tinmouse10's Profile
Author's Posts
October 20, 2008
Front door leaks lots of cold air in
We had our double front doors and inner door renovated, and though the wood looks nice, the guy didn't do anything to solve air leaks or hang the doors soundly. The inner door is falling off its hinge and doesn't close properly, the outer doors have huge gaps and are not at all secure. We need someone to come along and re-do the hanging and sealing of these doors and secure the double doors so they close tight and sound. Any suggestions where to go? I called Heights Woodworking and they don't do jobs like this. Help?
September 23, 2008
stripping ceiling medallion
We have two Victorian-era ceiling medallions that I have unsuccessfully attempted to strip of layers of paint. Might there be a company out there that can strip these medallions for me?
March 16, 2008
Weird electricity bill question
We have a 2-family house that is fully tenanted (married and moved out). My new top-floor tenant just told me she's gotten a HUGE first electricity bill--$182 instead of the $40~odd she got in her last place. Any ideas where to begin to locate the source of the problem? Do I call Keyspan, an electrician, any other ideas of what to try first?
Author's Comments
I had a terrible experience with A&K also. Rude, verbally abusive, lied, dissembled, provided shoddy service and shoddy goods--apart from tiles. But after all, for tiles you only need to place an order, so service of any type is insignificant. I strongly recommend avoiding them. Have you tried Nemo? They rock.
Posted by: tinmouse10 at September 14, 2008 9:07 PM in response to Another Icestone counter top question
That looks great!
Any chance you'd share your tiler/contractor names? I just discovered our upstairs bathroom is leaking into the room below. Pretty dodgy looking ceiling about to crash to the floor. So we need to get ourselves organized ASAP to do a reno. And we'll include a standing shower not dissimilar to yours.
Posted by: tinmouse10 at September 14, 2008 9:01 PM in response to Master Bath roughing in
AVP Termite
718 967 9800
Been using them for a few years now, and found them very knowledgeable and helpful and reliable. Even told us how to treat for carpenter bees without charging for the visit.
Posted by: tinmouse10 at August 10, 2008 11:31 AM in response to Hoping for good exterminator recommendation
We have friends that moved to Beacon and love it. No restaurants to speak of, but cheap housing and space and a train link into midtown. They have complained about the teenagers having nothing better to do than get drunk and go cow tipping however! Schools are so-so I hear. I've got 2 kids growing up in Victorian Flatbush and going to public schools. If you can afford it, this area is a good compromise. space, trees, yards, driveway, plus express subway and access to urban amenities. Otherwise, I'd try Midwood where a whole house costs maybe 5-600k. Once you factor in commuting costs and taxes, and the not-so-great public schools in the suburbs, it may not wind up cheaper. Just food for thought. I did 3 years in the Maryland suburbs of DC and hated every minute of it, but love love love living here.
Posted by: tinmouse10 at July 13, 2008 2:56 PM in response to Leaving Brooklyn For The Burbs
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Thank you all very much! I think all of these are new recommendations for me, and I appreciate having several to call to compare. I'd love to find someone I like enough to stick with.
Posted by: FishieFishie at August 12, 2008 11:06 AM in response to Hoping for good exterminator recommendation
Thank you all very much! I think all of these are new recommendations for me, and I appreciate having several to call to compare. I'd love to find someone I like enough to stick with.
Posted by: FishieFishie at August 12, 2008 11:07 AM in response to Hoping for good exterminator recommendation
Thank you all very much! I think all of these are new recommendations for me, and I appreciate having several to call to compare. I'd love to find someone I like enough to stick with.
Posted by: FishieFishie at August 12, 2008 11:07 AM in response to Hoping for good exterminator recommendation
I am not sure what to make of the argument that landlords should charge less to attract good tenants. I have gotten good, conscientious, reliable tenants at what I believe to be prices at or close to market. If I like the tenants, should I drop the price below that which they already agreed to pay? Should I reject prospective tenants who seem good so that I can lower the rent and attract other tenants who might be better? I have never felt that I had to choose between a responsible reliable tenant and one who can pay what the market will bear.
The more sensible argument would seem to be that I should ignore the market at renewal time and keep increases to a below market minimum or none at all(or reduce rents if the rental market is declining) to retain good tenants. I'm all for that on a case by case basis.
Posted by: slopefarm at November 25, 2008 2:47 PM in response to Reasonable Rent for a Reliable Tenant
There are rent-stabilized buildings in Ditmas Park/Vic Flatbush with exactly what you want. Near Pomme de Terre or Farm on Adderley restaurants. Friend of mine just moved out of a 2-bed for which he paid around $1k/month. Don't know how to get into them, other than trawl the area and take down management company phone numbers. But I can confirm that these deals are still in existence. Good luck to you!
Posted by: tinmouse10 at November 24, 2008 8:53 PM in response to Reasonable Rent for a Reliable Tenant