NY Houses 4 Sale

Becareful what you do or say - we ARE watching you!

Have you ever felt like people are watching you? 

Well - they are!

The NY Sun reports that there has been a  proposal to create a citizens watchdog program so they can  to report building code violations  - the article goes onto say that the proposal has won the support from the DOB.

Shocked? 

I mean I am sure that no one who is pissed off at their neighbor will abuse this.  Nahhh.  Ohh and I doubt that any new home construction will be under tight(er) scrutiny and I would have to say that with a scouts honor no one will frivolously call in a complaint just to bust balls.  You know I must have a warped mind because another thing that comes to mind is I am sure that NO ONE will take bribery seriously.

Yeah, this is a great idea!   

Renovation Wizard

• Not sure if you should do that major home renovation? 
• Have you been planning in your head the next big project that you want to take on?
• Will you get your money back from that renovation should you decide to sell?

Being married to a contractor, I guess you could consider me the shoe-maker's wife.  I am the last on the list to have renovations done, unless I actually get a hammer and start demo-ing myself.  The last thing that I have on my "to-do" list is my kitchen.  I saved this project for last just because when I do my kitchen - I am REALLY DOING MY KITCHEN.  No holds bar, I am going all out and barring no expense! (so, I am currently still saving for this huge costly renovation)! 

But, is that a smart thing to do?  Will I get my some of money back?

Try the Renovation Wizard.  

Have a Happy 4th! 

 

"If you build it..."

"That’s the message that the Department of Buildings is taking to heart thanks to a $2.5 million hike in the agency’s 2007 fiscal year budget – which includes $250,000 for an initiative that provides night and weekend inspections".

This is from an article in this weekend Queens Tribune which  talks about how the DOB now plans to include inspectors to inspect on nights and weekends.   

"DOB spokeswoman Kate Lindquist said that under the After-Hours/Weekend Inspection Program about 30 inspectors are routed in all five boroughs each weekend to respond to after-hours complaints".  The article also states that you might hear a "knock knock" on your door within hours of a complaint being filed.

Tony Avella is totally backing this idea.  I guess he figure if the inspectors are busy inspecting other homes, his pool will be over looked. 

Making sure that new construction home WON'T SELL!

I wish that I had my camera out for the showing of this new construction home.  But, I did not so I will have to fill you in on how NOT to sell your investment flip.

My buyers are a young couple who are serious about buying.  They sold their home and are set to close in May.  We (meaning them and I) have gone to every home from Whitestone/Bayside Queens to Williston Park, NY.  We have our options limited because they want four bedrooms on the same floor, the home can not be a corner property and they have to stay in the Herrick's School District.  So my inventory consists of 7 actual homes to show them. 

After seeing all seven within a few days, they have put in an offer on a home.  They are not ecstatic over it because the builder did everything wrong with the finish work.  Let me give you some examples.

1.) Crown molding - would have been better without it.  The joints don't line up and apparently staining the moldings while it is installed is NOT a good thing.  The stain bled through the wood and onto the walls and ceiling.  LOOKS horrible.  OK, easy to fix but it is an eye sore.

2.) Kitchen Cabinets - note to all builders: cabinets are to be placed no higher than 52-54" not at 60"+ .  This makes getting things in and out of the cabinetry very difficult.  Also, when setting the marble back splash make sure that the cut edges are finished off - looks worse than it should.

3.) Banisters - When installing banisters please please, have a professional do it.  There is a method as to how NO nails, brackets or screws are exposed.  Let me tell you the silver L-Brackets looks terrible against cherry stained banisters - no, really... trust me its an eye sore!!

4.) Bathrooms - Carpentry 101 - the flange on the tub is not a guideline for you to START the tiles there.  Its a device that prevents the water from seeping between the walls and this prevents water  leaks.  TRUST ME -  I am married to a contractor - I know things like this.

5.)  Marble, Marble and Marble - Don't use it if it is stained.  Really - just don't I don't care how much money you are saving, its something that is just tacky!  Oh, and let me add that when cutting marble to install switches or outlets, use a tape measure and make sure that there are no open gaps.  Definite eye sore!

6.) Oak flooring -  You must have the planks sit at room temperature for more than an hour (like a day or so) because the oak needs to adjust and do its expanding while it is un installed.  When you fail to do this the floor will have a higher chance of splitting.  Doh!

7.) Pricing - Knowing that there are some areas that need to be fixed or redone the next thing that a builder who does not want to sell the home is to out price everyone. 

Bottom line, the house is in the area that they want, in the school district that they want and the house has the layout that they love, not to mention the size of the rooms, they are huge.  So they love everything about the home just not the finish work.  Hopefully the builder will compensate for the punch list and work with us.      

Removal of Popcorn...

Here is a project that I am sure some people who are thinking or are selling their homes can do.  Seeing as we are suppose to get a ton of snow tonight - this could be a great DIY project - today. 

Popcorn Ceilings - What the heck is it made of? 

Usually popcorn ceilings are made up of chalk, some clay and aggregate.   

WHY?  Why would someone DO this? 

Well, think of the 50S as a fashion faux paux era.  There were not alot of things that made sense then, but really it was an "easy" way to "forgive" the not so perfect ceilings.  It was a way for contractors to quickly finish the room.  Then popcorn ceilings started to become a piece of art.  People started to do them to "fancy" up a room, they would have mica chips (sparkles) added.  Pretty.....

Now what?

What if you have an entire living room, dining room or eek a bedroom finished in popcorn?  What do you do? 

First - make sure that there is not any signs of asbestos.  If not, then cover or remove everything that you do not want to get ruined.  Cover your floors and wear goggles. 

Take a spray bottle and squirt small sections of the violated area with water and then scrape, scrape and then scrape a bit more.  Continue.      Once you are finished with these steps, you might need to skim coat the ceiling with some good old joint compound to finish, paint and voila~ you are done.   

Or................... call a painter to do it for you. 

Are you Licensed?

My husband is a General Contractor.  He IS Licensed, Insured and Bonded in Long Island and Tri-State area.  I can imagine what your thinking - Real Estate Broker and Contractor together.. Hmm..   Well - put those bad thoughts out of your head, because my husband and I must be the two most honest people in the world. 

Anyhow - not to get off subject.  Being married to a Contractor, I know what it costs to replace a kitchen, bath or finish off the basement - trust me - I know what people wind up paying.  But here is the thing, in all the years that my husband has been in business - 15 this March - not one person, other than a building in Manhattan has EVER asked to see a copy of his License.    So, as a homeowner you are about to pay a whopping $40,000 for a new kitchen, but you never wanted to see the contractors qualifications?  Well, here is a FoxNews report on why I think you should ask to see the license.

List of Contractors in Video.(pdf)

Department of Consumer Affairs - to file a complaint.

Better Business Bureau in NY