wjcohen's Profile
- Warren Cohen
- 2000
- 2007
- Brooklyn
- Carroll Gardens
- House
- Male
Author's Posts
April 29, 2009
need rec for DOB savvy plumber
I need a DOB savvy plumber to help me close out a thorny open permit.
I bought last year in middle of the meltdown and even though there was an outstanding plumbing permit, I had no trouble with my mortage - didn't even need to put money in escrow. But now I'm refinancing and I'm being told to take care of it.
It's one of those instances where the work was done in 1999 and the original plumber retired and the next plumber lost his license, etc. No one is sure what really needs sign off, etc.
The original architect is expediting the job (since it was never closed out) but I'd love to hire a plumber to take over the plumbing portion and basically help me navigate the DOB process just so my closures are treated fairly. Any recs? Thx.
January 4, 2009
Park Slope Rental Broker?
My brother and his family are returning to Brooklyn after 5 years overseas and want to rent in park slope...can someone recommend a good rental broker in the neighborhood? They're coming next week to look for a place for Feb, March or April (ideally March 1.) Thanks!
September 9, 2008
Seeking boiler room/front yard fix contractor types
I'm a new, ignorant homeowner who learned today that the home we bought may not pass its plumming inspection (it already had an open permit because a gas test was never done after renovations in '99) The gas is fine -but the new problem is that the boiler room has no outlet to fresh air...the plummer today said I needed a contractor to create a flue to the old coal chute (and then, I need some iron work done on the coal chute iron door to create a little =tent to allow the vent to reach fresh air.) I'm a touch confused since I see the boilers already are piped through the chimney but the plummer said the access to fresh air an additional need.
ANYHOW...anyone out there who can handle this job for me in preparation for a DOB final inspection? thanks!
August 2, 2008
Advice for the closing
So we're the fools who have bought our first house in this climate (we got evicted from two rentals in the past three years because of condo conversions) and we're approaching our first closing. Have heard horror stories and wondering if anyone can share any good advice about how to prepare; not to pay even more money than we're already paying, etc. thanks so much in advance.
Person who can knock down two walls?
HI,
Moving into a new house - we need two walls knocked down! (one illegally covers the electric meters; the other is an unnecessary decorative post in the kitchen. any advice on someone local to do this work?
July 28, 2008
How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?
A family member is helping us with the downpayment for our new 2 family home. He basically paid half our downpayment. He doesn't want any return in the short term and won't be responsible for any bills or get any mortgage benefit. He wants it like a long term stock investment. But we're stuck on how to get him back the money. Assuming the property appreciates, is there any way to return his original payment plus appreciation without him having to pay tax on ordinary income (versus a capital gains tax on real estate, which we would pay on our real estate (presumed) gain.) How could we return what may be a six figure payback (since the gift tax takes effect after $48K). Should his name be on the deed? Grateful for answers or any pointers in the right direction to a tax or legal advisor who has handled such a situation before (willing to pay for the service too.)
Author's Comments
Thanks Turtlejam19 - we negotiated a discount on the sale price which I'm hoping will cover it all but it was a risk. I'm mostly worried about repeating your situation - 2 year hell. Ours SEEMS really simple - the jobs were never closed even tho everything was tested and signed off upon (arrgh) and everything has worked for 10 years. Think the keys are whether:
a) the DOB only evaluates the permitted work or starts reevalating the house's entire plumbing system
b) we have to live up to the new 2009 code or just make sure it was in compliance as of 1999 when the work was done.
any insight? thx again for the referral.
Posted by: wjcohen at April 29, 2009 11:28 PM in response to need rec for DOB savvy plumber
Hey bmfesq, who did you speak to at sovereign? Thx
Posted by: wjcohen at April 13, 2009 3:52 PM in response to 1% penalty on 2 family?
You have written about it - these buildings are connected.
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/03/coop_of_the_day_101.php
Posted by: wjcohen at March 30, 2009 12:44 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 200 Congress Street
I heard the Warren St place needs at least a half million in renovation, its in such bad shape.
Posted by: wjcohen at March 13, 2009 1:11 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later
The "ill-kept housing project of some kind" is not so accurate. Its one of the city's best senior housing projects, a public private partnership thats a model for elderly housing (http://www.ccbq.org/1000%20unit%20preservation.htm) That being said, they could fix the fence...
I live around the corner and the proximity to smith street and park slope and clubs like the Bell House make it a great location, even if bond street is not so attractive (irrespective of the satori prices.)
Posted by: wjcohen at March 11, 2009 2:30 PM in response to Checking In On The Satori
um, this not sketchy..its 2 blocks from smith street and a short walk to park slope, the children's school, the possible new whole foods, etc.
Posted by: wjcohen at March 3, 2009 10:54 AM in response to City Approved Toll Brothers Gowanus Plan...2 Weeks Ago!
We got quoted $6K...but haven't bit yet!
Posted by: wjcohen at February 28, 2009 7:15 PM in response to Opening up a fireplace
Hi bodhi_brooklyn,
do you know who got that rate on a jumbo? would love to know where....
Thanks for the tip Chris...will call her.
And Lisa FG, I'm in the same boat. I've got a 6% offer from Chase with a point (which doesn't make sense for you); a 5.75% from a local bank through a mortgage broker but again with a point (may have gone up); and a 5.625% rate no points but a biweekly payment schedule (which not so great for me.) If you want any of those brokers, email me at my brownstoner user name (at) yahoo. Thx.
Posted by: wjcohen at February 6, 2009 6:06 PM in response to Refinancing a 3 Family?
In the identical boat as you, cantaffordcarroll, same neighborhood too. Are there enough people in our shoes for a support group?!
Posted by: wjcohen at January 5, 2009 12:57 PM in response to First Time Homeowner Anxiety
Thanks Springs...IronBalls, not sure if you've looked at craiglists lately but its great for the post-college set...for older renters of bigger apts, not so much.
Posted by: wjcohen at January 5, 2009 7:47 AM in response to Park Slope Rental Broker?
We were in the house when it belonged to the old owners. While it is a legal three family, it works best as a two family. That's because there was no separate stairway/entrance to the third floor apartment - the tenants basically walked through the owners living room and by the second floor bedrooms to get to their unit. (Cobble Hill was much mellower then.) Not sure if current owners fixed this....but as a two family, it's a great house (irrespective of the price.)
Posted by: wjcohen at December 11, 2008 1:50 PM in response to House of the Day: 167 Baltic Street
i am interested! pls send photos. wjcohen at yahoo dot com. thanks.
Posted by: wjcohen at December 9, 2008 1:35 PM in response to Iron Stoop Railings Available
i would be interested in one of the front doors (77")
wjcohen at yahoo dt com
Posted by: wjcohen at December 7, 2008 3:43 PM in response to Iron window and doors (cont)
our houses are similarly sized and they quoted me $800K as the replacement cost based on what the appraisal said...odd...did really hike up my insurance costs....
Posted by: wjcohen at September 24, 2008 11:39 AM in response to Home Insurance
I stopped by this morning but only saw two boxes- have you put 'em out yet? Or did I miss 'em? Thx!
Posted by: wjcohen at August 18, 2008 11:09 AM in response to Come Take Our Slightly-Used Moving Boxes
Thanks all for these valuable insights. Vinca, I'd be grateful for leads for professionals - i'm at wjcohen at yahoo.com.
Posted by: wjcohen at July 29, 2008 1:45 PM in response to How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?
Thx Vinca - Andrew was my first stop and he told me he had no practical advice, only theoretical research! I read the bw article too and it had no other sources to pursue!
Posted by: wjcohen at July 29, 2008 7:58 AM in response to How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?
Jelly donut wrote: "In short, a stair or ladder to a roof for maintenance has very few requirements," - do you know what these are per chance? We are buying a two unit building and want to move a wall so the roof maintenance access is in a unit and not a common hallway - can we do this? Thx!
Posted by: wjcohen at July 28, 2008 11:40 PM in response to Stairs to Roof Deck
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
PS originally signed off by DOB! but papers never filed
Posted by: wjcohen at April 29, 2009 11:29 PM in response to need rec for DOB savvy plumber
Hello again. Sorry, I don't know anything about the 2009 vs. 1999 code issue. The main problem with our situation is that the original plummer lost the right to "self-certify" the job according to the DOB. So even though Sessa can usually self-certify, they can't do it on our permit. Therefore, the DOB sends round an inspector every time. If your job has not been designated "cannot self-certify" then this may make things easier for you.
Also, I should mention that the reason why this has taken so long is largely due to the fact that they seller took forever to release the escrow money. Even though the contract said they had 3 months from the closing date, they still took 1 year and 6 months. So we have really only been dealing with the DOB for the last 6 months. Good luck!!
Posted by: Turtlejam19 at April 30, 2009 1:22 PM in response to need rec for DOB savvy plumber
If a previous Plumber lost the right to "self-certify", the new Plumber might be able to have that right re-instated when they take over the job. Look into it.
Posted by: Brooklyn Plumber at April 30, 2009 9:31 PM in response to need rec for DOB savvy plumber
PS originally signed off by DOB! but papers never filed
Posted by: wjcohen at April 29, 2009 11:29 PM in response to need rec for DOB savvy plumber