First time brownstone buyer, things to look out for?
Hi everyone, We’re in the process of looking to buy a brownstone / townhouse in Park Slope. There’s been a lot of horror stories regarding C of O not filed correctly, zoning requirement, asbestos found in older houses, etc. Would love to get your tips on what to watch out for as a first time brownstone owner please. Also any place/website to double check certain items would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Guest User | 6 years and 4 months ago
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suto2 | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Get the building inspected by a good engineer. Not a contractor looking for a job, a home inspector. That will give you a good idea of what is up to code, what is urgent, etc.

cate | 6 years and 3 months ago
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My two cents: Personally, I would advise against buying a house that has leaks or is very crooked. A dry cellar is a beautiful thing.

smadargolan | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Inspector: Matt Barnett at Accurate Buildings one million percent: http://www.accuratebuilding.com/about_us/matthew_barnett.html
(Al & Larry Ubell of Accurate Buildings were the Gurus of How To on the Leonard Lopate show, and Matt is amazing. His report will scare the $#!& out of you, but you want that.)

Guest User | 6 years and 3 months ago
string(1) "3" string(6) "200343"
Thank you all sooooo much for the tips!

nednedx
in General Discussion 6 years and 3 months ago
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In addition to asbestos testing prior to signing contract, make sure you get lead testing done as well.

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Are you attending the Brownstoner event tomorrow? We had representatives at the first go around and they said it was super informative, even as long time Brooklyn residents!

lkrshacmzcy | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Are you attending the Brownstoner event tomorrow? We had representatives at the first go around and they said it was super informative, even as long time Brooklyn residents!

cate | 6 years and 3 months ago
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You can get a lot of expert advice at Brownstoner’s first time home buyers panel Tuesday, April 30, at Brooklyn Historical Society. Panelists include a mortgage broker, real estate agent, attorney and rep from homeowner education nonprofit NHS Brooklyn. More info and tickets here: https://www.brownstoner.com/home-events/

daveinbedstuy | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Attorney…David Fainkich 917-376-1588 Voice all your concerns and he’ll be thorough

peaceout | 6 years and 3 months ago
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@littlepea – I work with first time home buyers all the time, and it is one of the things I enjoy most. Feel free to reach out – no strings attached. It’s important to be educated – it’s the most money you will probably ever spend & the biggest investment of your life. This is my web page: https://www.halstead.com/real-estate-agent/mary-jean-gianquinto
Here’s a recent interview on my perspective on working with buyers:https://www.opcity.com/blog/how-brooklyn-real-estate-agent-mary-jean-gianquinto-helps-clients-find-the-perfect-fit
If we don’t connect, I wish you all the best!

mattieweiser1
in General Discussion 6 years and 3 months ago
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@randoplh sounds like we need the same support group. You are mostly right but I might say that the construction time should be 3-4x longer than initially predicted. Contractors will certainly make up any kind of bullshit to get the job.

cate | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Generally speaking, I would avoid buying a home with water leaks in the basement. If the home is dry and fairly straight, those are good signs. As well, if you wish to avoid extensive costs, filing delays, triggering sprinkler requirements and other DOB headaches, I’d look for a place that has more or less the occupancy and layout you want largely already in place. If you have some cash to renovate, know that a whole house mechanical upgrade is not that big a deal and can be done without a gut renovation. If you’ve already owned an apartment before, that is helpful before you become an owner of an entire house. Here is an overview of some things to watch out for: https://www.brownstoner.com/interiors-renovation/home-inspection-tips-deal-breakers/

randolph | 6 years and 3 months ago
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take half your renovation budget and hide it, plan a renovation that you can cover with the remaining cash and then be prepared to spend every penny you have anyway because renovating an old house is a nightmare PITA and once these greedy contractors are in the door they have you by the balls and will shake you down for every last penny.
oh also take the amount of time they say it will take and then double it so that when it only takes 1.5x as long you will feel like you didn’t get screwed in every way.
seriously, i have ptsd from my reno. i get panicky every time i see a construction site and it keeps me from enjoying my house. i probably need to see a therapist.

mattieweiser1
in General Discussion 6 years and 3 months ago
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Look for unusually thick walls, or areas that look like they have been covered up. Upon renovation we realized a lot of water damaged was covered up with extra layers of drywall and tin ceiling. Also some walls had layers of gypsum board covering plaster with crysotile in it.

resident2 | 6 years and 3 months ago
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Most “Horror Stories” are due to people getting into things with unrealistic expectations or getting swept along with a dream without looking at the reality or copying what others are doing etc…
No one can give you the answer to your questions as you have asked them, because non of us know anything about where you are coming from: emotionally, physically or financially etc.
But the best thing to do is know within your self: Why do you want a Brownstone / Townhouse?
This time of year is the beginning of the “House Tour” Season. Go and look at as many as you can; not only Park Slope, but wherever there are Brownstones / 100 + year old houses. Along the way you will hear their experiences, get some referrals, hear some pit falls as well as ideas etc.
The bottom line is it is a much bigger undertaking than most realize; especially if you need to ask this question.

Guest User | 6 years and 3 months ago
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thank you! any recommended attorney and/or inspector please?

slopefarm | 6 years and 4 months ago
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Yes, you can’t know everything to watch for, particularly in terms of the technical stuff. Worry about the big picture and let the pros worry about the more technical stuff.
Big picture: are you buying a home that you plan to renovate extensively, or one that you plan to live in more or less as is (paint, polish floors, touch up stuff). If the latter, are you paying a big premium for a recent reno, and if so who did it (homeowner or flipper)? There is no point in paying a reno premium if you are going to have to redo a lot yourself or if the mechanicals were not properly updated. If the former, how good are the mechanicals and structure? If there are details you like, how easy or hard will it be to keep them if you are doing an extensive reno?
Get good referrals for attorney and inspector, and do not use realtor’s recommendations.

SoSlope | 6 years and 4 months ago
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My suggestion is to focus on getting good advisors (attorney, home inspector). It is worth spending a few extra dollars to get really good support.