Some suggestions based on my experience two days back

- there is a side entrance to the building that can also be used to clear security. This was very helpful to me as there was a long line in the main entrance @ 8.30 am.

- It looks like all window seats have at least 2 outlets beneath them. So, no need to hunt for the few visible ones.

- You can also take the stairs to the fourth floor.

- A snack machine and a water/soft drinks dispense are in the same room. Small cafeteria on the ground floor.

- Lunch break was actually for an hour and half. Quite a few small restaurants on the road. A bunch of small Italian restaurants caught my eye that looked old-fashioned and neat; wish I had tried them. Subway down the road and also a famous Filipino restaurant/bakery opposite the Five Corners library. And of course, if you keep walking down Newark Av, you will come across many Indian restaurants within a few minutes.

- If you are particular of a spot and don't want to lose i when stepping out for lunch, you may want to leave your bag or coat. of course, this depends on your comfort level and risk tolerance. I left my backpack but it didn't have any valuables; guy next to me had actually left his laptop plugged in.

- TV is not loud but in case you want to tune it out, bring your headsets or headphones to listen to music.

Thanks to the person who created this thread and those who responded. :)

I have mine on Wed and will follow these great tips!

Thanks again!!

Sorry that I created this thread again. I didn't find it under real estate forum where I had created it and thought I had made a mistake.

Upon reading the article (under which my posts were moved to), I now realize what this 'construction' is about.

So, thanks for moving it.

Hi,

Does anyone know what is the construction going on close to the waterfront restaurant Battello on Washington Blvd?

They are leveling the ground in the strip of land jutting into the water. This is right between the restaurant and Avalon cove buildings.

Tried searching the net but couldn't find anything.

Thanks!

Hi,

Anyone know what is the construction close to the waterfront restaurant Battello on Washington Blvd?

They seemed to be levelling and drilling the ground in the strip of area jutting into the water (between the restaurant and Avalon Cove).

Thanks!

Request:

this is not for a big job like stairs but for a small one - need to replace some of the individual planks/strips of my condo's hardwood floors.

Any recommendations please?

Thanks!

I ended up using BestBuy's Geek Squad and was pleasantly surprised. They did a great job of mounting my 65 inch TV and were quite professional.

I read many bad reviews about them - on their own website- and wasn't sure. But then, those reviews were mostly about how they were charged extra for stuff they didn't want or cables they didn't have. Hard to decide without knowing more.

In my case, mine was going to be a simple mount using the mount purchased at their stores and I already had the HDMI cables. Went smooth and the TV looks great.

Would gladly recommend them.

Quote:

Thanks for the helpful feedback. Yup, I know I need either blackout or room darkening for a portion of my LR where the TV is.

Mike - I reached out windows by unique and was impressed with their very helpful attitude. They even sent me a free sample of the unique honeycomb that they recommended which will match my current blinds. On the other hand, their quote is far beyond my budget and I am so forced to explore other places like Home Depot who also offer a lot of window treatments.

Thanks again.

Hello,

I need a hide the power chord of my wall mounted tv and have a cable mangement kit that does NOT involve direct wiring into the circuit.

Installation seems a simple DIY but I would rather have a professional do it because it includes connecting wires between the kit's two receptacles.

Tried reaching Avolar, but they admitted that they are booked for a few weeks with bigger jobs.

Any recommendation for an electrician who doesn't mind doing such small jobs?

Thanks!

Quote:

Thanks! I don't have a noise issue, just glare and heat.

I am now pleasantly confused as to what to go for:
- simple blinds/thick thermal curtains
- solar screens
- blackout screens (motorized)

Need an expert and so scheduled two pro's to come in for free consultations next week.

I will mention to them that my business to them is solely thanks to this site. :)

Quote:

Thank you Mike; these guys offer a free consultation, which will suit me perfectly so that I can outline exactly what I need and my budget.

I have already reached out to them to schedule one. Let's see how it goes.

Thanks again,

Quote:

Nice! Their website has a cool feature to upload a picture and play around on the selection. Thanks!

Thank you very much for these great suggestions! Much appreciated.

Scottacus - I am not that handy but try to do things if I am confident wouldn't cause collateral damage if I screw up. :D In this case, these need to be fixed on the ceiling and so needs a bit of either professional help or from those who are experienced.

BergenWood - didn't know that JCP offers consultancy services. I understand that they might offer it only for 'big' jobs but given the unique setting of my LR, I am very much leaning towards having a pro give his/her suggestions after seeing it first hand.

Thanks again everyone! :) Will update the thread once I try out a few based on your suggestions.

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks MDM.

Hi,

I need to reduce the glare/sunlight streaming into the living room of my high-rise apartment.

Have floor-to-ceiling glasses on the west side and need an experienced individual to suggest the best way to achieve my objective.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Thanks MDM.

How about the hardwiring of your Blueray player?

I have a cheap Toshiba one and want to give it a shot even though I am not a geek. :)

Can you guide me please?

Thanks and good luck on your wireless efforts!

Quote:

Hmm...this is quite interesting.

Can you guide me on how to do it please? Thanks!

Update: I contacted "Turbo Tech Nerds" who offered to visit and give a free quote. Harris Hafeez, the Head Tech, came over as scheduled and gave an estimate. He was quite professional and seemed to know what he was talking about.

I haven't used them but can share my experience:

Stopped by them a few months back for a quote to rectify an ugly scratch on the side that wasn't deep. Was shocked at the $650 quote.

Tried two more shops: Ziggy and then another one on Communipaw (?, close to Rt 440), both of which were rated high on yelp. They too quoted about $700.

Granted, mine is a slightly expensive car but I thought the quotes were too high and wasn't prepared to pay that much.

None changed their quotes when I told them that I was paying for this from my pocket and NOT going thru the insurance company.

(I got my work done in a small shop in Brooklyn, NY for $300. Fantastic work. )

I am disappointed that I was unable to give the business to the local guys and shocked at their high prices. Maybe your experience might be different. Good luck!

Hi,

I am considering wall-mounting my big screen tv in my apartment and also set-up my surround-sound speakers to hide the wires.

Any recommendations on shops/individuals?

Thanks!

Just an update and reco for Mark @ Aladdin.

Thanks to this thread, I reached out to him last week to get an estimate on a floor lamp that had some issues.

Though Mark admits that his place looks messy - trust me, it is! -, he came across as a person who is honest and straight-forward and I had no second thoughts about leaving my lamp with him with a deposit equivalent to his estimate.

So, I wasn't very surprised that my first impression proved bang on target. :)

He got it fixed soon and charged less a third of the estimate and walked me thru what was wrong and what all he did. Great job!!

When chatting with him, I found out that the shop was run by his dad decades ago and that he's been running it for the last 15+ years. He is certainly an interesting and intriguing character, who speaks slowly and measuredly but still rides a motorbike that he parks right inside the old store amidst all the old and ancient bronze lamps and chandeliers and tools all over the shop. Surreal!

He's certainly the first person I am going to turn to for all stuff related to lamps and chandeliers.

Note to those who want to go there: don't get put off by the unorganized way the old shop is or worry if he'll find your stuff amidst his! Remember that it's been in that place for more than 25+ years and he owns it. Just trust him and you'll not be disappointed.

Thanks heights!

Do you know if the other poster - chiefdahill - was content with the work done by Joseph Cabala?

I have a similar situation but got sky high quotes from Ziggy (JC), Serfino (?) in Communipaw and one other guy on Rt. 139.

Quote:

Hey, any update on how and where you fixed the repaint on your bimmer? Did you try American Body works?

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone above who took the effort to post. Much appreciated.

I am going to 'marinate' on this decision - some call it procastinating ;) - but it is amazing how a little bit of a wait can reduce the emotional part from the decision making. More importantly, it gives time to evaluate the useful insights you posted.

Thanks again.

Hi!

I recently purchased a condo in the "A" building and am wondering whether is it worth coming out of the tax abatment program (which I believe this building enjoys for 20 years).

Of course, big assumption is that new owners like me can opt out of such abatment program.

I ask because the current values are at least 20% lower than the 2007 levels (which is what is being used for the current taxes) and if the tax is calculated based on the current rates and most recent valuation, it will be significantly less than the existing tax.

Two other factors that make me lean towards it:

(1) I suspect that the Marbella 2 unit construction right next door might decrease the value slightly - at least for some units.

(2) Given the very slow rebound in the economy, its doubtful if the already sky-high property taxe rates will increase further in the near future.

Based on the above, isn't it better to opt out and pay lower taxes?

of course, the bet is that both the property value and the tax rates will not go up substantially in the next five years that will make the opt-out more expensive.

Thoughts? Would appreciate any input and insight into this.

Thanks!