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  • Who Pays for W/D Install?

    My tenant has request that a W/D hook-up be installed in their apartment. I have reviewed other posts on the forum re: the pros and cons of installing a W/D in a tenants apt, but I am wondering who should pay for the install and W/D? Has anyone else confronted this issue? I am considering the following terms:Tenant (T) pays for both hook-up install and W/D--Small rent increase to cover additional water usage; T pays for hook-up and Landlord (L) pays for W/D--Slightly larger rent increase; L pays for hook-up and ...  More»

    1:26 PM 02/13/2012

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    No Answer Yet

  • main steam vent stuck in steam pipe

    I have a vent at the end of my steam main that is stuck open and I am unable to unscrew it. It is screwed all the way down into the tee with no threads showing. I have sprayed it with WD-40 repeatedly and let it soak. I have used a crescent wrench and a pipe wrench but it still won't loosen. I am afraid if I put too much force on it, the vent will snap leaving the threads stuck in the tee.If it does snap what can I do to get the remaining threads out of the tee? How much would this cost if I just call a pipefitter or heating company to remove the ...  More»

    1:24 PM 02/13/2012

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  • Using Parlor Floor for Events

    Over the past few months, friends have requested use of my parlor floor to host 2 bridal showers and a wedding rehearsal dinner. I am happy to offer the use of the space and am honored that so many people find it beautiful enough to celebrate such special occasions. Even though they are friends, should I charge a fee, since they would have to otherwise pay for a commercial event space? I plan to at least ask for them to pay for pre- and post- event clean up costs and provide some sort of refundable security deposit for damages. Any thoughts?  More»

    1:20 PM 02/13/2012

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  • Best contractor to update kitchen and bathrooms in Manhattan?

    Looking for a general contractor to update a UWS condo before moving in.thanks  More»

    11:10 AM 02/13/2012

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    I've been doing apartment renovations with this company the past year and I like their work and attitude. The clients love them. Interior Renovations, Inc. 726 Washington St, NYC Gregg Ottmar 212-675-8837
     See More »
  • Someone chained a bike to our gate blocking access for our tenants. What are our options? Thanks in advance.

    Bikes  More»

    9:20 PM 02/12/2012

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    Bolt cutters See More »
  • Looking for fellow landlords in CH or Bedstuy to form some sort of short term partnership.

    I have been a small time (2 and 3 family buildings) landlord in Brooklyn for about 10 years and so far it has been a great experience. The only time being a landlord is somehow a burden, is when i'm out of town.I imagine this to be the problem for most small landlords who manage directly and who, from time to time, take some time off.As far as i know, Management companies are not into short term.I'm wondering if there is any landlord out there interested in trying some sort of partnership for those times when we are out of town.  More»

    4:14 PM 02/12/2012

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    This is a great idea for someone near you (we are in WT). We have a local contractor who I kind enough to be our contact when we are on vacation. Our tenants have instructions to contact him only in an emergency, which they have gratefully never needed to do. He is a friend and has also done a lot...... See More »
  • Planning our dream kitchen - what is your best purchase, what would you do differently?

    Hi all,We are going to move our kitchen up to the rear of the parlor floor and before we sit down with an architect, we are interested in getting opinions on everything from professional grade gas range recos to what those that have taken on the same project loved or what you would have done differently with respect to layout, stone / tile choices, hidden pleasures like eliminating the countertop microwave and making a cut out within the cabinets, etcThanks.  More»

    1:38 PM 02/12/2012

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    Best choices were extra tall cabinets, microwave on built in shelf on short cabinet, and Viking range. Only major regret is the warming drawyer which is a waste. See More »
  • Source for Original Parquet Flooring

    Hey all, I have a space of a room (these rooms had been separate, but the wall was removed and so they are now a single room) whose original parquet floor had been removed when I bought the house. The space is approx. 7' X 12', and I'd like to find a source for original 1-1/2" x 8" slats to put in a floor that mathes the rest of the floor. Can anybody help here with a source for the flooring or other suggestions for this work? Thanks,SWR  More»

    1:10 PM 02/12/2012

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    eastside flooring on 124 st in manhattan has what is called face nailed strip flooring. it is 5/16" thick by probably 2" wide. it comes in mixed lengths. I realize that you are looking for material 1.5" wide but must say this is the closest you will find. The installer will have to cut it to siz...... See More »
  • Question on appraisal value of finished cellar/basement

    Hi all - If a basement is fully finished and has windows and a door to the outside, is there a difference in terms of appraisal and price/square foot than an above-ground space? From a quality of life standpoint it seems identical but I am wondering how this affects market value and financing. Thanks!  More»

    11:08 AM 02/12/2012

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    We had two appraisals on two seperate occasions - one had a lower value for garden level, one didn't (a year apart?). Our garden does not have full kitchen / full bath though. Keep in mind, the standard approach is to use several methods for valuation, including (imprefect) comps, and at the end t...... See More »
  • CofO question for refinance of a 2 family used as 1

    Our house has a 2 family CofO, and while we are using it as a 1 family, we made sure to keep a kitchen and full bathroom in each duplex. The duplexes used to be divided completely with a wall put in by the last owner, and we cut an opening into it years ago so that we could access all floors of the house without going outside. We want to get rid of the wall altogether, but wonder if that will be a problem when we want to refinance. Does a 2 family house have to have two completely separate living spaces, or was that done simply to make the units more att...  More»

    11:14 PM 02/11/2012

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    Kitchens and baths are usually the issue. Very unlikely the bank will even notice the lack of partition, partlcularly in the case of a two family. Many older designated two families units are not "separated"--it's one of the priorities of more contemporary renovation. See More »
  • Door frame molding

    Does any one know what period/style this door frame molding is?  More»

    8:34 PM 02/11/2012

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    empire? See More »
  • Restoring Old Tiles

    I'm renovating a very old bathroom in my house. Under a few layers of linoleum I found some old white mosaic tiles that I like, but are in pretty rough condition. The biggest problem is the huge amount of adhesive stuck on parts of the tile. Ideally I'd like to remove the old glue & remaining scraps of linoleum and restore the tiles underneath. I'm not sure if a power buffer will remove the adhesive or not. I'm also considering the possibility of heating the glue and scraping it off, but I don't want to scar the tiles too badly. Any suggestions...  More»

    7:20 PM 02/11/2012

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    Sometimes glue will dissolve in hot water. See More »
  • HAS ANYONE USE BK START2FINISH HOME RENOVATION SERVICES BEFOR?

    HAS ANYONE USE BK START 2 FINISH HOME RENOVATION SERVICES? IM LOOKING TO DO A APT RENOVATION AND I SEEN JOHN DAIDONE FROM BK START2FINISH HOME RENOVATION SERVICES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY DO GOOD WORK AND IF THERE WORTH USING THEM FOR THERE SERVICES. THANKS.  More»

    5:22 PM 02/11/2012

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    HI JASON I USED BK START2FINISH BEFOR AND I WOULD RECOMMAND THEM ANYTIME. THE DID A GUT RENOVATION FOR MY 3 BEDROOM APT. THEY WHERE ON TIME EVERY DAY AND DID A GREAT JOB. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME BY AND SEE WHAT THEY DID. IF YOU GO WITH HIM YOU WILL HAVE NO REGRETS. See More »
  • How long should a stoop scratchcoat be left to cure?

    I've taken advantage of the warm winter to get my stoop renovated. The scratchcoat has been completed and I want to know how long it should be left to cure before the finishcoat is applied. My contractor seems to think he can go ahead with the finishcoat as soon as we get 50+ degree days but someone once told me that you need to leave the scratchcoat for as long as possible, preferably 3-6 months. My contractor doesn't think this is true and says that it cures quicker in weather like we are having now - but then he has his own interests in mind no doubt....  More»

    5:02 PM 02/11/2012

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    Contractor is right. 3-6 months is crazy talk. See More »
  • 1418 Pacific Street

    Does anyone know why this property at 1418 Pacific Street ( http://realestate.nytimes.com/... is still on the market after nearly 5 years? It first appeared on Brownstoner in 2007 as "House of the Day" and was listed at $999k. The price was reduced to $700k in 2010. It is located in landmarked Crown Heights North, has loads of detail and the price seems to be right at $700k. Just baffled that this type of house would still be available...is there something else going on???  More»

    3:15 PM 02/11/2012

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    Go see it and find out. Ask the real estate agent. Maybe it needs a lot of work and is priced too high. See More »