Home Purchase Negotiation Thread (2 Viewers)

[RudiStein]

Met with a broker today for our place and they are confident they'll be able to sell it quickly and for a price we'd be happy with. Turns out we may have some equity in the place after all. They also told us that the real estate market is suddenly picking up hard for Spring. So, we decided to make one more shot at this house we like, for all the beans. We were considering moving up to 840, but decided to do 845. It's only 15k less than their "bottom line," so if they refuse this, what can we do. So the offer is in. Now we wait.-SuburbOtis

You'll be buying a station wagon and going to key-parties before you know it.

 

[Otis]

Met with a broker today for our place and they are confident they'll be able to sell it quickly and for a price we'd be happy with. Turns out we may have some equity in the place after all. They also told us that the real estate market is suddenly picking up hard for Spring.

So, we decided to make one more shot at this house we like, for all the beans. We were considering moving up to 840, but decided to do 845. It's only 15k less than their "bottom line," so if they refuse this, what can we do. So the offer is in. Now we wait.

-SuburbOtis

You'll be buying a station wagon and going to key-parties before you know it.

I'll be spending even more time with my GBs in the FFA looking for all types of tips and advice on how to be a suburbanite.

Need to run to the store a quarter mile away

Do I get in the car and drive?

 

[RudiStein]

Met with a broker today for our place and they are confident they'll be able to sell it quickly and for a price we'd be happy with. Turns out we may have some equity in the place after all. They also told us that the real estate market is suddenly picking up hard for Spring.

So, we decided to make one more shot at this house we like, for all the beans. We were considering moving up to 840, but decided to do 845. It's only 15k less than their "bottom line," so if they refuse this, what can we do. So the offer is in. Now we wait.

-SuburbOtis

You'll be buying a station wagon and going to key-parties before you know it.

I'll be spending even more time with my GBs in the FFA looking for all types of tips and advice on how to be a suburbanite.

Need to run to the store a quarter mile away

Do I get in the car and drive?

Of course. What're you? Amish?

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Met with a broker today for our place and they are confident they'll be able to sell it quickly and for a price we'd be happy with. Turns out we may have some equity in the place after all. They also told us that the real estate market is suddenly picking up hard for Spring.

So, we decided to make one more shot at this house we like, for all the beans. We were considering moving up to 840, but decided to do 845. It's only 15k less than their "bottom line," so if they refuse this, what can we do. So the offer is in. Now we wait.

-SuburbOtis

You'll be buying a station wagon and going to key-parties before you know it.

I'll be spending even more time with my GBs in the FFA looking for all types of tips and advice on how to be a suburbanite.

Need to run to the store a quarter mile away

Do I get in the car and drive?

 

[shadyridr]

SLB and the rest of you non-NYCers... you would be shocked at what 250-400k gets you here. And by shocked, I mean disgusted. Pretty much a studio apartment- and not even a really nice studio apartment.

This.My Brooklyn apartment -- it's a good apartment, in a nice building, but under 1200 square feet and requires a nearly 1,000 a month common charge as well -- probably fetches 600k. It's nothing fancy mind you, not at all.The more I look at numbers, the more nauseous it makes me to realize the premium I pay to live in NYC. As a young single man I was capitalizing on being here, so arguably it was worth it. Now? Eesh.

I own a 1300 sq ft house in SI. Bought it for $325k in 2006. The house is so small I told my wife we cant get a treadmill cuz we have nowhere to put it. ####in NY

 

[Redwes25]

Well, got a call back from the broker. They are refusing to move down and are staying at their current number. As the wife and I said, it was a stretch for us to buy now anyway, so this may be a blessing in disguise in that it gives us time to stock up some more down payment etc., and then perhaps even opens up some more expensive homes to us. Additionally, we're considering selling our apartment now and just getting out into the rental market in the area of this house -- neither one of us has ever lived there, and so it seems like a good idea to test the waters for a bit before buying. Not to mention we will save a CRAPLOAD of money.

Oh, and this NYTimes article is pretty timely... link

I think you'll be VERY happy at this result in 2-3 years. Marriage and kid(s) is enough change for the Oat man recently - no need to get handcuffed to a piece of RE that could cost you 100K+ to get out of 3-5 years from now.

I think this is right. We're almost relieved with the result in retrospect.

So I'm starting to backtrack on my line of thinking here. The more I've seen in terms of neighborhoods and homes since we made the offer on this house, the more I'm feeling like this neighborhood is right for us, and this particular home is perfect for us. It's in nice livable condition, but not TOO done, and there's lots we can do to improve it and add value over the years. I also think that even that the seller's stated "bottom line" counter, it's still a total steal. This home is nice as is, and with work could be absolutely majestic. My thinking is that this home absolutely sells at or around that stated bottom line number in the Spring once buyer traffic picks back up. The zillow estimate, for whatever little that may be worth, is $100k higher than the seller's current stated bottom line. Most of the homes in the surrounding blocks are "zesstimated" at even 100k or more above that. Lots of $1M+ homes in the neighborhood, and I think over time you could put 100k or 200k into this house and easily sell it for what you put into it and then some (though that's not a huge concern for us -- we're looking long term here). I also like the idea of locking in a 30 year mortgage at current rates. I know lots of people are still down on the economy, but I think we're only going up from here (maybe slowly, but still). Another factor is that the area/neighborhood we really like there is very small -- it's a small village in a larger town, but this village has its own feel and own government. Thing is, it's so small (and desirable) that I can't imagine inventory there will ever be significant.When our negotiations broke down, we were separated by $40k (they originally asked 900 but came down to 860 as their "final" offer; we moved up to 820 and they never countered that, saying that 860 is the lowest they would go). $40k in a vacuum is a lot of money, but when you consider it in the context of a home that nears $1M, and a home that we'll end up (hopefully) spending a lifetime in, it seems almost silly.

We're considering ponying up another $20k to close the gap some. I have an unexpected bonus potentially coming from work, and if it does we can use that and it's the reason we we'd be able to move up from our "final" top offer (I'd have no problem conveying that to the broker -- I'm not trying to play games or split hairs here). At that point it will have been about a month since they heard from us, and if we're separated by ~20k, and the house will have sat on the market for another month, maybe they jump on it? Assuming it's even still not sold, I am thinking we still have a month or two until the Spring, so we have a few weeks to chew on all of this before there's a high risk of it being sold.

I've also heard that in some instances the brokers will cover the difference to make a deal happen. Here if we're assuming the brokers are getting 6%, that's over 50 grand. Surely they would eat 10k or even 20k of that to make something happen now, particularly with a house that's been on the market forever. No?

We'd be in a better financial position to more easily do all of this a year from now, but with a baby coming soon I'm less and less excited about having her here in Brooklyn and more and more interested in having the space and peace and safety of the burbs. Current thinking is also to sell our apartment -- we've really got little to no equity in it, but should hopefully be able to save for enough to cover what we owe plus closing costs on it.

Just some thoughts I'm kicking around, not sure what the FFA can do to help. (Unless of course Chet wants to wire me 40 large.) Really just trying to work through my thoughts...

Where would the new digs be?ETA - Wife is from Long Island and I know it very well. Also, don't understand why you would want to leave brooklyn

 

[Otis]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).

I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.

Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

 

[Otis]

They accepted.

 

[AcerFC]

They accepted.

 

[Otis]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

 

[AcerFC]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

For august

 

[YSR]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

Congrats, Otis! Had the same kind of thoughts when I bought my first house. It really is kind of thrilling, in a gets-old-really-quickly kind of way.

 

[Reaper]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out. We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

If I had 3m to spend I'd buy In NYC!!!!! No?Congrats!!!!!!I probably should have looked on the North Shore a little but the wife works in NYC and I work out east so, the commute was much better down south... There are some good eats up that way though.As for access to culture... Sheesh, the train ride is so easy IMO. I can barely finish 2 beers and read the FFA on the 45 minute ride in I have. I like the 2 beer primer before I meet up with some GB's.....Best of luck

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Congrats!!

 

[Dragons]

Congrats Otis!

 

[Otis]

Congrats!!

 

[Otis]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out. We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

If I had 3m to spend I'd buy In NYC!!!!! No?Congrats!!!!!!I probably should have looked on the North Shore a little but the wife works in NYC and I work out east so, the commute was much better down south... There are some good eats up that way though.As for access to culture... Sheesh, the train ride is so easy IMO. I can barely finish 2 beers and read the FFA on the 45 minute ride in I have. I like the 2 beer primer before I meet up with some GB's.....Best of luck

No, I'd never want to raise kids in Manhattan. That's a screwy place for famlies. If I had 3M and was 30 and single? Oh hell yes. But in my situation no way. The options, good or bad as they are, come down to Jersey, Westchester or LI. And for me, LI is the lesser of the evils and offers the most (though the Westchester commute would have been 15-20 minutes better).

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

congrats and good luck.

 

[the moops]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

For august

Yea. Mowing the grass is the heat is just about the worst thing.Congrats though O.

 

[tommyGunZ]

 

[TLEF316]

congrats GB

 

[shadyridr]

good luck Otis

 

[Redwes25]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).

I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.

Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

Congrats and good luck! There are some great towns in the North Shore area so I am certain you will be happy. It is probably an area that I will look at if/when I move from Brooklyn. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn for about 7 years now I think a brownstone in Cobble Hill would be my dream house but that is probably beyond my reach. Eventually I imagine we will move out of NYC but right now my wife and I love raising our young son in BK. Of course he is to young for schools at this point and he can only really go to elementry school in the city and only if we live in one of the good school districts.

 

[Otis]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).

I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.

Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

Congrats and good luck! There are some great towns in the North Shore area so I am certain you will be happy. It is probably an area that I will look at if/when I move from Brooklyn. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn for about 7 years now I think a brownstone in Cobble Hill would be my dream house but that is probably beyond my reach. Eventually I imagine we will move out of NYC but right now my wife and I love raising our young son in BK. Of course he is to young for schools at this point and he can only really go to elementry school in the city and only if we live in one of the good school districts.

Lots of my friends agree with you. Righetti loves BK and doesn't plan to leave anytime soon. It probably just comes down to a personal preference thing. You can definitely stay there at least until the kid goes to high school, and even then you could stay and foot the ball for private schools.PS... paying additional income tax to NYC really stinks. I'll be glad to stop doing that.

 

[shadyridr]

I grew up in Brooklyn (Dyker Heights). Houses there are ridiculous.

 

[shadyridr]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).

I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.

Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

Congrats and good luck! There are some great towns in the North Shore area so I am certain you will be happy. It is probably an area that I will look at if/when I move from Brooklyn. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn for about 7 years now I think a brownstone in Cobble Hill would be my dream house but that is probably beyond my reach. Eventually I imagine we will move out of NYC but right now my wife and I love raising our young son in BK. Of course he is to young for schools at this point and he can only really go to elementry school in the city and only if we live in one of the good school districts.

Lots of my friends agree with you. Righetti loves BK and doesn't plan to leave anytime soon. It probably just comes down to a personal preference thing. You can definitely stay there at least until the kid goes to high school, and even then you could stay and foot the ball for private schools.PS... paying additional income tax to NYC really stinks. I'll be glad to stop doing that.

Arent you taxed based on where you work?

 

[AcerFC]

Oats

Out of curiosity, did you ever look in Rockland or Orange

 

[David Dodds]

Congrats.

 

[urbanhack]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it.

i.e. quitting

 

[BobbyLayne]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).

I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.

Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

Congrats and good luck! There are some great towns in the North Shore area so I am certain you will be happy. It is probably an area that I will look at if/when I move from Brooklyn. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn for about 7 years now I think a brownstone in Cobble Hill would be my dream house but that is probably beyond my reach. Eventually I imagine we will move out of NYC but right now my wife and I love raising our young son in BK. Of course he is to young for schools at this point and he can only really go to elementry school in the city and only if we live in one of the good school districts.

Lots of my friends agree with you. Righetti loves BK and doesn't plan to leave anytime soon. It probably just comes down to a personal preference thing. You can definitely stay there at least until the kid goes to high school, and even then you could stay and foot the ball for private schools.PS... paying additional income tax to NYC really stinks. I'll be glad to stop doing that.

Arent you taxed based on where you work?

The commuter tax (NYC income tax for non-residents) went buh-bye the year I moved here, 1999.

 

[BobbyLayne]

No, I'd never want to raise kids in Manhattan. That's a screwy place for famlies.

Ironically, Mrs BL and I say the same thing about living in the 'burbs. GL with the new house - it looks great - and also with unloading the condo.

 

[RudiStein]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

Yeah, that excitement will last about 4 months. I went from living in an apartment to living in a house with front and back and two side yards. There were also 3 citrus trees, ivy, and a giant cypress that looked like it was about one stiff breeze from crushing my living room.Can't tell you how happy I was to move into a condo.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Congrats Otis!!

Sounds like you got a good deal all things being equal.

Enjoy the LIRR!

 

[OC Zed]

Wow... I met Otis the first day of our freshman year. He was a tall, affable teenager who loved his slice of suburban Long Island from where he grew up. 16 1/2 years later, he's come full circle.

Good luck with the move, GB.

 

[cstu]

They accepted.

Congrats.

 

[Otis]

To answer the post above, nice area in the North Shore of Long Island. Not too far out.

We're leaving Brooklyn because we are sort of growing tired of it. At our age it's not like we're going out much. And with a baby on the way soon, and both of us having grown up in the burbs, we just in our heads picture raising kids in the burbs as opposed to Brooklyn, and we just feel "ready" for it. I also really look forward to having a real home, and a yard, and some space. Don't get me wrong, I loved Brooklyn during the years I lived there, but it's grown somewhat old for me. It just feels like time. Beyond that, we wouldn't want to raise kids in NYC because the schools are pretty terrible (my wife is a NYC teacher, we know it quiet well).

I guess those are the primary reasons. Beyond that, it's a much nicer placer to live, prettier, more relaxing and peaceful, near beaches and nice shopping (e.g., those "malls" in Brooklyn are a nightmare). My friends often point to the fact that we won't have access too all the great culture and interesting places to eat. I have never in the nearly 6 years I lived there visited a museum in Brooklyn, I can't remember the last time I went out to see local rock bands there, nor the last time we ordered in French or Israeli food. In the old days when I was stumbling around drunk and wanted to have a killer bachelor pad that was close to the city, it was a great choice. Now it just feels like it doesn't fit for us so much anymore.

Someone asked me "what if you had 3M and could buy a nice brownstone in a good neighborhood in BK." That wouldn't change things I don't think. I just want some green and some space. And in Brooklyn you're living on top of a ton of other people.

Congrats and good luck! There are some great towns in the North Shore area so I am certain you will be happy. It is probably an area that I will look at if/when I move from Brooklyn. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn for about 7 years now I think a brownstone in Cobble Hill would be my dream house but that is probably beyond my reach. Eventually I imagine we will move out of NYC but right now my wife and I love raising our young son in BK. Of course he is to young for schools at this point and he can only really go to elementry school in the city and only if we live in one of the good school districts.

Lots of my friends agree with you. Righetti loves BK and doesn't plan to leave anytime soon. It probably just comes down to a personal preference thing. You can definitely stay there at least until the kid goes to high school, and even then you could stay and foot the ball for private schools.PS... paying additional income tax to NYC really stinks. I'll be glad to stop doing that.

Arent you taxed based on where you work?

No.

 

[Otis]

Wow... I met Otis the first day of our freshman year. He was a tall, affable teenager who loved his slice of suburban Long Island from where he grew up. 16 1/2 years later, he's come full circle.Good luck with the move, GB.

We had some good years GB.

 

[Otis]

Thanks all for the congratulations. Me and the Mrs. are really psyched. I hope the inspection works out and the mortgage works out and it happens. This will be a good place for us and we're pretty psyched. We see so much potential in this house -- they haven't done nearly what could be done with this house. It could be majestic. Can't wait.

 

[Patoons]

PS... paying additional income tax to NYC really stinks. I'll be glad to stop doing that.

The long island real estate taxes should help offset that.

 

[Tiger Fan]

congrats

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

And a hose or two along with a hose caddy. Spade, rake, hedge trimmer, lawn edger, leaf blower .... My garage would frighten you. It is a four car garage. We can only get one car in it. We have yard tools, bikes, kids toys including a battery driven jeep the kid can ride. We have blow up yard bouncy pool slides from WalMart that are 25 by 20 by 15 feet high that when deflated are as big as a coffin. We have tubs and tubs of christmas stuff. My work bench for tools to fix on the weekend what breaks during the week. We have a freezer for those food deals my wife can't pass up, and all the crap my wife can't yet throw out. You will be buys door mats and new blinds and patio sets for when your inlaws visit, not to mention you must have lawn games like croquet for such occassions. Your play here is to agree that it would be nice to host a BBQ and then go out and buy a megagrill/smoker with gas/charcoal options both which also has an infrared section. Next to it you will need a kegerator. You will want speakers and an allweather box for your flatscreen T.V. When your wife asks what are you hosting a BBQ for her parents or as poker game for your buddies just say you had never though of that, but you like the idea.

 

[Koya]

Let me know when the first BBQ is.

You are always welcome out here in Glen Cove - beautiful park / beach a few hundered feet from my place and sweeeet 50 inch set (two weeks old) for indoor good times.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Otis, looking forward to your posts in the BBQ threads.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

I can't tell you how excited I am to buy a lawnmower.

I don't know much about lawn mowers, but get a self propelling one that is easy to push uphill. Let us know when you need help picking out a minivan.

 

[djmich]

Congrats otis, another LI'er here, I think you'll like where you are (assuming North Shore/Western Nassau). Looking to move to North Shore as well but further east. Not sure I really know a whole lot, but PM me with any questions you might have about LI.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Otis Grill?

Sure you can spend 6 to 10 thousand on a supergrill, but until you invest to build a backyard kitchen this inexpensive gem has a lot covered. Charcoal if you want, gas when you don't, and infrared for when you are in a hurry. Couple it with your basic offset smoker around the same price and for 500 somolians you are cooking my friend. All you need then is a Kiss the chef apron, a few simple grill tools, and a large drunken friend who irritates your wife and you are set. (I am willing to be that large drunken friend if I ever get out to the Island)

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Dr. Gira performed my laser eye surgery 10-12 years ago. Poor guy, sounds like he's barely making ends meet.

When Cooke walks to the edge of her backyard, she can still see parts of it through the pine trees.

What a #####.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Congrats Otis

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Dr. Gira performed my laser eye surgery 10-12 years ago. Poor guy, sounds like he's barely making ends meet.

When Cooke walks to the edge of her backyard, she can still see parts of it through the pine trees.

What a #####.

If the guy doesn't think it's an eye sore, why doesn't he put the panels on his house like everybody else? I counted the number of roof tops on his big ### house. There is more than enough room.Why do you call the neighbor a #####? It's not her fault that her eye sight is so good. He gave her good laser eye surgery. The guy brought this on himself.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Dr. Gira performed my laser eye surgery 10-12 years ago. Poor guy, sounds like he's barely making ends meet.

When Cooke walks to the edge of her backyard, she can still see parts of it through the pine trees.

What a #####.

If the guy doesn't think it's an eye sore, why doesn't he put the panels on his house like everybody else? I counted the number of roof tops on his big ### house. There is more than enough room.Why do you call the neighbor a #####? It's not her fault that her eye sight is so good. He gave her good laser eye surgery. The guy brought this on himself.

He planted a bunch of trees so she couldn't see them but at a very particular angle she could still barely see them. "To me this is worth fighting over."If he put them on his roof she would most definitely see them.

What a #####.