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Re: Am I wrong about Managing Agent's role in condo?
#1
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


All these things need to be negotiated upfront and put in a contract. The more you want, the more you pay. There is no such thing as a universal list of management company duties. Every building is different with differing needs and wants. I've been on boards and it's a live and learn situation. I learned the hard way. At this point, I would check your contract and also come to an understanding with your management company what they will and won't do. When it comes time to renew your contract, you can be more specific about what you want if it isn't spelled out now. Or you can go elsewhere or self-manage.

There really is a dearth of decent management companies in Hudson County. Regardless, I'm a strong believer in active boards and self-management under the right circumstances. Unfortunately, such things are generally met with apathy from other owners, at least that's been my experience.

I know you didn't ask, but if you or anyone decides to go the self-management route, I strongly recommend hiring a (bonded) company to handle the bookkeeping. It leaves less room for misappropriation by an owner assuming a reputable company is hired plus it's a pain in the neck.

Posted on: 2011/10/5 21:31
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Re: PATH SmartLink Card
#2
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Not too shy to talk


I bought trips online a bit earlier. This was the link I used, though I don't know if it'll work for anyone else... https://www.pathsmartlinkcard.com/front/add_ride/index.jsp

Posted on: 2011/9/16 18:12
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Re: PATH SmartLink Card
#3
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Interesting.

So, assuming a smartcard has a 0 balance and you bought 140 trips, the cost would be $210. The way I figure, that's a savings of $28 (the increase is 20 cents a trip for purchases of 10 or more trips). Not insignificant at all. Now, can someone loan me $210?

Posted on: 2011/9/16 16:38
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Re: The Foundry - Condos at Liberty State Park
#4
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Sad to say but I have to take back many of the positive things I said and I can't recommend living here, much less buying. I've gained greater insight into the management and owner and it no longer appears like a good investment. Recently, the long time property manager retired. While he was not the greatest, at least he got things done. At least that was my experience. Now the place is in turmoil. Lots of maintenance problems, morale among workers is the pits and the owner (David Silverstein), by all accounts, is a maniac. These problems existed before Bruno retired but I was not privy to them. I'm glad I found out before investing. The human feces I saw in the restroom in the washer/dryer room (where 3 of the 4 machines are broken) didn't help matters.

Posted on: 2011/7/10 16:45
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Re: Cable and internet options
#5
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I don't have Tivo now; I have a DVR from Comcast which is pretty lousy. Tivo seems to do everything I want it to though, and the price is reasonable. I also have a Mac.

The choices for antennas are overwhelming and the information available on the internet, while voluminous, is too technical for me. I feel like, just tell me what the heck to buy! -)

I suppose an option is to get basic cable without a box along with Tivo if an antenna doesn't work.

Posted on: 2011/6/22 1:06
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Re: Cable and internet options
#6
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Help a newbie please! I'm ready to drop evil Comcast. I'm not good at this stuff, but the best I can determine is to go with an OTA antenna plus Tivo. I want DVR, hence Tivo.

As for an antenna, my apt. faces west, opposite NYC. I'm told an amplified antenna is best, but which one? Or do you think I'm out of luck since my apt. faces west?

I have my internet connection with comcast. The connection is fast and generally reliable, but I want to be rid of them. Besides, it's expensive. I'm thinking of Clear, which is a 4g connection. I won't consider using Verizon DSL again and FIOS is not available for me.

Any thoughts and recommendations would be most appreciated.

Posted on: 2011/6/22 0:20
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Re: The Foundry - Condos at Liberty State Park
#7
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I don't want to minimize others' negative experiences, but my experience has been mostly good as I mentioned. In any event, given the disparity of opinions and experiences of residents and former residents, if you're serious about buying, I would suggest finding out when the next board meeting is and ask if it's okay to attend.

Posted on: 2011/6/19 15:10
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Re: Bergen Lafayette?
#8
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I'm a renter @ the Foundry and have been looking at apartments here to buy. I think it's one of the best values in JC. However, there are problems, the windows being among the biggest thorns. They're nearly impossible to open and close. For the life of me, I don't know why they never addressed this problem. There's also been complaints about the plumbing though I haven't experienced any. They renovated the apartments for the most part with a lot of class, but cheaped out in other areas. The management company is here to stay for a good long while, which is a good and bad thing. For the most part, they're responsive, but sometimes you have to pull teeth. Still, I find it a good buy.

As for the area, I wouldn't change a thing except to have a decent deli nearby. For the most part, you have to hop in a car to go shopping no matter where you live in JC, so it's no big deal to me to travel an extra few minutes. I love the isolation and that it's not inundated with people and traffic. The park is a short walk away, the biggest plus. I rue the day they complete the Jersey Ave. extension (if that ever occurs), bringing a lot more traffic and people to the area. Call me anti-social, but I like the relative privacy and relative safety of the area (just don't walk to Pacific Ave. or beyond at night!).

Looking forward, the area will eventually become more built up and am sure there will be more services. There's a condo building that will eventually be finished next to the Foundry, on Monitor. There are also other construction plans from what I understand. This will likely increase property values if that's important to you.

Posted on: 2011/6/11 10:47
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Re: Lamp Repair / Electrician?
#9
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Sadly, it's just Mark. But yes, this place is a treasure and something out of a bygone era. For repairs and antiques, they can't be beat.

Posted on: 2011/5/20 20:57
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Audio repair
#10
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I need to get a high end turntable repaired. Is there a place within 45 minutes of JC other than in NYC that is capable? It is a Dual, long discontinued, if that helps. Many thanks.

Posted on: 2011/3/22 22:10
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Re: Foundry + Dropping Prices
#11
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Hi Ducati,

I've been renting almost a year and thinking of buying. I share some of your concerns and haven't made my mind up.

The price is excellent compared to other parts of JC. Taxes are low also because of an abatement.

I've never had a problem with the immediate area, though a neighbor claims to have been mugged twice in the light rail parking lot. Since it's on the outskirts of the seedier Lafayette section, I feel safe despite my neighbor's experience. I actually like the area very much - the proximity to the park and the relative seclusion.

I'm not crazy about taking the light rail to the PATH. Depending on connections, all in all, it's nearly 25 minutes between walking to the light rail, the trip and then the walk to the PATH (Pavonia). Whenever possible, I take my bicycle to Grove, under 10 minutes. Another problem with the light rail is that it's not reliable in the snow, much less so than the PATH.

Yes, the ongoing construction. It seems they cheap out in some areas (windows, plumbing) and do things well in other areas. Very odd. And mediocre management. The management is not going to change anytime soon.

They have meetings every so often where renters are included. I imagine a potential buyer would be welcome to attend. Management and the owner are present. I suggest coming to one and talking to people to get a better feel.

Posted on: 2011/2/7 23:15
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Re: Bergen Lafayette?
#12
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I also live at the end of Communipaw near LSP. Yes, it's quiet and it's more or less an unknown jewel. It gets a bad rap because it's Lafayette. I love the area and agree that the one and only drawback is the lack of services.

However, this area is like a world away from the area previously described, Pacific & Lafayette near Lafayette Park. I stand by all my comments having lived by Lafayette Park for 3 years. This area is terrifying at night though nice during the day. The park is great - during the day. At night during the warm weather, you take your life in your hands if you go there or anywhere and you need to keep your windows closed to keep out the noise.

For those living at the end of Communipaw near LSP like myself, I dare you to take a walk after 8pm up Communipaw across Pacific and turn down any one of the side streets.

Bottom line is that like most any area, there's good and bad and 1 or 2 blocks can make a big difference. Downtown and the Heights are no different in that regard.

Posted on: 2011/1/18 9:40
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Re: Bergen Lafayette?
#13
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Quote:

getz011 wrote:
My wife and I bought in Lafayette (near Pacific / Lafayette) after living both downtown and in Greenville. We were impressed by costs, housing, proximity to LSP and light rail, and what seemed like a funky, artsy, up and coming atmosphere. Neither of us are hardened urban types - we're both 40ish professionals who've lived in all kinds of environments (including Texas, where I lived for nine years).

We haven't been disappointed - we love it. We spend less than half of what we spent downtown, and are at the PATH station in 20 minutes on foot, or 10 by bus or light rail. People here are extremely friendly: we quickly met a lot of our neighbors and have become good friends, something that never happened downtown or in Greenville. There's also a good number of artists & alternative types to be found. We're runners, and being that close to Liberty State Park is beyond description.

There's definitely a downside, as several have pointed out. It's not as secure as downtown, for sure, but we've never had a problem. We don't walk around at night; if we get home late, we usually take a $6 cab from Grove St. There's the obnoxiousness of the guys who cruise around all summer with window-shaking music cranked up at all hours; but on the other hand, we lived across from an office building downtown that was just as loud every morning starting before 6am when the industrial document shredding truck came to do its work.

If there were one thing I could change, it would be the situation with restaurants, bars and coffee shops - there aren't any. The closest local is the beer garden, a good 15-minute walk.

It sounds to me like you could be really happy here if you do your research, find a neighborhood you like, and understand the pros and cons. Happy to offer any more thoughts or suggestions. Good luck!!


Not to get picky, but this is not B-L; it is the Lafayette section, close to B-L but lots dicier than B-L. Getz, the Grove PATH is about 2.5 miles from where you live so that's quite a haul. I wouldn't call it walking distance. And the Light Rail is a 10 minute walk just to get to and then another 10 minutes (plus waiting for a train) to get to Exchange or Pavonia.

I lived very close to that area and I moved for safety reasons. While the homeowners are friendly, gangs roam the area at night and it's not safe and noisy as heck in the warm weather.

Van Horne, which is only 2 or 3 blocks from you, places #2 (per a cop I talked to) in violent crime in all of JC. Frankly, I don't see much improvement happening there for a number of years. I think some of your comments are very misleading.

Posted on: 2011/1/17 15:46
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Watch repair
#14
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Is there a place in JC that does repairs? It's very minor, I think. Thank you.

Posted on: 2010/12/29 15:37
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Light rail tickets
#15
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


Someone had mentioned to me that individual light rail tickets expire after a period of time. However, I don't see an expiration date on the tickets. Are they good indefinitely, that is, until you validate them? I use the light rail erratically, sometimes a few times a week, sometimes none. What's the best way to buy tickets? Thank you.

Posted on: 2010/8/16 13:09
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Re: Newark airport to Journal square
#16
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


I had no idea taxis charged $46 from the airport to JC. Last night, I ended up getting in an airport taxi and then promptly exited when I looked at the rate sheet. I hate to think what it costs to go somewhere more distant.

I called Downtown Limo after getting out of the airport taxi and they picked me up in 15 minutes - just like SF said, at the arrival level. It cost $25, the same amount it cost to get there (by Ace). The driver told me that if you give them the flight details at the time you book the taxi to go to the airport, they will automatically pick you up. I have no idea if that works out as planned though.

$46 is highway robbery and they (whoever they are, Port Authority?) shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.

Posted on: 2010/6/26 13:11
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