replacing track lighting with recessed (~cost?)

(Oh come on 11:45, if this is a fake post she's sure put a lot of effort into it--given her previous posts leading up to it.)

OP, perhaps your townhouse wish isn't so unreasonable after all, if you look in South Slope/Greenwood as 11:41 suggested--check out the first entry in "Just Sold" just posted on Brownstoner's homepage...

Posted by: statestreet at February 1, 2008 11:50 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

Jesus 11:22, why do you have to be so obnoxious? 11:17 made a simple observation, and nowhere in it did he/she suggest that selling under asking was a brand-new, previously unheard-of concept. He/she noted that it was "interesting" that this was the case *now*--which is true, given, as you say, that over the last few years the opposite had been the case.

Getting SO sick of this blog and the way people jump to skewer the smallest remark by anyone else...

Posted by: statestreet at February 1, 2008 11:46 AM in response to Open House Picks 8/10/07: Six Months Later

10:17, I don't think that's necessarily true. Last summer I saw several places in Park Slope with a friend who was looking for just that--3 bedrooms, 1.5-2 bath for a million or less. They weren't perfect; some were not recently renovated (although still in perfectly fine, livable condition), some bedrooms were smallish. But we still saw several--and I'm guessing prices now are softer than they were then.

Posted by: statestreet at February 1, 2008 10:47 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

Agree with several others that your parking requirement is probably the big dealbreaker in your requirements. Very few places around here--even (and maybe especially) townhouses--have dedicated parking, and if they do, that really ups the price.

I too would suggest you consider giving up your own car. (Why bring a piece of California car culture back to Brooklyn?! ;) Look into Zipcar (zipcar.com). I'm a huge fan. They have tons of locations now (and add new ones quite frequently) and are very very convenient.

Posted by: statestreet at February 1, 2008 10:03 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

I'm boggled by the fact that people on this site can identify the brands of kitchen appliances from those tiny little photos...

Posted by: statestreet at January 28, 2008 1:56 PM in response to House of the Day: 462 Henry Street

I did extensive research on this last year, and across the board the best reviews (both "pro" and consumer) were for the LG models. Other brands were generally rated/reviewed much lower.

Posted by: statestreet at January 28, 2008 11:27 AM in response to BEST non vented washer dryer combo

We put curtains on our closets this way, bought the hardware (track and hooks) here:
http://www.ocelco.com/products/cubiclecurtains-curtaintracking_c652/curtaintracking-trackhardware_c653/?src=google&ag=curtain+tracking

Shipping is a little pricey because the tracks come in long pieces, but it's still pretty cheap overall. Very easy to install (just need a saw to cut the tracks down to size). To put the hooks in your curtain, go to a fabric/sewing supply store and ask for something called "curtain tape"--basically long fabric strips with slots for the hooks. Then you have to sew those onto the top of your curtains (we had a tailor do it).

P.S. We bought the Ikea system first, but couldn't make sense of it. Seemed like there were pieces missing. Total waste of money.

Posted by: statestreet at January 28, 2008 11:23 AM in response to drapery track continued

Thanks everyone for your input!

Posted by: statestreet at January 24, 2008 6:34 PM in response to replacing track lighting with recessed (~cost?)

Wow, that's really bad. I can't believe they'd let a typo like that slip through...

Posted by: statestreet at January 24, 2008 10:18 AM in response to 110 Livingston Rental Ads Go Underground

You should rent in one of those nabes for a year. During that time, you'll be in brooklyn, so you can go to open houses and check out various areas that you like. Also, as you know, the market is really in flux right now. Could go down, could go way down, could be where it is right now, which is very little inventory and prices for anything but great properties either flat or accepting offers below asking price.

It's so hard to find a good home to buy in New York even when you already live here. Doing it from 3,000 miles away, unless your absolutely loaded, is nearly impossible.

I DO think you can find a co-op or condo in most of those areas for $1 mil or under that will meet your needs. But it will take some looking and a willingness to go "all in" when you see what you want.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:46 PM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

You CANNOT find a condo or coop or house in those areas for 1 million with 1500+ sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, formal dining room or "ample" dining area, and dedicated parking.

Nor can you find a townhouse with parking and a yard, a "sizable" duplex PLUS studio or in-law apartment PLUS one-bedroom rental for 1.3 million.

Nor a large condo for a lower price with "reasonable" maintenance (even if condos had maintenance), parking, a yard or patio, but no windows on the street please.

Nope, nada.

Yes you are crazy. Next.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 9:50 PM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

Hey 9:50:

I just sold a coop, 3br, 2 bath, 2 outdoor spaces, 1 parklng space, for 900k, 4th ave and 5th street. So don;t rule out coops. Unless you are broke.

Posted by: denton at February 1, 2008 10:49 PM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

In Jackson Heights you can get an entire house with a yard and parking for less than $1M and be in a great school district and close to a major transit hub 10-15 minutes from Manhattan. Not to mention a short train ride to the largest park in the boroughs and have the best Indian, Columbian, Argentinian, Korean and Chinese food all around you.

Screw Brooklyn.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:30 PM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

1500+ sq ft Denton? And do you actually think anyone that who doesn't want any windows right on the street at the rather uncommercial intersection of 7th Av. and Sterling Pl. really wants to live on 4th Ave? (I don't, and I'm nowhere near as picky.)

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 10:03 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

This is what every single person in NYC whether renter or buyer goes through, anyone who doesn't have unlimited funds that is. Lots of money can buy everything on the wish list. Less money means having to decide what you care most about on the list and compromise on the rest. Everybody's decisions about those priorities are different.

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 10:45 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

BED- STUY you can get a house with great detail and parking is no problem most of the time, but other things are lacking but you cant have it all.

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 9:08 PM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

It's definitely a possibility, regardless of what the cynics here say. Just check this out: http://realestate.nytimes.com/sales/detail/56-763682

Prime Park Slope, over 1700 sf, decent monthly, parking, etc., etc. Too bad it's in contract!

Don't give up. But it might be hard to find from afar. I agree you might need to rent here for a year if you're going to find what you want. The only problem is, you might not be able to afford it a year from now!!

Posted by: guest at February 3, 2008 12:12 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

Wow 12:12 poster! I can't beleive what is passing today for new construction in Park Slope. That apartment looks so cheaply built. Be very careful when and if your search turns to new construction. Almost every part of Brooklyn and Queens has awfull new condos for sale, many about to turn into rentals as they are unsellable. BEWARE the south slope/ greenwood heights area when looking for condos. Rent while you search seems less stressful.

Posted by: guest at February 3, 2008 6:24 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?

12:12, who's sleeping in the great room? This woman said she needs a 3 bedroom. Of course, she also needs a separate dining room/area...
and a reality check.

Posted by: guest at February 3, 2008 9:58 AM in response to home search: realistic expectations?