I agree... I really don't understand the renderings either.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 9, 2010 11:01 AM in response to Ideas for the Myrtle Pedestrian Plaza

Just another example of silliness. Why does real estate have to be so rarefied?

Posted by: tybur6 at February 9, 2010 12:09 AM in response to Acris: $0 for a Sale Price?

DIBS -- I really don't care about the income... it's the absurd 9,500 sq ft apartment. Friggin retarded.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 8, 2010 10:28 PM in response to Meet Brooklyn's Most Expensive Condo

Denton -- When it gets to this ostentatious of a level, I guess he's already paid the douche bag tax of having to be him. I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

Posted by: tybur6 at February 8, 2010 3:32 PM in response to Meet Brooklyn's Most Expensive Condo

Regardless of if he "earned his money" or if the price per square foot is appropriate... a 9,500 sq ft apartment?! This chap is seriously self-absorbed and ridiculous. He should pay a carbon tax and a douche bag tax.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 8, 2010 2:42 PM in response to Meet Brooklyn's Most Expensive Condo

Yeah -- I shop regularly at the Cortelyou Met... but I only buy *packaged* things. And packaged by someone else! :-)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 3:41 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Supermarket for Fulton Street

Rob - Wear a crisp clean shirt. Remember to smile and be confident. I'm sure you'll do fine. Oh, and don't steal anything or you won't last long.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 2:32 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Supermarket for Fulton Street

Supermarket owners should really figure out that pictures of food on the awning is not a good idea... in 4 years, it will be faded and will be very unappetizing.

That being said, most Met Foods in this town need a wake-up call. (i.e., most are horrible if not nasty places) So I can't think that this competition will be anything but good for the folks in the neighborhood. Best of luck to the new supermarket folks!

Remember to pay your taxes! :-)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 2:15 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Supermarket for Fulton Street

Is Bainbridge Street a nice place to live? I know the houses are really nice on those streets... but what about 'stuff'? I have a friend who has actually been thinking of that immediate area -- though she was unsure about 'stuff.' Stores, supermarkets, basic restaurants (diner, pizza, etc.), dry cleaning, etc.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 1:06 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Montrose -- I know all I'm saying is conjecture... BUT for a typical business that is running at break-even or at a loss, there are simply not many scenarios that are possible if the IRS or State tax agencies are involved. The only thing that is actually TAXABLE is payroll related and/or Sales tax.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 12:15 PM in response to Bread Stuy Seized By Feds

(and don't ask for donations and create "shareholder" schemes when shit hits the fan... How about looking for community investors like this AT THE BEGINNING!)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 11:29 AM in response to Bread Stuy Seized By Feds

Everyone should be VERY clear about WHICH taxes a shop like this wasn't paying.... If they were flush with cash and were pulling a profit, then they would have income tax to pay.

HOWEVER, I'm 130% sure that's not that case here.

The only tax liability this sort of company really has is related to payroll withholdings. i.e., social security, medicare... and income tax withholdings (in other words, the money the employees are PAID as part of their wages!, but are withheld on their behalf for their income tax!)

Trust me, I've been intimately involved with a small company that got into arrears with Federal and State payroll taxes... it is the WORST thing you can possibly do. (For obvious reasons... an unpaid vendor can't seize your property like this).

I have to agree, this is theft. Especially since it's not income or corporate taxes we're talking about. It's the taxes on employees wages.

If this was a NYS seizure, it could also be because of failure to pay Sales Tax... which, is also inexcusable since we all pay out 9% at the register. it's part of the price tag. You simply don't "leverage" the GOVERNMENT to pay your other expenses. You screw each of your vendors in turn, sure. But don't skip a tax bill and expect everything to be OK.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 11:26 AM in response to Bread Stuy Seized By Feds

I'm assuming there's a rod or rebar threaded through the holes in the bricks. There are some poles in the photo, so maybe they tied it to the poles. But in your garden, the rebar could just be hammered into the ground 4 ft or so, like you do to anchor a railroad tie retaining wall... and you would create a curve or 90-degree type thing so it would be self supporting. (I don't think it could be taller than like 3-1/2 ft without some sort of support structure.)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 10:48 AM in response to Friday Links

"a bottom-feeder picked it up for $1,487,500 in July"

That's some colorful language there, Brownie. I would think "savvy buyer" would be a more appropriate, especially since the original price tag was probably absurd for an investment property (either flip or rentals)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 10:29 AM in response to Move-ins at 120 Lexington Avenue

Full disclosure, I'm in deferment for my student loans. But I fully intend on paying them back... eventually.

I really hope this doesn't turn into a Vox Pop II. While it sucks for the owners to close down (no doubt), it would be nice to see a coffee shop close with some dignity. Playing the "community center" card and asking for donations and creating "shareholders" is just so... I don't know... tacky?

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 10:21 AM in response to Bread Stuy Seized By Feds

That's a nifty wall... is that some sort of temporary construction barrier? I think that would look really nice arranged in a garden in some manner.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 5, 2010 9:47 AM in response to Friday Links

Rob -- Voodoo is from Louisiana. And then there's Haitian Vodou or Vaudou... and it's all from the West African Vodun or Vudun or Vodon or Vodoun or Voudou or Voodoo.

How's that?

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 5:05 PM in response to Thursday Blogwrap

If all else fails, throw rocks.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 3:13 PM in response to Distance from Property Line?

Brownie, I find it offensive for you to even suggest that Mssrs. Spiros and Gerasimczyk should even bother taking any more effort to sell this property.

They're only going to make like $12,000 after all... You're lucky they even bothered to do more than hang a handwritten note on their office window.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 1:03 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 175 Amity Street, #C3

To be fair, it actually a pretty nice block.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 11:04 AM in response to Sales Start at Small 13th Street Condo

Awesome story, Montrose!

I have to say though, that first picture looks scary. A huge mob... and if there was an emergency, it could get pretty dicey with all those top hats flying around! :-)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 10:40 AM in response to Walkabout: Brooklyn’s First Multi-Venue Complex

I meant... of course... 3rd Avenue is "hipper" than FOURTH Avenue.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 10:33 AM in response to Sales Start at Small 13th Street Condo

Oh, also, 3rd Avenue is much "hipper" than 3th Avenue.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 10:32 AM in response to Sales Start at Small 13th Street Condo

What's wrong with student housing? However, Red Hook? Seems like a remote location for most colleges in the city... well, maybe the downtown Brooklyn one (St Francis, City Tech, and NYU Poly) as long as they don't cut the bus lines anymore.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 10:29 AM in response to Sitt Reverses on Student Housing for Red Hook

I like the look of this building.

Though, I have to wonder about developers... I mean, they must know what they're doing, of course. But this standard luxury approach seems a bit suspect.

For the location, these seem pretty pricey. No? But this is probably related to the "Brazilian cherry wood floors" and so on. Fancy finishes can add up significantly and quickly. What if they set the price point at $300k and had regular finishes... would their profit be that different? (And wouldn't this increase the likelihood of sale... especially in this "marginal" location?)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 4, 2010 10:19 AM in response to Sales Start at Small 13th Street Condo

I've always wondered about this... does anyone here do this? Is it stinky? And can i set up the fermentation set-up in a "cold" room? (I have an "extra" room in my apartment that barely has any heat... but it's off my livingroom so I don't want it to be stinky.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Streetlevel: DIY Beer Brewing Store in Gowanus

(to be clear, I'm the vegan and wealthy people are the hot dog eaters in this metaphor.)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 2:03 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11C

So... $3000 per month is a lot? :-)

(just teasing. but yes, wealthy people are a bit of a mystery to me. it's like a vegan wanting to know what a hot dog tastes like.)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 2:00 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11C

Rob - you should get out more. Or read more. Just sayin'

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 1:39 PM in response to Open Thread

11217 -- I'm talking when you are already plopping down Two Million for an apartment. Like I said, these numbers don't even register in my head. $1500 to $4000.... or anything in between. It's all more than I even pay for rent.

But to be fair, I would really like to have one of those little tip-o-the-triangle rooms. Maybe that's worth the equivalent of $2.6 million!

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 1:36 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11C

Absolutely, Newsouthsloper, for $2.6 million you can get something much better. My point is that at a certain point the $$ doesn't seem to matter anymore. In this case, I don't really see a difference between a monthly maintenance of $1500 or one of $4500....

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 1:26 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11C

Umm... OK, I said I would calm down... so this question is in that calmer spirit.

Is $3,000 a month really that "hard to swallow" when you are already buying a TWO MILLION DOLLAR apartment? I mean, really. Newsouthsloper said it's basically like taking on a $2.6 million purchase.... and?

See... this is why I said i would calm down. NONE of this smacks of reality to me.

It does include one of those undoubtedly nifty tip-of-the-triangle rooms, so that's somethin'

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 1:12 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11C

Umm... if anyone wants to give me a couple million dollars, I'd gladly accept being vilified for a little while.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 12:33 PM in response to Open Thread

Yeah... that chicken looks GOOD! Is that photo of chicken from Roberta's in Bushwick?

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:53 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Rob -- OK. Let's call the schools "potentially successful" but all of the students are utter failures... So, we should just leave the schools alone and not attempt anything to try to salvage the students' future? (If that's the case, we probably should surround most urban centers with huge Thunderdome cages and evacuate the educated.)

Also -- I don't think you're 100 percent correct. The schools are filled with mediocre teachers. The great ones burn out because they are hitting their heads against a brick wall and the rest are, admittedly VERY hard working, just not that great.... and before you cite your "amazing, hardworking teacher friend" Is she/he in her 30s? Check in again when she/he is over 40.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:50 AM in response to Open Thread

Absolutely Rob... that is part of it! And the traditional schools aren't doing anything to turn that trend around. This is a problem that needs to be tackled from all angles... the schools are PART of the solution.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:41 AM in response to Open Thread

Well... most of it.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:38 AM in response to Open Thread

Rob -- it was true.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:37 AM in response to Open Thread

JOE -- I believe your description of charter school administration is way off... especially for the more "non-traditional" models. Yes, many of them have multiple "top" executives, but they DO NOT have the traditional hierarchy below them. MANY of them have increased the role of the faculty in running the school... and increased their salaries. The faculty are like 80% teach / 20% administrators.... or a ratio like that. Also, sometimes these principals etc. teach!

Of course there are badly run charter schools. And charter schools that are basically smaller versions of the same crap we already have... but there are MANY MANY charter schools around the country and in this city that are trying something different and working really hard for success.

There is NO WAY you could possible say the AFT/UFT represents real reform! We have failing schools. Many charter schools are "risky" endeavors, but WHAT IF they succeed?! Or do we just stick with failure and mediocrity because it's the devil we know?!

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:33 AM in response to Open Thread

Benson -- I have to agree. I'm part of a union that is affiliated with the AFT (the national union of the UFT). They are conducting a hard fight for mediocrity! It makes me angry... but my voice is, sadly, part of the pathetic minority.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 11:01 AM in response to Open Thread

(oh, and I meant your friend and not 'you' -- I didn't notice you were relaying a situation.)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:50 AM in response to Open Thread

Biff -- what's the timeline for your friend? Is it like she'll be fired next week and given 2 weeks... or is it like at then end of the fiscal year (say, June 30)?

If it's the latter, I would wait and see if someone else (i.e., your boss) lets the shoe drop in the next while. If it's more of an "urgent" situation, I would perhaps hint that she shouldn't buy non-essentials this week... err, because you read it in her horoscope.

I'd have to say, though, cover your ass. Sucks, but it's a crappy reality of stuff like this.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:49 AM in response to Open Thread

m4l -- yes, I get 'free' health insurance and I haven't had any significant deductible expenses and I rent. I'm just one of NYC's "poor" (with decent medical coverage)

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:20 AM in response to Open Thread

Whenever I walk by that building, it looks crooked to me. It must be the triangle shape.... but even the ancient Greeks knew about this optical illusion stuff and adjusted the shape of the Parthenon.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:17 AM in response to Forte 100% Spoken For!

m4l -- I take the standard deduction. :-(

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:10 AM in response to Open Thread

Etson -- that's why I'm going to ignore the over-$2 million properties. They are for rich folks. I know $125,000 is a "mismatch" for a $3 million house. That was my point!

$125,000 is a VERY healthy income for most. However, this income level is useless for a huge portion of NYC real estate... even apartments, to be frank.

Rob -- I have no wifey, nor a gay husband. I agree with you. Most (see, I've tempered myself) properties (for sale or for rent!) are geared towards couples and roommates in this city.... or rich folks.

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:09 AM in response to Open Thread

Denton -- well, you can't lose 'em now right? We're stuck. If the person with the $700,000 mortgage all of a sudden was reduced to the $5,700 standard deduction, they'd probably be facing foreclosure soon enough...

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 10:02 AM in response to Open Thread

m4l -- I was being generous... to keep the # of year "reasonable"

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 9:44 AM in response to Open Thread

So, SquareDrive was kind enough yesterday to clearly explain the mortgage interest tax credit to me. (i.e., much better, than... no, tybur, it *is* significant... just be a renter if you don't 'get it' -- which is really meaningless.)

This means that I will be far more 'tempered' in my view of apartments with, say, sub-$500k price tags.

However, it does make me wonder... do these tax credits really encourage homeownership? Or just encourage higher price tags? (and cause a huge, unjustified loss in tax revenue)

However, I will not be tempered with $3,000,000+ houses etc. Though I'll probably not even bother commenting because, in my head, the over-$2 million price tags usually represent properties for folks whose sense of value and value for money is sooooo out of whack with anything I can conceive... there's no point really.

And what I mean by this the following... I did some quick/rough calculations starting with a "healthy" salary of $125,000. Assumed a 4% 'raise' each year. And a 65% take-home pay. You would need over 19 years to GROSS $3 million and just short of 26 years to net $3 million. So, as far as I'm concerned these price points are for people with revenue streams that have no connection to reality.

Good morning!

Posted by: tybur6 at February 3, 2010 9:34 AM in response to Open Thread