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July 25, 2007

House of the Day: 580A 19th Street

While there's no getting around the fact that this 13-foot-wide house at 580A 19th Street in Windsor Terrace is on the small side, we're surprised that its low price hasn't attracted more interest as an apartment alternative (it's got just two bedrooms and one bathroom). After sitting on the market for the past several months at $599,000, the 1,300-square-foot, two-story brick house was just reduced to $575,000. The recent renovation means that there's a modern kitchen but no visible historic details. Think the price cut will help get a deal done?
580A 19th Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark

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Comments

If I had any money to speak of I would buy it for $515,000.

Maybe for 575,000 because the back proch is awesome

Posted by: nick at July 25, 2007 1:45 PM

Moldings and details can be added, which I personally would find fun. Shopping at an architectural salvage place for "details". But the problem is when buyers look at a place that has downsides (like this tiny size) it's the charm that sucks them in. Without the charm, it's so easy to find the downsides become even more glaringly important.

Also, from a purely investment perspective, a buyer would have to make note it would be as hard to sell the house later on, as it is for the sellers right now. 2 BR and 1 bath is tough for a house. At any price. Because the pool of suitable and interested buyers would be so small. The difference between a condo/coop and this house is the yard. The yard is the biggest selling point and they blew it. It looks like crap. A little landscaping and grooming in the back would have gone so far for this seller.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 25, 2007 1:46 PM

its practically on the exit ramp off Prospect Expwy
I drive by it all the time when i exit the expwy
Not close to subways
not all that close to the park

Posted by: location at July 25, 2007 1:51 PM

I've looked at this house, and the another one on the same block (for sale by the same owners for $550k). The biggest problem, I think, is the slope. I got dizzy on the second floor.

Posted by: Kas at July 25, 2007 1:58 PM

I've looked at this house, and another one on the same block (for sale by the same owners for $550k). The biggest problem, I think, is the slope. I got dizzy on the second floor.

Posted by: Kas at July 25, 2007 2:00 PM

I also saw the house. Its nice yet small and faces the highway. The ramp off of Prospect Expwy 10/11th avenue comes down the street which is not enticing.

15th Street/Prospect Park subway isn't too far, about 10 min walk.

Posted by: Alex at July 25, 2007 3:31 PM

if it was 300,000 Id buy it today

Posted by: nick at July 25, 2007 4:02 PM

I looked at this place too.
The house slopes almost a foot from front to back. The ground is shifting/sinking and the foundation is cracked.

It's something that couldn't be properly fixed for under 100k is the estimate i was given by an engineer.

Posted by: anon at July 25, 2007 4:34 PM

The highway and off-ramp would eliminate it for me.

Posted by: jane at July 25, 2007 5:00 PM

For the money, a coop in that area would get you more space and no mechanical problems.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 25, 2007 5:12 PM

you're in the high end of the sweet spot for buyers who are not wealthy.

don't wish to sound like a doom 'n gloomer, but things are looking decidedly unpleasant for the average joe.

700K and up? no problem! 500K and down? problemo.

Posted by: suzy at July 25, 2007 6:16 PM

You hit the nail on the head Suzy

Posted by: anon at July 25, 2007 7:13 PM

I live in this area which is a very safe, has a great elementary school, is a 5 minute walk to the train, Prospect Park & shops. Many houses in WT and Park Slope have sloping floors and no repairs are required if you are willing to live with the incline. Yes, its on the highway which is a minus but this house a few blocks away would be considerably more.

For someone who wants their own house rather than a condo, this seems like one of the most reasonably priced houses Ive seen in a while. Im surprised its not sold.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 25, 2007 10:20 PM

Yeah, must concur about the slope. A bowling ball would roll from the front to the back FAST. It's a big slope. And the basement is really more like a little creepy space to put a bunch of boxes.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 25, 2007 10:57 PM

my father took a look at this house a few months ago and said once he got upstairs the floors are so unevel he felt as though he was going to lose his balance and roll right out the back window

Posted by: katie at July 25, 2007 11:17 PM

One, second floor bathroom. 'Nuff said.

Posted by: Moderator 11 at July 26, 2007 9:33 AM

One, second floor bathroom. 'Nuff said.

Posted by: Moderator 11 at July 26, 2007 9:33 AM

I grew up, and have spent my whole life in Brooklyn (I'm 43). A lot of 2 bedroom houses\apartments have just one bathroom. Especially if they haven't been built recently. It is hard to find a house with a back yard for anywhere near that price in a good neighborhood, that is close to transportation, shops, and good schools. That said, I do like having 2 bathrooms now, except when I have to clean them.

Posted by: J at July 26, 2007 10:13 AM

Also saw this house a little while back. The price is the most attractive feature. The expressway is a serious turnoff, it's quite the hike from everythng and I couldn't imagine living in a two bedroom house with one bathroom with a family of three or four. As yesterday's 5:12 said, you can do better in a co-op or condo and get more space.

Posted by: jdhs 91 at July 26, 2007 10:34 AM

A 5 minute walk to which train? The F is about 10-15 away

Posted by: anon at July 26, 2007 10:38 AM

its a good 15 minute walk from the F train

10:20 sounds like a broker
or the owner

Posted by: hike at July 26, 2007 10:39 AM

I say 5 minutes to Ft. Hamilton Station. If takes you 10-15 you need a wheelchair.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 26, 2007 11:06 AM

The walk to the F train should take the average abled body person 5 to 10 minutes. It is not far at all.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 26, 2007 12:13 PM