Yes yes yes. My appraisal was ridiculous, you can't buy a one bedroom for the price in my neighborhood for the price he gave. Acknowledged that he had no comps so guesstimated based on, what?, sales in east NY? As a result refi turned down (also a mystery, as still would have had almost 40% equity). Calls to bank and appraiser got me nothing, not even a callback. Not a big deal as was primarily seeking lower rate and rolling heloc into mortgage, but cannot imagine what people seeking to buy are going through.

Posted by: westernnygirl at September 28, 2009 4:47 PM in response to Appraising the Appraisers

Bxgrl's extremely hostile, over-the-top response to a reasoned post by FtGreeneCorey, whose sin seems to be that he disagrees with her, proves my point--this issue has been hijacked by fanatics. I have never had a discussion with any of the DDDB supporters (and yes I have tried) without being accused of either being on the payroll of Ratner or brainwashed by him. I respect many of the reasons why people are opposed to Atlantic Yards, I just happen to have different reasons for supporting it. But the DDDBers see no middle ground--to them, Ratner is evil incarnate, and if you don't agree with them then you are just a worthless shill. What's up with that?

Posted by: westernnygirl at September 18, 2009 4:59 PM in response to Russian Billionaire To Bail Out Ratner?

"So who do we represent? We represent those who support our efforts, those who oppose AY. And those numbers are far bigger than those who support Forest City."

Funny, but a Crain's Business poll back in 2006 found that 60% of Brooklyn residents and 86% of citywide residents supported the project (http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?SecID=1000&ArID=62298). DDDB dismissed the poll as meaningless, of course, as it dismisses any news or person that doesn't support its (his) AY view. Speaking anecdotally, which seems to be the way the anti-AY crowd prefers to bolster its arguments, I know many, many people who are pro-arena, though we may have some reservations. But we don't have a brownstone or condo bordering the project, so I gather under DDDB rules our views are not that relevant. This very much feels like the health care debate, where the people who already have health insurance (or govt funded medicare) are screaming that any change will ruin their little world, and the hell with everyone else. I'm in agreement with FSRQ, there has been such a missed opportunity to engage on AY. And I confess, I blame moderates like myself for standing back while Brooklyn becomes just as polarized, and the process just as hijacked by extremists, as in the rest of the country.

Posted by: westernnygirl at September 18, 2009 3:02 PM in response to Russian Billionaire To Bail Out Ratner?

bxgrl, I do think most of the anti-AY crowd is anti-all things Ratner. He is the devil incarnate to them and that irrationality is one reason why it is so hard to give credence to many of their arguments. The other day I saw a post on a Brooklyn Heights blaming Ratner for the poor quality of the help at the Regal theater because he owns the building! How does one explain the poor quality of the help at every other movie theater in this city I wonder.

Further proof of fsrg's point -- no where did he write that the organization moved to Brooklyn because it was a Ratner building, so how did you manage to conclude from his post that he was making that argument?

Posted by: westernnygirl at August 12, 2009 3:00 PM in response to Science Moves to Downtown Brooklyn

This was my favorite house on the 2008 BH house tour. Not completely over the top luxe or overly historically preserved like some of them, yet lovely in every detail, including the decor. Kitchen to die for, as is every bedroom, and the location. I recall two terraces but I don't think any garden space. I wanted it then, I want it now, but I did not win the mega millions, so...

Posted by: westernnygirl at August 12, 2009 2:44 PM in response to House of the Day: 20 Grace Court Alley

Thanks everyone for the comments (well, almost everyone). You're right, the appraisal does allow me to get the refi done, I'm not planning to sell any time soon, and who knows what appraiser based it on--one of the things he noted in the report is that there have not been enough comparable sales in the immediate area in the last 12 to do a comparison, so he estimated based on average decline in sale prices. I'll go back to more generalized anxiety now.

Posted by: westernnygirl at August 3, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Appraisal Question

I'm with you FortGreenCorey. And to backup your point, I suggest all those folks who are cheering the end of AY head over to the Village and take a walk along the Hudson River. That is, take a walk along the narrow strip of green alongside six lanes of noisy highway full of polluting, smelly cars and trucks and imagine what might have been: Westway, a buried highway covered by acres upon acres of park. It was blocked by a small group of tireless, determined NIMBYs who spent years arguing that the current state of affairs would be better for the environment, and finally won on a technicality. And then take a trip up to Boston, to the buried Central Artery, for what Westway could have brought our city. I have resigned myself to the realization that NYC will never have any of the world-class architecture, any of the major new developments that grace other cities, and Brooklyn especially, where people hate the likes of Gehry but revere the incredibly boring Williamsburg bank building as an iconic tower (now converted to luxury housing, and I didn't hear anyone on this board concerned about affordable housing protest that one). I for one am incredibly sad that we will be stuck with a hole in the ground for decades.

Posted by: westernnygirl at June 30, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Court of Appeals Will Hear AY Eminent Domain Case

I redid my 5x7 bathroom 3 years ago for $8400, replaced everything but the tub. Nothing over the top (no marble, no glass tile), but did do a long silestone countertop. Looks about 1000% better even with a plain white and black tile scheme. Contractor was Cambria Quality Remodeling, 631-912-0466, very easy to deal with .

Posted by: westernnygirl at April 13, 2009 5:15 PM in response to Contractor advice for bathroom

Just another point of view. I got a 32 inch LCD, which I consider more than big enough (perhaps because I'm not a sports fan)and I really could tell the difference between 720p and 1080p, despite all those big-tv sneerers who insist it makes no difference on the smaller screens. I watch a lot of movies, and I think the contrast and colors much better with 1080. And although I don't have a bluray, assume I will get on eventually, in which case it definitely will matter. So if you are thinking of going for a 32 inch, I'd spring for the 1080.

Posted by: westernnygirl at April 6, 2009 9:19 AM in response to buying a flat screen TV

I own one floor of a brownstone, 875 sq feet, fair amt of detail, 9 ft ceilings. Last year I had everything but the bedrooms painted, basically the same color as before, no repairs or plastering needed. Cost me $3500 (including the paint, Ben Moore). They did a beautiful job, but I paid for it. Recently got two estimates for the bedrooms (original paintners weren't interested, considered job too small). One came in at $750, one at $2000, both excluding paint. Am obviously going with the cheaper one, who came recommended, but worried I may live to regret.

Price will be lower if your apt is empty, by the way, discovered that painters hate working arount the furniture.

Posted by: westernnygirl at December 3, 2008 5:58 PM in response to Trying to Create Apt. Painting Budget

Thanks Chris and Denton, big help.

Posted by: westernnygirl at November 6, 2008 7:43 PM in response to radiator stripping

Thanks everyone, big help. I am planning to paint my bedroom a cream color (BM mayonnaise or seashell, still undecided) over walls that are now taupe. I was leaning toward Aura before I posted, now leaning against, sounds like its not worth the cost for cream and would almost definitely have to do touchups at some point with the light color.

Posted by: westernnygirl at October 29, 2008 7:53 PM in response to Aura paint

I'm late here, but in case you are still checking in, I redid my 5x7 three years ago for $8400, replaced everything except the tub--undermount ceramic sink, vanity, toilet, silestone extended countertop, kohler faucets in tub and sink. I didn't go over the top (except with the $800 toilet, don't ask).. Picked black and white ceramic tile and did not tile walls, decided expense wasn't worth it, I'd rather paint. Very happy with results. Used Cambria Remodeling, nice to deal with, cleaned up well, came in on schedule.

718-759-0466

Posted by: westernnygirl at September 20, 2008 10:18 AM in response to Is it possible to renovate a 6 by 8 bathroom for $12,000?

Steve -- I'm gobsmacked! Your house is gorgeous, can't believe all the work you put into it. Love the dining room, and the kitchen and the yard--even love the dog. Now I'm totally intimiadated because as far as DIY is concerned, you've made it to Mt Olympus and I'm down in the seventh circle of hell. Can I just move into your guest room? Or hire you to paint? $600, 3 six packs of your choice, and I'll watch your kids and your dog (sorry lechacal).

Posted by: westernnygirl at September 6, 2008 6:49 PM in response to Cost of painting bedrooms?

Thanks everyone. The walls are in good shape, and I'm basically repainting the same color. I'm a little intimidated doing it myself because of the crown molding, dtailed baseboards, radiators, etc, (gad do I sound like a girl). But maybe I'll at least try one wall and see how it goes. Although, lechacal, I'll pay you $500, two six packs AND watch your kids if you'd do it for me.

Posted by: westernnygirl at September 6, 2008 5:42 PM in response to Cost of painting bedrooms?

As a former Buffalonian, who sometimes considers moving back, I must come to the area's defense. Buffalo has the University of Buffalo and several other colleges, so there is an intellectual life. Also a top cancer research hospital (Roswell Park) and plenty of other good hospitals, quality museums, a thriving performing arts scene (including nationally acclaimed Studio Arena Theater). It has NY-quality restaurants, especially near UB and Amherst (where I'm from) and gourmet food shops that I am pretty sure have 50 types of cheese, or close to. The winters are long, granted, and there's tons of snow, but I never minded as log as I could do a winter sport. Good skiing at Holiday Valley, cross country and ice skating also available. Lake Erie is a great resource, the surrounding countryside is lovely and there is lots of great architecture and beautiful, affordable houses in areas like Delaware Park. That said, good jobs are few and far between, parts of the city look like a bomb hit it, and migration is mostly out, not in. Still, many, many Buffalonians really, really love Buffalo, so there is a loyal core. I could definitely see living there, sure it's not Brooklyn, but it is also not nothing.

One more thing--Buffalo has beef on weck sandwiches, which really are worth moving back for.

Posted by: westernnygirl at August 26, 2008 1:40 PM in response to Can't Cut It In Brooklyn? Try Buffalo.