OP here. Thanks for the comments. I am going to use a broker, but I was trying to decide if I should show my place by appointment only or with open houses. The latter allows more viewings for less work, but also far less control on who comes and who does what. It's also clear that lots of people that show up at open houses are not potential buyers, just go for fun... and obviously, I worry about what they could do.

What's the worse you think could happen or have seen?
Thanks

Posted by: Ray at October 9, 2007 7:05 PM in response to Showing your house - risks

thank you all!

Posted by: Ray at October 10, 2007 8:59 AM in response to Showing your house - risks

I wish they had planted more trees. It looks to bare to me. But I certainly am glad they are finally done with it and that they added ramps. This city is terrible in terms of accessibility.

Posted by: Ray at October 19, 2007 1:09 PM in response to BPL Plaza Post-Renovation

Did you try ABC in the city? They have lots. Alternatively you may consider having a runner made out of regular carpet - I had this done and I quite like it. They customize it totally: witdth, color, trim color etc. You can also have a rug made out of the same one for a room or rooms, bringing a sense of conection or unity to your house.

Posted by: Ray at October 19, 2007 1:28 PM in response to Carpet Runners for Stairs

Lighting source has lots of sconces of very many styles and (they claim) historically accurate.

Posted by: Ray at October 19, 2007 1:31 PM in response to Can exterior sconces be used indoors?

Ask them (and others!!!) for info about the difference between water based and oil based poly. My understanding is the former is not toxic (or not as much) but far less durable... sure something you need to look into.

Posted by: Ray at October 19, 2007 1:33 PM in response to what to ask the wood floor refinisher

I read somewhere the building was designed to look like an open book. I don't know if it's true, but it does look a bit like one. Still think more greenery would improve it, it looks too monochromatic and sterile.

Posted by: Ray at October 19, 2007 4:34 PM in response to BPL Plaza Post-Renovation

Go ahead and explain why you think it's so overpriced. I am sure you are at least partially right and many other potential buyers will agree with you, and even the broker him/herself! Many times I have explained my broker why i thought a property was overvalued and he has agreed completely, adding he thought the seller may be willing to accept an offer xyz thousand below: recently, in a place in PS that I won't mention, 650k below asking, he told me!

Sometimes the sellers are just greedy and unrealistic, brokers know that, they know it's highly unlikely the place will be sold in the near future but still choose to work with the seller hoping for an adjustment... if they want to sell, the adjustment will come.

If you are not comfortable explaining your reasons for a lower price, simply ask who priced it, wait for an answer, and you are likely to hear reasons if they exist. Then, in a friendly way you may point out at comparables, cost of renovating... all those things you have in mind when you calculate your own price.

Good luck! And remember that most properties these days are being sold at large discounts... according to a NYTimes article last week, 5 to 10% in Park Slope (per Aguayo's partner quote), and I wouldn't be surprised if the actual average discount is far more.

Posted by: Ray at October 20, 2007 10:54 AM in response to Is it OK to tell a broker you think their listing is WAY overpriced?

Go ahead and explain why you think it's so overpriced. I am sure you are at least partially right and many other potential buyers will agree with you, and even the broker him/herself! Many times I have explained my broker why i thought a property was overvalued and he has agreed completely, adding he thought the seller may be willing to accept an offer xyz thousand below: recently, in a place in PS that I won't mention, 650k below asking, he told me!

Sometimes the sellers are just greedy and unrealistic, brokers know that, they know it's highly unlikely the place will be sold in the near future but still choose to work with the seller hoping for an adjustment... if they want to sell, the adjustment will come.

If you are not comfortable explaining your reasons for a lower price, simply ask who priced it, wait for an answer, and you are likely to hear reasons if they exist. Then, in a friendly way you may point out at comparables, cost of renovating... all those things you have in mind when you calculate your own price.

Good luck! And remember that most properties these days are being sold at large discounts... according to a NYTimes article last week, 5 to 10% in Park Slope (per Aguayo's partner quote), and I wouldn't be surprised if the actual average discount is far more.

Posted by: Ray at October 20, 2007 11:01 AM in response to Is it OK to tell a broker you think their listing is WAY overpriced?

Yes, that's the one. I actually saw it 2 years ago (it was being shown as a rental then) and really liked some of its features. I am now looking to buy a house and would like to look at it again.
Thanks

Posted by: Ray at November 12, 2007 6:44 PM in response to Who is the broker for corner house on Boerum Hill...

If you use Dragonetti nail them down w/a contract. We used them for landscaping 11 years ago and the price was 25% more than quoted. My husband had to literally scream at Mr. Dragonetti to reduce it, which he did, but still.

Posted by: pattunia at September 24, 2008 3:00 AM in response to Tree Removal Recommendation

We just used urban Arborist to remove a 40 foot pine tree in our back garden. Had to chop up and bring through the house for removal. They were much cheaper than other quotes and the service was great. Arrived when they said, very curteous and hard working. A few marks on the wall but nothing that couldn't be cleaned up. I'd recomend them, a good experience.

Posted by: 10thStreetReno at September 24, 2008 1:20 PM in response to Tree Removal Recommendation

Urban Arborist & Prospect Tree (Hollis) are both excellent. Dragonetti is really pricey.

Posted by: Arkady at September 24, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Tree Removal Recommendation

Is this a new problem or was it always this way?
Water mains can become compromised in the street. They can crush in the settling ground and other fun stuff.
It's highly unlikely though and I would look for water-saving flow-restricting devices in your faucets first.
After that, I would go to a hardware store and ask for the fittings necessary to hook a pressure gauge up to the hose spigot that is probably on your water main piping.
That will tell you how much pressure you've got coming in.
Once you have that value, subtract 1psi for every 2.31 feet (about 27 inches) of height from the water main to your plumbing fixtures. Straight up, no horizontal measurements apply.
That will tell you how much pressure you have available in your apartment.
Anything over about 35 should be fine.
If it's over that and you've got no flow restrictors, then you've probably got a problem with volume of water and not pressure. Then you've got to call a water main contractor.
Start there, though.

Posted by: Master Plvmber at September 30, 2008 10:32 PM in response to low water pressure in 10 unit coop

Our co-op had the same issue... we had to have a pump installed in the basement to increase pressure to the upper floors.

We haven't had a problem with poor water pressure since the pump was installed.

Posted by: bren at September 30, 2008 11:24 PM in response to low water pressure in 10 unit coop

Do you have old galvanized water supply lines? Our main risers were almost completly clogged with rust deposits. There was rust present at many threaded fittings even on the outside of the pipe. We bought a gauge like the one M. P. describes at HD. It even had a secondary needle that recorded the highest pressure over a 24 hour period, for example like in the middle of the night when city pressure generally increases as overall demand drops. It's a low tech, easy to perform task.

Changing our risers, however, was a major undertaking. More work than a new supply line out to the street when you think about all the interior finishes in the way. We knew our pressure was "off" because our neighbors (same kind of building) was ok.

Posted by: IMBY at October 1, 2008 9:23 AM in response to low water pressure in 10 unit coop

thanks everyone.

Bohuma, of course this is an issue for the coop board, i am doing research to present a plan at our next meeting.

master plumber, you always come through. i assume it has been this way for a while (i just moved in). i have looked for the flow restrictors, none there. i think i will get one of the pressure gauges and connect it to the spigot.

IMBY, the lines are all copper. i dont hink we have a corrosion problem.

Posted by: batfish at October 1, 2008 10:01 AM in response to low water pressure in 10 unit coop

Not knowing anything about lighting, we recently went to Lighting by Gregory (in the Bowery). They didn't provide much in the way of design services (we did not ask for that, but I believe such services are available) but they did have a large product line, and pretty knowledgeable staff. It was also nice to see the products in person, and in use, before we bought.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at October 1, 2008 4:15 PM in response to Recessed lighting tips

You either need a larger water main. (3 inches) or the risers are inadequate. Call DEP to do a water pressure test. The problem may also be in the street.

Posted by: Perrone at October 2, 2008 12:48 PM in response to low water pressure in 10 unit coop

I used this formula when deciding on how many cans we needed. I can't remember the website I got it from. From what I understand, it is a pretty standard equation that the electrical industry uses.

Square feet times 1.5 = Total wattage to light the room properly. If your ceilings are high, bump up the factor to 2. Then, it you're using 50 watt bulbs, divide by 50 to get your number of recessed lights.

Hope this helps.

~FromPhilly

Posted by: fromphilly at October 3, 2008 2:01 PM in response to Recessed lighting tips