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What security systems should I install?
1. Hello there! I’m really excited because I’m having my very own house built in a few months but I still have a lot of planning to do. I have problems deciding what security system I should install. I want a simple one but then I don’t want to leave my house unprotected
What do you guys suggest? Please include a price range, too. I don’t want to spend on something TOO expensive since I already poured out all my savings on building my house. I don’t want to get any of those DIY security systems either ‘cause ... More»1:18 AM 06/18/2013
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55 Berry in Williamsburg
Has anyone lived or rented in this building? Looks like there are a few recent sales, and 1E is on the market, now. I found this pretty negative comment on the Streeteasy boards:
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk... More»12:04 AM 06/18/2013
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Buying the neighbors yard?
Has anybody bought their neighbor's adjoining backyard, or a portion of it? Ours clearly have no interest in using or caring for it, to the point it's now kind of a hazard. And yes it's owner occupied.
Wondering what the legalities are, how much money is involved, how to broach an offer. Just thinking for now. More»9:23 PM 06/17/2013
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You must live in Park Slope... See More » -
Drainpipe on the loose
My roofer afixed the drainpipe from the roof with the hardware in the photo. It's a collar with a spike that gets pounded into the masonry wall. It keeps coming out. The drainpipe then overshoots the drainhole at the next stage (off my deck) and the rainwater goes flying over the edge of my extension roof. My question: what is the right hardware to use to fasten the drainpipe to the wall? Should I attempt to do the fix or should I hire a professional. If the latter, what sort of dude does this kind of work? Thanks for any comments. More»
8:20 PM 06/17/2013
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Refinishing Wooden mantel and wood sealant
Thanks to comments received on here to a post regarding removing wooden mantelpieces, we've decided to keep them and instead make them a little better. Is this something we could tackle ourselves? Would a light hand sanding on the old varnish suffice? As for the finish, I would like something with low voc. Any recommendations? Or, is this something we should have an expert do, and if so, any recs? On a related note, we have built in drawers in some closets that I think are 'plain & fancy' brand that smell bad. I think they are plywood (edges show lay... More»
8:11 PM 06/17/2013
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I've had good results with Howards Restore a Finish:
http://www.howardproducts.com/...
I don't know if it's low voc, but it doesn't smell too awful--much less than stripping and refinishing.
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have concerns about my homeowners insurance
I'm renewing my policy with Brownstoners. I have a brownstone, one half of which I occupy and one half is rented. I have some concerns about the renewal: (1) the premium is $7500. for 3 years, and if I pay a year at a time, the interest rate (finance charge) is 10.9% per year. This seems high. (2) my building is insured for 1 million. My deductible has been set at $2,500. Again, this seems high. I will have to pay several hundred extra per annum to bring the deductible down. My questions are: Is the finance charge legal, and, is the deductible... More»
5:17 PM 06/17/2013
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My house is insured for about $800K with brownstone with the same deductible and we are paying a premium of less than $4500 on a three year renewal. Of course it all depends on exactly is included in your policy if your quote is "high." Given that this is a homeowners policy covering loss of use or...... See More » -
Bushwick median home prices
According to the article linked to below, "median home prices in Bushwick have more than doubled, from $300,000 in the third quarter of 2010 to $625,000 in the first quarter of 2013, according to MNS."
My question is, how could they have come up with $625K? I'm seeing numbers that are about $200K less at other sites I checked.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/a... More»4:52 PM 06/17/2013
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need to evaluate problem with flooding in basement apartment with an expert, any recommendations?
I have an empty lot next to me, in the rain my sump pump broke and water entered my tenet's apartment, the laminate flooring needs to be replaced. I noticed some mold growing in the front of apartment so water is also getting in the front of the building, need to have someone help me evaluate problem and waterproof properly......a good house inspector? need a handy man to replace flooring as mold is forming More»
2:45 PM 06/17/2013
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38 questions answered, 38 recomendations for the same mason. This stinks on ice. See More » -
Legal basement--or make it legal?
Longtime listener, first time caller.
We're in the process of buying a 1910 house that has no CofO, is a legal 2 family. It is 2 fully above ground floors with a basement with separate entrace that was finished originally (plaster and lathe, vintage asbestos tile floors throughout, bathroom with shower) and has a functional kitchen sink and gas hookup at the rear. Currently the configuration of the house though is separate water and gas lines to the parlor and second floor, each of which has its own kitchen. So there was an illegal rental going on prob... More»10:04 AM 06/17/2013
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I have been reading about these kinds of circumstances on this site for years now and from what I can tell, an illegal basement apt, that is a full bath and kitchen, is just that - an illegal basement apt. I cannot ever recall reading that grandfathering is a way out. also, at some point, a basem...... See More » -
For Sale Boiler
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Cetrainly looks like a hot water heater, not a boiler See More » -
Raining inside the house during renovation - what next?
Bay Ridge, NY
I'm mid-renovation and it rained in the middle of our house last week Thursday night when it was pouring. We had 100+ year old metal ducting removed to make space for closet/fridge space next to the former dumbwaiter, and a roof skylight off the airshaft was removed to make space for exhaust fans from each of 3 floors , plus laundry vent, up to and out the roof. Well, I guess the exhaust fan metal ducting is venting straight up and out of the house with NO COVER/protection - so it was raining into the metal ducting (not yet connected) and around it int... More»
8:50 PM 06/16/2013
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(OP here forgot to mention) - Part of the renovation includes pulling off big turbines off our roof, that I think dealt with this problem - they covered the duct work so it didn't rain inside the house, and apparently were rusted through and not sufficiently protective - but do we need new turbines ...... See More » -
Stackable washer/dryer - model recommendations?
Bay Ridge, NY
I'm interested in recommendations for a non-basement stackable washer / dryer - we are looking for a stackable w/d for our top/third floor next to our bedrooms, in what used to be a kitchen, and it's a very old brownstone and I'm worried about vibration and noise and also it seems that few manufacturers make machines that are built to last anymore.
I'd be most interested in recommendations for units that ideally that has been purchased not too long ago or have either stood the test of time or where the company has been good to deal with if problems aro... More»8:41 PM 06/16/2013
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My wife loves our LG front loaders (stacked) but they are on the larger side. I'm laundry machine agnostic and couldn't care less as long as it works (my previous washer dryer combo were each about 25 years old and had exactly 2 settings lol.)
Anyway the LG's are relatively new (in use a little mo...... See More » -
Which looks better and will be safer: Honed or polished floor tile?
Fort Greene, NY
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I assume you're talking marble? Honed must be sealed much more frequently and has a tendency to stain. Polished is slippery, but with a 1" hex, you have enough grout lines that it shouldn't be a problem. See More » -
Built-in Bookshelves
Anyone have recommendations for someone who can do built-in bookshelves? We're looking to install shelving on either side of our fireplace. We're thinking storage on bottom with doors and open shelving on top. Interested in your recommendations, photos, and any ball park estimates you can provide. This would be our first time doing something like this so I'm unsure how much I should be saving for this project. Thanks in advance! More»
3:51 PM 06/16/2013
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Fire-Proofing Exposed Beams In Basement
Mid Town Manhattan, NY
Can anyone recommend an approved clear-coat product, or a company that sprays exposed wooden beams to improve the "burn time" of the beams?
The DOB needs a one hour burn time for ceilings when the ceilings separate legal apartments.
We would like to keep the wood beams within our LEGAL basement rental EXPOSED, and have been told there are spray-on INTUMESCENT paints that have city-approved MEA numbers which will do the trick.
Has anyone gone this route with exposed wood beams? More»7:17 AM 06/16/2013
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They are not clear coat. Just do a seach on the net for intumescent paint. I use them every once and awhile but do not remember the name. See More »
