Open House Picks

The BSW (Victorian Flatbush) house was on the house tour a few years ago. Needs updating in terms of kitchen and baths, and maybe systems (don't know), but it is a real gem. A really pretty design loaded with beautiful period details. The price seems very reasonable to me, given that it isn't overly huge (a 5 bedroom wood frame house costs a lot less to heat and maintain than a 7 or 9 bedroom), is on a somewhat busy street, and does need updating. Beverley Road is directly across the street from gorgeous landmarked Prospect Park South, so your views won't be compromised and it's just three blocks from the Parade Grounds, another block to the park. If I wasn't mired in my own renovation at the moment, I would be sorely tempted. I predict this house will go well above ask.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:01 PM

The BSW house has only one full bath. Needs a lot of work to make it livable for a real family. But I agree, it has a lot of charm.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:05 PM

Actually, I disagree with you, anonymous at 12:05 PM. A real family has lived there (with actual children!)previously, and relatively comfortably I might add. It is fairly easy to renovate a wood frame house to accomodate an extra bathroom or extend a half bath. Many of these houses have "storage rooms" in the attic which make wonderful second bathrooms. And who needs an attic storage room when you have a full basement and a garage? I get the feeling you don't know the area very well and or/have not been in very many Victorian woodframe homes.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:09 PM

If I had a house with seven bedrooms and a storage room (mentioned in MKG's listing), I don't think I'd waste a minute converting one of those rooms into a super luxurious master bathroom!

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:12 PM

If I had a house with seven bedrooms and a storage room (mentioned in MKG's listing), I don't think I'd waste a minute converting one of those rooms into a super luxurious master bathroom! Some of the owners of these homes gut the whole attic level into one huge master suite with bath/shower room.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:13 PM

The BSW listing mentions a "shaving closet." What is that?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:18 PM

Its a little alcove, usually with a door on each side, between bedrooms, although sometimes it is just a little alcove off a bedroom, with a sink and mirror. If it's period in this neighborhood, it's going to be marble with a marble countertop. I've seen plenty of them and wish we still had ours. Great for washing finger paints and the like off little fingers or rinsing up after a diaper change.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:24 PM

Forgive the ignorance: How is the BSW location not Ditmas PArk. What's the diff?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:39 PM

Ditmas Park is actually a sub-section of Victorian Flatbush, which is comprised of about a dozen contiguous "neighborhood", all built around the turn of the last century. For some reason, real estate types frequently dub the whole are Ditmas Park, which is inaccurate. Ditmas Park and Prospect Park South are perhaps the two best known Victorian Flatbush Neighborhoods. Beverley Square West is in between PPS and DP, bounded by Beverley and Cortelyou Roads. While the houses in BSW tend to be a bit smaller and not quite as grand as DP and PPS, it is the secion of Victorian Flatbush most conveniently located to up and coming Cortelyou Road - the only real "destination" street in the nabe. By the way, a second restaurant and an upscale children's boutique are set to open up soon on Cortelyou.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 12:48 PM

That house in PPS sold quickly and it is not even one of my favorite houses.

There have been a few sales in BSW recently that have exceeded the million dollar mark recently. I think this is partially to do with the convenience of the location.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 1:03 PM

I was anon 12:05 and I do know the neighborhood very well. Lived on Bev Rd for many years. But if you are looking at comps in the immediate vicinity, I would imagine that having only one full bath is the reason that it is priced slightly less. IMHO, the type of family that is coming into an area and driving the prices up- I say this having just sold a brownstone in PS- is looking for things like extra bathrooms. They will put them in, but again, that gets figured into the cost of the house. Either way, the house is lovely.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 3:52 PM

I appreciate your comments, anonymous at 2006. There is a house with not too many bedrooms in BSW which had absolutely no detail and no designer reno, and it sold for several hundred thousand above ask (and above the million mark). This house beats it hands down, even with one bathroom.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 4:40 PM

Looks like the Bed-Stuy house might have some interesting detail (notwithstanding unfortunate drop ceilings) - pier mirror, mantles, etc.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 5:35 PM

I have looked at several houses on this block and they have all seemed very nice although they in need of work. This particular house seems nice but I hate the fact that they painted the wainscotting white. If you buy this this home stripping the wood is going to be a nightmare. Who would think that BedStuy would have gone up this much? Only in NYC KIds

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 5:45 PM

I was referencing the house in BS

Posted by: Anonymous at March 3, 2006 5:46 PM

Prices in BS are crazy for the area (amenties etc) but don't seem to have incresed that much, given the general increases. This would have been about 400,000 5 years ago.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 12:12 AM

NO WAY. THAT HOUSE IN BEDSTUY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 150K FIVE YEARS AGO.

YOU BEEN BUYIING SOME OF THE WACKY CRACKY THEY SELL IN BROWNSTONER'S HOOD?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 5:33 AM

I think this is one block past "Stuyvesant Hgts" and it is my understanding the block is being considered for landmark status. FYI, there is a school on the corner that is being restored to it's original look. I do notknow the name of the school but check it out. It's on the corner of MacDonough and Ralph. My gues is that this block might get landmarked as well. No facts, just rumors I have heard.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 8:15 AM

I agree with ANON 12:12. that home would have gone for $400K five years ago. You may have gotten one of these houses at an auction for $150K but other than that you were paying market. Many houses like the one on MacDonough need work (especially stripping the wood)but they have tons of details. Not all of these homes were robbed of their treasures in the 80's and 90's so they maintained value. I think the price is fair for the block.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 8:20 AM

5 years ago? I'd say the BS house would be have been in the high 300's. Certainly closer to 400K than 150K. Anyone know for sure?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 11:45 AM

I think 4:01 is about right. I looked for a house in CH in the 400's in 2001 and there was absolutely nothing for under 500K. I saw plenty in BS for 400Kto 500K, but I wasn't interested. But there's no way this house was under 350K.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 7:08 PM

How much above asking (1.45 m) did the brick house in PPS go for?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 4, 2006 10:12 PM

The PPS sold for $1,455,580, according to Property Shark.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 5, 2006 12:17 PM

Took a little jaunt over to Prospect Park SW to visit #89, on the market for $985K - the "twin" of 88, listed at $885K on Open House Picks for January 20. Perhaps a great opportunity for someone has been lost - these houses could have been put up for sale together. I believe they may have been one house at one time. As it is each is tiny and vertical. I saw #89 in 1998, when it was for sale for $299K! Since then, the attic has been finished, to add one more room & bath. I don't know how they expect to get $985K, since #88 had to cut its price to $885K - and it's got a rear extension and a full-width backyard. Still, the owners have made the most of not very much: when you are inside, the house does not feel as small as it really is.
Since we were walking by, we also dropped in to the OH at #82, HOTD from last August 5 at 1,899K (and OH pick in October for $1,799K). Now it's 1,599K. What will it take for someone to bite?

Posted by: Anonymous at March 5, 2006 6:46 PM