 PM in response to owner backs out of offer

Until you have a fully executed contract, you have bupkis.

I mean you have trust, but ... you have bupkis. It isn't nice for someone to do that, but that is the deal. It blew my mind to be paying an inspector before I had a contract but it seems to be standard.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 4:54 PM in response to Seller sold builing without brokers knowledge.

I think the catch is that (in NYC anyhow) you don't get to inspect the places and you don't have any guarantee that a building is vacant. So you don't have any idea how much of a headache you're getting yourself into.

Kidbklyn is only half right: They were colluding to keep bids low, but they weren't preventing others from bidding.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 1:22 PM in response to How hard is buying a forclosure?

I've gotten a lot of advice from neighbors, too, to the effect of "I bailed my uncle out and he just kept believing that the miracle bailout fairy would be back."

The reason to walk away would be to cut our losses, but at this point, suing to force the sale is looking to cost almost what starting over would cost, and that is if you don't count the time we spent with inspectors, etc.

Plus, our rent is pretty cheap (our landlord was a little bummed to learn we're not giving notice on Friday, he's looking forward to renovating our apartment) and so if we pay rent for six months before we shift gears and start paying a mortgage, we're potentially better off.

Seriously, thanks for the supportive comments.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 10:23 AM in response to Broke Seller Wants Out

Try Comet and some elbow grease. Or post a photo.

I used to have really persistent pinkish-red mildew in my grout. We had to really work to keep it at bay, but we were in college -- we settled for trying to clean the shower regularly--I won't pretend we conquered it or tried very hard though.

Post a photo. It sounds like mildew.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 10:04 AM in response to Why Is My Grout Red and How Do I Fix It?

Alternatively, you could just suck it up and treat it like the investment income that it is.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 9:54 AM in response to How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?

Why not spread the repayment out over 2 or 3 (or 4 ...?) years when the time comes. That way you can keep it within the gift limit.

Posted by: serpentor at July 29, 2008 9:53 AM in response to How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?

mold.

Posted by: serpentor at July 28, 2008 7:24 PM in response to Why Is My Grout Red and How Do I Fix It?

The idea that people paying $1700/month to live on Murder Avenue are finding out that it isn't the East Village is kind of not so earth shattering if you ask me.

And, nosleeptil, Bed Stuy might be big, but Ocean Hill still isn't in it.

Posted by: serpentor at July 28, 2008 6:56 PM in response to Bed-Stuy, Do or...?

We're happy to go to the bank with them, but they still won't have anything left, which is what they're really freaking out about. We're basically hoping they will come to their senses and realize that this is their best option, since we're not letting go of our contract without compensation for what we've put into this, and they're not going to get enough from another buyer (who is going to mysteriously bid higher in this market????) to buy us out and come out ahead. Hell, we might be able to find a place for less, but we found this place and ran the bases with it and now someone is standing at the plate faking us out and we're getting mad.

Word to the wise: look up everything you can. I didn't notice it until this all started to come unraveled but P-shark shows the sellers taking out a series of mortgages, each with a higher principal than the last. That should have been a clue that they've been on rocky financial straits for a while. I thought it was odd, is all I thought.

Posted by: serpentor at July 27, 2008 11:16 AM in response to Broke Seller Wants Out

Also, Thanks.

They do have a lawyer, but exlege/4:42 has a point.

Posted by: serpentor at July 25, 2008 5:08 PM in response to Broke Seller Wants Out

If they could reimburse what we've spent on lawyers and mortgage applications, we could maybe wrap our heads around eating the time we've put into this and walking away, but they can't reimburse us for anything.

There is no way they are going to get a better price before the bank forecloses on them, and they're not going to be magically better off in that event.

So far no one has said anything we don't already know (We should sue them. We need a good lawyer. Lawsuits aren't simple. We shouldn't trust legal advice from anonymous internet forums. Suing them might not be worth the trouble. The What is nuts.) but that alone is kind of reassuring and helpful. So far, nothing is inconsistent with what our lawyer is already telling us.

Posted by: serpentor at July 25, 2008 5:06 PM in response to Broke Seller Wants Out

Oh. My story is equally crazy. I don't have the time to go into full details but the short of it goes as follows....

I sublet a ground floor apartment on E. 2nd St btwn 1st and 2nd street to a guy named Ken who in turned furnished and started renting it out on an weekly basis. He put in a transsexual prostitute how had chopped the place up into 4 small rooms and had other tranny's doing tricks all hours of the night. They would sit at the front window and solicit johns from the street.

This is just around the corner from Lucky Cheungs FYI.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at November 13, 2008 4:21 PM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

Throw crack accross the street.

Posted by: DOW8000SP800 at November 13, 2008 11:04 PM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

Clorox is a great deterrent - not when folks are there, but it's hard to sit around a place with a pungent bleach smell. Pour out a bottle every other night for awhile when they're not there - sort of an environmental approach as opposed to the police who may or may not be helpful, and certainly not to your visitors. What do they say when you talk with them? Have had some success that way as well.

Posted by: riis10 at November 13, 2008 11:06 PM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

Hate to say it, but make your building as annoying as possible with signs and mild threats so they become someone else's problem. EVERY time you see them, you have to hassle them. Be relentless.

No water! They'll just retaliate by breaking your front door or something.

Posted by: pattunia at November 14, 2008 3:32 AM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

I called the cops yesterday, spoke with the community affairs officer at the 76th. He was very cool and attentive. I explained the situation and he said he would make sure the beat cops check the spot more often. He also said to call 911 every time we see them there and hopefully something can get done.

I will put up a no trespassing sign as well and see how that works.

I do not talk to the crackheads at all. They are actually very nice, they talk to everyone and even offer sexual 'services' for $10.

Posted by: Watermellon at November 14, 2008 7:19 AM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

I just want to say this: The Asshats are going to keep fucking around and someone is going to get hurt! This neighborhood had these problems before you moved in and now by some stroke of magic these things supposed to go away. I suggest Watermelon (Nice racist name BTW) that you leave these "Crackheads" alone. They are desperate and have nothing to lose but you have everything to lose and when one of them get a hold of you, GOD help your ass.

Keep fucking around is my new mantra! I hope you like it..

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at November 14, 2008 12:54 PM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

aaawwww...you two, you got a thread. Now close the door so we don't peek.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 14, 2008 1:01 PM in response to i heard there's a new H&M coming to brooklyn!!

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

OK,

Where do you live? I see sketchy behavior and raccoons, but nothing like this.

Posted by: slick at November 15, 2008 5:17 AM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment

Did you try raising the price of your crack?
Gennaro Brooks-Church
www.EcoBrooklyn.com

Posted by: gennaro at November 15, 2008 11:19 AM in response to How do I get rid of Crachheads in front of my apartment