My co-worker friend (who was about 8 months pregnant) was cooking downstairs when water came flooding through the light fixture, across the floor and into the dining room where they had just placed new laminate flooring.The "plumber friend" disappeared and my friend and her husband realized the value of owning (which they did not have) a water key to shut the water off at the curb meter. 

Always good to know what you're getting into before you pour a ton of money into something only to have the city shut your dreams down. 

Even when the L train shuts down, I still have the J train a block from my house. 

If I understand it correctly, I should fix the fireplace first and then shut it or close it down?

During that process we got the planning department to allow additional space without major use permitting.. that's exactly what the planner said.. we see this as our affordable housing.. so instead of trying to shut them down like many cities do.. this city realized it filled a need.In other areas we dealt with this  North Charleston came to mind.. we bought part of a park and removed the park the mayor does not like them and will do everything he can to get them gone.. source of high crime and eye sore is what they talk about..

That usually shuts them down.

@brandon graves, are you sure she's affected by the shut down?

Due to these uncertain times, I'm nervous to put a good chunk of my cash reserves into my first investment.Ideally I would like to get a traditional loan with a hefty down payment as a safe option, while I learn the ropes of my first investment, however, I'm worried that my current employment situation would not allow me to do this.I am currently furloughed and my husband is an independent contractor (due to covid restrictions in our region we have been forced to shut down operations).What are my lending options since we don't have "job security" on paper.

The zoning was Rs7.5, meaning a single family home zoning, but you can grandfather in duplexes if they are existing and meet the meter test (have not been shut off for any period of 30 consecutive months).

I'd like to venmo until I found out I have to set up a business account and get charged fees, And I didn't want to risk my personal account getting shut down by reaccurring monthly payments