Brooklynites Hear From Home Renovation Experts at Brownstoner Panel (Photos)

Debate over radiators vs. HVAC was lively at “What First-Time Home Renovators Need to Know” last week at the Brooklyn Historical Society. The verdict? Keep a working radiator system if you already have one, said Petri Plumbing & Heating Inc. owner Michael Petri, or switch to mini-splits for both heating and cooling — but only as part of a thorough and well-insulated modern renovation, said architect and principal of Urban Pioneering Architecture Jim Hill.

If you take out a construction loan to finance a renovation, you may want to refinance to a standard mortgage with a slightly lower interest rate after the work is complete, said loanDepot mortgage broker Barry Koven. Mortgage rates for the two can differ by about one percent or so, he added.

Panelists Anna Karp, chief operating officer and co-founder of Bolster, Donald Brennan, real estate broker with Engel & Volkers, and Kristen Chuber, senior director of marketing at Paintzen, discussed such questions as how to add value when you renovate and money-saving renovation strategies.

The event took place Wednesday, June 12 at Brooklyn Historical Society. Drinks and light bites were provided by Oaxaca Taqueria.

Sponsors included Bolster, Engel & Volkers, Gotham Brokerage, Kaiyo, loanDepot, Paintzen, Petri Plumbing and Urban Pioneering Architecture. Park Slope Parents was a media sponsor.

The next Brownstoner Home Events, “Brownstones and Townhouses 101,” takes place in September. To learn more, click here. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring an event, click here.

[Photos by Corazon Aguirre]