Wow Joe from Brooklyn, way to totally misunderstand the tone and intent of a comment. Says more about you than it says about me.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 7, 2009 12:35 PM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

Joe from Brooklyn, years ago an anonymous poster (back when those existed) suggested an offshoot blog to be called "Vinylsider" for the demographic you mention. I nearly fell off my chair laughing. But thought it a really good idea actually. Jon, maybe there's franchise blog potential.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 6, 2009 1:39 PM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

A garden level is definitely more light-filled (if the front of the house faces South) and more like a *real* room than an English basement but the E-basement is great for rooms like an open layout family room and tv/screening room. We love ours at night. Without big windows looking right onto the sidewalk where people are walking by just a few feet away, like one has with a garden level, we don't feel like we're in a fishbowl on display in the evenings. There's less sidewalk noise coming in too with smaller windows. Also you can't look only at the size of the windows when determining grade. If the front platform of a house is elevated the tops of the windows are actually the same height as some garden level windows. In our house, the E-basement is only a couple steps below the sidewalk level.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 5, 2009 8:33 AM in response to House of the Day: 238 Windsor Place

Also call your local reps, the state senator and city councilperson. It's always in their political interest to not have blatant drug dealing and prostitution on their watch. Shame them into action. You could also contact Key Food and make sure they know what goes on right behind their building.

It's funny, I have never witnessed anything specific walking by this area behind Key Food, but the couple times I've passed by I really got the creeps. A vibe it wasn't a place to be. Perhaps simply because it's so isolated and desolate without passing traffic and pedestrians. Good luck.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 4, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Illegal Dumping, Drugs, Rats

I'd rather have this for $12 million:

http://realestate.nytimes.com/sales/detail/1999-1601-2819531/2-Clifton-Pl-Irvington-NY-10533

Many would prefer to be situated in a park overlooking the Hudson River than next to a large high school. The Bay Ridge house is a Brooklyn gem but the only person who would pay that kind of money is somebody already in Bay Ridge like I said, who has always coveted it. It wouldn't attract a wealthy Manhattanite who would likely choose other towns if they had to be 45 minutes from Manhattan.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 12:23 PM in response to The Gingerbread House Hits the Market

NYC is a tourist destination over the holidays and Brooklyn has grandparents and family visiting then too. Try advertising a one-month holiday rental on Craigs List. Of course you'd have to furnish it with some basics like bed, table/chairs and sofa.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

$12 million is what a smallish townhouse in the West Village sells for or a spectacular brownstone in Brooklyn Heights. Just to give my following comments context. I don't know they'll get that much for it but I predict the buyer will be a wealthy person who already lives in Bay Ridge and has for a long time if not a couple/few generations and has always coveted this house. But whether somebody who can afford a townhouse in Manhattan will buy it, eh, not so sure. The house is cool but it's next to a large high school if I remember correctly. And the listing mentions nothing about mechanicals, only the historic and architectural significance. Also note lack of photos of baths and kitchen. Don't expect the house to be updated.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 11:09 AM in response to The Gingerbread House Hits the Market

Cakeman Raven (featured in piece on Bloomberg baking a cake) needs to focus less on his tireless, narcissistic, celebrity-obsessed self-promotion and more on running a business. I love his cake, got my wedding cake there, but that place is so badly run it's a joke. Recently a friend of mine spent a month simply trying to place an order for a cake. It's her favorite cake, she wanted it for her birthday, and they literally would not take her order. It was Kafkaesque. You can't actually talk to anybody when you place an order, you call up and are told to leave a message and somebody will call you back. Only nobody does. She did that a few times then went there in person. She left her order with a guy who promised to personally bring the order to the place where the cakes are baked in another location. Then when my friend called to follow up closer to her birthday it turned out the guy never did that and the order was never placed. Is Cakeman Raven really so successful one has to beg him to take some money? Somehow I doubt it; I read last year some former employees sued him for not paying salary or overtime or something.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Tuesday Links

That's sad about your stolen Fury, Vinca. Looking for it in an empty parking lot.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 2, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast

The key information among all the OP said is this:

The tenant requested the showerhead. The tenant WAS told it would be two weeks. The tenant said that would be okay because he could shower elsewhere. LATER after making the request and agreeing to the installation even if it meant being without a shower for two weeks he decided it had been enough of an inconvenience that he deserves a rent reduction.

Huh?? Just tell the guy no. Remind him he agreed to everything. I bet he won't bother to take it to court. Sounds like a spoiled entitled 20-something brat with no context or experience renting apartments, as you say. Don't let him take advantage of you any more than he already has.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 2, 2009 10:16 AM in response to Tenant Compensation?

P.S. Oh, and gorgeous car, masterbuilder!

Vinca, I am so jealous. I've wanted a Fury since I was in college. Do you still have it?

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 1, 2009 1:28 PM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast

I think by rail might be the best way to do it, at least it used to be. My father shipped my car to me in CA from MN that way in 1993 and he's a frugal guy.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 1, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast

Basements and garden levels definitely should have recessed lighting IMO whether you're staying "period" or not. It's not just a ceiling-height issue but it brightens a room that's always shadowy thus somewhat depressing even when it's relatively well lit by windows.

I also like it even in parlors when there's a big space that's not adequately lit by sconces or lamps and isn't right for a chandelier. We have a spot like that and when we do the next round of renovations in a few years I want some recessed lights on a dimmer there. I'd like to add the lights now but there's a whole thing to do with the ceiling so we have to put it off a while. I need to brighten a shadowy section in the middle of an open space in the parlor where we plan to have our son's play area. So if you have a spot like that in your house you think you'll use for children's play, or future owners would, it may be worth it to add recessed lights overhead. People live lives in these houses so the decor must be functional not just faithful to the period. The lights don't have to be huge and they don't always have to be turned on just because they're installed.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 30, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Thoughts on Recessed Lighting

Is that a person's name? What a cool name. Sounds like the character in a novel.

My apologies, I know that's not helpful in the slightest, unlike edkopel's good advice.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 30, 2009 12:25 PM in response to Salem Darrow

Here's something very telling - people who work in film never let film crews use their home as a location. Because they know what happens.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 29, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Renting Your Place for Movie

Definitely tell your friend to add specifics to the contract. Just write it in and have both your friend and the broker initial the written notes. Even when it's not a high-end $5 million property brokers these days should be providing a professional photographer and floorplan for the online listing; the listing should be on the company website and the New York Times.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 28, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Broker Contract?

This is great. But I'll admit I'm confused about also asking for landmarking on #185. It's hard to voice support one way or another not hearing what it would mean and what would be allowed to be built if it's landmarked. What would be the rules or guidelines on that? Would an owner have to build a reproduction brick or limestone one or two family house? That doesn't seem realistic financially for somebody and I'm not sure a empty, blighted lot is preferable over an 8-unit condo if it's done tastefully.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 28, 2009 10:52 AM in response to Ocean on the Park Landmarking: The Details

Wow, this must mean their music is SO important artistically they are entitled to do whatever they need to get their glorious sounds recorded. Even if it ruins their neighbors' day to day lives. What morons.

Do hire a lawyer to write a letter as was recommended. It would save you money and of course your sanity in the long run to have an attorney get out of your lease. We had to endure bad neighbor noise for months once and anybody who hasn't experienced it has no idea how severely it affects quality of life. I thought I would go crazy. Good luck.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 27, 2009 7:23 PM in response to Tenant Rights: Band as Neighbors

Exactly, Wine Lover. Considering our freelancer/consultant quotes that's how we'd have to calculate it. And if you have to do two extra shifts after missing one? For EACH adult in the household? Forget it. Not possible for us. It's clear looking at the huge number of members they have and hearing these stories they need to require fewer hours of members. It's surely been proposed. Probably some very rigid board members are shooting it down.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 26, 2009 11:32 AM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

My feet get sore on the hard tile in our kitchen. But it was newly installed when we bought the house and it was fine so we kept it (we redid the rest of the kitchen). I wish I had marmoleum/linoleum. I'd so much rather have a softer surface and no texture, grout or gaps of any kind.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 26, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Kitchen Floors

That's about exactly what I was quoted before for a similar bathroom renovation from a mid-level contractor and less than what a top contractor quoted me.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 26, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Bathroom Quote

Listen to everybody saying the double-maintenance fee monthly on a combined apartment would be difficult for resale. Even in Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope - we know somebody who did it on the UWS in Manhattan and now they're stuck and can't sell. We own and live in PLG/LM and I agree with Babs if people come here for more space they get a house for $850K. Several non-LM blocks in PLG are fine and getting better and there are houses to be had there for under $850K. I also agree PLG is a 5-10 year wait to see more dramatic changes if one buys now, since that topic came up. That's what we're figuring. Then again even in 3 years we've seen a lot change so who knows. Especially the renter population. My husband recently told me a hilarious story, how he was riding home on the Q and he looked around at all the "beautiful people", the stylish, attractive 20-somethings. He sighed pathetically and thought to himself, gosh I miss Park Slope. But when the train stopped at 7th Ave none of the beautiful people got off. They got off at our stop, Prospect Park.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 23, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Combining Apartments

Like Donatella, we have a different but similar problem. The ne'er do well son of the former longtime owner of our house (now deceased) who hasn't owned or lived here in several years still to this day puts our address as his, with the DMV, with car rentals, with Social Security, child support and employers. And the mail always somehow looks like he's in trouble for something at any given time. I put each and every piece of mail back, with "return to sender, incorrect address, please correct your records" on it but the mail for him still comes in waves every once in a while. I just can't believe places like the DMV don't make sure a home address is correct - don't they require a utility bill in their name or something?

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 23, 2009 12:07 PM in response to Someone's Using My Address

Actually, BHS, I love craftsman era fireplaces and built-in surrounds. It's exactly why I call this one ugly! Because I've seen many many that are far better.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 23, 2009 8:59 AM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

That's the thing though, I don't even like the fireplace. Boring, even ugly, and again, weirdly non-special and non-dramatic for what I would expect seeing the exterior and the staircase. It can be lost without being a loss to the house.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 22, 2009 3:48 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

The total lack of drama and detail to the rooms is such a letdown and mismatch after seeing the dramatic and unique exterior and staircase. Those are seriously the only two details worth saving. If you don't like a closed-off parlor then knock down walls. Do a modern, open layout and just keep that amazing staircase.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 22, 2009 3:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

JimHill, will you post a photo on Forum when you do finish that backsplash? Sounds cool and I'd love to see it!

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 21, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Kitchen Backsplash

I have to ask the question that's been burning in my mind for years now, is there even such thing as a health dept in NYC? Or are they a myth? I see mouse droppings, filth and dust in stores and restaurants/cafes all over even in upscale neighborhoods. I saw mouse poop and crusted up grime on the fixture that holds the organic produce at Associated in Park Slope on 5th a couple weeks ago. No other city in the U.S. allows a business stay open in that condition. NYC needs to to do what LA does - post the health dept rating in huge lettering right by the front door of an establishment. It gives the consumer information and power.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 21, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Tuesday Blogwrap

And I'll add that we need wealthy people with trust funds to live in NYC, specifically in Brooklyn because people like to donate a chunk if not all their money locally which is essential for local organizations big and small.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 9:17 AM in response to Co-Purchaser vs. Guarantor

P.S. if you can still change the countertops you will have more versatility with a softer, medium grey countertop for choosing colors for backsplash and wall. I really love white cabinets with a grey countertop. Black & white gets harsh IMO.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 9:11 AM in response to Kitchen Backsplash

If there were no trust funds there would be no art museums, no theatre, no charities that help the poor, hospitals would be half the size with half the resources. Just to name a few things that are funded by philanthropists largely with inherited wealth.

Rob, you're amusing but really, MUST you always compulsively provide unhelpful comments on subjects you know absolutely nothing about? And then do it in such an authoritative way? Most of the time I find it hilarious but today it's annoying.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 9:05 AM in response to Co-Purchaser vs. Guarantor

I disagree about going too neutral/boring because it's assumed that's the only thing that's widely appealing. If it's well chosen something unique absolutely can be widely appealing for resale. I'm a fan of visually interesting walls and backsplashes in kitchens because we do have to stand there performing tedious tasks like washing dishes. Give me something cool to look at. The fact that kitchen counters get cluttered with appliances is all the more reason to have a glam element. For example my countertop is quartz (caesarstone) with sparkle in it. Disco. I love the sparkles so much. Just a little thing but it cheers me anytime I look at it. When I picked it out I thought well this won't appeal to everybody. But it totally has. Everyone who walks in our kitchen loves it. I still haven't found the perfect backsplash! I'm not in a hurry. In the meantime the walls above the counters are painted and in a great color and I'm really enjoying it.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 8:55 AM in response to Kitchen Backsplash

It's great if you and others can figure out how to work around city codes in order to do prefab, Jim Hill. I'm kind of in love with the notion of modern modular houses in Brooklyn.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 19, 2009 12:40 PM in response to To Build, or Not

Here's a list of prefabs and kits on a small-house website:

http://www.smallhousestyle.com/small-house-builders-prefab-kits/

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 19, 2009 9:51 AM in response to To Build, or Not

The only thing that MAY be more affordable than the typical building from the ground up, but I don't know the prices, is a prefab modular structure. They are offered in really cool, modern, studio-like designs from some companies. Most are smaller structures which is good for narrow, city-sized lots.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 19, 2009 9:49 AM in response to To Build, or Not

This is a common rule for coops. It has nothing to do with making unfair and silly assumptions about the personalities of people who inherit money vs earn it. It has to do with how many units in the coop are owner-occupied. Affects taxes somehow. Somebody with expertise or on a board can explain the details.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 19, 2009 9:38 AM in response to Co-Purchaser vs. Guarantor

Did you google the exact house number? With those rinky dink Century 21 franchises that's the only way to find the listings, I've learned. There was a house in our neighborhood listed with Century 21 per the sign out front, but the main website for Century 21 isn't updated or maintained so I couldn't find it there. So I googled the house number and street, found it on some other general website like Trulia and saw there was a link to the broker's Century 21 franchise's website. The broker didn't even have the house listed on the NY Times website.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 19, 2009 9:35 AM in response to House on 2nd St (5th & 6th Ave)

Yes, it's a gathering place at night sometimes. We used to live on that block. But we haven't lived there in years and I know the surrounding residents on Berkeley and Lincoln who overlook the playground were cracking down on people hanging in the playground at night (which isn't supposed to be allowed). So I would expect it's improved. Summer is the time to worry about noise from anybody hanging outside and you get noise from people on the sidewalks in Summer no matter where you live in NYC.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 18, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Berkeley Place Playground

"I just don't care for when the kitchen feels like it is IN the living room, and the island seems plunked down like another piece of furniture."

Exactly, Nomi. That's what I hate about that kind of kitchen too. Those kitchens look tacked-on and plunked-down. Like an alien has landed. The newly built condos never have proper kitchens, it's just a corner of the living room designated as the "kitchen", with no space for a dining table without cutting into the LR space pretty significantly. I really love having a separate formal DR. Sure, I would ideally like to have both a big farmhouse style eat-in kitchen that overlooks a family TV room, AND a formal DR and formal LR, who wouldn't. But that layout being rare and extravagant in NYC, I choose separate DR even if it means a smaller, closed off kitchen.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 18, 2009 9:14 AM in response to Open House Picks

Denton, if as you suspect the roots hadn't been cleared for a long time before your arrival then it will take a few tries to take care of it. We had the sewer smell every 4-6 months for the first 2 years in our house. We'd call the plumber and get it snaked each time and he added the stuff that kills the tree roots. We don't use bleach in our home so we don't have a problem with washing away the enzymes or whatever it is the plumber uses to kill the tree roots. FYI, vinegar and baking soda combo cleans better than bleach both in the bath/kitchen and for laundry and helps clear the pipes.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 16, 2009 10:44 AM in response to Sewage Smell in Basement

I love small and narrow houses and I get the lived-in charm thing but for when somebody's selling I'm gonna disagree about the decor being okay. In an extra narrow house you don't want to show it with lots of clutter. I can't even tell what the kitchen is like there's so much stuff on the shelves and extra freestanding pieces. And are those Longaberger baskets in front of the fireplace? What if I were curious about the fireplace and actually wanted to be able to see it? The place doesn't need to look sterile but it can't look like a flea market either.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 15, 2009 9:07 PM in response to House of the Day: 295 Pacific Street Revisited

That's not low maintenance. That's on the high end for maintenance on a 2BR coop, even in Park Slope. Speaking of PS, others are right you can buy a 2BR for this price or less on a decent North Slope block. And yet those coops are selling slowly too. Don't know why this seller thinks they can get this price. Weird.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 15, 2009 8:59 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 310 Windsor Place, #26

Brownstoner, PLG is not on question #18 and because we own in PLG and plan to stay at least another 10 years I also can't take the survey until that's corrected.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 14, 2009 11:02 AM in response to Brownstoner Reader Survey

The better argument to put in a lower offer is the recent comp you mention, the renovated condo your friend purchased. I wouldn't use the seller's original purchase price as a reason for offering $450K. It doesn't really mean anything. But recent comps (sales of comparable properties) do mean something and are more persuasive to the seller and seller's broker.

Sellers can be annoyed at somebody using their purchase price as a reason for a lower offer. I know I would be, if we sold and somebody said, well five years ago you bought the place for such and such. My response would be, "so??" The price is what people are CURRENTLY willing to pay for my house or similar houses in my neighborhood.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 12, 2009 4:00 PM in response to Offer Advice for 1st Timer

Some, like my husband and a few work associates, might say I fit that profile, DIBS!
:)

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 10, 2009 9:50 AM in response to Mantle Insert - Where to Find?

Sad the real linoleum didn't fit the budget! I love that stuff too. If our kitchen hadn't already been newly tiled by the seller with something acceptable I'd have put real linoleum in there. I love the retro look and it's easier on the feet for standing a long time doing dishes and cooking.

My vote: tile definitely. Unless you can find some salvage real linoleum. Yours is a smaller room so maybe you could use some leftover linoleum from a bigger project, at one of the places that sells salvage building materials.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 10, 2009 9:48 AM in response to Best floor for 1890s bath?

Kitchens don't have to be match-y if you don't find a match. I wish now I'd mixed up my cabinets a bit. I love it when the lower cabinets are different from the upper wall cabinets for example. But well coordinated of course. Use the countertop and backsplash to unite the two.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 10, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Where to Get These Cabinets...

"but if you look closer, you see that the house itself is not as beautiful as their personal effects make it appear"

Whenever you see that at open houses it's possible the broker hired a stager. As many lazy brokers we see there are a few who will invest a decent amount of money into their listings and hire stagers and professional photographers. Or even hire a contractor to fix some things when it's a house not apt and they're confident they'll make a sale and make good money from it.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 10, 2009 9:38 AM in response to Open House Picks

I would advertise no fee by owner of course but also give it to a few brokers and use the security deposit to pay the fee for a lease starting 12/15-1/1. RENT it in december; do not, under any circumstances, let it go unrented into January because Jan is the start of "nothing doing" season and that sticks around until April.

Posted by: lalaland at November 4, 2009 11:05 AM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

Take photos and send letter to Todd Kuznitz, Director of Enforcement, Dept of Sanitation, 1824 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11214.

Posted by: wyckoff at November 4, 2009 1:19 PM in response to Illegal Dumping, Drugs, Rats