Reuse. Rehabilitate. Restore. Architectural salvage and repurposed pieces for the home.
Good morning. Cat chewed through Mac charger so my main computer is dead at the moment. Husband’s borrowed laptop has a split screen. What’s with that? Writing this from a first edition iPad. Boy, do these suck! iPhone posts are no fun. Know what that means? No posts until I get my charger!
Have a nice day.
Got a tree in front of your home? No? Well, you can reserve your free one or find out where to pick it up on a first come first serve basis through New York Restoration Project. They are available in all five boroughs. Hurry up! Offer is not good forever!
World Water Day is coming up. The annual event is held every March 22.
Much of the world faces a global water, sanitation and hygiene crisis. The UN and the global community participates in World Water Day to remind us that it is everyone’s obligation to pitch in. Let’s try to reduce poverty, disease and hunger by helping to improve sustainable access to safe drinking water and better sanitation for millions around the world.
How can you help? Here’s a list of events by region. You can also donate your voice by linking your Facebook or Twitter accounts to World Water Day.
Bedford Stuyvesant is a huge area broken up into a few neighborhoods such as Stuyvesant Heights, Weeksville, Ocean Hill and Bedford. No, Bedford Corners Historic District is not some new name the realtors just came up with. This part of Bed Stuy exhibits some of the finest architecture in the city but it does need to be preserved.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission will be answering questions and discussing the landmarking process of Bedford Corners Historic District this Wednesday, March 21st. This meeting is said to be the deciding factor as to whether or not the area will be receive landmark designation. The community is urged to come out and show it’s support.
If you live in the south west end of Bed Stuy, please join us at the meeting on Wednesday at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street, lower level. 6:30pm.
Check out this too-good-to-be-true place in Warwick. Of course the $75k asking price has people bidding against each other. It’s not a short sale and when I looked at it, there was nothing apparent to the eye that was a deal breaker. It just needs some work to finish up the renovation that someone started. Nice location and decent property.
When I called the list agent to find out what the deal is, I found out that it may not be such a deal after all. Or maybe it is, but delving into the problems would be uncharted territory for me.
The home currently has no running water. The seller tells the agent that it’s a broken pipe but let’s assume the worst and figure on drilling a whole new well. Just in case. Furthermore, the septic system is a mess. Worst case scenario, let’s say it needs a new one. The owner also thought he would save on the price of oil, so he installed a coal heating system. Coal? Who does that?
Ok, so those are the big issues. I was almost tempted to check out prices on those items but as of last week there were seven offers on the table, above ask, so I just didn’t bother.
Nice house though. Someone who knows a thing or two about something other than city sewer and water is gonna steal this baby for a song.
I’m about three weeks into the home search now. Guess what I’ve discovered? It’s not really a buyer’s market. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Yes, prices are lower than pre-burst and the rates are low. It’s still a good time to buy, but be prepared for some competition.
The Hyde Park house above is the one that got away. Well, that’s the Hudson River view from the house. Little did I know that it was all but gone when I looked at it. It had been on the market for a looonnng time, starting out at $325k and going down to $199k. It was taken off the market for awhile. My bet was that it wasn’t mortgageable with some extra apartments in the basement and attic and some perhaps illegal extensions.
Well, fast forward to me seeing it listed as “continue to show” and calling the list agent to find out how serious the offer is. Turns out it was the original deal that fell through and contracts are already drawn up. Ack, it was too good to be true for me anyway, that I find an awesome house after such a short time.
The house is right on the water and around the corner from the Vanderbilt Mansion. I pulled up two comps that weren’t exact comps because they were larger properties in better shape, but the prices were in the $600k’s and over $1m. Well, at least the people who got the place aren’t greedy investors like me. They intend on living there. I’m putting in a back up offer just in case the deal goes south again. Hey, ya never know. Gotta be in it to win it.
Then there was the ranch that smelled like dog shit within walking distance to the Village of Rhinebeck but still a very private country setting. This is something I still may consider. Obviously, it will need to be renovated. The problem is that it’s a short sale and that could drag on forever. In fact, I’m trying not to look at the short sales because I want to be working on something this summer, but there are a lot out there.
Looked at a bunch of other places in Rhinebeck. Mostly ranches in need of updating. One place for $140k in Red Hook/Milan that was a bit too far from civilization. The others were all too close to busy roads.
This Cold Spring short sale seemed perfect. A great farmhouse on 3 acres. What could be wrong? Right next to the recycling center which is on the premises of the old dump. That means on Saturdays and Sundays, half the town lines up to get rid of their bottles and cans.
The bargains are out there, my friends. You just can’t be so fussy like I am.
As some of you may know, the Reclaimed household reclaims not only homes, but cats. We have eight at the moment. They know our address. They ring our bell and run in as soon as we open the door, leaving their luggage for us to carry in. (No, we don’t want any more, thank you.)
The situation is out of control and I thought we could use some help, so I emailed that guy I call “The Cat Whisperer” to see if he does private consultations in New York. You know, Jackson Galaxy. He’s dude from Cat from Hell who carries a guitar case full of feline related items.
Casting got back to me. They want a tape, photos and application by this week, but it looks like we’re not going to be able to get to it.
How about you? Got a bad cat? Or two? Or eight? Jackson can probably help. And best of all, you don’t have to pay! In fact, they pay you to be on the show. The only thing is, you have to take a couple of hours to put together your audition material and then have the crew in your house for two or three visits.
The main page of the website has casting info. Go on, do it!
Related: When Cats Go Bad
You have $200k to spend on a home within 2 hours of NYC, including renovations. Where would you look?
As mentioned before, I’m in search of a flip. I could put myself into debt for a year and not be able to afford pet food or even human food but I’d rather not, so I’m sticking to a budget of $200k. Yeah, I know. It ain’t gonna be in Brooklyn. Not even split with a partner. Not even a one bedroom apartment in a fringe neighborhood.
After searching for about a month, here’s what I’ve learned…
You want to own a home in the boroughs for $200k? It’s possible. There are homes in crappy parts of Bushwick, Jamaica and East New York. Actually, pretty difficult to come by houses for under $300k, but short sales exist. If you’re purchasing a short sale, be prepared to have it drag on for close to a year.
Saw a couple of listings out on The Island. Riverhead and Central Islip. A friend from The Island wasn’t too impressed with those locations. Saw quite a few listings in Jersey City and Newark, especially Newark. No, the JC listings were not prime JC.
So, what’s the best bet for finding a home for under $200k (Oh, did I mention that INCLUDES renovations?)? Upstate. Whether it be commuter location or second home, the houses exist. Saw a bunch in Rhinebeck and one in Hyde Park that I may put an offer on, but it will only be back up as someone got to it first. Bastards.
Today I’m heading up to Warwick. That’s a commuter area and there are about 4-5 listings to look at. It’s promising.
So, you want a house on a small budget? You can do it. As long as you’re not a whiny douche like this guy.
Thanks to SuperVegan for filling us in on the recently opened vegan bakery at Greene and Classon on the Bed Stuy/Clinton Hill border.
Clementine Bakery will be serving up sweet pies and pastries, but they do have some savory treats as well. The dill and mozzarella biscuits sound delish. Yeah, that would be vegan cheese.
They use 100% fair trade and 90% organic ingredients. Drinks? Roasted Kitten Coffee using the Japanese Hario pour over method and also French press.
See ya there.
If you take the last train to Clarksville, NY you’ll get to Albany. Have someone meet you at the station because the little hamlet of Clarksville is about 12 miles west of the State Capitol.
What is there in Clarksville? Caves! 4800 feet of passage. Worth a visit just for that. Stop at Jake Moon Restaurant Cafe for lunch. Ok, that’s about all there is to see in Clarksville itself, but there are other nearby towns and did I mention that Albany is only 12 miles away?
I couldn’t pull up any Clarksville home listings but here’s what you can find close by.
Farmhouse with barn on a little over an acre. Both need work. $65k.
Ooh. A 151 year old farmhouse on fifty acres with a pond in nearby Delmar! Sounds great! $250k.
Newer construction in New Scotland. Over 12 acres of property. $ 264,900.
Pleasant Valley is located about 8 miles from Millbrook and 7 miles from Poughkeepsie along Route 44 in Dutchess County. The quiet suburural town was formed in 1821. Like any quaint town, it’s got it’s department store, it’s purple restaurant and it’s ladies consignment shop. There are also some lovely parks for reflection and hiking.
But let’s talk real estate. Link to all listings here.
This three bedroom ranch is less than 1000 square feet and needs work. The asking price is $45k.
$105k will buy you a renovated cape right on Main Street.
Updated 1920 two bedroom cottage on 1/2 acre overlooking Wappingers Creek. $164,500.
There’s a house that goes with this barn. A 2500 square foot antique house that sits on 12.75 acres. It’s quite charming too! Price? $419k.
File this under that old “Affordable Neighborhood” series I used to do, but I liked this title better. If you take the A train allll the way out to the end of the line, you’re in Far Rockaway. A few stops closer to the city, well that’s just Rockaway. Get it?
I explored near and far yesterday. The nicer areas of Neponsit, Belle Harbor, etc feel pretty suburban. The main shopping strip is around 116th Street and the summer hipster surf dude neighborhood is somewhere in the Beach 90’s. I looked at a house on the fringe of that area, in the mid 80’s. The asking price is $168k and the house is in really good condition.
As an immediate flip property, it’s probably not the best solution. The neighborhood still has a few years to go and I’m too impatient to hang on that long. As somewhere to live? Not too shabby. The house is within walking distance to the train, shopping and the beach. Much of the original detail remains. Rip up some carpet to reveal wood floors and strip all the molding and doors. Fix some plaster. Done. FYI, the home is semi attached and the area still does have some grit.
I was looking for signs of people restoring homes, but there isn’t too much of that going on. It’s mostly either properties that have seen better days or brand new developments. One place that I did fall in love with was this cute bungalow around the corner from the house I looked at. Someone did an amazing job here.
If you’re checking out the Rockaways to live, you’ll notice some extremely affordable areas from the 40’s to the 60’s. Yeah, there’s a reason. It’s pretty depressing around there. Once you go farther out, somewhere past the 20’s, it looks like any other part of Queens with some nice homes and pre-war apartment buildings.
Thinking of living there? Do check it out on a cold and rainy winter weekday. Everything is hopping in the middle of the summer, but what happens when the hipster doofuses run back to Williamsburg?
See photos below of the $168k house and the cute bungalow not for sale.
The original woodwork is throughout the entire house. Looks 1920’s Craftsman style to me. Like I sez, picture all of the wood stripped and wood floors. The doors and light fixtures are original.
How cute are these kitchen cabinets? Some schmuck will probably come in here and throw these in the dumpster while updating the kitchen.
Yes, there is a bar in the basement! And yes, it’s made out of a recycled door.
Behind the bar. I assume these come with the house.
The upstairs bathrooms are original and in good shape, but this unused one in the basement is da bomb! I’m tellin ya, I could’ve lived in that basement.
The adorable bungalow around the corner. Looks like they used lots of reclaimed material and that siding is corrugated steel. Watch for me to steal that idea if I have to re-side a frame house in the future.
Here’s a list of the upcoming House & Home Courses At City Tech Continuing Education. They are located at 25 Chapel Street, Howard Building, 4th Floor, Brooklyn. Register online or call 718 552 1170.
LUNCH WITH LARRY UBELL
HHT 110
Sec A: Sat, 9 am – 2 pm, 4/21
Sec B: Sat, 9 am – 2 pm, 5/5
5 hours, $65 per session (Lunch included)
Larry Ubell, WNYC’s “Guru of How To” and Chief Inspector of Accurate Building Inspectors knows houses inside and out. Take a guided tour of houses as an Inspector sees them, with all their flaws and secrets. Larry points out trouble spots and tell-tale signs of building distress. From slanted floors and mysterious odors to suspicious cracks and leaking windows, you’ll learn what to look for, how to fix it, and what to never try yourself. Bring a digital “problem” photo from your house (on a flash drive) and go home with some food for thought; then keep the conversation going over lunch – with Larry. Check out some great tutorials from Accurate Building Inspectors
KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN
HHT 108
Mon, 6 – 9 pm, 4/23 & 4/30
6 hours, $120 (includes materials)
With kitchens and baths, every inch counts. Bring a photo, a floor plan, and a dream. Learn to make a scaled drawing, select cabinets and fixtures, design a tiled wall and create a budget that fits your needs. By the end of the class, students will have a working plan for a kitchen or bath.
HANDS-ON HOME REPAIR WORKSHOPS
HHT 078
$55 for each workshop
These hands-on workshops teach you how to make basic home repairs. We’ll show you how to fix a toilet, patch and plaster a wall, change a light fixture, install a lock, unclog a trap, spackle a wall and become your own favorite handyperson.
HOMEOWNER’S BASIC TOOL KIT
Sec A: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 3/14
Cut a board, level a shelf; install an anchor bolt in a hollow wall. This class will stock your toolkit with the most useful tools and give you hands-on tips for using them. Discover your inner handyperson and save on basic repairs.
HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO BASIC PLUMBING
Sec B: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 3/21
Basic plumbing: how to fix a toilet or unclog a drain. Save on costly repairs that you can do yourself.
LOCK INSTALLATION
Sec C: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 3/28
Having a security complex? Install a deadbolt or mortise lock, update existing locks, and replace door knobs.
PLASTER AND SHEETROCK REPAIR
Sec D: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 4/4
Repair a crack, frame and tape, patch plaster, fill a deep hole or a nail hole. You can do it!
EVERYDAY ELECTRICITY YOU CAN DO YOURSELF
Sec E: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 4/11
How to replace a fuse, change an outlet, install a fixture, test for power and splice a wire.
INSTALLING CERAMIC TILE FOR FLOORS
Sec F: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 4/18
How to create a level surface, select floor tile, lay out a pattern and install like a pro.
TILING A BACKSPLASH OR BATHROOM WALL
Sec G: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 4/25
How to layout, install and grout a kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall.
PAINT LIKE A PRO
Sec H: Wed, 6 – 9 pm, 5/2
A great paint job is method, not madness. This course teaches you how to prep the space, select the right tools, and apply paint like a professional. Please wear old clothes.