zev299's Profile
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Author's Posts
August 18, 2008
Nayci Contracting for Kitchen Renovation
Does anyone have experience using this contractor? They're based in Queens. I found them through Service Magic.
If anyone has had a particularly good experience with any licensed kitchen contractors, I'd love to hear about who you used.
Thanks
May 27, 2008
Ikea Ovens
Ikea cabinets have gotten pretty rave reviews from forum commenters, so I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Ikea ovens. I'm most interested in the MUMSIG OBI C50 S, which apparently has a special pizza-baking function and is $699. The price seems substantially lower than comparable ovens from other companies.
A more general but related question: What are the pros and cons of doing built in oven and separate range vs. the standard oven-range combo.
I'm slowly planning out a massive kitchen overhaul and am carefully considering each part.
Thanks
May 21, 2008
I Hate My Tub!
I just moved in and the tub is top on my list of things to update. I know that reglazing is the way to go for changing the color and I've seen some recommendations in previous posts for that service. I was wondering if there are people out there who do reglazing and could also install a modern-style drain and change the faucets. My ultimate fantasy, since I have a separate stand-up shower, would be to install jets and turn the tub into a hot tub. Does anyone know if that would be possible? Or if my goal is hot tub, would it be easier to just get rid of the whole thing (I've heard taking out a tub can be an expensive procedure).
Thanks
January 28, 2008
Getting Ahead of the Curve in a Building Undergoing a Co-op Conversion
Is it possible to purchase a unit that the sponsor in a coop building is going to renovate before the sponsor actually renovates and sells it through a broker? I know that many sponsors at coops with low(er) owner occupancy rates have exclusive deals with particular brokers, but I wonder if these agreements would preclude the sponsor from selling an unrenovated unit directly to a buyer. My thinking is that you'd be able to buy the unit at a substantial discount, do the renovations yourself (and avoid the cheapo sponsor renovation), and avoid paying the broker's fee that is likely built into the price. I'd love to hear from anyone who has any insight.
Thanks
December 29, 2007
Best Banks for Co-Op Purchases
I'm a first-time buyer and I've been pre-qualed by Chase for a good rate and a good amount of financing, but I'm wondering about whether it might be worth checking out other banks, not so much for the rates, but for quickness in closing deals and overall satisfaction during the life of the loan. I know nothing about the reputation of banks when it comes to financing co-op purchases and customer satisfaction, so I'd definitely like to hear from those who have had good or bad experience with Chase and other banks, especially those who have recently purchased co-ops in buildings with lower owner occupancy rates (i.e. 50%).
Thanks!
December 22, 2007
If you're a lawyer do you need one?
I'm a first-time buyer looking mostly at coops and wondering about what role the buyer's attorney plays in the closing process. From what I've heard, deals involve three attorneys: seller, bank, and buyer. Since I am a lawyer (albeit one with zero real estate experience), I was wondering if I could represent myself or whether it would be a foolish thing to do.
December 12, 2007
PLG Curious
I'm looking to buy a one or two-bedroom condo or coop in the next 3-4 months. After several neighborhood exploratory missions, I've decided that of the neighborhoods where I could afford something larger than a shoebox (CH, Bed-Stuy, PLG, Ditmas), I like PLG the most. Has anyone bought a similar property in PLG lately, especially in the southern part of the neighborhood where things appear to be most affordable? What's your experience been like? Did you come across any brokers who were particularly knowledgeable about PLG and helpful in finding the type of property I'm looking for? Are there any specific buildings that I should avoid or, alternatively, seek out?
Thanks
December 11, 2007
Mortgage Brokers
I'm primarily looking at one-bedroom coops and condos. A broker this weekend suggested using a mortgage broker to find the best rate instead of trying to find the best deal on your own. I did some Google searches and was not impressed by what I found in the mortgage broker universe. Most don't appear to have a well-established web presence. If anyone has had a particularly good or bad experience with mortgage brokers I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.
Author's Comments
I lived in a garden-floor apartment for almost a year. The garden access was nice, but it seems like there is no good way to light a garden-floor apartment. There's minimal natural light, but it also seems like no amount of artificial is sufficient to light the space. One advantage is that it does stay cool in summer. However, you will definitely hear your upstairs neighbors. Cell phone reception can also be a major problem.
Posted by: zev299 at May 27, 2008 9:42 PM in response to Garden-level Apartments
I'm not totally sure I trust Service Magic either, but, unlike Angie's List, it's free.
Posted by: zev299 at August 18, 2008 1:53 PM in response to Nayci Contracting for Kitchen Renovation
Giovanna,
OP here. I'm assuming that you were referring to Colonial Concepts Corp., not Nayci Contracting. Please confirm.
Thanks
Posted by: zev299 at August 18, 2008 7:09 PM in response to Nayci Contracting for Kitchen Renovation
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
moved from second floor to first floor garden apartment.
Pros:
very easy access (come and go much more easily, spend more time in front of house than we use to)
Cons:
cold
dark
damp
less space (missing hallway room)
noisy
after all that still like the first floor better.
Posted by: guest at May 27, 2008 10:11 PM in response to Garden-level Apartments
moved from second floor to first floor garden apartment.
Pros:
very easy access (come and go much more easily, spend more time in front of house than we use to)
Cons:
cold
dark
damp
less space (missing hallway room)
noisy
after all that still like the first floor better.
Posted by: guest at May 27, 2008 10:12 PM in response to Garden-level Apartments
I loved being on the garden level when my children were little: so much easier to get in and out. We had the warmest spot in winter (right above the furnace) and the coolest in the summer. Main negative, as stated above, is light. If you work out of home all day - you will really miss the sunlight. I didn't find noise an issue - a lot of street noise carries up.
Posted by: guest at May 27, 2008 10:31 PM in response to Garden-level Apartments
same as others have said:
pros:
-no stairs, makes it easier to just pop out to go to the deli than if you had to go up and down 3 flights of stairs.
-garden access
-for some people who worry a lot(i worry too much), its good no one is below you so you don't have to fret about getting up in the night and your footsteps bothering people below.
cons:
-noise: the floor between this floor and above i think was traditionally left less insulated than other floors. Also the ceiling is usually low. For this reason footsteps/noise from above can be present.
-cell phone - to talk clearly you have to step outside, this may get annoying in the winter months. Your probably going to want a landline.
Posted by: reno911 at May 28, 2008 3:31 AM in response to Garden-level Apartments
Spent 3 years on the garden floor of a brownstone, and it was lovely. Sure, the center is a bit dim, but we had an open floor plan so it wasn't too bad. The cell phone thing is accurate - I'd never realised that's what it was. It's fine and having a garden in this city makes anything worth it!
Posted by: guest at May 28, 2008 7:42 AM in response to Garden-level Apartments
bugs and dirt are on the same level as your apt. That can be an issue. I lived in a garden apt and the bugs that looked like a feather appeared for a while. Light can be an issue and privacy (or lack there of)
Posted by: guest at May 28, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Garden-level Apartments
I live in a garden apartment now. People walking by on the street make for less privacy. BUt the garden is lovely, it is easy to let my dog out when he needs to run around and it is very warm and dry -- but this is because there is a basement under me. I'd never live in a garden apartment that didn't have a boiler level under it.
My biggest complaint is that I get a few mice. Every old house gets them I know but they have an easier time getting in here.
Posted by: breukelenbelle at May 28, 2008 11:45 AM in response to Garden-level Apartments
I live in a garden apartment now. People walking by on the street make for less privacy. BUt the garden is lovely, it is easy to let my dog out when he needs to run around and it is very warm and dry -- but this is because there is a basement under me. I'd never live in a garden apartment that didn't have a boiler level under it.
My biggest complaint is that I get a few mice. Every old house gets them I know but they have an easier time getting in here.
Posted by: breukelenbelle at May 28, 2008 11:45 AM in response to Garden-level Apartments
I find my garden level bedroom very noisy from people walking by and buses (for those apartments along a bus route... they stop ALL night, so I can never leave my windows open it's too noisy for me to sleep).
Plus, I always need to draw the shades to have any privacy. I would not live on the garden floor in my next apartment.
Posted by: Gravy at May 29, 2008 12:19 PM in response to Garden-level Apartments
Service magic is available to any "contractor" willing to pay for leads. Anywhere from $75 to $250 per lead depending on the job.
give us a call. estimates are free, and you can check out some of our work on our website.
http://colonialconceptscorp.com/
steve
516-792-5772
Posted by: steve79 at August 18, 2008 1:58 PM in response to Nayci Contracting for Kitchen Renovation
OP here. 2:55, I'm glad to hear you got a response directly from the sponsor albeit to late. I tried your strategy with a few buildings, but unfortunately was not able to get in touch with a human, just answering machines and wrong numbers. It sounds like it's worth trying again, though. I'm curious to know at how much of a discount the sponsor was selling the apartment.
Posted by: zev299 at January 29, 2008 10:39 PM in response to Getting Ahead of the Curve in a Building Undergoing a Co-op Conversion