vesnaspring's Profile
Author's Posts
September 8, 2009
Running Child Upstairs
Hello. I have been living in my condo for 5 weeks. Immediately upon moving in, I realized that the child in the apartment above mine runs the length of the apartment--whose layout is the same as mine-- anywhere from a few minutes to as many as 45 minutes at a time. About two weeks ago after having to listen to that for 45 minutes, I went upstairs, introduced myself and politely stated that running for 45 minutes non-stop was jarring and that I couldn’t even hear my TV. The father asked me what he wanted me to do. I told him that the solution was up to him and his wife. I remained polite but clear about the noise being unnerving. He insists on my giving him a solution. I noted that in cases like this carpeting seemed like the solution. He said, “I won’t install carpeting. Anyway, I don’t think it will matter.” I told him not be so negative after pushing for a solution. He wanted us to agree on a schedule. I said, “It’s obvious I’m not home all week from 8 am to 8 pm. However when I come home, I’d like to be able to relax and hear my TV or just read.” He said, “That seems reasonable.” For the most part, there hasn’t been running after 8 pm during the week. The thing is, the weekends are unbearable with that child. I came home on Sunday night around 5 pm and by 6 pm I had to put in earplugs. Ditto for tonight. What would be my next step? He has said NO to carpeting. Am I being unreasonable? Should I stay quite about that noise? Should I just go to the condo association? Try with him again? I’d like to get along with my neighbors but it has to be a two-way street. The only thing, I am obviously the one in the weaker position. Thank you!
September 3, 2009
Blockshopper
I had a closing on a condo only 4 weeks ago. I found an "article" on blockshopper.com about the sale. The article tells what I paid and who the seller was. The article also lifted my bio and photo from my work site too. I wrote to all three people listed on the blockshopper contact list but not one has replied. Should I contact the Attorney General in the state of blockshopper's hq? What can I do to get this "article" off the internet? Thank you. PS I have an order of protection against a relative and this is why I don't want my new address on the internet. My relative has been declared persona non grata by my employer (a large institution).
July 23, 2009
Painter's Price
Hello. I would like to paint my three-room apartment (850 sq ft). The walls are in great condition and the current colors are light. I would like the painter to use primer and 2 coats of paint. I'm sticking with white for all the apartment. I've never hired a painter before so I am just trying to get a sense of what to expect. Thank you!
July 20, 2009
Final Walk Through Advice
Hi. This week, I have the final walk through on the condo I plan to purchase. The sellers had many photos on the walls. They also need to remove a bookcase they had attached to the wall. I am assuming I shouldn't complain about holes left in the walls from small nails but what if there is more substantial damage from the removal of the bookcase? Is this something that is reasonable to bring up the agent? If yes, what recourse do I have? Do I ask for some money to repair the damage? I have a painter coming to paint after closing. Thank you.
July 9, 2009
Condo Insurance
I am buying a 2-bedroom condo in Park Slope. I would greatly appreciate feedback on agencies/brokers. Thank you.
July 8, 2009
Vintage Thomasville
Hi. I am selling a six-piece bedroom set by Thomasville. The set includes a wall mirror, long set of drawers, chest of drawers, two nightstand and a headboard. All pieces are in excellent condition and stamped 1965 Thomasville North Carolina. You can see more photos at http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/fuo/1251715139.html
$800 for the set which is located on the LIC/Sunnyside border. Thank you.
July 2, 2009
If Closing Date is Postponed?
I signed a contract to buy a 2-bedroom in Park Slope. In the SUBMIT OFFER form, I stated I needed to move in by July 24th. The sellers agreed and this was also but into the contract (closing on or before July 24th). My lawyer said that the seller does have 30 days extra if he wants it to go to closing. Is this true? The contract has been signed and the 10 percent deposit has been cashed. My landlord will not renew my lease for only one month and I have no where to go. I made an all-cash offer on the place I agreed to buy and my only request was to move in by July 24th. Do I have the ability to cancel the sale and get my money back if the closing isn't on time? Thank you.
June 22, 2009
Bldg that hasn't filed taxes
Hello. I am interested in buying a condo in a small building. In reviewing the financials, my lawyer found that the building hasn't filed taxes since its inception a few years ago. He said they will need to file but the penalty will be waived and that no taxes are due. Of course I am now dubious about this. The lawyer also said this is quite common--for small buildings not to file taxes. Please advise. I don't want to buy into a building with problems. PS The treasurer of the building is reportedly talking to an accountant.
June 8, 2009
8th St between 4th and 5th aves
I am interested in purchasing a condo on 8th St between 4th and 5th avenues and am looking for feedback on that area. Thank you!
Author's Comments
Hi. Thanks to all for the quick responses.
I don't expect to hear nothing at all. The issue is the running and jumping can be non-stop. The parents have a hard time setting boundaries with the child. I've seen them twice unable to control their child's tantrum on the street. They just let him run free.
Yes, I feel weaker as the non-parent although I hope to become a parent in the next few years.
For post number one, it's not a new building!
Thank you all again.
Posted by: vesnaspring at September 8, 2009 12:56 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs
Hi. Thanks to all who gave me their advice and support. Blockshopper did remove the article after my employer wrote to them and I sent them my order of protection. I actually found the email address of the founder of Blockshopper and wrote to him when his staff didn't reply. Now I'm just trying to get Google and Bing to act faster to remove the link which has my address posted for all to see.
Posted by: vesnaspring at September 6, 2009 7:04 PM in response to Blockshopper
Hi. Thank you to all! Yes, the bookcases were hung on cleats. I don't want to risk the deal at all--I just wanted to ask for feedback. Thank you again! I appreciate it.
Posted by: vesnaspring at July 21, 2009 11:22 AM in response to Final Walk Through Advice
Many thanks to all who so kindly replied. Yes, I am a first-time homebuyer. No, my lawyer didn't tell me upfront. And yes, I asked him to do the time of essence notice. Thank you all again!
Posted by: vesnaspring at July 2, 2009 9:46 AM in response to If Closing Date is Postponed?
If this is a condo in Windsor Terrace, it is well known to the realtor that the place doesn't have the certificate of occupancy.
Posted by: vesnaspring at July 1, 2009 8:58 PM in response to No Certificate of Occupancy?
Hello. Thank you to all who kindly replied. I appreciate all the feedback.
Posted by: vesnaspring at June 9, 2009 9:41 AM in response to 8th St between 4th and 5th aves
Hello. Thanks to all. I am looking at 243 8th Street. I don't believe there is a courtyard there. The building is very nice but the block isn't impressive. However I'd have the train and Y around the corner and 5th is just 1/2 block away. After nearly one year of looking, I feel like this may be the one but I wanted to put it out there to hear what others have to say. I don't live in Bklyn so I needed to check.
Posted by: vesnaspring at June 8, 2009 3:27 PM in response to 8th St between 4th and 5th aves
Please note that the Corcoran broker who was showing the one bedroom is also a resident of the building and serves on its board. I wish people would stopping using these big-name realtors and rely on the smaller ones like AD Shaye and Brooklyn-real. I found this broker to be incredibly arrogant and rude. He knew he wouldn't have a hard time selling it but his attitude was uncalled for.
Posted by: vesnaspring at June 4, 2009 4:14 AM in response to 44 Butler place
My mom passed away in early 2008. She collected dolls, porcelain, clocks, watches, etc. I called Salvation Army and I found them to be incredibly rude. Angel Thrift in Manhattan supports those with HIV/AIDS and the folks who accept donations are incredibly kind and grateful. I would recommend contact them. Dave is the person I dealt with. He will arrange pick up and he will have a tax document ready for you at pick up. Good luck!
Posted by: vesnaspring at June 4, 2009 4:11 AM in response to Estate Clean Out
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
no one's stopping you basementalicist. please PLEASE tell me you are not one of those newfangled dangling babies over sewers to pee and poop parents ive started seeing lately. cuz last time i checked most babies dont poop in public, they poop in diapers.
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at September 8, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
northsloperenter- there is a difference between a one-off event or very occasional occurrence and repeated noise. A good neighbor doesn't complain about the occasional parties of a neighbor. But if the neighbor has a party everyday, then it's a problem. The same would apply to the noise generated by children. Your child rolling a ball one day is no big deal, as would the occasional noise that all children make (throwing or dropping things, for example). But if you think your apartment is your child's substitute playground and you would permit him/her to make excessive noise on a daily basis, then you would be an obnoxious neighbor. There is no special treatment exemption for children's noise. If my peace and quiet are being disturbed in an unacceptable manner, it doesn't matter whether the noise is generated by children or adults. Again, I do believe in being understanding and avoiding battles with your neighbors, but I think it's outrageous for people to assume that others should tolerate the excessive noise of their children, especially if they are the prevalent ill-behaved ilk.
Posted by: orestes at September 8, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
something is wrong here. i have a small child, and they may run once in awhile inside but probably not with shoes on anyway in the apt. INSIST they put down rugs or carpeting. check the law / get your board involved.
Perhaps do some insulating for your own benefit also because we have lived below a child for almost 3 years and have never heard her, and we're in a new condo.
Posted by: wine lover at September 8, 2009 5:00 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
Why don't they raise their kids in a tented backyard compound like every good god-fearing parent does. Won't even know they are there.
Posted by: IMBY at September 8, 2009 5:06 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
The board will do nothing, they cannot enforce anything that is not specifically spelled out in the bylaws.
Even then, you will have a hard time proving it is excessively loud. Especially since the OP mentions it is not occuring after 8PM. Most bylaws state that noise must be curbed after 10 PM.
The board of a condo is essentially powerless.
Posted by: newsouthsloper at September 8, 2009 5:14 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
classic brownstoner thread - hitting so many hot buttons. annoying kids! indulgent (or maybe incompetent?) parents! selfish childless neighbors! crappy (new? old?) construction! now if someone could only work in sublets, slumlords and street crime we will have hit all the high notes.
it really makes little difference whether the kid should be running, or why the kid is running, 'cause the kid *is* running, and all the self-righteous indignation everyone can muster isn't going to change it. you can bet those parents aren't reading brownstoner for our advice on how to raise their kids to respect (or drive batty) their downstairs neighbors.
when i lived in a condo, there was an 80% floor covering rule that existed expressly for situations like this.my formerly quiet upstairs neighbors became extremely noisy first-time parents and had to carpet their unit as a result. a similar rule exists in the bylaws of many coops and condos in NYC, so check your bylaws. if the rule is there, these people need to get rugs, carpets, foam mats, whatever. be nice and maybe they will handle it on their own initiative. if not, you have to get the board involved. if the rule isn't there, you can take the issue to the board and try and have the rule added. just don't suffer in silence cause that kid is getting heavier every day. :-)
Posted by: geekspice at September 8, 2009 5:17 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
insulating won't help (very much)...you need to isolate the sound with a continuous resilient barrier (carpet, cork or rubber (the best outside carpet) sub floor on the floor side).
the architectural solutions are all contingent on preventing a sound path from developing vibrated sound through the structure/finishes -
a better solution is working it out with the neighbor...
Posted by: young archi at September 8, 2009 5:22 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
"no one's stopping you basementalicist. please PLEASE tell me you are not one of those newfangled dangling babies over sewers to pee and poop parents ive started seeing lately."
Rob, pissing directly into the sewer is super-green!
Posted by: denton at September 8, 2009 5:32 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
Denton, I'd have that checked out.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at September 8, 2009 5:58 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
Father of 3 here the guy needs to carpet his apt.
And since we're pushing buttons.... this is exactly why I would never buy an "apt" especially in a Browndo or new construction. How can one really say they own when he/she does not have absolute control of thier surrondings. That 100k down payment could of went towards a house.
Posted by: jack slade at September 8, 2009 6:59 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs
Thanks to all who replied with their comments. It is just tough for all New Yorkers living in such tight spaces. NPR reports one million more people are expected in NYC over the next 10 years! Thank you again.
Posted by: vesnaspring at September 10, 2009 10:39 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs