I saw this house just before it sold. It made me think of the underrated Hanks classic, "The Money Pit." The house has amazing potential. Good luck.

Posted by: slick at November 7, 2009 12:20 AM in response to Welcome to The Albemarle Reno Blog

this is the sort of thing you should seek some political help from. Contact your congress(wo)man's constituent affairs office and point out that it's a common issue for people in brownstone brooklyn.

Posted by: slick at November 6, 2009 9:08 PM in response to Easement Audit Nightmare

Here's my opinion:

1. send her a notice of rent increase....a big one.
2. offer to let her out of her lease immediately b/c she doesnt seem content.

Yes, it could be ugly but you cant live in fear. Presumably, you vetted the tenant and she has assets and a job. Further, she wont want to be on the blacklist.

Posted by: slick at November 6, 2009 6:00 PM in response to Help with Demanding Tenant?

I find the connection between parking permits and a police state to be sort of strange.

On balance, parking permits are a positive.

If it costs $200 to park slope residents so they dont have to spend 1 hr driving around for a parking place everytime they use their car, I bet they will gladly spend the money.

As far as implementation, it should be connected to paying property taxes so owners get the spots every year when they pay taxes. Then, they are responsible for doling them out to tenants. It's not a difficult system.

Posted by: slick at November 2, 2009 6:01 PM in response to Closing Bell: Windshield Spam Backfires

in some ways, i like kensington too. however, the housing stock is less appealing. Plus once you've ridden the Q train, the F train is torture.

Posted by: slick at October 30, 2009 11:58 PM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

i dont think bobjohn is correct. if the infestation is still there, it may be a violation of warranty of habitability.

if nothing else, a judge would be sympathetic.

PS Vinca went into great detail about the warranty of habitability in another context:

Under a provision of NYS law called the "Warranty of Habitability" tenants are entitled to an apartment fit for human habitation without any conditions endangering or detrimental to their life, health, or safety. The text is available here: http://law.onecle.com/new-york/real-property/RPP0235-B_235-B.html
No matter how bad you find your situation, it is NOT guaranteed that you will be able to prove a breach. In order to succeed, you'll need to be able to establish unreasonable, excessive and continuous noise. Start keeping a log of the time of day, the duration, the unpredictability, etc. It will also help if you can document similar complaints from other building tenants, as well as obtaining a copy of the letter your LL sent to the neighboring tenants.
In addition, if the neighboring tenants are truly using their apartment as a recording studio, there's a good chance they are violating a prohibition against commercial use of residential premises.
Before you assume you can break your lease without penalty, pay a visit to the free Help Center at Kings County Housing Court: 141 Livingston Street. See also: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/housing/pdfs/tenantsguide.pdf

Posted by: vinca at October 28, 2009 1:31 AM

Posted by: slick at October 29, 2009 7:52 PM in response to Bed Bugs

two things:

1. you can (theoretically) build in a historic district. it just means that the LPC gets to approve the design.

2. I still say the city would be better off with 6 story multifamily dwellings dwellings on the spot b/c development would be less intrusive there than just about anywhere. plus the penthouses could have nice views of the park.

Posted by: slick at October 28, 2009 2:34 AM in response to BREAKING: Ocean on the Park Houses Landmarked

LARGE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE NOT APARTMENT FRIENDLY!!!!!

If you want to play the piano, live in a house. The woman has 2 little kids, and she's telling you that it bothers her. Pianos are loud. Have you considered listening to her?

Posted by: slick at October 26, 2009 1:58 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

A few years ago, I went to the coop intent on joining. However, I thought the place was batshit crazy and ran away fast.

There is a certain logic in the "if you dont like it, dont go" argument. However, I think the coop is unrealistic that its backwards ways wont invite some scorn. They dont take credit cards b/c they dont want their members to go into debt (or something)?

It's clear that they have a lot of goals, but serving the community isnt one of them.

Posted by: slick at October 26, 2009 1:43 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

how old is the tenant? if he's not 62, send him a notice of nonrenewal based upon user occupancy when his lease is up.

He will likely fight it. Then you can magnanimously offer to let him stay if he behaves himself.

Posted by: slick at October 25, 2009 8:08 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

you might want to check your credit as well as the credit of other residents in the house. one of those credit monitoring services might also give you piece of mind (although usually they are a waste of money).

Posted by: slick at October 22, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Someone's Using My Address

they are checking the windows for suits of armor.

Posted by: slick at October 22, 2009 12:36 AM in response to People with Camcorder?

the issue is that the only procedural way to build at the size the developer desired was to re-zone the entire street, opening the door to other developers.

Based on my understanding, they cant get a variance because they cant show hardship.

Posted by: slick at October 19, 2009 2:34 PM in response to Dim Hopes for CNR's Senior Center

During the closing, they will remove 1 quart of blood for every $100,000 borrowed. Be sure to bring your own orange juice. If they have to supply it, it costs .5 points.

Posted by: slick at October 16, 2009 4:04 AM in response to How Are Mortgage Brokers Paid?

1. How can the city or EPA be trusted because they've ignored it up til now? Superfund has been around for 30 years and they've "missed" a huge site despite obvious pollution that's close to millions of people.

Likewise, it wasn't long ago that the city said they couldnt afford to fix the pump that has been flushing the canal for the last few years.

I have supported Superfunding the site because it assures that it will eventually get cleaned up. However, I concede that it's not necessary. NY's politicians should attempt to get funding from the Fed Govt that doesnt require 3rd parties writing checks in order to start the work. The sooner it's cleaned up, the better off NY is.

Posted by: slick at October 15, 2009 4:08 AM in response to EPA, Bloomberg Compete to Clean Gowanus

I'd use http://www.intelius.com as a baseline. You can always find more details, but I expect this will be enough to fill the rental package.

Posted by: slick at October 14, 2009 5:02 PM in response to Credit Report

seems pretty tame compared to my neighborhood....

http://gothamist.com/2009/10/14/police_investigate_murder_of_rising.php

Posted by: slick at October 14, 2009 3:10 PM in response to McDonald's Robber Apprehended in Slope

it's a great addition to the neighborhood.

Posted by: slick at October 14, 2009 2:10 PM in response to Streetlevel: Laytner's Latest Location is in the Slope

i am fine with limited use of eminent domain so long as "reasonable compensation" gives property owners fair value. Many of the problems relating to AY arose from years of delay due to litigation.

I have posted this before, but the city should use eminent domain for coney island. By using ED instead of rezoning to give Thor a windfall, the city can redevelop Coney Island in a way that modernizes and preserves it.

Posted by: slick at October 13, 2009 5:30 PM in response to Atlantic Yards Court Case Begins Wednesday

Argentinian meat palace...You'd need a liquor license though.

Posted by: slick at October 7, 2009 3:34 PM in response to The Slope's Most Cursed Corner?

There were definitely houses for sale in brooklyn heights for less than 500k. However, everyone needs to remember that Brooklyn heights has a few parts.

Traditionally, lower Brooklyn Heights was significantly cheaper (in no small part due to its proximity to HOD). Since 2000, lower brooklyn heights and Cobble Hill have even out the prices somewhat so that northern Brooklyn Heights (the fruit streets) no longer command such a huge premium.

Posted by: slick at October 3, 2009 4:49 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

triplex and 1 floor rental seems more popular to me. rental income from the 1 floor is more per square foot than most duplexes.

Owners duplex + 2 apts is solid though.

Posted by: slick at October 3, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Double Duplex vs 3-over-1

i live in the neighborhood too. as far as i know, youre better off taking it to another neighborhood.

Dry cleaners are a problem here too. It costs $1.50 to launder a shirt in kensington. It costs $4.00 here.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure bob marvin will correct me.

Posted by: slick at October 1, 2009 1:33 AM in response to Tailor Recommendation Needed

you're asking the wrong question.

if theres a real issue regarding habitability of the apt, then vacating immediately can be allowed.

Posted by: slick at September 29, 2009 12:24 AM in response to 30-Day Notice Req'd?

State Farm.....

Good enough for Louisiana; good enough for you.

Posted by: slick at September 25, 2009 10:04 PM in response to Renters Insurance

i have a feeling hsbc will be annoying, but im preapproved for a really good rate.

Posted by: slick at September 23, 2009 3:29 PM in response to Recent Mortgage Experiences?

eh. a deal is a deal. i say you should keep it.

Posted by: slick at September 22, 2009 7:12 PM in response to Tenant Breaks Lease...

Yes, I think donating it to BIG is the best answer. You'll even get a tax deduction.

Posted by: slick at September 21, 2009 5:36 PM in response to FREE! ANTIQUE! ENAMEL! STOVE!

not too many people wear air jordans to work either....but there sure are a lot of shops to buy them in BK. There are armies of lawyers in the neighborhood every day wearing suits, but I'm not sure they would support a full size BB.

That said, I think something more like a J Crew would have a chance. I like the idea of a uniglo b/c its clothes have a wide target market. T's for kids; dressier stuff for working stiffs. However, my bet is that their next USA store will be more in a more glamorous location.

Posted by: slick at September 17, 2009 5:01 AM in response to Closing Bell: Shopping for High-End Retail at 345 Adams

this isnt your question exactly but remember that many offers are delusions of the real estate adjusters.

Posted by: slick at September 17, 2009 2:16 AM in response to Pre-Approval Amount?

The conforming jumbo rate also seems high. Check around....

Posted by: slick at September 14, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Conforming or Jumbo?

New York City needs an outdoor venue accessible to mass transit that can compete in size with the one at Jones Beach.

Posted by: slick at September 14, 2009 2:40 PM in response to Another Snag for Marty's Amphitheatre

most brokers are pretty useless. the profession tends to draw people who have flunked out of other professions. however, if you are selling FSBO, you have to look at everything objectively. buyers customize their homes for their own uses and tastes. Then they are outraged that everyone else doesn't think it's perfect. Meanwhile, buyers are wondering how much it will cost to re-do the home to their own needs and personal taste. Also, just remember that the lifetime of mementos of a fulfilled life doesnt mean anything to buyers; to them, it's just clutter that they are having to step around.

Posted by: slick at September 13, 2009 1:00 AM in response to FSBO or Not?

The other detail is that they dont divide up easily. Other types of brownstones are a lot easier to subdivide. She could also think about kensington, which is similar to ditmas but has more 2-4 family houses.

Posted by: slick at September 6, 2009 2:58 PM in response to Ditmas Park Zoning

regardless of neighborhood, safety is directly related to proximity to nearest housing project.

Posted by: slick at September 2, 2009 4:15 PM in response to Muggings in Fort Greene

i think everyone is overstating the media's interest in a single infestation. you never know. Are there any cute blonde kids with bites?

Anyway, I think a judge will be sympathetic. you should subpoena the individual you spoke with and ask him the following questions:

1. On ______ [date of lease signing], were you aware of any complaints of bedbugs in the building located at [______] within the six months prior?
2.When did you first become aware?
3. Were there any complaints of bedbugs in apt ____ within the six months prior to [date of lease]?
4. Were there any steps taken to remove them?
- Name of exterminator?
5. Did you inform the new tenants?
6. When asked about bedbugs by new tenants, did you make any reprsentations regarding bedbug complaints within the 6 mos prior?
7. Are you aware of a claim that bedbugs were found in the apt on [____]?
8. Was the claim investigated?
9. Were any extermination steps taken?
- The name of the exterminator?
10. Is the apt vacant or rented?
11. Was the current tenant/s advised as to any prior claims of bedbugs?

Presumably, these questions would result in a useful concession or perjury on a verifiable fact.

Posted by: slick at September 2, 2009 5:37 AM in response to Park Slope Bedbug Disaster

it all depends on the apt...

offer to pay a 15% fee for 10% reduction in rent.

Posted by: slick at September 1, 2009 3:03 AM in response to Negotiating Rental Fees

you dont have to agree, and it doesnt seem like a good idea to sign. I would suggest that the broker re-direct his compensation request to the buyer directly.

Posted by: slick at September 1, 2009 2:53 AM in response to FSBO - Dealing with Buyer Broker

If you hire a lawyer, offer to bring in the former tenants. I bet they are out money and would like to get it back. Having them as a party would destroy any credibility from the landlord.

Posted by: slick at September 1, 2009 12:16 AM in response to Park Slope Bedbug Disaster

hmmm.

It's perfectly reasonable to say that everyone should honor their obligations all the time, but it doesnt always work that way.

I've actually been in front of J. Schack (albeit a few years ago) and have read a good number of decisions. For some mortgages, it's not even clear who has the authority to make a deal. His decisions force the banks to figure out those issues. I wouldnt be surprised if he is using his authority to force banks to make a deal. I doubt the mortgages will go away entirely, but the uncertainty he has created forces banks to re-evaluate their positions. Likewise, if any homeowner goes for the grand prize of a free house, I expect he or she will end up disappointed.

Posted by: slick at August 31, 2009 11:46 PM in response to The 'Judicial Don Quixote' on the Foreclosure Frontlines

Where do you live? If it's east NY, you need iron bars. It's not necessary in most of the city.

Posted by: slick at August 29, 2009 2:40 PM in response to Pesky window bars

Well, I've put some offers in on houses this week, but they are houses in Ditmas Park at a substantial discount from peak comps.

Not quite 1/2, but still pretty good.

Posted by: slick at August 27, 2009 1:47 PM in response to What to Have in the Contract?

you also might want to think about queens. jackson heights is inexpensive and there's lots of food and another amenities.

Sunset park is a good option. crown heights @ franklin also seems like a pretty good option, but it's still a little rough around the edges--good bars though.

Posted by: slick at August 27, 2009 1:41 PM in response to From Boston to Brooklyn by 11/1

if this has been going on a long time, why is there not a short sale? Even a listing?

I've been looking for a "value" in lefferts gardens, but I hadnt heard of this one outside of the foreclosure.

It's probably not too late to work something out.

Posted by: slick at August 26, 2009 9:30 PM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 130 Lincoln Road

the empire state building = fugly

Posted by: slick at August 26, 2009 4:31 PM in response to Atlantic Terminal Station May One Day Be Complete!

An honest day's work for an honest day's pay is one thing. However RR (and many other brokers) are past that point.

My instinct is that they arent doing anything illegal--just shady. Real estate encourages shady practices like personal injury or used car sales.

Posted by: slick at August 25, 2009 5:10 AM in response to Reporting a Realty Company

The claiming of a neighborhood as someone's permanent ethnic territory is something of a new phenomenon. Now, many areas of the city are very unwelcoming of inevitable changes that will occur. There are lots of former enclaves that have disappeared entirely. (Anyone know where Swedish Broadway was?)

Posted by: slick at August 21, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Immigrant Groups Fight Sunset Park Rezoning

Um, couldnt the paddle boat operators give free boat usage for people helping their business to clean the lake? They could pay an employee to allow access to the boats at an off hour every so often so they dont lose any income.

It helps them most of all...

Posted by: slick at August 19, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Cleaning Prospect Park Lake

I enjoyed the billy sunday reference (but not because of the grateful dead).

However, I never understood what he had to do with bbq. It sounds like JM is just repackaging his Smith St restaurants until he finds something that sticks over here.

It seems fine to me.

Posted by: slick at August 18, 2009 9:38 PM in response to StreetLevel: New Lure in PLG

You can also have roommates who live in a mutually agreed upon section of the house (like the basement) and pay a portion of the expenses (like the mortgage).

This is not a tenant-landlord relationship but there are limitations to it. Ask someone who knows better.

Posted by: slick at August 17, 2009 4:59 PM in response to Renting the Basement?

As a homeowner, I dread the possibility that a tenant might bring bedbugs into the building, or that they migrate from a neighboring building. They are incredibly difficult to exterminate. That aside, no matter what/how the origin, vermin and rodent eradication is absolutely the LL's responsibility. Where a residence is infested with insects or rodents, creating a threat to the health and safety of the occupants or intolerable living conditions, courts have found a breach of the warranty of habitability (bedbug infestation included). Various factors affect the award/rent abatement.
The links below run the gamut, but are supplied because they all contain useful information, and/or further sublinks:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vector/vector-faq1.shtml
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/residents/bedbugs.shtml
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/health/14brod.html
The best and most up-to-date information and advice can be obtained by visiting the Kings County Housing Court help center in person, 141 Livingston Street: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/housing/resourcecenter.shtml

Posted by: vinca at October 29, 2009 8:12 PM in response to Bed Bugs

Yes the F train is torture....and I have just looked for almost a year to find a suitable house in Kensington (finally successful, though not closed yet); it's quite difficult, although depends what you want.

BUT--and I almost hesitate to interject this but I will anyway: I am on the Kensington-Windsor Terrace Neighbors listserv, and in the last week, there was a long thread about "creeps in the neighborhood" which generated a lot of heated back and forth. But one thing I gleaned from it was the Registered Sex Offenders List by zip code. As we were signing final papers yesterday, I looked on it Thursday, and told myself if there was one next door to the house we were purchasing, I would get out of contract somehow (not sure if I could have). There wasn't--but I did see where they were grouped, for whatever reason.

I am not dissing anyone's block, nor knocking down anyone trying to lift themselves back up after a fall down. However, I have two teen daughters and a teen stepdaughter, and it gave me pause. Although I must say, relative to how many residents we have in the area, there was not a lot of registered sex offenders.

Take the info as you wish; and good luck to you. I am just saying it could influence your choice. BTW I adore Kensington; moved there after 5 years ago 15+ years in Slope.

Posted by: sogo at October 31, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

here's a novel thought... buy a place that you can afford to send your kids to the public schools? these questions come up So much. people buy a place because they want to be 'diverse' but then do not want to send their kids to the school district. maybe you and your offspring should find a place that 'fits'? maybe nyc isnt for you. seriously. it just drives the rent up for long time residents and people who want kids. if the schools are 'bad' and you arent willing to do anything about it, then brooklyn, maybe even nyc isnt for you. sorry you cant afford the upper east side, but stop trying to make other peoples lives worse because you think you should live here.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at November 1, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

rob, who are you talking to?

Posted by: bfarwell at November 1, 2009 10:10 PM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

I live right next to PS 139 on Rugby/Cortelyou... the little rugrats seems well behaved. Actually they had a fire drill recently and I saw the little gangs come out. They were adorable and listened to their teachers.

Does that mean anything?

(I'm thinking not all schools filled with 5-11 year olds are that pleasant.)

Also, it's very much a Benetton ad... though, I don't know of any Brooklyn schools that wouldn't be diverse... except maybe the Yeshivas in Borough Park.

Posted by: tybur6 at November 2, 2009 8:46 AM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

Oh, but I forgot... Don't move to "Victorian Flatbush." It's basically a hell hole packed with gang violence, sex offenders, drugs and prostitutes. (I don't want my rent to go up!)

Posted by: tybur6 at November 2, 2009 8:48 AM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check out 139 and 217.

Posted by: royo at November 2, 2009 10:12 AM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

You've got to be carefully taught.......................

Posted by: transittillie at November 2, 2009 10:42 AM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

We did the same thing, did well on our Ft. Greene co-op sale and invested in a home in Victorian Flatbush and we LOVE it. We look forward to sending our future children to PS 139 or PS 217. Good luck and hope to see you around the nabe!

Posted by: bklyn_girl at November 2, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush