the cityhammer blog

I know, I know, you don't live in a cave. Fair enough, we all know how bad the real estate market is, but the Barron's article by Leslie P. Norton is interesting because we get some anecdotes and details from the front lines of the luxury tier of the condo/ rental business...you know, the luxury tier that we were told would be just fine.

In this particular economy, Barron's makes the case that the wealthy are harder hit than what anyone expected due to the collapses and layoffs on Wall Street as well as the general malaise in many of the important industries that affect New Yorkers, like fashion, real estate, marketing and advertising.

Some of the price cuts, like the one on the late socialite Brook Astor's penthouse are astounding, and they may only be the beginning!

PRICE CUTTING HAS BECOME SAVAGE. The 14-room Park Avenue apartment of the late socialite Brooke Astor -- which Barron's highlighted in that earlier story after its price had been cut from $46 million to $34 million -- is now down to $29 million and probably has to be cut further.
But even with dramatic reductions like that, the inventory of unsold luxury housing is ballooning. Streeteasy.com, a Website that pulls together listings and insights from a variety of brokers and buyers, now shows 795 New York apartments offered for $5 million or more, up from 518 a year ago.

The entire article is worth a read, if only to keep up with the latest on the most luxurious apartments in Manhattan and what they're going for and will go for in the near future.

Check it out: Manhattan On Sale (Barron's)

Labels: Barron's, High End NYC Condos, Manhattan Luxury Apartments, New York Real Estate

Introducing...Tzoc Construction of Queens, New York!

We'd like to take an opportunity to introduce you to our newest member on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory. Tzoc is a full service contracting firm that does work in all 5 Boroughs plus Long Island and New Jersey.

Some of Tzoc's specialties include:

Brick Work
Stucco
Siding
Window Installation
Tiling
Drywall
Painting
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

Labels: Queens Construction, Queens New York Contractors, Queens NY Renovations, Queens Remodeling

Today, the cityhammer blog brings you a special report about renovating a home and dealing with the potential problems caused by asbestos. We interviewed Joe Lederman of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center and were amazed at how much information is out there that many New York homeowners are probably not aware of.


CH: How does a one know what the status or history of asbestos could be when they move into a new home?

JL: Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral used throughout the 20^th century in thousands of industrial and building applications. Making sure whether or not asbestos-materials are present is ideally the first step. Unfortunately, asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye. The home is not only a financial asset, but a place to live and raise your family. If a real estate agent is assisting you in finding the right home, you should ask your agent to verify if the property has any past history with asbestos or other health damaging materials. If a home was built prior to 1980, there is still the likelihood of containing asbestos. Material in good condition will generally not pose any health risks. Therefore, it is highly recommended that home owners leave any suspected materials un-disturbed, as this can cause its toxic fibers to become airborne.

Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of serious health ailments such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. These forms of asbestos lung cancers take the lives of thousands each year so taking steps to ensure you and your family’s safety is of the utmost importance.

CH: What do you recommend a homeowner do before embarking on a structural renovation that could lead to exposure?

JL: Prior to embarking on a renovation project, home owners should hire a certified inspector to determine if any harmful materials are present and what the best course of action should be. Your family’s protection comes with knowing what you are dealing with and handling it in a responsible manner. States also require a property owner to file a written notice at least ten days before remodeling or demolition has begun. If there is asbestos in the property, it should be removed by an abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous materials. The removal and disposal of asbestos is a finite process that requires professional care and protective equipment. Stating how workers will protect themselves and how the prevention of the release of asbestos into the community will not happen may also need to be stated.

CH: Do you have any statistics or approximations for how many homes in the US may still have asbestos in their makeup?

JL: It is difficult to estimate the true amount of homes that may still have asbestos-containing materials. In 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency found asbestos in at least 700,000 public and residential residences across the United States. More than half were estimated to contain damaged asbestos. Due to the widespread use throughout the last century, it is still probable for homes built before 1980 to have asbestos in their makeup.

Asbestos professionals can perform home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess the condition, and advise on what corrections are needed. Once again, material in good condition need not be sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. An abatement contractor will repair or remove asbestos materials but is usually the last option chosen.

CH: Which building materials or products that have been historically used in homes are the most dangerous?

JL: Manufacturers of asbestos were aware of its toxic qualities, but continued the shipping of the product anyways, leading to millions of civilians, workers and military personnel being wrongfully exposed. Its qualities as fire resistant and durable made it one of the most sought out building applications in the world.

Asbestos was typically used as insulation, steam pipes or boilers, floor tiles, cement sheets, door gaskets, soundproofing, cement roofing, shingles, siding, automobile brake pads and linings. All of these products could potentially become damaged and release fibers into the air. The most difficult asbestos materials to locate include ceiling tiles, vinyl wall coverings, and popcorn ceilings. If any suspected asbestos is found, leave it un-disturbed until a professional can help determine the next step.

CH: How do the remodeling industry and its professionals protect itself from the possibility from asbestos-related sickness?

JL: Licensed abatement contractors will be familiar with the regulations in protecting you and themselves from exposure to asbestos. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. The area is usually isolated from the rest of the house by shutting down ventilation systems and sealing them. The materials should be removed in as large pieces as possible and places in disposable bags.

There are now many eco-friendly green alternatives to asbestos such as cotton fiber, cellulose and lcynene. Not only will these options provide a safe replacement to asbestos, they can even lower energy costs annually. These options should be considered upon removal of asbestos.

CH: What is the number one thing that people should know about Mesothelioma?

JL: Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive lung ailment which the only known cause is asbestos exposure. It accounts for nearly three percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and has a latency period that can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. This compounded with many symptoms that appear in less serious conditions make it one of the more difficult illnesses to accurately diagnose. Mesothelioma treatment is limited to a handful of options, but new diagnostic procedures are being tested specifically for detecting diseases such as mesothelioma. Home owners should take all the steps necessary to avoid exposure.

CH: Thanks, Joe.

Labels: Abatement Companies in New York, Asbestos, New York Renovations, NY Asbestos Removal, Renovation Safety

Labels: Design Expressions, Interior Design New York, Long Island Showroom, Oceanside

There are certain jobs that, no matter how handy a person is, most people just wouldn't want to do themselves. Debris removal is one of them. If you're ever going to hire a pro for help, cleaning out out a home or garage after renovation or some type of disaster would be the time to do so.

Enter The Junk Pros, a uniformed crew who specialize in cleaning out estates, renovation sites, offices and homes, regardless of the condition they're in. In addition, they will do a heavy duty cleaning after they've removed the debris or junk you've specified. As the homeowner, you sit back and do nothing as Gary Monteil and Co. roll up with a truck and all the labor necessary.

We welcome The Junk Pros to the Debris/ Cleanouts section of cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, and hope that you will think of them when you're in need of a junk removal or clean-out anywhere in the New York area.

To get you started, click here and print the coupon shown for $25 off your first junk removal!

To check out The Junk Pro's full profile, click here: The Junk Pros NY

Labels: 10001, Cleanouts New York, Debris New York, Junk Removal NY, New York Junk Companies, NYC Junk Pros