Architects Voted Sexiest Male Professionals
Step aside Models, Actors, Musicians, Lawyers, Doctors and Stockbrokers...apparently you don't have what it takes to be the sexiest creatures in the eyes of women :)
Architects are sexiest [Swiss Miss]
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Staten Island Secession Revisited: Bad Idea, Terrible Timing
Photo byboroughvoter.com on flickr.
There was a time not too long ago when Staten Island was the red headed step child of NYC. A time when we were the forgotten borough, left fending for ourselves fiscally. That time was back in 1993, when Staten Island voted overwhelmingly on a referendum to secede from the rest of NYC and become our own city, completely separate from the other 4 boroughs. While the referendum passed, the New York state assembly ruled that Staten Island couldn’t secede unless NYC requested it.
Fast forward 15 years, Staten Island is still part of NYC. We’ve made some sensational strides in those 15 years, all the while being a part of NYC and mostly because of it. We’ve closed the dump, built up dilapidated areas, built a sports stadium and redid the ferry terminals, built a brand new CUNY facility and went through a tremendous real estate boom. I’d say not seceding was probably one of the greatest things that never happened to Staten Island. Now, Andrew Lanza wants to revisit this topic? At a time when people are scared about losing their jobs, houses, and not being able to provide food for their families, he’s trying to cut off our financial lifeline to NYC? Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. What happens to all the NYC police officers, firefighters, sanitation workers and countless other city service employees who live in and work in Staten Island? What happens when we do secede, and NYC pulls the MTA from Staten Island and shuts down the Staten Island ferry service? How are all the thousands of Staten Island residents who rely on mass transit supposed to get to work? What happens when all those people who work for the city or work in Manhattan start moving to New Jersey and Brooklyn because of the commute? Staten Island will see a mass exodus of residents to other boroughs and states, the likes of which would be financially debilitating. Real Estate would drop precipitously, revenue streams would dry up and small businesses would all but disappear. Staten Island would without a doubt become the forgotten city if we seceded.
Mr. Lanza, this is not the time to be revisiting such a preposterous idea and I believe it is a complete waste of our government’s time and money to even explore this again. This is hardly the time to engage the New York State Assembly in a battle of secession, especially since I am doubtful that secession is on many Staten Islanders minds anymore. Take a poll Mr. Lanza, I think most Staten Island residents would rather continue to operate as the stepchild of NYC, rather than go out and try to start a family of our own. - By special guest blogger Adam Steinhandler
The Staten Island Moment, Revived!
[Curbed]
Bad Old Day Return Watch: Staten Island Secession [Bridge and Tunnel Club]
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fifty People, One Question: New York
If you asked 50 New Yorkers of all different types of backgrounds and ethnicities one question, what type of answers do you think you will get? Check out the cool video below to find out.
Fifty People, One Question: New York [Swiss Miss]
Friday, January 9, 2009
Record Breaking Low Mortgage Rates Strike Again!
Photo by fpsurgeon on Flickr.
Government sponsored mortgage lender Freddie Mac said Thursday that fixed rates on 30-year mortgages averaged 5.01% for the week ending Jan. 8th. That's down from 5.10% last week and well below 5.87%, which is where the rate stood at this time last year. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage has not been lower since Freddie Mac started conducting the survey in 1971.
Loan Amount =$300,000
30 year fixed rate (Current)= 5.01%
30 yr fixed rate (Oct 2008) = approx. 6.51%
Approx. 30 Yr. = 383,344 - 280,428 = $102,916
Cost Savings
Avg. Yearly Cost Savings = 102,916 / 30 = $3,431
Avg. Monthly Cost Savings = 3,431 / 12 = $286
I love math because it says it all!!
Mortgage rates dip to new all-time low [CNNMoney]
Thursday, January 8, 2009
All This Money and No One To Give It To
Photo by nomadic homemaker on Flickr.
Apparently what's wrong with the real estate market today is not so much the unwillingness of banks to loan money, but rather people's unwillingness to ask for it. There are billions of dollars that the FHA is trying to loan home buyer's, but people still aren't biting. With mortgage rates as low as they are, even if you can't afford a 20% down payment and have to pay PMI, the net payment is virtually equivalent to the 6%+ 30 year fixed rates of only a few months ago. And if you can afford the 20% down payment, most people are too scared to jump into the housing market and would rather sit on their cash rather than live in it.
Either way, you can't argue that home prices around the country are at their lowest levels in the past few years, with some case by case exceptions. If you are in the market, now is the time to kick it into high gear and start to seriously look. We are sitting on 5% 30 year fixed rates with no points today and those numbers are looking like they will come down even further. We have record low mortgage rates. We have record levels of housing inventory. We have record levels of foreclosures and bank owned properties and we still don't have people buying. It's amazing that the FHA is having such a tough time finding a home for all that money. - By special guest blogger Adam Steinhandler
Home Buyers Can Easily Find Money for Mortgages or Refinancing [KnowledgePlex]
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
SIREN's Top 6 Tips for Effective Space Planning
Photo by wili_hybrid on Flickr.
1. You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble by taking careful measurements and thinking through the following issues before you start drawing. When measuring existing spaces, lay your measuring tape flat on the floor and measure room dimensions in several places, especially where furniture will be a tight fit. Don’t assume your walls are parallel.
2. Before laying out furniture, look for projecting windowsills, and note the location of electrical receptacles, light switches, vents and thermostats.
3. When placing a desk, ask yourself, “What do I want to be looking at when I sit there?”
4. The walkway between a piece of furniture and a wall should be at least 30 inches in a residential space (36″ is preferred). In a public space it should be at least 36 inches (42″ is preferred).
5. When placing furniture on a residential plan, remember that most furniture will actually sit 2 or 3 inches from the wall.
6. Don’t line all the furniture up along the walls. Break up spaces by placing pieces out in the room. Setting rugs, sofas, or other furniture at angles can help avoid an overly rigid feel.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Even Brooklynites LOVE Staten Island!
Photo by *One* on Flickr (View in St. George)
I came across this forum post on the Brownstoner the other day about a Brooklynite moving to the St George area of Staten Island. The positive comments from both Brooklyn and Staten Island residents was a breath of fresh air and I'm glad to see that Staten Island has been getting the respect it deserves. People fear what they don't know, but as you can see Brooklynites are starting to accept and love Staten Island as well. I genuinely believe Staten Island will have it's moment of glory, and I hope through my blog I can help revitalize the perception of this historical island.
My allergies are acting up right now and my head feels like a ton of bricks, so I'll make this short and sweet. Gentrification in the St. George and surrounding areas have been prevalent over the past few years, making headlines in big blog and media sites such as the NY Times, Curbed, Gothamist, NY Observer and The Real Deal. I don't care for labels that much, but they are calling it "Williamsburg II". With an abundance of affordable homes, BEAUTIFUL Victorian homes, the exclusive Bay Street Landing development, a thriving artist community (you can always see hot local bands at Martini Red or national acts at the St. George Theatre), great restaurants, Richmond County Bank Ballpark...home to the SI Yankees, Borough Hall, the exquisite Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, you really can't go wrong if you choose to live here. Apparently this post wasn't short, but it certainly was sweet!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Monday Fun Day Video
So what's going to happen in 2009 when the analog TVs go dead? People will be stuck without some great shows. Well, a digital converter can fix this issue, but with differences in generations some people may have trouble making sure their TVs do not go dead. Check out this hilarious video...I guarantee it will make you chuckle the entire way through. - By special guest blogger, code name DeXter
The Digital TV Transition [Gov]
Friday, January 2, 2009
Optimistic Predictions of 2009!
Photo by Antonio Goya on Flickr.
I am for sure no "Negative Nancy"...therefore if I come across a positive outlook on the economy, I often tend to share it with my loyal readers to brighten up their day. I found the quote below on the Brownstoner that was taken from an article setting forth nine predictions of 2009. Stay focused on the optimistic predictions! Do you think Mark Sunshine is being overly confident or not?
Prediction: In January, the banks will realize that they cannot avoid lending forever. The Federal Reserve will financially punish any bank that refuses to lend by manipulating interest rates so that banks that hoard cash lose money. From the industry ashes a banking prophet will emerge who will preach the gospel of positive net interest spread through responsible lending.
— Mark Sunshine of First Capital
Thursday, January 1, 2009
U2 - New Year's Day
HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR to ALL!!!
I have a treat for you guys today I'm sure everyone will enjoy. I would like to start off the New Year with the sweet sounds of a band I'm sure everyone has heard of... Great song, by an amazing band.
Who: U2
Video: New Year's Day (live at Slane Castle in Ireland)
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