What--you have redeemed yourself in my eyes today. I love Kraftwerk. Doesn't make you right about me, but does show some admirable musical diversity on your part.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 5:03 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

"Ok Slopefarm, what argument that you will use to convince me that our economy is heathy?"

Slopefarm's point is not that the economy is healthy. I don't think you will find many people here arguing that the economy is healthy. But you take the economic climate and twist it into something that is wrong and destructive. And when anyone questions the wild leaps of non-reasoning that you use to suggest the economic meltdown is the responsibility of the posters on this blog, you throw out a whole bunch of twisted nonsense. That is what he was saying What. I wouldn't try arguing with Slopefarm because he is about 10 times smarter than you (and me too).

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 4:24 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

"If you argue with him you do so in a house of mirrors of his devising."

Slopefarm, this is classic. Such a good description of the headbanging exercise in futility and masochism known as arguing with the What.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 4:07 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

Miss Muffett--I agree that predicting the end of the recession is as stupid as declaring that we are no doubt headed towards the Great Depression II. Nobody knows. And everyone's hot air predictions good and bad will most likely prove to be incorrect. It sucks, its going to suck for some reasonably lengthy period of time and then it will stop sucking sometime. That's as far as I will go.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 4:04 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

Yes the phrase "since the Great Depression" is popping up more and more but that article you site merely states that the economy will contract through the middle of next year, not that there is another depression coming. You are severely putting the horse in front of the cart What.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 2:13 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

Biff--I think its the Tiki Bar.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 2:01 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

I'm with Pete--this looks pretty nice and decently priced to me.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 1:56 PM in response to House of the Day: 170 South Oxford Street

I'll be the bleeding heart liberal here and say that I think it sounds like a pretty cool way to live. Would I want to go through what they will have to go through to make it happen? No, but I don't think that the experience of living in that community would be a bad thing. Provided the community was one that you felt at home in, I think it would be amazing to live with all that communal space. This is coming from somebody who has had numerous friends on different kinds of communes.

Posted by: wasder at December 1, 2008 12:40 PM in response to Utopia in the City

Who thought that was a turkey? I have seen turkeys while golfing in NYC (Van Courtland Park, Bronx) so I know that is not one. Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.

Posted by: wasder at November 27, 2008 8:41 AM in response to Closing Bell: Prospect Park's Wild Turkey

DOW/25 to 50: What's up with the new moniker? I suppose it is the fact that your first name goal has been "accomplished?" Anyway, wow I missed an amazing discussion here. Plenty of mudslinging but just enough civility to be entertaining and reasonable. Sorry I didn't get in earlier. Miss Muffett is of course entitled to her opinion and she always delivers it with respect. I don't think that the market is going to tank as hard but I certainly don't think that it is a small adjustment either. Frankly I just do know enough about this circumstance to make intelligent predictions about what will happen. I do think that loving Brooklyn and wanting it to succeed should be a baseline necessity for posting on this board, not that something like that could or should be enforced. We are where we are and no amount of wishing will make it go away or make the market do anything but what its going to do. So...live, that is all you can do.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 8:40 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

rob--that's cool. I hope you are correct in your assessment. Would bode well for people being invested in their neighborhoods which is necessary for them to remain strong through down times.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 11:08 AM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

quite comical that 4th Ave and 19th Street can be listed as Park Slope.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 11:05 AM in response to Fresh Rentals at 639 Fourth Avenue

fsrg--good points about people giving up on urban life. Hopefully some aspects of the new green consciousness will help the city from going to "seed" as it were. If people see the city as a cheaper, more environmentally sound place you may not see the money flight out of the city that we saw in the 60s and 70s. Who knows?

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 11:03 AM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

rob--that is an interesting point about the role of the internet in the fabric of the city. Certainly people know alot more about the people and neighborhoods around them now because of the internet. I wonder though if that level of internet awareness filters down to all levels of the urban populace.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:56 AM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

Was Happy Days shot to a live audience? Wonder how many people Mr B would have to hire to create a live laugh track for us.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:53 AM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

Yeah corey, that's exactly it. It has modern finishing touches obviously but the space still feels like its inside a classic brick rowhouse.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:52 AM in response to Brooklyn Modern #2: Gut Renovated in Boerum Hill

Biff--that actually is beyond genius. Couldn't be too hard. There would need to be some "mwahhh, mwahhh, mwahhhs" as well for posts that didn't meet the standard.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

Dave--I look forward to that as well. Would especially like to hear DOW's thoughts on the matter.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:46 AM in response to 135 Joralemon In Contract. Finally.

Wow--that house is really cool. Even though it preserves very little of the original detail, the overall effect is light and homey and original. Dig it.

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:44 AM in response to Brooklyn Modern #2: Gut Renovated in Boerum Hill

Let's bring laughter back in our lives.

Good call BRG. That is why I loves me some "30 Rock"

Posted by: wasder at November 25, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

What, are you really out? You should, as you have been told many times, start your own blog where you can be king of the world and not have to fit into someone else's standards.

Posted by: wasder at November 24, 2008 11:55 AM in response to Citibank Implodes!!!

I did make a weird faux pas by saying "off the sleeve" instead of "off the cuff." But if its fowl language that we need, let me say "duck you."

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Citibank Implodes!!!

Yay! Thanks Mr. B.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 4:21 PM in response to Staying on Track

I for one would like to see us going back to being friendly and not letting What or anyone else tear us asunder. I have tried of late to find my own peace with What--discuss what he has to say when I find it in any way interesting or even if it pisses me off. The other times (like today) I stay away because nothing I could add would improve the situation. But it does bum me out to see people I like (Biff, DIBS, BRG, cobblehiller) fighting with each other. Maybe slopefarm and I should referee a mud wrestling match?

Seriously though, I don't know if there is "blame" here. What has gone out of his way enough times to antagonize and berate others and so it is not that surprising to see that others want to give it back to him. At the same time, there seemed to be a moment a week or two ago where we all had our place here and What could do his bat-shit crazy act in one corner and the Brownstoner type stuff could be discussed in another. There was some razzing and insulting but not to the degree we have seen today. But I find it hard to blame anyone here because I think of all you (even What in his bizarro way) as my friends. Hope we can figure out how to disagree in a more productive way than this. Also hope that nobody takes offense at what I have written here. It is just my off the sleeve reaction to this thread.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 4:18 PM in response to Citibank Implodes!!!

Prodigal Son--that clip is hilarious.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 1:27 PM in response to Babs Corcoran "Not Worried About Real Estate Prices"

I know the owners of the Degraw place and have been many times inside the house. They had a full price offer this summer that fell through. Hoping for their sake that they get another offer but I suspect they will have to go lower to make that happen. All that being said its a nice house that has been very tastefully renovated.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:45 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Yep that nesting instinct is the thing that will get you in the end. How that makes one a bad person is beyond me though. What?

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:51 AM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

Good night, bad boys of the blog. Your posturing and strutting has so enriched my evening. IF times get so tough as you hope for, you will both be dealing with the same crap as me. Careful what you wish for.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:39 AM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

Well, why does that mean that you are not long island bubble?

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:27 AM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

I'm lovin' your comically inept attempt to sound street DOW.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:21 AM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

DOW--I am willing to bet you made that video yourself. IF so nicely done. It has all of the graphs and charts you are so fond of and is well put together. Did you use final cut?

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:19 AM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

Ironballs--before you anoint me a brother in arms let me say that my agreement was with the notion that renting would probably not be in the OP's best interest as it seems inevitable that prices will be lower in a year than they are now. That being said, I don't quite buy your notion that the market will drop 50% either, or that the drop will be as precipitous as you think it might. Now, I am no expert on finance or real estate pricing for that matter, so I am not going to go out on limb for any predictions. Certainly I hope prices don't drop 50%. I wouldn't be surprised to see 30% drops as that would be a larger figure than anything we have seen in the last few down cycles (befitting the nature of the downturn we appear headed for). But really none of us knows what is going to happen and I had enough faith in Brooklyn and in my neighborhood in particular to buy in this climate so by nature I would appear to be a more optimistic sort than you.

Posted by: wasder at November 21, 2008 12:01 AM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

Dude, you have a way way way overinflated sense of your own influence if you think that anything you say resonates beyond these little cyber walls. I am sorry that your intelligence and self-righteous anger can't be put to better use than berating folks like me on a real estate blog, but clearly you have made a choice, as bizarre as it seems to me.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 11:48 PM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

For the first time ever I think I agree with something that Iron Balls wrote. First time for everything I guess. But really I think he is right, despite my earlier post, that renting is probably only likely to get you less money later. I have no idea what you originally paid or what you need to get to break even on the apt but I would think that as IB says 400 would get this sold, though I bet you could still get 475.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 8:44 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

This post makes me wonder which description of you is more apt: fucking idiot or pathetic loser.

You can and will post everyday about the demise of the MAB and what do you get out of it. Property values will go down but the people on this board aren't going anywhere. The best you have done so far is to get some people (me included) to give you props on some of your calls. But then you turn around and bring it back to this "my playground" bullshit. Brooklyn is no more yours than it is mine, which is a ridiculous statement (though I am curious about your mysterious Uncle Ernie). Yes, I think we can safely say the MAB is done, but where does that leave you What. You have nothing else to bitch about and we are all still going to be here talking about houses and gardens and such (why that pisses you off so much I have never figured out).

Anyway, get your jollies everyday posting this kind of thing, as I know you will. But know that in the long run you will have had the sum total of zero influence on my life.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 8:37 PM in response to This is what a crash looks like.

cobblegirl--one other thing that I would suggest. This is something that the Corcoran brokers who sold my place in September told me. My place was similar in size and price to yours in Clinton Hill. The brokers told us to remove as much of the stuff from the apartment as we could, really strip it down to the essentials so it felt roomier and bigger and nicer. People dont want to see too much of your stuff when they are considering buyer. Its no offense or anything, just some weird psychological aspect of buyers. You might want to try this both for new pictures and for the open houses. Flowers are always a good idea too. Anyway, we sold pretty quickly but even in September when we sold it was a different market. Some of the really bad stuff economic stuff had gone down at that point but not everything as you are facing. If you could afford to rent it out for a little while it would probably be helpful to you. Good luck! We will all be rooting for you.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 5:09 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

sorry--I meant to give you advice as well as commiserate. The only advice/wisdom I can give you is that two months is not that long on the market and you should stick to this price for a little while. It is a completely fair price, even in this market, and somebody will buy it sooner or later. Are you happy with the way the apt is being marketed? I looked at the listing and it seems decent. Photography could have been better but that is a minor point. If the open houses have been full, somebody will offer soon enough.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 3:50 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

Wow--I am shocked you have not gotten any offers at this price. your apartment looks lovely and the neighborhood is great. can't figure that out at all...

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 3:46 PM in response to Advice for a Freaked Out Apartment Seller

Thanks everybody! Appreciate it.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 3:01 PM in response to Need Electrician recommendations

BRG--I think you agreed to the fact that the economy sucks but that we are going to be fine in the long run and that attacking your fellow Brooklynites over things that they can't possibly be responsible for is foolish.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 11:45 AM in response to Oh No...

And yes What, this particular photo has been used to death by you. can't you find some new imagery of the apocalypse to entertain us with?

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 11:07 AM in response to Oh No...

The point of much of the sparring you receive in response to your posts, made most elegantly a while back by wasder (before he realized you were hopeless on this point) and again by Biff in organizing the party, is that for most of us on this site, our lives will continue with many joys to take pleasure in notwithstanding the current economic situation. You delude yourself if you think the various commenters are unaware of what is going on in the economy and you seriously misinterpret the impetus for the snark. In fact, it is you who seems to be unaware that there is more to life. So keep bombing away as if the brownstoner commentariat is the enemy. All you've accomplished is that you've gotten yourself so worked up about it you missed a really nice social gathering a while back.

Posted by: slopefarm at November 20, 2008 10:20 AM

This entirely sums up my position on the current round of What-related sparring. Thanks slopefarm for, as usual, putting thoughts together in a succinct and thoughtful way. Life goes on no matter who threatens who with extinction and annihilation. We are all living in Brooklyn in 2008 and we still be living and co-existing in Brooklyn in 2009 and beyond.

I haven't had the heart for this kind of combat recently. I have tried to acknowledge, where applicable, the contributions of the What and others in recognizing the precipitous drop in economic conditions but I refuse to be drawn into a battle about who is a more "valid" resident of Brooklyn. This website has never been one that was supposed to be a place to argue about the economy. It is supposed to be a lifestyle/renovation blog and it is unfortunate that we let ourselves get divided by the thoughts of people who have no interest in meeting in the middle and getting to know their neighbors.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 11:06 AM in response to Oh No...

Susan--I can completely relate to your question of when to lock in. It is stressful to watch rates go up and down and not know when to jump. We got pretty lucky in that we locked in at 6.5 and then somehow our mortgage broker was able to unlock us and get us in at 6 flat, which made a big difference. are you working with a broker?

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 11:00 AM in response to Mortgage Rates

Washington Avenue is a distinctly non-scary street for its whole run. It is a lovely mansion-lined road through Clinton Hill and then a vital commercial strip through Prospect Heights. My daughter goes to a preschool on Washington in the Heights. None too scary.

Posted by: wasder at November 20, 2008 10:58 AM in response to Are people scared of Washington Ave?

Rattle the Cage 09!

Keep Fucking Around 09!

Happy Holidays 09!

Top three next Brownstoner party names.

Posted by: wasder at November 19, 2008 1:37 PM in response to U.S. Housing Starts, Permits Drop to Record Low Pace

Snark is brilliant! I love the Savoy Truffle!

Posted by: wasder at November 19, 2008 12:36 PM in response to Fed's Kohn Says Crisis `More Severe' Than Episodes Since 1990s

This also happened to me, to the tune of a lot more than what you are talking about. Their lawyer had money in escrow and they are in the process of paying the outstanding charges. Has taken them several months though to my annoyance.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 11:14 PM in response to previous owner's water/sewer bill?

completely agree that plan 1 is superior. A spectacular kitchen leading to a deck will be worth more than an ok kitchen and a funny little bedroom off of it.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 11:11 PM in response to Renovation/Resale Question

bkny--i just ordered one of my house too. If it is cool I will try to do a then and now type recreation for fun.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 11:09 PM in response to Elkins House Tax photo

THL--thanks. Yeah, simple is better for me as I like gardening but will not have tons of time. Kids are 2 1/2 and not quite yet in existence (due x-mas eve). A jungle gym/swing thing would definitely be a welcome addition but I still want a few stylish things too. Will have to wait until spring though. Good luck with your stuff. I too am now concentrating on the small stuff as we really spent all we can spend getting the major stuff done. Anyway, thanks for the thoughts.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 5:39 PM in response to House of the Day: 318 1st Street

Yeah, where do you find these photos Susan?

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 5:34 PM in response to Elkins House Tax photo

THL--I put up some recommendations on the forum last week about the work I did on my house. It included a recommendation for the guy who did my repointing and roof if you are in need of a good recommendation. I need help figuring out how to make my backyard a both nice place for my kids to play and a place where I can plant a couple of nice plants and flowers. Thoughts?

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:58 PM in response to House of the Day: 318 1st Street

Ah ha. If true that makes me feel better. Thanks for the info ditto.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:40 PM in response to 50% Less G Service Coming Our Way

ditto--where are you seeing that the cutting in half means a shorter run as opposed to fewer trains?

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:39 PM in response to 50% Less G Service Coming Our Way

This is a huge bummer for all of us who use the G to go from Ft Greene/Clinton Hill to Cobblehill and Williamsburg (two neighborhoods where friends live). The G has been a great resource for me over the years and I really hope this report is not accurate.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:38 PM in response to 50% Less G Service Coming Our Way

"My biggest peeve, is when people refer to all and any type of townhouse as a brownstone regardless of what the facade is made out of."

I am with you here BRG. So many people call my brick federal style townhouse a brownstone that it drives me crazy.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:26 PM in response to House of the Day: 318 1st Street

I am planning on sending my kids to PS11 in Clinton Hill which is improving by leaps and bounds every year. Ms Muffett you might want to look in that district.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:24 PM in response to Cheap Today, Cheaper Tomorrow?

THL--your back yard looks nice. Have you done anything else to it since this picture was taken?

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 3:02 PM in response to House of the Day: 318 1st Street

ms muffett: I hear you and I did a similar sort of thing when I sold my co-op a few months back (that is set the asking price somewhat lower than what the realtor recommended so as to sell quickly). And I also have stayed in touch with my buyers and can't thus far detect any frustration with the apartment or the price. Were i to try to sell now I also would be asking for less. But I guess my point is that there is nothing that any of us can do to predict with any accuracy how low the market is going and therefore to expect other people to see things the way you do and cut their prices down on what is likely the most valuable piece of property in their possession is barking up the wrong tree.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 2:25 PM in response to Cheap Today, Cheaper Tomorrow?

Hate to contribute to a "pile on ms muffett" situation because I certainly understand where you are coming from on many levels but I think its a bit of a stretch to beg people for "rational" pricing when you yourself benefited from the "irrational" pricing of the bubble. Do you think your buyers wish they could come back to you and demand a more rational price? And "i disagree" is very correct when he/she says that what is rational to you is not likely to be a universally accepted position.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 2:11 PM in response to Cheap Today, Cheaper Tomorrow?

ENY---that is good. DJ was a great defender.

Posted by: wasder at November 18, 2008 11:54 AM in response to Union-Free One Hanson Place: the Web Site

This block is great. That is not the issue. It is a beautiful block, convenient to transport and very kid friendly. The issue is that the rent-stabilized apartments make it very difficult for the house to be what most buyers would expect at this pricepoint. Julie, Christine, your thoughts?

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 3:47 PM in response to HOTD: 306 Washington Avenue, Two Price Cuts Later

Julie--thanks for writing here. Can you address people's concerns about the rent stabilized apartments?

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 2:10 PM in response to HOTD: 306 Washington Avenue, Two Price Cuts Later

still looks high if you have two rent stabilized units.

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 1:19 PM in response to HOTD: 306 Washington Avenue, Two Price Cuts Later

I hear you. This was a friend's 40th so I had a good excuse.

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble! Impact of layoffs!!!

There's a great garden center right around the corner from Sunny's. I bet they have slamming rubber trees.

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 11:43 AM in response to Target profit falls almost 24 pct, suspends buybacks

slopefarm--were you at sunny's this weekend?

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 11:04 AM in response to Implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble! Impact of layoffs!!!

Sunny's is right around the corner from Fairway (on Conover). Its quite amazing really.

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 10:41 AM in response to Implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble! Impact of layoffs!!!

dylanfan--thanks about the house. A rubber tree might look great in a corner somewhere.

dave--go to Sunny's sometime to soak up the classic Brooklyn waterfront vibe. Was there this weekend for a rare night out on the town for this whipped dad (haha if my wife is reading).

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 10:12 AM in response to Implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble! Impact of layoffs!!!

Well, I hope somebody brought it indoors. If it stayed out last night its probably a goner.

Red Hook bars are pretty anarchic sometimes. Somebody could have just walked out of there with the plant under their arm.

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 10:01 AM in response to Implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble! Impact of layoffs!!!

I thought about it Dave. What kind of care does it need?

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 9:52 AM in response to Implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble! Impact of layoffs!!!

ryanfh--as I understand it its not a particular house per se but the corner in general.

Posted by: wasder at November 17, 2008 8:18 AM in response to Notorious Crackhouse at 474 Greene Avenue Up In Flames

Alberth Chica 646-472-4842. Awesome GC.

Posted by: wasder at November 15, 2008 9:11 PM in response to Kitchen/Bathroom Reno

Congrats! Its great that you managed to pull this off in this climate, and that you had the gumption to see it through. Well done and enjoy.

Posted by: wasder at November 15, 2008 10:32 AM in response to bought a house with 10% down

bridges--I am unsure yet what to do with the garden. On account of the kids I want something that is open and easy to maintain but I wouldn't mind planting a few things too. Probably next spring I will find a landscaper to help me get it into shape. For the winter it will mostly lay fallow.

Posted by: wasder at November 14, 2008 1:51 PM in response to The Wasdies--best of my renovation

I just had my washer/dryer serviced by Father and Son Appliance Repair. You can find them on google. Peter is the guy's name and he is awesome.

Posted by: wasder at November 14, 2008 12:46 AM in response to Appliance repair person

Thanks Slope! The interior pics will have to wait until we are finished with our decorating and layout plans. Soon enough but this is definitely taking longer than I anticipated. Wife is very pregnant now and so she is not up for too much. Hopefully by thanksgiving we will be fully settled in.

Posted by: wasder at November 13, 2008 10:29 PM in response to The Wasdies--best of my renovation

I can't guarantee that the square footage of this place and the one I am talking about are the same. Our place was probably a bit larger and on a higher floor corner so that was nice. And the bathroom and kitchen were done up really nicely while in this apt you don't see shots of these things (which obviously leads to the conclusion that they need total redoing). Anyway, I think this is a good price for a really decent apartment in a very nice building. But as we know I am biased!

Posted by: wasder at November 13, 2008 10:02 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 360 Clinton Avenue One Bedroom

"How much does it cost to renovate one of these apartments, $100K?"

That's about exactly what I spent gut renovating the one I lived in. The one we bought had not been renovated for 40 years. We took it down to the studs, rewired everything, stripped everything etc and put in all new everything.

"lets see some evidence wasder. sounds a bit off..." Tycoon, I just sold my apartment in this building in September. It was similar to this apt in size and had that second small bedroom/study room. We sold for well over 500. Not bullshitting and no reason to shill other than it was my place. It was top floor and on a corner so that probably helped and the renovation was really nice.

Posted by: wasder at November 13, 2008 5:31 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 360 Clinton Avenue One Bedroom

3C must have been totally unrenovated. I wonder what floor this apt is on.

Posted by: wasder at November 13, 2008 3:07 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 360 Clinton Avenue One Bedroom

Having just moved out of this building I must weigh in and say I think this is an excellent apartment at a great price. These apartments with this layout have been selling for 50-100G more in the last year. Of course given where the market is one could expect lower prices now. This seller seems to be pricing quite realistically for the market. This is a really special building that I had an incredibly enjoyable 7 years in...

Posted by: wasder at November 13, 2008 2:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 360 Clinton Avenue One Bedroom

DOW--thanks!

BRG--thank you too. Its a beauty now eh? I am really happy with how the exterior turned out. It was painted before and the pointing was in dire need of redoing.

Posted by: wasder at November 13, 2008 11:55 AM in response to The Wasdies--best of my renovation

Hoboken--thanks. There was a thread with some photos that Brownstoner put up on the front page a few weeks back of the house interior mid renovation. They had it as an "Interiors" feature so if you search that way you will find it. I may put some finished shots up at some point as well.

Susan--Alberth did a wide variety of things--carpentry, floors, painting, built a deck, etc. Our renovation was pretty minor compared to what a lot of people do. For instance,we didn't change any kitchens or bathrooms. But for everything we asked him to do he was awesome and had some great ideas for maximizing space.

Posted by: wasder at November 12, 2008 11:37 PM in response to The Wasdies--best of my renovation

Agreed as well. The Paulson thread above is especially annoying, with this a close second. There are so many other places to talk about these issues would be nice to get back to our littler mission here.

Posted by: wasder at November 12, 2008 10:12 PM in response to Pigs at the tough

CWB---don't worry about being flamed. Its a badge of honor. Your quote expresses a thought that lots and lots of people have.

BTW--is it just me or has this been one of the least civil days on Brownstoner in some time?

Posted by: wasder at November 12, 2008 4:07 PM in response to Quote of the Day

I neglected to give the number for Antonio Gomez the locksmith. He can be reached at 347-400-0908.

Posted by: wasder at November 12, 2008 1:27 PM in response to The Wasdies--best of my renovation

Slopefarm wrote: Anything short of those outcomes isn't within the meaning of "done" or "over" -- just a down cycle that affects some people, but not everyone (there's your cue, Wasder).

Oh god, I have a cue now? What am I supposed to say? I agree slopefarm that the threads about boiler repair (or my own on thorocoat--which I decided not to do BTW) are more helpful than rehashing this stuff over and over.

Posted by: wasder at November 12, 2008 12:38 PM in response to Just smile and wave boys, Smile and wave.....

"This has to be a first on this website. Usually someone suggests that fact, and yes it is a fact, and twenty others try to disprove it and talk about what a great buy that 900K fixer upper SRO in need of a complete tear-down is in (insert some historically bad neighborhood name here), and how just buy it now and in a couple years when prices "recover" you'll make a profit."

So 2007 Williamsburg guy. For several months now this board has been engaging in these kinds of discussions. You won't find too many people talking the way you characterize it above. There are a few very obvious real estate shills around and they get soundly beaten down when they post.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 8:30 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Well said northslope. An interesting take on a subject that we have all hashed to death. Smart to recognize that, no matter how much it pisses you off, that you have a stake in the recovery of the market and in the bailing out of some of your neighbors bad loans. So many people here are advocating a "let em hang" attitude and your more nuanced understanding of the situation is very welcome.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 3:40 PM in response to Quote of the Day

"Ownership is a privledge not a necessity. At bubble peaks, it costs more than renting (cash down, interest, maintenance, etc.)"

This is true of course. There is no "right" to home ownership. However, it is unclear at best and quite possibly untrue that in my circumstance renting was a better financial option. This is one thing where we just may have to agree to disagree. I don't think I could have gotten the space and month to month value that I have in the rental market. But again, my point is that the situation is far more complicated than you are making it out to be in sheer financial terms. There were many bad actors in this crisis, and to suggest that individual home buyers are somehow complicit in the "criminal" aspect of it is what I object to. Yes, everyone decides when to buy and my choice to buy was preceded by a very thorough and thoughtful decision making process.

I guess I could have sold my co-op, taken the profits and stashed them somewhere else but I am not the type to get too involved in the financial investment process beyond buying things that contribute to my day in day out well being. Perhaps this is short sighted of me but this is the choice I made.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 1:52 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

Somehow I have to believe that Obama is going to have a bit more of a chance navigating the Pelosi-led house than Bush did. The Dems now have very functional majorities that should make passing legislation doable. You may not agree with the legislation, but I suspect that congressional paralysis will not be the order of the day in the first year of the Obama administration.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 11:27 AM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

Looks like another work of "smor"

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 11:24 AM in response to Someone tagged the side of my house.

whoops---I have that bass ackwards. You put the wide end up over the glass and let it rest on top of the glass with the small end a few inches above the surface of the vinegar.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 11:23 AM in response to teeny tiny little fly infestation in my apt! help!

My father in law showed me how to make a trap similar to what PH family is describing above. We used vinegar instead of wine. We put the vinegar in a tumbler type glass and made a cone out of cardboard that we mounted (little side up) over the glass with tape. The idea is that they fly in attracted by the vinegar and then they can't get out and they drown. Has worked several times for me with fruit flies.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 11:22 AM in response to teeny tiny little fly infestation in my apt! help!

Wow--interesting What. I have never heard your side of the story as much as this. Certainly never heard your explanation for how and why you came to be here. So thanks for that.

I try not to get defensive about this stuff but its hard as I am sure you know. I don't think I need to justify my decision to anyone but at the same time it bothers me when I hear that somehow any person who decided to buy a house in Brooklyn is complicit in a system that I have come to understand was fraudulent in many ways. Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts on the matter and am glad to have some What-perspective.

Posted by: wasder at November 11, 2008 8:14 AM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

DOW--It is possible that there will be a massive downturn in employment which would sink the rental market and in this case I would be in a tight (though not dire)spot. I priced my rental a little lower than thought was market value for a Clinton Hill brownstone floor through garden apt so that I would not have any trouble finding a suitable tenant. And sure enough there were numerous enthusiastic applicants.

Given that I am one of my own tenants I am somewhat protected against the "tenant losing their job" factor, though of course my work could dry up too. In that case it wouldn't matter too much where in Brooklyn I was living cause I would be screwed either way, certainly I would have been just as screwed in my two bedroom where my monthly nut (with maintenance) was 3000.

Also you seem to think that uprooting a family out of Brooklyn wouldn't be too hard but I disagree with that. And leaving the city would be the only way to get equal value for the amount of space I have. The rental prices for three bedroom, two bath apts with guest rooms and outdoor space are pretty high right now. But anyway, the larger point I am trying to make here is that every time you go to point out what idiots people are and lump everyone together a group who supposedly worked in concert to intentionally drive real estate prices higher, remember that every household has a story and a set of circumstances that are unique to them.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 11:43 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

Biff--I guess it is a bit much. And that would be two parties in a row inspired by you know who. I just hope we can find the time and space to have another soiree before the end of the year.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 4:46 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Well Biff I am not sure he is going to provide a date this time but somehow "Keep Fucking Around" is a nice title for a party in that "fucking around" is one of life's great joys and if we can still fuck around how bad can life be?

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 4:32 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Biff---we have the title of our next party I think!

The "Keep Fucking Around" Holiday Extravaganza. What say you?

See today's What forum fest for explanation.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 4:14 PM in response to Quote of the Day

Sorry! Had to actually do some work for a little while. But this point that DOW and I are discussing seems to me to be worth more exploration.

Me: "How, DOW, did the readers of this site make the rules of NYC real estate?"

DOW: "They fall for the hype and overpay. Participation."

OK--fair enough to a point but what do you say to somebody like me. I was living in an 800 square foot co-op with a second child on the way. I did a lot of research and discovered that there was a house I could buy where I could triple my living space and make my monthly payments go down. SO paid just over a million dollars for a house that in any rational world wouldn't be "worth" that much. And yet it improved my lifestyle and cut my monthly costs. In your book what should I have done DOW? This is what I am trying to say---you seem to believe that people can put their lives on hold to wait for the market to modulate and it just doesn't work that way (or it didn't for me). Do me the favor of giving me a thoughtful response to this. Thanks.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 4:05 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

How did "we" make the rules of NYC real estate? For myself they have always been highly unpleasant realities that I had to navigate but i never thought I could control personally. How, DOW, did the readers of this site make the rules of NYC real estate?

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 2:16 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

"Buts for now wasder, get lost so I can have a nice circle jerk with Derwood and DOW now."

Who's got the biggest cock at your trough of depravity?

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 2:00 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

DOW--I am digging your ain'ts and neithers (not). How about some "no hows" too? You are a schizophrenic poster, or a shape shifter. Are you an educated person working in the financial industry or are you some crank who forgets basic rules of English. I don't bother calling What on that kind of thing because he has never made any attempt to write with any semblance of grammar or correct spelling. You on the other hand occasionally sound intelligent. What's up with that?

In re what you actually said, the people that you don't know who get hurt are probably not too different from the people that you do know so the haha is still pretty savage.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:59 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

derwood--seriously I will try to read what you write with respect how is that? I am sorry if I got short with you about the haha thing. You are perfectly in your rights to say what you said, as much as to me it sounds immature. How is that?

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:49 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

My point about it being everyone and no-one's fault all at once is that you (What, derwood, DOW, whoever else is so pleased at the implosion) seem to be unable to recognize that while on macro terms it is easy to read the contours of an asset bubble, from a micro perspective (once everything is entangled with the particulars of any given family's life) it is very hard to identify a path that does not exacerbate the situation. I for one was aware of the larger issues of the asset bubble (thanks to this site and to the What in particular) but at the same time I weighed the costs of buying versus the costs of staying (both financially and lifestyle wise) in my two bedroom and buying the house still made the most sense. So I think you guys are insanely reductionist to imagine that any individual family would be able to weigh their choices only in the realm of macro economics and not in the realm of their day in day out life. We all live in NYC and none of us made the "rules" of real estate.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:46 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

"Here is some advice Wasder. STOP LOSS. You are in hostile territory and just stop your loss, unlike the other Asshats that are underwater."

What does this advice entail What? To sell now?

"Derwood is gonna shave your head with a chainsaw!" Derwood is this true?

DOW--the more I think about it I am sure you will regret writing what you wrote there. Friends of yours and your wife's will be hurt and it is hard to imagine that you won't care. You are smarter than writing something that stupid and inflammatory.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:41 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

"Ah ha ha ha!!! I'm laughing too. I don't care who gets hurt."

That's awesome DOW. I am sure your wife would find that sentiment charming. What is wrong with you people? The bubble was everybody and nobody's fault all at once. But not caring about the fate of people who will see their life savings go up in smoke is a new level of callousness on this site.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:31 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

Hey when the Asshats was cheering on Gentrification, Raising Real Estate prices, rising rents and the smashing of middle class families in NYC. I did not see you taking up the cause for those people and now you want to whine because the Asshats are getting POOWED. Fuck are of you!!! Wasder stop whining and take your lumps...

As I had never even heard of this site before this past May it is kind of hard for me to accept blame for gentrification cheerleading on this site. Ever since I have been here it has been doom and gloom on the menu and I have been I think quite even handed in the way that I have approached both ends of the argument.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:23 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

derwood---I contribute all kinds of things to this site, ideas, thoughts, encouragement, criticism etc. Yes, writing about the impending real estate meltdown is valid on this site but when I see people come on with an article that is only tangentially related to the topic at hand and go hahaha at the end it makes me feel like this person is only here to have a good laugh at other people's expense and I call it out. I did discuss things with you last week when you were asking questions and anytime you have something substantive to say I will get into it with you. But if it feels like you are here to get a laugh then I will call you on it. That's just me though. I don't speak for anyone else.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 1:13 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

A "Keep Fucking Around" Holiday party seems to be brewing no?

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 12:57 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

I will keep fucking around as long as I am breathing What. But what does GOBAL mean?

derwood, what do you get out of coming on here and chortling? How does it serve your personal good?

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 12:56 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

Ah the pleasant sociable stylings of derwood. Lets laugh at misfortune and pile on. So glad to see you agaiin.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 12:48 PM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

THL--that would be handy. Confessions and deposits!

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 11:02 AM in response to Universal Church Almost Ready, Still Ugly

"Bkny only Government intervention is the only thing saving us from a complete meltdown!"

That would seem to be the thing that separates us from countries like Iceland, that our government has a greater capacity for intervention.

Posted by: wasder at November 10, 2008 10:53 AM in response to The Asshat Weekend Edition.

Thanks BrooklynButler. I appreciate the insight. Will check for lead on the wall.

Posted by: wasder at November 7, 2008 3:29 PM in response to here is the wall in question (thorocote)

Hey THL--I was quoted 8000 for the front and back to be repointed. The front needed complete repointing (as well as having a coat of paint power washed off the front) and the back needs spot repointing. So your quote is a little higher but not in a different ball park.

Posted by: wasder at November 7, 2008 2:20 PM in response to here is the wall in question (thorocote)

Thanks everybody. I think I will go with the consensus here and have it repointed where it needs it and nothing more. The entire front of the house was repointed this week and I just needed to decide how to handle the back of the building. I don't know why the guy who is doing the repointing was so gung ho to thorocoat but I will head that off. I really appreciate the input.

Posted by: wasder at November 7, 2008 11:01 AM in response to here is the wall in question (thorocote)

Heather, we are really talking about the stretch of Fulton down past Grand. That is where it really gets to be barren (and that is also where the Outpost is, between Downing and Irving). There is one bodega, can't remember the name, where Grand, Putnam and Fulton all come together and the guys in there are really nice and know all the folks from the neighborhood. I like that vibe.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 11:23 PM in response to The Big Draw in Clinton Hill: Architecture

Thanks everybody for the advice. Am going to talk to the pointing guy and see why he thinks I should do it. As I understand him, what he wants to do is just brush it (paint it on) with this waterproofing coating. But it sounds like most people think this is a bad idea so I will probably tell him not to do it. Thanks again for the info.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 11:16 PM in response to To Thorocote or not to Thorocote, that is the question

Deck was only at the beginning phases there Dave. Looks totally different now. As to whether or not it meets code, what were you reacting to?

The brick is going to be repointed for sure. What is the problem with thorocote?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 11:11 PM in response to here is the wall in question (thorocote)

The only reason I am considering doing it is because the guy who is doing the pointing is recommending it. The wall is in fairly good condition. I don't want to do what it sounds like you did Halsey, meaning applying cement and mesh etc and then thorocote. The bricks are still in decent shape. the mortar just needs patching in places. Brooklyn Butler, why is thorote a non-reversible treatment? My understanding was that it is a clear coating that weather proofs the wall. Is this not the case?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 4:50 PM in response to To Thorocote or not to Thorocote, that is the question

you are not likely to find a studio in Brooklyn for that price, not likely being a kind way of saying you will never find a studio for that price. A room in a shared house perhaps. Good luck.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 4:11 PM in response to studio apartment for rent

z I think points out an unfortunate but accurate fact about NYC and that is 250G just isn't the same here as it is in other parts of the country, at least as expressed in terms of how much (if any) house it gets you.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 4:08 PM in response to End of the $400 Property Tax Rebate

Can't say that it has never been done before. What would be the downside Senator Street? It is a brick four story house. It needs only spot repointing on the back.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 4:05 PM in response to To Thorocote or not to Thorocote, that is the question

You know very well that I am not stupid What. You make a very definitive statement that "we had a chance to stop" the MAB. I asked you what the average person could have done about it. Not what Citibank could have done about it or what Lehman Brothers could have done about it. It is very unclear to me what the average aspiring home-owner could have done except to not buy anything, which is not much of an option. So rather than being an idiot why not try to answer my question?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 3:21 PM in response to NYC Police and Fire Fighters Next to Feel Budget Pinch

What, I respect your long term perspective on the neighborhood but as you say, I do want to see a positive side of things. I wonder why you seem so invested in seeing the down side of things. This is a sincere question. Businesses are trying to open in that "dead zone" you mention, which is truly an eyesore if ever there was one. There is a new bakery that looks really good, and a new clothing shop across from Outpost. I will patronize any business that brings useful merchandise and services to the strip. I hope you can say that you are as invested in the success of Fulton Streets as you are to trashing every effort to improve it.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 2:39 PM in response to The Big Draw in Clinton Hill: Architecture

bk8--truer words have never been spoken. Fulton should be the "Main" street of southeastern Clinton Hill.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 2:35 PM in response to Fulton Street Dig: End In Sight

Outpost is great. Coffee is awesome and the food solid for a cafe. Plus they play good music. It seems to be doing ok even with the construction madness going on around it. The senegalese restaurant Joloff on St James and Fulton is stellar and seems to be doing OK as well. Agreed that Olivino and a few other businesses seem to be doing OK but really there needs to be a lot more basic stores as 1842 states above.

What, this Asshat patronizes many businesses along Fulton, from the deli at Grand and Putnam to the above. I see no reason if the buses return to Fulton and the construction ends that this thoroughfare couldn't be a viable retail strip.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 2:30 PM in response to The Big Draw in Clinton Hill: Architecture

What, my question to you is what could have been done to stop the MAB? As I have only come recently to the Brownstone Brooklyn real estate market I am unaware of things that were being done in the run up. If there are things that you think could have been done by the average person on this blog I would be interested to hear what they were.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 2:03 PM in response to NYC Police and Fire Fighters Next to Feel Budget Pinch

Well, please let me know if you do get involved. I certainly would volunteer some time if there was a constructive way to help Fulton improve. PACC's involvement would seem to be a good thing no?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 1:44 PM in response to The Big Draw in Clinton Hill: Architecture

Snark--you are not allowed to be non-snarky!

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 1:38 PM in response to NYC Police and Fire Fighters Next to Feel Budget Pinch

Mr B--what do you think the chances are that the new Fulton Street BID has even a small semblance of the same success?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:59 PM in response to The Big Draw in Clinton Hill: Architecture

Biff--yes perhaps elaborate was the wrong choice of words.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

derwood am I to take it that this has all been an elaborate ruse by you?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:47 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

Clinton Hill is a remarkable neighborhood to say the least. From the architecture to the community of people who live there and look out for each other it is a truly special place that I have been proud to call home for 7 years now.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:44 PM in response to The Big Draw in Clinton Hill: Architecture

The Fairness Doctrine would appear to be an attempt to provide protection against the kind of muzzling you seem to be afraid of derwood. If major media is obliged to provide both sides of issues what is the harm there?

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:41 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

hey cobblehiller--that sucks! Hope you get something else quickly. What a bummer.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:10 PM in response to NYC Police and Fire Fighters Next to Feel Budget Pinch

Whoa--I missed some hilariously disfunctional action here. Derwood, if you are looking for anybody to agree with you that the Obama administration is going to be more restrictive and autocratic than our outgoing administration you will be looking a long time. What doesn't agree with you, I don't agree with you, maybe Polemicist will agree. Ask him. Otherwise, you are looking pretty silly.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 12:09 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

derwood would definitely appear to be a What sockpuppet. Certainly anybody who chooses as their first ever posts to take up the cause on a thread like this should be taken with a grain of salt.

Otherwise, what else is new? the market is about to crash and there is still nothing I can do about it.

Posted by: wasder at November 6, 2008 7:59 AM in response to Paint The White House Black!

And I don't really know what you mean by "fairness doctrine".

Posted by: wasder at November 5, 2008 1:35 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

you know what derwood...you threw some pretty crazy shit around in your earlier posts so I was wary of taking your questions sincerely. In re what you are asking, I am not in site admin or anything so I have no information about if/why What was ever banned or on what grounds. What will have to answer that if he feels like it. I know that Mr B has of late taken a more engaged position with the What and that seems to be working out fairly well for everybody.

Posted by: wasder at November 5, 2008 1:33 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

Wasder attempts to give derwood a more thoughtful response than he probably deserves....

As far as I know, What was not given any limitations on what he can and can't say by this site (but What would have to confim that himself). Many people enjoy the What even when he is mean and vindictive, perhaps especially because of that (the more contrarian in nature types among us). I personally both enjoy and get aggravated by arguing with the What but I do know that he and a few other real estate bear types on this board certainly opened my eyes to certain aspects of the real estate and finance worlds that I was not up to speed on, much to my benefit as I sought to buy a house in this crazy atmosphere. I prefer when What engages in dialogue that is at least minimally interactive and connected to general standards of decency and empathy, but whatever. I think most people would agree that What serves an important function here whether he pisses you off or not.

Posted by: wasder at November 5, 2008 1:09 PM in response to Paint The White House Black!

Whoa derwood that is out of "left" field! I don't think the What's politics have anything to do with people talking to him on this board. Reasonable dialogue is met with more of the same. And why you get the feeling that an Obama administration will be repressive (say compared to a Bush administration) is beyond me.

Posted by: wasder at November 5, 2008 11:13 AM in response to Paint The White House Black!

What, did the gunman know your friend or was it random? Bummer either way obviously but curious if it was an unprovoked street crime or one with a personal connection.

Posted by: wasder at November 5, 2008 11:08 AM in response to Hynes: Crime in Brooklyn Down in '08

What a night. This Asshat got very drunk and is paying the price this morning though. What, did you actually vote? Right on if so. Liking this image make-over by the way, not that you need to care.

Posted by: wasder at November 5, 2008 9:59 AM in response to Paint The White House Black!

Well What if you are looking for brownie points you sure hit it out of the park. Finally something we can (almost) all agree on. You should vote though, NY locked up or not. The national margin that he wins by will go a long way towards determining what kind of mandate he has and how much leverage he has in pushing his agenda. So do your part What!

Posted by: wasder at November 4, 2008 10:07 AM in response to You better get this one right...

Shoo doo bee doo!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 6:11 PM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

That's funny 11233. I have a hard time believing that What feels "guilt" or any other human emotion that indicates even a passing concern about the feelings of others. I would love to be proven wrong about this but I won't hold my breath.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 6:02 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

Ironballs--I would personally live in Clinton Hill over Park Slope but I am aware that this is a highly personal choice and one that other people would disagree with. But assuming that everyone would rather live within walking distance of the park is a leap you probably shouldn't take.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 5:27 PM in response to Clinton Avenue Haunted Mansion Now 25% Cheaper

I agree with you that the "values" for housing that we saw in the last couple of years were artificially inflated by people believing it could never come down. And I believe that lenders took advantage of people who were under this particular illusion. I just don't agree that I am the poster boy for this circumstance. As I have said many times until I have become blue in the face, I bought knowing the "value" of the house I bought would go down at least in the forseeable future. So how does that make me delusional?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 5:14 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

You know Denton, I tried to respond to this post in a way, as I said, that we could all agree on. I know What has a bee in his bonnet about people who willingly threw themselves into loans they couldn't afford so I agreed with him that there are a lot of people living in houses that they can't afford so that is what I wrote. But I don't mean to suggest that I don't think the lenders are culpable as well. But really, if everyone invested because they were told by the people that they were buying from that it could never go down they are just stupid. People buy for all sorts of reasons, but one that doesn't fly is "I was told it could never go down."

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 4:33 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

miss priss--it is remarkable how sketchy that part of Fulton is isn't it? Strangely I have yet to feel threatened by anyone there but there is no doubt that this section of what should be a major commercial thoroughfare is way behind where it could/should be.

Also, Are you referencing clinics that you know of or are you generalizing? And don't you mean methadone clinics as opposed to meth clinics?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 3:20 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Bakery in Clinton Hill

That would be pretty amazing. When is the last time the DOW was that low?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 3:17 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

I think the point you raise about layouts is the reason why Brownstones don't make great condo conversions. You really need to have several floors of a brownstone to have the space you want.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 3:16 PM in response to Brownstone Apt Layouts - Park Slope

Easy with the facts 11217! You could set a dangerous precedent around here.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:45 PM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

Putnamdenizen--was looking out for you this past weekend. How was your Halloween?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Bakery in Clinton Hill

Yes, we need more business investment like this on Fulton Street!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Bakery in Clinton Hill

"Look Wasder I don't give a fuck (yes fuck) about your situation. If you believe that crap your spewing then fine. Enjoy your house and stop trying to comment on everything I write."

Dumbf**k--you will see that I started my participation in this thread by agreeing with the premise of what you wrote, not arguing with you. You are the one that made it confrontational. Whatever I am spewing is about how to live in times like these, and that includes being a responsible neighbor. I continually try to give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not as heinous as you try to front on here and believe that you must do something constructive in your neighborhood (our neighborhood I should say since we live so close together) but maybe you are just a pathetic shut in asshole. What are you?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:35 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

Welcome back. 70% drops in rural areas? Whoa. What do you attribute that level of drop to? And yes, some bad news here that we are debating all over this blog. It would be interesting to have a DOW and What discussion about the effects of the economic downturn on crime and how much that dampens your (DOW) enthusiasm for buying.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:30 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

"I have not seen these conditions in years and hope to GOD I wont live thru that crap."

Glad to hear you say that you don't want these conditions to return, though people could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The point is that we don't have to let bad economic times ruin the fundamental goodness of our neighborhoods.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:22 PM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

Look who the cat dragged in? Where have you been DOW?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:13 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

"Neighborhood Watch, people. Time to band together."

That's what I am talking about!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:12 PM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

cobblehiller--this sort of saying would appear to be a remnant of the bad old days (which the What would like to see come back) in which people felt that it was safer to side with the criminals than with the police. IF neighborhoods are so indifferent to the situation on the streets, or if the residents have so little faith in the police to protect them from the criminal element then this sort of attitude can sprout up. And its the biggest thing to fight against in my opinion. Calling people out for their transgressions is the only way to promote standards of decency.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 1:56 PM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

"The main thing you Asshats don't get is you don't think of your area is danngerous. You are a bunch of self entitled smug Asshats and you think that people supposed to get out of you way. You put yourself in great danger!"

You are a bigger fool than I had previously suspected What. Who thinks that their neighborhoods aren't potentially dangerous? Nobody on here. This is a post about crime in Park Slope. If it can happen in Park Slope it can happen anywhere. I keep abreast of as many crime statistics related to the 88th Precinct (my precinct) as I can and I have read with interest and some concern about recent crime developments in my area. So where are the people who think that there is no danger in Brooklyn? In re your childhood, that sounds bad and I would imagine that you don't relish the idea of being robbed these days. But to accept this situation as "the way it is" is a major cop out that you won't see me engaging in.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 1:51 PM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

ironballs--you would definitely not buy this house if walking distance to Prospect Park is a high priority. Its more than ten blocks and they are all up hill. However the house is spectacular and the location within the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene area is stellar. Definitely for a person who wants to live in CH/FG.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 1:46 PM in response to Clinton Avenue Haunted Mansion Now 25% Cheaper

Well, pastabatman, I am sure that there is plenty of blame to go around. I do think that these two things happened hand in hand. The banks made it easier to get loans and lowered there standards and then buyers decided to bite off more than they could chew.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 1:43 PM in response to The foundation of fraud.

I haz--great great advice.

What--if you are hoping actively for a more crime ridden city you are more twisted than I thought. But I agree, a 135 hipster walking down the street at Gates and Throop is a target no matter what year it is.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 11:55 AM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

"You are trying to "disconnect" you situation from everyone else Wasder! The valuation all housing was a big Ponzi scheme, all of it. Now you are witnessing the implosion of the Mutant Asset Bubble and you believe that has nothing to do with you??"

This is blatantly untrue What. I have consistently said that I understand that the "value" of the house I purchased is likely inflated. The difference is that I have not applied for a loan that I can't afford using fraudulent info. My wife and I provided accurate financial information and got a house that, while likely inflated, was one of the cheapest available in Clinton Hill. Furthermore, I am going to settle into this house and try to be a positive influence in my neighborhood, meaning I am putting my money where my mouth is. Better than you can say for yourself.

Cobblehiller, I was out watching the marathon on Lafayette. Sorry to have missed you.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 11:29 AM in response to The foundation of fraud.

Rising crime during poor economic times is not exclusive to Brooklyn. There is a myth that some seem interested in perpetrating here that Brooklyn is especially rough in this regards. This is a national problem, but it does have local solutions. Vigilance on the streets, both for your personal safety and for the safety of your neighbors, needs to be the norm at times like this. Lets look out for each other and demonstrate that our communities and neighborhoods are stronger than the pressures created by the economic downturn.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 10:18 AM in response to Mugging on St. John's Place

It does relate cobblehiller because its about fraud. Hard to believe so many different kinds of institutions fell for ponzi schemes.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 10:14 AM in response to The foundation of fraud.

Whoops! Sorry Dave! I guess I haven't been paying attention to the recent political posts here. For my political blogging I go to mydd.com. I remember a devil's advocate type post about McCain this summer from you and I guess haven't caught your recent posts. Sweet!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 10:07 AM in response to Peaches In Bed Stuy To Air Election Results

That would be a cool place to watch. Dave, won't you be outnumbered by Obama supporters though?

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 9:54 AM in response to Peaches In Bed Stuy To Air Election Results

Yep, if there is any "villain" we can all agree on in this crisis, it is people who knowingly applied for loans they couldn't afford with fraudulent information. These people have a lot to answer for in the future.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 9:52 AM in response to The foundation of fraud.

Yeah, tough location. Great building though. And obviously the views must be stellar. But without street life to sustain it definitely a tough location.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 9:19 AM in response to Tough Times at One Brooklyn Bridge Park

That Halloween show pictured above outside 321 Clinton Ave was stellar. Kudos to everyone who put that together!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 9:16 AM in response to Monday Links

Alberth Chica646-472-4842. He is awesome.

Posted by: wasder at November 1, 2008 8:10 PM in response to General Contractor Recommendation

Biff--three good choices for likable folks for sure.

Posted by: wasder at October 31, 2008 3:00 PM in response to You got had! Banks must lend out bailout money, Rep. Frank insists

I actually did use redsaw at some point in the past. Wasder came about as function of expediency and laziness and then it just stuck for me. Look at the upper left hand corner of the keyboard and you will see me. I was looking for something that was easy to remember when I first started using interactive websites and then I got used to it. Sometimes I wish I had some clever name or one with symbolic import but Wasder has just stuck.

Posted by: wasder at October 31, 2008 2:55 PM in response to You got had! Banks must lend out bailout money, Rep. Frank insists

Left Hook--you are correct. my "great location" comment was based on St James and Greene. OVer by Atlantic its not so attractive.