Went to visit my friends Ken Silber and Brooke Carter last weekend (and their kid too). Brooke is an architect who specializes in lighting. She reviewed my plans and gave me lots of good ideas, stuff I never would have thought of. Seriously, there's so much more to lighting a house than just sticking a table lamp in the corner (which is what I would have done). For instance, in the kitchen she suggested putting lights ON TOP of the wall cabinets to shine the light up, reflecting it off the ceiling. Never would have guessed that would work. Thanks Brooke.
And in return, I helped them move a 5,000 lb sofa bed down into their basement. I also got to throw electronics equipment into a dumpster. That was cool.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Every thing is a week
At least. To get the engineer to come and look at the water lines was only a few days, but my neighbors needed it delayed until the following week.
And then the neighbors refused to even be there...
Getting a lawyer to deal with the uncooperative neighbors (who aren't paying a dime) and getting the paperwork together took another week. (And the plumber spent the weekend in the hospital with heart problems. Dude, keep well).
So now the letter is being drafted and it will be sent to the neighbors for them to sign off, and then return it.
Then the plumber gets the permits from the city, then the water lines can be separated and replaced.
But next week is Christmas. And the week after is New Years.
One more week has turned into one more month. Jeez.
And then the neighbors refused to even be there...
Getting a lawyer to deal with the uncooperative neighbors (who aren't paying a dime) and getting the paperwork together took another week. (And the plumber spent the weekend in the hospital with heart problems. Dude, keep well).
So now the letter is being drafted and it will be sent to the neighbors for them to sign off, and then return it.
Then the plumber gets the permits from the city, then the water lines can be separated and replaced.
But next week is Christmas. And the week after is New Years.
One more week has turned into one more month. Jeez.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sometimes you just gotta lawyer up...just in case
I'm not that old, but I'm too old for games. Especially when it's my dime.
Cryptic? Yes.
And it's not the contractors. They're awesome.
Cryptic? Yes.
And it's not the contractors. They're awesome.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Water
It's pretty important. And it's the one thing standing in my way right now. Me and the neighbors share a water line. It needs to be capped. Only problem is that the main is UNDER their house. Like, embedded in their concrete floor. So, on Thursday I'll go over with the city's chief engineer to take a look at the situation and figure out what needs to be done. He might (probably will) say that THEY need to replace their water/sewer line as well.
Since I can't really do demo/construction until the water lines are in place, that means more delays.
Since I can't really do demo/construction until the water lines are in place, that means more delays.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
As of today
Nine months since I closed...
...The crack houses next door, which went into foreclosure last spring, are about to undergo renovation. Awesome for QOL and property values. Hope they tear down the 2-story favela/shed out back Wonder how they got things moving so quickly...
...Questions regarding the water line, which I share with the neighbors. Contractor and city rep need to look at it when the neighbors get back next week. Word is there are only 20 or so shared lines left in the city. As they're discovered, they have to replaced with dedicated lines. We're not sure how/where access to the water line is (inside neighbor's house), and it needs to be capped so I can have my own dedicated line. No demo until then...
...Trying to get my window order in so I can get them delivered and up by the end of the year and take advantage of the tax credit. It expires Dec 31. Good luck with that one. The clock's spinning...
...The crack houses next door, which went into foreclosure last spring, are about to undergo renovation. Awesome for QOL and property values. Hope they tear down the 2-story favela/shed out back Wonder how they got things moving so quickly...
...Questions regarding the water line, which I share with the neighbors. Contractor and city rep need to look at it when the neighbors get back next week. Word is there are only 20 or so shared lines left in the city. As they're discovered, they have to replaced with dedicated lines. We're not sure how/where access to the water line is (inside neighbor's house), and it needs to be capped so I can have my own dedicated line. No demo until then...
...Trying to get my window order in so I can get them delivered and up by the end of the year and take advantage of the tax credit. It expires Dec 31. Good luck with that one. The clock's spinning...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Finally
Work's being done. As of today, the old sewer line is being replaced. What this entails: the subcontractors are tearing up the sidewalk and street (with a cop [$$]) standing guard. They'll pull up the line and run a new line from my house that connects with the main in the middle of the street. No more sharing.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
PERMITS
Are all in. I started in mid-June, and got them while I was in Costa Rica on November 6th. What a painful, annoying process that was. Can't wait until inspection time.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Pictures!
Been lazy about this. Here are some of the before pix:
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| Living room- facing front. yes it is dark |
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| living room - facing rear |
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| kitchen: check out the flooring |
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| kitchen: check out the stove with the supercharged space heater |
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| sole bathroom: no sink |
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| stairs up - made for an elf |
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| Stairs down: creepy |
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| bottom floor, front room |
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| bottom floor: back room |
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| bottom floor: 2nd kitchen (!?!) |
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| backyard. check out the slice of the creepy shed. the total space is about 12x10 - enough for a grill and patio set |
Still stuck in MUA
Two revisions to the plan as per the MUA.
First, they said that the plans and the application needed to include the new sewer line (which I thought they did). Manny, the Jersey city architect, overnighted the plans to Maria, the lead architect, in Philly, who overnighted it back. Then the contact at the MUA went on vacation, so it sat. When he came back, he looked at it and found ANOTHER change that needs to be made. So, with Labor Day weekend upon us, it will be a slow weekend/week for progress.
One week has now turned into two months. Vacation to Germany this week. I won't get back until September 13. Mid September and not even in the buildings department yet. Jeez.
Don't worry, I still love you, Jersey City.
First, they said that the plans and the application needed to include the new sewer line (which I thought they did). Manny, the Jersey city architect, overnighted the plans to Maria, the lead architect, in Philly, who overnighted it back. Then the contact at the MUA went on vacation, so it sat. When he came back, he looked at it and found ANOTHER change that needs to be made. So, with Labor Day weekend upon us, it will be a slow weekend/week for progress.
One week has now turned into two months. Vacation to Germany this week. I won't get back until September 13. Mid September and not even in the buildings department yet. Jeez.
Don't worry, I still love you, Jersey City.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Not the sharing kind
Turns out that I share the sewer line with the next door neighbors. That ain't gonna work. So, this means I'll be running my own line. Tearing up the street. More money. But at least I'll be reassured that the sewer line is in pristine condition.
Oh, and the water pipes are made of lead. That's definitely going to change. I don't want no slow-learning babies.
Oh, and the water pipes are made of lead. That's definitely going to change. I don't want no slow-learning babies.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Stuck in the sewer
Tear it up. Can't even reach it. And the MUA says -- no problem, just add the new sewer line to the plans.
What does this mean? The sewer line that runs under the sidewalk is ancient, most likely made of clay. It can't be in very good shape. So, I'll have to tear up the sidewalk and replace it, then replace the sidewalk. Not fun, but not unexpected.
But hold up...mid blog post, call from the contractor. Jersey City is unique. In most towns the city takes care of the line that runs from the sidewalk to the street. Not JC. The homeowner is responsible for that too. Before I commit to the expense of ripping up THE STREET TOO, we're gonna dig into the foundation, unearth the line inside the house, cut it, and then scope it out.
Yay.
What does this mean? The sewer line that runs under the sidewalk is ancient, most likely made of clay. It can't be in very good shape. So, I'll have to tear up the sidewalk and replace it, then replace the sidewalk. Not fun, but not unexpected.
But hold up...mid blog post, call from the contractor. Jersey City is unique. In most towns the city takes care of the line that runs from the sidewalk to the street. Not JC. The homeowner is responsible for that too. Before I commit to the expense of ripping up THE STREET TOO, we're gonna dig into the foundation, unearth the line inside the house, cut it, and then scope it out.
Yay.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Snaking the sewer line
It seems simple enough. I can't get permits from the city until the MUA signs off on the plans. After three weeks of reviewing the plans the MUA said they want a DVD of the condition of the house's sewer line.
I get a plumber to come out and he opens the main pipe in the house, which is wedged against the wall in a weird angle (of course). He can't snake the camera in very far because it's getting caught in the sink trap. He pulls out the toilet on the main level and tries through there. No go. The pipes are so rusted and full of crud that he can't get his apparatus through.
So now we have to pull out the sink and dig into the ground to access the pipe at the sink trap. And then (hopefully) they can run the camera through to the sewer line. If I could check this DURING the construction process, when ALL the pipes will be ripped up, life would be a little bit easier.
This on top of the busted radiator in my truck this weekend. I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not.
I get a plumber to come out and he opens the main pipe in the house, which is wedged against the wall in a weird angle (of course). He can't snake the camera in very far because it's getting caught in the sink trap. He pulls out the toilet on the main level and tries through there. No go. The pipes are so rusted and full of crud that he can't get his apparatus through.
So now we have to pull out the sink and dig into the ground to access the pipe at the sink trap. And then (hopefully) they can run the camera through to the sewer line. If I could check this DURING the construction process, when ALL the pipes will be ripped up, life would be a little bit easier.
This on top of the busted radiator in my truck this weekend. I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not.
MUA
So I go to the MUA office on the other side of town. The guy -- a very nice guy, btw -- tells me that they've recently changed their policy, and now my architect has to fill out a 3-page form and walk the plans in himself.
Fine.
And he tells me it should take about a week.
Great.
Manny fills the forms out and drops it off just before the 4th of July break. So that means I should get it back by mid July. Right?
HAHAHAHA.
(Aside from my sarcasm, I admit that I want this to be handled correctly, especially since the house is in a flood zone, and the sewer system is ancient. I'd rather them be hardasses than lacksidaisical. Careful what you wish for...)
Fine.
And he tells me it should take about a week.
Great.
Manny fills the forms out and drops it off just before the 4th of July break. So that means I should get it back by mid July. Right?
HAHAHAHA.
(Aside from my sarcasm, I admit that I want this to be handled correctly, especially since the house is in a flood zone, and the sewer system is ancient. I'd rather them be hardasses than lacksidaisical. Careful what you wish for...)
The maze of government
Closed in end of February. Beginning of June I started dealing with the city. At the city building department they tell me I can't submit anything until I get approval from the Municipal Utilities Authority, because I'm adding a full bath. The MUA deals with the city's water and sewer systems. They tell me it's easy -- they review it on the spot and sign off.
The fool that I am, I believe it will be as simple as that.
The fool that I am, I believe it will be as simple as that.
Waterlogged
By the way, the house is in a flood zone. Half of downtown Jersey City and most of Hoboken are in flood zones as well. Former marshlands, I think. That's why I had to take out a $1,300 annual flood insurance policy just to get a mortgage.
And it turns out, the flood zone designation is pretty accurate. Mid March there was a wicked rain storm. I stopped by Saturday afternoon. Things were okay. My sump pump was growling away. So far, so good.
Later that night I went into the city to see a cousin in town from Ireland. I get a phone call from my neighbor that there's massive flooding and my sump pump isn't working and the water's coming from my house into hers. Well, the pump WAS working. It's just that when it floods, it floods. There's only so much that an old pump can do.
The next morning I stop by, just a little hungover (damn Irish). It's dry, but there was water. Maybe a couple of inches. And this made me happy. Happy? Yes, happy. Because I now know that flooding isn't a remote possibility but a probability, and I can plan accordingly -- french drains, super-duper sump pumps. You know it.
And it turns out, the flood zone designation is pretty accurate. Mid March there was a wicked rain storm. I stopped by Saturday afternoon. Things were okay. My sump pump was growling away. So far, so good.
Later that night I went into the city to see a cousin in town from Ireland. I get a phone call from my neighbor that there's massive flooding and my sump pump isn't working and the water's coming from my house into hers. Well, the pump WAS working. It's just that when it floods, it floods. There's only so much that an old pump can do.
The next morning I stop by, just a little hungover (damn Irish). It's dry, but there was water. Maybe a couple of inches. And this made me happy. Happy? Yes, happy. Because I now know that flooding isn't a remote possibility but a probability, and I can plan accordingly -- french drains, super-duper sump pumps. You know it.
After closing
So here's the process for anyone interested in extensive renovations:
1. Find contractors. Not easy, believe it or not. Internet, word of mouth, newspapers. I found four who came by. Then I found out that to get an accurate bid I needed to first...
2. Hire an architect. My friend Maria Camoratto from college is one, but she's based in Philly. So she partnered with a friend of hers from school, Manny, who's based in Jersey City. Now, getting the actual plans takes time. It requires on-site measurements, and a lot of back and forth over details. Weeks... and then, once the preliminary plans are competed, they must be submitted to the zoning department for approval of the exterior changes. Then it's on to the next step, which is...
3. Get bids from the contractors. Three came in quickly. The other one took weeks of delays (just to get a bid). I waited for it because I liked and trusted this contractor and his experience. But his bid was wildly over my budget (and the other bids). So that was three weeks wasted. But then I was able to...
4. Select a contractor.
Believe it or not, that was the easy part.
1. Find contractors. Not easy, believe it or not. Internet, word of mouth, newspapers. I found four who came by. Then I found out that to get an accurate bid I needed to first...
2. Hire an architect. My friend Maria Camoratto from college is one, but she's based in Philly. So she partnered with a friend of hers from school, Manny, who's based in Jersey City. Now, getting the actual plans takes time. It requires on-site measurements, and a lot of back and forth over details. Weeks... and then, once the preliminary plans are competed, they must be submitted to the zoning department for approval of the exterior changes. Then it's on to the next step, which is...
3. Get bids from the contractors. Three came in quickly. The other one took weeks of delays (just to get a bid). I waited for it because I liked and trusted this contractor and his experience. But his bid was wildly over my budget (and the other bids). So that was three weeks wasted. But then I was able to...
4. Select a contractor.
Believe it or not, that was the easy part.
Mortgage, closing, etc
All went well as I got closer to the closing. I was walking into the situation with 20% down, and savings, and buying a place that fit my budget. Since the real estate market crashed, the lending standards have gotten much more strict (ie, normal).
And then....I got turned down.
It was nothing to do with my finances. No, it was because the house has no centralized heating system. It's what's known as a cold-water flat: the stove in the kitchen is larger than normal and there's a heater built into the stove. So it's kind of like a space heater on steroids.
The mortgage company refused to underwrite it: they were afraid of resale. Then came the mad scramble to find another mortgage company. After a frantic week or so all was good. I got a mortgage -- 15 year, I'm ambitious -- and the keys were mine. This was on February 19th.
And then....I got turned down.
It was nothing to do with my finances. No, it was because the house has no centralized heating system. It's what's known as a cold-water flat: the stove in the kitchen is larger than normal and there's a heater built into the stove. So it's kind of like a space heater on steroids.
The mortgage company refused to underwrite it: they were afraid of resale. Then came the mad scramble to find another mortgage company. After a frantic week or so all was good. I got a mortgage -- 15 year, I'm ambitious -- and the keys were mine. This was on February 19th.
Pre-closing
Looking back it seemed to go pretty smooth. My agent was Mark Collins at Weichert on Grove Street. He's a great guy and was helpful throughout.
We negotiated a fair price, especially considering ALL the work that needed to be done (ie, everything but the roof). Here are some interior pix:
We negotiated a fair price, especially considering ALL the work that needed to be done (ie, everything but the roof). Here are some interior pix:
Back to the beginning
How it all started...
I sold my condo in Franklin Park in August '08 and then moved to Jersey City as a renter. The apartment was on the top floor of a three level building in a nice area of downtown. Oh, and the first floor of the building is a quiet neighborhood bar.
...that changed ownership around the time I moved in...
...and transformed into a dance club/karaoke/ghetto dive.
No big. I wasn't planning on staying long anyway, so as the real estate market dipped throughout '09, I kept my eye on the market. In December I started looking. After touring several underwhelming one bedroom condos, I found this gem.
A house, a whole entire eleven-and-a-half foot wide house. Three levels, two bedrooms, one bath (toilet and shower, no sink). Not much diamond, a whole lot of rough.
My bid was accepted in December. I was ready.
I sold my condo in Franklin Park in August '08 and then moved to Jersey City as a renter. The apartment was on the top floor of a three level building in a nice area of downtown. Oh, and the first floor of the building is a quiet neighborhood bar.
...that changed ownership around the time I moved in...
...and transformed into a dance club/karaoke/ghetto dive.
No big. I wasn't planning on staying long anyway, so as the real estate market dipped throughout '09, I kept my eye on the market. In December I started looking. After touring several underwhelming one bedroom condos, I found this gem.
A house, a whole entire eleven-and-a-half foot wide house. Three levels, two bedrooms, one bath (toilet and shower, no sink). Not much diamond, a whole lot of rough.
My bid was accepted in December. I was ready.
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