Jimmy of Orange -

Replace his water-faucet with a motion-activated one. What's he going to do, wave his hand under it for an hour to get back at you?

You even might be able to price in the "upgrade" to his monthly rent.

Posted by: chuck at October 23, 2009 5:05 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

I hate people who complain about things from the blissful ignorance of their computers. Go and LOOK at the actual building before you t y p e out your almighty judgment. It'll be part of openhousenewyork on 10/11, so go see it then.

I walk by this place every day. It is gorgeous. And if not gorgeous, it is at least very cool. It's an awesome reclamation of an existing building that had been gutted by fire and lay empty for decades. It's the epitome of modern urban living, beautiful interior design, and environmentally friendly construction.

I am surprised that they didn't make the two units into an "upper" and a "lower" because i think all the stairs may discourage older or handicapped buyers. That being said, the layouts are like many in Philadelphia, where the houses are smaller and have the same one-room-per-floor layout.

They're going to put in an iron fence a couple feet out from the perimeter of the building, to follow the lot lines, and fill that with plantings, from what I understand.

Posted by: chuck at September 25, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Listings Up For 93 Nevins Street

Jesus, which little priss wrote the original post here? "Sigh."? What's wrong with the article? It's a tourist piece, for people who are going to spend a day or two looking at the sights. Are you also going to start calling the Sears Tower whatever the hell they want to call it now?

Posted by: chuck at September 22, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Brooklyn's Nod from the Daily Mail

Also interested. What height was it designed for? Please email photos to brooklynchuck at gmail. Thanks!

Posted by: chuck at August 19, 2009 2:19 PM in response to Complete Cherry Panelled Library F/S

Just read that Crains article posted by theandrewlee:

- “More inventory will continue to lower rents,” says Marc Lewis, president of Century 21 NY Metro, who believes that Manhattan vacancy rates are closer to 5% than the 2% reported by most industry players. -

Doesn't rent control, um... de-control once the city-wide vacancy rate goes above 5%?

Posted by: chuck at August 14, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Isn't this what happens when prices are in decline?

People who don't "have" to sell (haven't lost job, gotten divorce, etc.), simply take their home off the market when it doesn't fetch the prices they hoped to get.

Now they'll live in it for while longer, make more improvements, put the kids in bunkbeds, etc -- until the market recovers and they can get the price they want.

Right?

Posted by: chuck at August 14, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

I clicked through the entire powerpoint presentation for shits and giggles.

There are a couple references to the last housing downturn from 1987 to 1991, and how homes lost 16% of their value (in Massachusetts). But the one thing that seems relevant to me, is not home price, but monthly payment. That's what people pay to stay in their home. And so, when I looked up mortgage rates from that time period, i saw they peaked at over 11% in Oct '87, and fell gradually over four years to 9% by Oct '91.

So if anyone's a genius out there, I'd love to see the average home price computed using the average mortgage rate to see a chart of monthly payments.

My guess is the peaks and valleys level out a lot.

Posted by: chuck at August 12, 2009 9:42 AM in response to DB: Half of Mortgages Will Be Underwater by 2010

The subtext of this entire tenant-landlord relationship sounds bad. You both have expectations that the other is not fulfilling.

I recommend moving.

Posted by: chuck at July 31, 2009 10:58 AM in response to No Rent Reduction: Stay or Go?

There's an interior groove that holds screens -- which are about 8000 times easier to remove than screens for double-hungs. And child bars can be mounted flush against the interior of the frame, directly to the walls.

Am I the only person who's ever operated casement windows before?

I like 'em.

Posted by: chuck at July 30, 2009 3:30 PM in response to Development Watch: Windows for Sackett

I agree with bkny - the 15' width is what's holding it back. And what looks like 30' depth. What does a 450 sqft one-bedroom rent for in Fort Greene? $1000 maybe?

I don't know, if I had money to buy, this is the kind of place i'd look at as an investment property. What do you need for deposits on investment properties these days? 30%? 25%. And then what's the interest rate...? Ah, who am I kidding.

Posted by: chuck at July 28, 2009 2:42 PM in response to House of the Day: 226 Cumberland Street

Sorry - meant to say Tuesday, July 14 and Tuesday, August 11 are the next two BHA Pub Walk dates.

Our first one was a huge success, so we're repeating it. Great way to meet locals and learn a lot about the 'hood (from the Revolutionary War up 'til the Mohawk steelworkers in the 1950s) and the bars (Brazen Head, Brooklyn Inn & Hanks Saloon).

Posted by: chuck at July 1, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Living in Boerum Hill

Living in Boerum Hill?

Check out the new http://www.boerumhillassociation.org

Our next pub walks are on July 15 and August 11. Even people from Bored Greene are welcome. ;)

Posted by: chuck at July 1, 2009 11:44 AM in response to Living in Boerum Hill

From your mouth to god's ears, dibs -- and let that point be soon! I'd be another satisfied jackass if it's a hole in the ground as opposed the pile of crap Ratner is trying to bury us with (knock on wood).

There may be enough attention there to get something good built. Something inspired, creative, accessible and human. Something that has community input. Have you walked the High Line Park in the past couple weeks? WOW. That's the kind of brilliant (re-)development we deserve. Not arena knock-offs from Indianapolis built by hacks from Cleveland.

Posted by: chuck at June 30, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Court of Appeals Will Hear AY Eminent Domain Case

lz is right - of course it was always the plan to switch architects to maximize profits for the developer.

except ratner wanted to already have the project, financing and construction in place so no one could stop him.

"Thanks a million anti-AY groups!"
(except I mean it sincerely)

Posted by: chuck at May 27, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Gehry Finito as Lead Designer for AY Arena?

Original loan/home bought January '08. Just closed last week on a 30-year fixed conforming refi with Wells Fargo, who held existing notes on our three-family home. Combined current mortgage and home equity loan (not a HELOC) with enough money to pay for total closing costs of about $22,000 -- including a point and half to get a 5% rate. New loan amount is just under $850K and saves us $600/month.

Posted by: chuck at May 4, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Despite Low Interest Rates, Few Refinancings in New York

i know some of the people involved in the co-housing group, and they're:
- long-time Brooklynites who have lived in/owned a variety of houses, apts., etc
- outgoing, involved community leaders
- successful and imaginative business folks and entrepreneurs
- incredibly humble and positive about this co-housing thing.

Having survived a few years in a co-op, co-housing is definitely not my kind of thing. But it's an awesome experiment and I wish them all the best. As it sounds like most other commenters do.

Posted by: chuck at May 4, 2009 12:15 PM in response to Brooklyn Co-Housing Lands in Greenwood Heights

BHO - for "modern brownstone" examples - what about the State Street townhouses, between Smith and Hoyt. Kind of plain. Almost blah, really. But it's the "first block of single family rowhouses built in Brooklyn in a century" or some shit like that.

Posted by: chuck at May 1, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Time Puts Its Stamp on South 4th Street

i wish google streetview had better pix, but i really like the (latter) modern building.

methinks the small windows in front are for street noise attenuation, with probably huge floor to ceiling windows for the backyard. i've seen a lot of modern buildings (like the 14 Townhouses on State St.) that have an almost-complete glass curtain wall in back.

is that a showroom on the ground floor? or a garage?

Posted by: chuck at May 1, 2009 11:07 AM in response to Time Puts Its Stamp on South 4th Street

this is new york city. there's probably only one thing that everyone can agree on: it's "the other guy" who isn't paying his fair share.

Posted by: chuck at April 28, 2009 10:00 AM in response to Values Down, Taxes Up

Wow - you guys remember how that used to be "High Stakes Cheese Steaks"? The basketball-themed cheesesteak place that also had "shoot hoops, not guns" on its canopy? When it opened (2004?), it was going to be the place everybody got cheesesteaks after a Nets game. Yeah. Now, not so much.

Posted by: chuck at April 13, 2009 2:27 PM in response to Streetlevel: Mediterranean Food for Flatbush

Basement looks great!

I remember the pix and problem you originally posted, where you thought it was moisture leaking through the walls from outside. Did that turn out to be the case? If so, how did you seal the walls? I have slight moisture/mildew problems in my basement, and I'd love to hear if/how you conquered yours.

Nice work on the stairs, too. (I take it you don't have kids! ;)

Posted by: chuck at April 7, 2009 5:46 PM in response to The End is Nigh

Two things guaranteed to work:
- Thermacell lanterns: ring your eating area with them. we use six. repel mosquitos from 15 square feet.
- Cutter bug-free back yard spray - the kind you hook up to your hose. spray down the whole yard, trees, plants, fences, etc. (just don't spray kids toys or anything near where you eat). kills mosquitos and larvae dead dead dead.

I have the mosquito magnet defender. used it half of last summer, didn't work that well. will try again this summer in conjuction with the above.

Posted by: chuck at March 30, 2009 4:30 PM in response to Mosquitoes

goldie - most coffee we drink is blended, just like whiskey.

most coffee producers, including starbucks, employ a "master taster" whose job it is to sample various coffee beans from around the world. then they combine various regional beans together to create a coffee with consistent taste from year to year. so starbucks house blend always tastes like house blend. again, just like the way johnny walker combines various single-malts together to ensure their red label tastes the same from year to year.

the most common single origin coffee you'll drink is colombian. but you can easily find all the other countries/regions represented out there -- kenya, ethiopia, jamaica, hawaii, etc.

it can get more complicated - there are several kinds of beans in ethiopia, for instance, so you may prefer ethiopian harrar over ethiopian mokka. but each single-origin coffee will have a very distinct flavor profile. (try guatemala antigua, that's my favorite.) each year's harvest is going to taste different, too -- just like wine. again, that's why companies blend them, so their house blends always taste the same.

i'm excited to try the place, too, ever since the little coffee and tea place across the street closed. you guys remember that? open during the summer of 2007 only, i think...

Posted by: chuck at March 18, 2009 3:26 PM in response to Streetlevel: Clover's on Atlantic

Denton, curious what your actual solution was. I saw the pix on South Slope Reno. Did you clean or strip or seal before you put up the framing? Are you using any special mold-resistant insulation or drywall? Won't new sheetrock walls hide any moisture that is coming in?

Thanks!

Posted by: chuck at March 13, 2009 3:19 PM in response to What to do about basement walls

also, regardless of age of RC tenant and/or number of units and/or reason that you want the apartment, you CANNOT evict a RC tenant who's been the primary leasee of the apartment for 20 years. unless, i imagine, they don't pay rent.

ask them for a number first. guarantee they're looking for six digits. and as a previous poster already mentioned, do you want to be the guy on the block that threw out the old-timers?

lastly, that E 3rd St. thing in the village took about three years to play out. the family who did it not only had gobs and gobs of money, they're also real estate magnates with NO scruples.

can't you make 4000 square feet work without chucking the old folks? 2000 square feet isn't mansion territory, but jesus man, that's like twice the size of most 3-bedrooms in the Slope.

Posted by: chuck at February 13, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Rent Controlled Tenants

BTW, the other thing is checking out the old real estate maps (available online at nypl.org) to see if/how your street address has changed over the centuries.

i had been doing google searches on my address for a while, then realized the 1855 address was about 30 digits lower, and when i googled that address, bam! lots of interesting hits came up and i found out a completely fascinating history.

Posted by: chuck at February 13, 2009 11:18 AM in response to Researching a House's History?

we had mice in our ground floor ceiling because of neighbors' construction -- so i couldn't get to all the holes that opened up.

where and when did the mice problem start? that'll help you figure out where they're coming from, and where to focus your attention. that being said, also be sure to check your sewer pipes - make sure they're capped. 1/8" wire mesh works against mice, too (1/4" for rats).

i unscrewed my ceiling lights and was able to put poison through the hole directly into the ceiling. you may be able to do the same through wall outlets or fixtures. you can buy poison directly from home depot, etc., small green squares that are the same that an exterminator will use.

lastly, for a recommendation, use Ed Defrietas from Empire Pest Control on Court Street. He's a rat & mouse expert. Well, he's an all-pest expert, moderately priced and very thorough.

http://www.empirepestcontrol.com/contactinformation.nxg
718-237-0989

Posted by: chuck at February 12, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Exterminating Mice?

Riiiight. And now... a comment from someone who has lived in the neighborhood IN THIS CENTURY.

I toured the place twice during Open House New York events in the past few years. Lots of new fangled bells and whistles - radiant floors, salvaged brick, etc.

The new limestone blocks on the upper floors look better in person than in the photo. Wouldn't have been my choice. But I do like the rooftop solar panels. Holding my breath for the ground floor plywood reveal.

The exterior wasn't landmarked, btw. Developers live a block away, and wanted to make it contextual. Otherwise, the place is completely gutted. If it's anything like the plans on the fencing, though, they've split the building into two 4-story townhomes with garages. That struck me as odd -- to make each person have three flights of stairs to deal with with small floor footprints on each level, rather than an upper and lower duplex.

Corner location will be busy (fire engines use Nevins a lot), but the playground on the block is one of the most popular in Boerum Hill. All the subways of Atlantic are two blocks away, and it's an equal pleasant walk to 5th Ave or Smith St.

All in all, it'll be great to have the scaffold down and a fresh facade at eye level.

Posted by: chuck at February 10, 2009 12:49 PM in response to Scaffolding Down, Listings Imminent at 93 Nevins

have you checked old property maps? you can find them online through the NYPL. they start in brooklyn in 1855, and you may find that either your old house was once something else -- possibly a workshop or something -- or it may show that your backyard used to have an outbuilding or a workshed or somthing. or maybe next door.

nypl.org - maps.

let us know what you find!

Posted by: chuck at January 30, 2009 3:54 PM in response to Mysterious tunnel

If you'd like to learn more about Thomas Greene Park Renovation Discussion, please visit:

http://www.friendsofdouglassgreenepark.org/

Hope to see you there!

Posted by: chuck at September 29, 2008 11:47 AM in response to Weekday Events

fwiw, they'd have to split that lunchtime business crowd with the Morton's steakhouse now.

Posted by: chuck at August 25, 2008 10:44 AM in response to Amy Ruth's? Maybe Not. Gage & Tollner? Maybe

somebody should get "homage" involved, that skate shop on smith. that would be perfect.

Posted by: chuck at January 17, 2008 4:46 PM in response to Closing Bell: A Skate Park For Gowanus

keep in mind that it is an inspector's job to tell you the absolute WORST thing possible (mainly so you can't sue them).

our inspector told us the boilers were at the end of their life. my boiler came and looked after we moved in to say that they were fine and couldn't recommend anything to improve them.

our inspector told us all the building's windows needed to be replaced. park slope glass came and did $500 worth of fixes and they're fine.

same goes for basement underpinning, replacement joists, electrical and plumbing systems, roof, etc. the inspector is trying to make you worried, and then you really have to get a professional's opinion on replace cost and hassle.

good luck!

Posted by: chuck at January 10, 2008 3:46 PM in response to Walk away of work it out?

I gotta say something nice about the "architecture" of The Smith:

There's a piece of terracotta trim above the fourth story, where the brick color also changes. This trim pretty much matches the building height of most of the rest of Atlantic Avenue, and whether it was intentional or not, is a subtle tip of the hat, methinks.

As for retail space, there's much open on Atlantic these days. Boerum Heights (toward 4th Ave) has half a ground floor, as does The Atlantic (near Nevins) and there's all the old-tyme shoppes of Atlantic Gardens with rear courtyard (across from Post Office).

Tell all your food/grocery store-owning friends: There's much less competition on Atlantic toward 4th, and much more foot traffic from the subway.

Posted by: chuck at December 19, 2007 11:33 AM in response to Update on the Smith: Retail, Move-Ins Coming

right on, brenda.

i'm just glad that every spoiled, childish brat quoted in that NYT article was from Manhattan.

Posted by: chuck at December 10, 2007 9:51 AM in response to Why Townhouses Are Priced at a Discount

i was in there a couple months ago for their open houses.

those AC are pretty bad, yes.

but I saw a few units which made us briefly consider buying (but we're not condo people). the units that come with private courtyards in the back (2nd and 3rd floors, A & B, I think) had some great outdoor space. and there was a unit on 6 that entirely faced south that was enormous with great views and a 100sqft terrace for like $740,000.

i liked that the units weren't all cookie-cutter. and the kitchens were nice.

Posted by: chuck at October 31, 2007 10:38 PM in response to The Atlantic

Bonsavant brings up the percentages. Most (if not all?) co-ops are only allowed to have 20% or less of their total revenues/operating budget come from non-shareholders. Meaning, if your co-op has a commercial space, the rent the co-op collects from it cannot contribute more than 20% of the co-op's operating budget. It's called the 80/20 rule, I believe.

So there's a limit to how much outside income a co-op can bring in from commercial rents and cell-towers.

And, of course, the brain tumors.

Posted by: chuck at October 23, 2007 8:08 PM in response to Wireless towers on top of co-ops?

check out the website. the amount of work they did.

wow.

maybe if they had opened it earlier, heath wouldn't be leaving.

Posted by: chuck at October 5, 2007 10:14 AM in response to StreetLevel: Heaven or Hell at New Atlantic Ave. Bar?

that's a shame. i only got to eat twice at the st. claire, and it was great diner food both times. isn't the "carroll gardens classic diner" that one with all the chrome and flourescent lights -- and it has another name underneath it, like "salonike" or something?

Posted by: chuck at October 5, 2007 9:57 AM in response to Smith Street Diner Getting 'Trendy' Makeover

not only are they inaccurate, if they're really inaccurate, it means they haven't gotten around to adjusting the assessments upwards, which means the taxes have no where to go but up.

Posted by: chuck at October 4, 2007 10:31 PM in response to Property Tax Assessment - Accurate?

I refinanced our co-op building's underlying mortgage two years ago with NCB - National Cooperative Bank. As the name implies, they do co-ops. They were really great service-wise, and part of their schtick is that you have to invest in some of their shares as a savings account, but that pays pretty good dividends.

Posted by: chuck at October 4, 2007 10:29 PM in response to Finding a Lender to Refinance Coop Building

thanks, johnife! you explained it better than the inspector. very much appreciated.

Posted by: chuck at October 4, 2007 9:30 PM in response to Underpinning - how to tell a good job?

Hi poiuy -

I'm probably not saying anything you haven't already realized, but the other thing to consider is where you're looking. You can read almost daily about the softness of the housing market in Bed Stuy and Bushwick and more fringe or up-and-coming neighborhoods. Some of those same articles will tout the stable or rising prices in neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights (and my own Boerum Hill). Point being that there's a reason they say "location, location, location." Brownstone Brooklyn is a very limited commodity. I'm not saying it won't go down. I'm just saying you'll have lower risk buying (and then re-selling) in those areas. Good luck!

Posted by: chuck at September 21, 2007 10:23 PM in response to Prices will go down?

Right - the RC guy is a huge liability.

But isn't that factored into the price of the house? I've been trying to think of it as a 2-family in Boerum Hill for $1.1M.

Isn't that still a good deal?

And thanks to everyone for advice. Especially 11:13! Where did you move to, btw?

Posted by: chuck at September 18, 2007 2:50 PM in response to $1.1M in BH - "should I buy?"

quote:
...kind of like the people who faked abuse to get public housing that you ranted about the other day....same sort of people, more or less.

good point good point!

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at October 23, 2009 5:05 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

I agree that non RS/RC tenants can be a pain in the ass too, bxgrl. I'm sure MM would agree too. :)

And yes, entitlement crosses all walks but once someone knows they are getting something on the cheap and THINK that all the laws are on their side, it more often than not enables further similar behaviour.

Lat down the law and threaten them with further legal action. Make their life as miserable as possible within the law if this behavior continues. It's your house. Explain that to them. I'm sure there are other violations that can be construed by the wording of the lease.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 23, 2009 5:10 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Replace his water-faucet with a motion-activated one. What's he going to do, wave his hand under it for an hour to get back at you?

Posted by: chuck at October 23, 2009 5:05 PM

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

Aren't you glad you posted?

Posted by: infinitejester at October 23, 2009 5:13 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

While you're documenting and blogging little Maria doesn't have fresh water to drink in the South America. Stop wasting our precious resources and close the faucet already. Call 311 and log in a complaint before you enter and request a copy to be sent to you.

Wait is there a "311" service in Orange?

Posted by: jack slade at October 23, 2009 5:14 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Man. Taking you at face value, your tenant wins the award for dooshbaggery.

And asshattery. People suck.

Posted by: MAT at October 23, 2009 5:17 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

"BTW - Rob you are a fucking idiot and destined to live in poverty because of your limited intelligence."

Not intelligence, attitude.

Posted by: denton at October 23, 2009 5:29 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

"Replace his water-faucet with a motion-activated one. What's he going to do, wave his hand under it for an hour to get back at you? "

how bout the shower??

Posted by: dirty_hipster at October 23, 2009 5:30 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

"Replace his water-faucet with a motion-activated one. What's he going to do, wave his hand under it for an hour to get back at you? "

No, he'd just put a piece of tape over the sensor.

Posted by: surly at October 23, 2009 5:46 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

all you need to do with motion activated plumbing is play with a few wires in the sensor box or underneath the plumbing. so that might not work, tho im betting the tenant aint the smartest crayon in the box. honestly sounds like a sociopath. if they really are RS RC youd THINK they'd do their BEST to be the perfect tenant, right? i know i would! i wouldnt want to make waves (ha! waves! get it?)

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at October 23, 2009 6:47 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Rob, I was going to defend you before, but I see people have fun busting your chops. I very much like the motion sensor faucet. A motion sensored shower would be even better. Keep him moving...

Posted by: donatella at October 23, 2009 6:58 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On