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Friday, January 29, 2010

Aesthetically Not My Favorite

Recently installed by a contractor for a customer.  Great craftsmanship, but aesthetically not my choice.  Well, there is wide plank simulated porcelain flooring and giant subway tiles.

Row House Sold Downtown Jersey City

Brick 2 family row house on approximately 22’ by 100’ lot sold for $1,189K in Downtown Jersey City, Van Vorst Park Historic District, 4Q2009. 

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Real Carrara Marble Versus Simulated

Believe it or not, the below left hand two 3 by 6 tiles are simulated carrara and the two 3 by 6 tiles on the right are real carrara.  Difficult to tell the difference at first glance.  The real carrara is definitely superior in feel and aesthetics when held in your hands, but if durablility and resistance to staining is your concern the simulated carrara maybe an alternative not to mention a fraction of the cost.

Frame Row House For Sale, Downtown Jersey City

Frame 2 family row house on the market for $619K in Downtown Jersey City, Hamilton Park Historic District.  Weichert Realtors.  Not too many frame row houses.  Similar house next door sold for $602K 3rd quarter 2009.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

NY Times, “Living In Brooklyn Heights”

Photos of Brooklyn Heights fron the NY Times, ”Living In Brooklyn Heights”.

Photo of a brick row house on the market for $2.95 million in Brookyn Heights.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

9.5’ Wide Row House Sell For $2.1 Million

9.5’ Wide Row House Sell For $2.1 Million in Manhattan, West Greenwich Village, ”NYC’s ‘skinniest’ house sells for $2.1M” , Associated Press.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Mantel Top Replication

Unable to find a mantel top to fit this fireplace mantel, we had to have it replicated for a cost of $340.  Top photo is end result and bottom photo is a template.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

$50 Million Row House

Article in New York Post, ”Duke 5th Ave. manse goes on block” shows $50 million row house on the market at the corner of 5th Avenue and 82nd Street in Manhattan.

Interesting Article on REITs

New York Times, ”Just How Much Steam Do REITs Have Left”, some points of interest:

Dividends that average near 4%
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (PEB), a REIT that currently owns no property

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Restoring Old Pocket Doors

These old pocket doors were stripped down and new track and mechanics were installed.  Stripping cost $500.  Sanding cost $300.  New track and mechanics cost $1000, labor and parts.  That is a total of $1,800.  New hardware has not been included.  Hardware and mechanics purchased at Simon’s Hardware 421 Third Ave., New York, NY.  Stripping performed by Dip N Strip, Hackensack, NJ.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Restoring A Fireplace Mantel

Restoring an old fireplace mantel can require a lot of messy work and if you are missing any parts you will have to either search for original parts or have them reproduced.  This mantel and a duplicate mantel on the parlor floor of the same building required 4 days of cleaning, scraping and a light sanding to remove all the yellow/black soot and dirt.  Tile Lab Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper was applied and then Soft Scrub w/Bleach was subsequently applied with water and a very fine sandpaper.  The sand paper did remove the polished finish but it was the only way to get the marble this white.  One mantel is missing the marble keystone and top. 

Monday, July 27, 2009

Made with Love Artisan Bakery and Cafe, Downtown Jersey City

Made with Love Artisan Bakery and Cafe, located on Jersey Avenue in Downtown Jersey City, serves coffee and bakery goods made with organic ingredients.  Organic bakery items at this establishment have a low keyed unique feel and taste.  Not too sweet yet delicate and delicious. 

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Home Depot Freshaire Choice Paint Review

The coverage and tint are decent.  Unfortunately after painting an entire house with this paint, I went back to tape and cut all the edging and the Freshaire Choice paint seperated from the wall when I removed the painters tape.  This paint does not bond very well with the underlying paint or primer and has a chalky texture.  I painted houses professionally when I was a college student and I would NOT recommend this paint despite its eco friendly properties. 


Monday, May 11, 2009

New Construction Brick Row House

Corner of Coles and Sixth Street, Downtown Jersey City.  Under $1,000,000.  Lot 19 x 50.  Hudson Harbor Realty Corp.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Jersey City Medical Facility

This facility is being constructed behind the Jersey City Medical Center at 355 Grand Street.

About

Urban living, real estate, restoration, renovation, investments, and raising children in an urban environment.....w/ an emphasis on the urban row house. Row houses are unique and are more in demand as the number of apartments versus the number of row houses increases.

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