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November 27, 2007
House of the Day: 119 Bainbridge Street
Based purely on anecdotal evidence, it seems like houses in Bed Stuy—even the best ones—are having the most trouble in the post-subprime world. Take 119 Bainbridge Street, for example. The four-story, 4,132-square-foot house is a beauty and is on one of the nicest streets in Bed Stuy. Back in September, the house was listed for $1,300,000. Now, the asking price has dropped to $1,000,000. Clearly the lack of buyers is about the overall market and the neighborhood more than a statement about the house, which has rocking woodwork. What's the market-clearing price on this one?
119 Bainbridge Street [Brooklyn Properties] GMAP
Open House Picks 9/27/07 [Brownstoner] P*Shark
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Comments
$450k.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:26 PM
600K tops.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:27 PM
Well, it's a flip. That's the problem. Owner paid $805K one year ago, then listed it at $600K more (originally)? Why? No work was done to it. Screw it.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:28 PM
$220k tops
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:36 PM
I love the stuy but this house was overpriced to begin with. this is the problem, people are greedy and now its catching up with them. let it sit on the market forever! people need a wake up call.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:36 PM
that's the ugliest kitchen ever. ever!!!!!
when staging a house, please remove the fish decals from the kitchen walls, especially if you intend to list it for over $1,000,000!
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:37 PM
Oops-I meant $500K more (the original 1,300,000 asking price).
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:37 PM
You would think they would be smart enough to list it for at least $1 less in order to avoid the mansion tax. And while they are at it, lop off another $500k.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:39 PM
Wow - this house is simply beautiful. I bet an offer of $900k would do the trick, and a turning a couple of floors to rentals would amost cover the mortgage.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:40 PM
alot of money to live in bed stuy.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:42 PM
I love that kitchen, especially the fish.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:48 PM
Mr. B why do you constantly pose qusetions that bait your racist readers???? Shame on you.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:51 PM
I don't know about that, Mr. B. Anecdotally speaking, it seems as if most neighborhoods are experiencing a profound slowdown, all across the board. There doesn't seem to be too much available, and what is there, is vastly overpriced, and would sit even if the market was better.
This house is in a part of BS that few could argue about, beauty-wise. There are growing amenties and a diverse population - more and more white folks. From the photos, it looks as if a kitchen upgrade is in order, but aside from that, one could certainly be comfortable in the meantime. (Gorgeous detail. I want that bathroom mirror and the built ins on the parlor floor.)
Anyway, I can see this going for just under a million - like $998K, to avoid the mansion tax. It's a beautiful house, and even at that price, certainly not cheap. The first two ridiculous prices are never happening in this neighborhood again. Whether flipped or not, I don't think one can judge it by what someone paid for it, and tried to sell it for. I think it's up to a buyer to decide that the price is doable for them, and the house is what they want. I don't think most people buy houses to bless or curse someone's business acumen, or cojones. They want the house. Unless there are massive things wrong with this house that aren't apparent here, I think this one will sell at or just under the new price.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 27, 2007 1:52 PM
Montrose continues to be the voice of reason.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:55 PM
I don;t see any racist comments. Economic ones, yes.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:59 PM
Bed Stuy. I thought that was in Clinton Hill.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:02 PM
The glass in the bathroom is worth 5k and a couple of the door knobs about $750. a piece, so buy it for a mil. and sell the parts for 2.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:02 PM
It's a one family. If this could deliver rental income it might fetch a more aggressive price. A perfect high-end reno might break a million as a one family, even in the best of (recent) times. 100 Decatur last year didn't even break 1M and that was after a heated bidding war.
Posted by: housebywe at November 27, 2007 2:03 PM
I have to disagree w/ Montrose Morris (no matter how much I like his work ;) ). I'm on the hunt for a house, but would not buy this place partially because I don't understand why the owners have "earned" a few 100k in 1 year without even updating the kitchen. I'm fortunate enough to have a much higher budget, but I only have that money because I don't spend it on overpriced things. I live the neighborhood and have seen this listing and considered it. I concluded that it doesn't make sense to let the flipper have some of my money instead of waiting for another place and buying directly from the real seller. Cut out the middleman. This is especially true when there's no evidence that they added anything to the value of the property.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:04 PM
According to the ad this place is 20x50 and 4 floors so at $1 million, that's $250 a square foot. That seems like a pretty good deal for this part of bed stuy. $1.3 is just too much for this place. Weirdly its listed as a one family. Maybe that's the issue? If there aren't at least one or two apartments in there, that makes it a bizarre amount of living space and takes rental income out of the equation.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:05 PM
Me again, buy it for a mil and take the mil in details to a house near you; then rent it out for a year or two then sell the shell for 1.5 when downtown is so congested that folks are sick of AY and Bed Stuy is the new it spot.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:07 PM
I don;t see any racist comments. Economic ones, yes.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 1:59 PM
Just wait, you'll see.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:08 PM
i don't believe bed stuy will ever be the new it spot.
it has a tarnished reputation not unlike south central LA that will take many many more years to overcome, no matter how nice it may become.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:09 PM
I know the owner personally and her father brought this house in the 1940s shortly after he came to the US from Barbados. So this is not a FLIP! This house is a four or three family. The owner of this house is really willing to work with someone that can make a good offer...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:14 PM
My cousin has been talking to her about this home and he really wants to make a bid on this place...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:14 PM
100 decatur went for $100k over asking.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:16 PM
i don't believe bed stuy will ever be the new it spot.
it has a tarnished reputation not unlike south central LA that will take many many more years to overcome, no matter how nice it may become.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:09 PM
"no matter how nice it may become", Brooklyn had the same reputation, now what? Read up on Ft Greene from a few years ago, the only neighborhood to have a murder during the blackout of 1977. Who knew? Everybody should by now.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:17 PM
"The owner of this house is really willing to work with someone that can make a good offer... "
The owner is a greedy S.O.B.
He's willing to work with someone after listing the house for 1.3 million dollars??
An absolutely absurd amount for this house!!!
Even 1 million is absurd.
This won't go for a penny over 800K.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:26 PM
2:14 - then someone needs to get their facts straight. If you really know the owner you better tell them to call the broker pronto and make clear that this has rental income - that makes all the difference in the world, since if the dimensions are correct - 20x50 - the rentals can easily be two bedrooms and almost cover mortgage.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:29 PM
This area is called Stuyvesant Heights... This house is in a landmark historic district. check out the brown street signs...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:30 PM
I was told the owner took this place off the market and is going to sell it herself..
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:31 PM
I really don't think a little less than 1mill is ridiculous since the house is so big - two families could share it perfectly and both have plenty of space. And really the details are sublime. and NO I am not the broker, and NO I do not own in BedStuy.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:33 PM
2:17 is right on. those of you still buying into 1980's stereotypes are so out of it, it's funny. oooohhhh scaaarrryyyyyy!!!
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:33 PM
"I know the owner personally and her father brought this house in the 1940s shortly after he came to the US from Barbados. So this is not a FLIP! "
That's NOT what is reflected in the title history.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:35 PM
2:31, I was just about to recommend that she fire that broker for listing the house as a 1 family, when in fact, it is a 3 and not pricing to save the buyer the mansion tax.
What went into her decision to hire Brooklyn Properties as the listing broker?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:37 PM
desperate probably...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:39 PM
2:17 is right on. those of you still buying into 1980's stereotypes are so out of it, it's funny. oooohhhh scaaarrryyyyyy!!!
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:33 PM
I wonder if they are trying to scare others so they can get a leg up in one of the two remaining areas that will be worth it once AY is built?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:45 PM
This is not a flip unless the right hand flipped it to the left.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:46 PM
price point
i hate that term
so manufactured, how can people say it with a straght face?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:50 PM
not everyone is scared of AY.
we live in a city. Buildings get built alot.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:52 PM
Hey, if you don't like the price, don't buy it. You won't get a brownstone. Buyer's market or not, owner's aren't going to give away their houses. More likely they'll rent the apartments out and try again a couple of years from now. Many novices posting here, think that landlords are all in for a drubbing, here's a clue, they got rich by being smart and knowing their options. So go buy the same brownstone in Fort Greene for 2 million and be happy. Think of it this way: how do luxury yacht makers continue to stay in business through depressions, recessions, crashes and bubbles? There's always a market. Especially in NYC where the population continues to grow. So, hey, "wait it out" and see if the price goes to 200k as some loser posted. Wishful thinking is free but foresight takes some balls.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:56 PM
Don't knock Brooklyn Properties. They are the only brokerage that knows how to take photos of a beautiful house.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:57 PM
not everyone is scared of AY.
we live in a city. Buildings get built alot.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:52 PM
Who wants to live across the street from AY, certainly not the folks in Prospect Heights. Bed Stuy is looking very appealing to home buyers with vision and cash; talk about a safe bet.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 2:58 PM
If Brooklyn Properties is listing this as a 1 family and it's a 3 family I'd be furious as the seller. What the hell are they paying a 6% commission for if the broker cannot even get such basic information right. I can see why Corcoran has such great success compared with BP.
Posted by: Brooklynnative at November 27, 2007 2:59 PM
Baiting racists? Brownstoner? Oh never.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:02 PM
about AY.
people pay a shitload of money to live in crappy new apartments on 11th ave in Hells Kitchen next to abunch of lumber companies.
AY will do nothing to bring down prices.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:05 PM
Don't start with Corcoran. I know more Corcoran screw up stories than all other brokerages combined. If Corcoran learns how to take photos and post them on their web site bigger than a thumb nail that will be a start.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:06 PM
How silly and myopic some of you sound, stating that Bed-Stuy could never be an "it" spot. You have Williamsburg directly to the north pushing inwards rapidly from Flushing avenue, you have Clinton Hill to the West pushing inwards rapidly, you have Crown Heights and Stuyvesant Heights to the South with rapidly revitalizing brownstones and the A train. Meanwhile, to the East you have the Bushwick revitalization moving along nicely due to the L train and J train access. You have Manhattan less than 15 minutes away, downtown Brooklyn 10 minutes away. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the future here especially since crime continues to take a nose dive (we are on track for the lowest violent crime numbers in New York City history), we are also due for a million more folks in the next 15 years, and don't post some snide comment about overpopulation when you consider many cities on this planet have over 15 million. Do the math and stop posting nonsense.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:06 PM
I think this house is on one of the BEST BLOCKS IN THE CITY!!!
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:13 PM
I think speculating on a neighborhood like bed stuy is always a crap shoot. you may be right that it will gentrify eventually but you could be waiting a long time. All it will take is a recession to slow that push of gentrification.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:14 PM
Maybe it is set up as a 1-family, but is legally a 3-family??? That happens ALL THE TIME.
Also, Brooklyn Properties is the only brokerage, in my opinion, that takes excellent photos of their listings.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:20 PM
if you don't like crime you're a racist.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:22 PM
Is this house really a limestone? I live on Lefferts Avenue, where this house is. All the houses on the block are brick (the colors of the brick are either grey or red). The center of the front itself is limestone...can it be a brick/limestone combo?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:29 PM
298 it is (closer to Nostrand than Rogers). But I didn't know that these were built as 2-family homes, and I'm quite surprised to hear that (but if Bob says so, I'm not going to argue) -- they're really on the small side for that, especially considering the larger families that were the norm when they were built. I live on the top floor of an identical house, and the layout just doesn't make sense -- I can't imagine it having been built that way, it just seems so arbitrary, although all the houses I've seen on the block do seem to be laid out identically. Very strange.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:32 PM
Is this house in historic Stuyvesant Heights?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:32 PM
Incidentally, sale of this house will displace two long-term (over 35 years!) residents, unless the new owner would like to keep them in place (a very good idea -- they're great people!). The house is being sold following the death of the owner.
At this price, assuming a mortgage of $675K, what rent do people think one would want to charge? There's actually a place on the next block (between Bedford and Rogers) for which the owner is asking $2200, which I think is quite high, but probably (and unfortunately for long-term residents and poor people like me) a sign of things to come.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:33 PM
3:22 no simpleton - if you prejudge or make dumb ass broad generalizations you are a racist.
but you, - you are just clueless, and i would venture to say stupid.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:36 PM
Same house in Park Slope is worth 3.4 mil
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:38 PM
Pretty much every post in this thread after 2:00pm has just been copied and pasted from past Brownstoner threads.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:38 PM
It amazes me, the way race distorts real estate value.
This is a gorgeous street in a great neighborhood! Bed stuy has great transportation to the city (I'm talking A or J train--not the C or the G), beautiful housing stock, many blocks with high home ownership, plenty of mature trees, amenities are coming, there is a grocery store near this house that's actually pretty good and a wine boutique and lots of other things to buy...
...And yet there's squeamishness.
At the same time, a neighborhood like Greenpoint, which has *real* problems like toxic waste blooms and years of heavy industry under its belt, along with nasty architecture and the G train, has through the roof housing prices that seem to be holding steady.
Why? Poles are even whiter than you.
I feel genuinely sorry for people who are making stupid decisions about New York real estate based on race, because it's never a good long term strategy.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:40 PM
3:38 you are wrong. there are some excellent point being made here today. especially 3:06...who is right on the mark.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:44 PM
The NYC City Council passed a demolition by neglect bill in 2005 that allows Landmarks to protect properties like this from bad owners. I wonder what it takes to get Landmarks to act?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:52 PM
about AY.
people pay a shitload of money to live in crappy new apartments on 11th ave in Hells Kitchen next to abunch of lumber companies.
AY will do nothing to bring down prices.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:05 PM
Never said it would bring down prices, however, I think they will increase prices in Bed Stuy.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:07 PM
people have been saying for 10 years now that PLG was the new it spot.
it's exactly the same as it was 10 years ago.
meanwhile, ditmas and kensington have gentrified more than plg has.
so you never know. bed stuy probably will gentrify a bit more, but it will never be a park slope, ft. greene or cobble hill.
is harlem anywhere near where it should be in terms of gentrification, considering it's been happening for 2 decades?
nope.
and it lies IN MANHATTAN.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:13 PM
There's a tenant??
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:14 PM
It's amazing to me when people here say that a 2000+ sf house is "too small" to be a 2-family. What is this, Short Hills? Have you never met a family that lives in an apartment? Living in "only" 2 floors of this house may be less than ideal but plenty of New Yorkers, including New Yorkers with a fair amount of means and options, would be glad to have that much space.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:14 PM
There are tenants on the first floor. Very sweet people.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:15 PM
The tenant on the ground floor is the owner... The parlor floor is a artist. the floor above??? and the top is a classy older lady around 60...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:24 PM
3:40pm sorry, I do not live in Greenpoint myself, but you are just wrong the hood. greenpoint is wonderful. not only white people as you state, but 2 beautiful parks, A+ schools, amenities and most is not in the industrial area, especially the houses around McGolrick Park and the condos around McCarren. Obviously, the south end of Greenpoint is walking distance to several of the great Williamsburg shops and restaurants too. in fact, i have been researching Greenpoint recently for their great school system, hence my interest.
as a white person who has lived in a predominantly black neighborhood in the past, i can state that it, um, sucks. most of the people were threatening, mean, disruptive and horrible neighbors. i would never ever live in a poor black neighborhood again. i was a renter then, so I didn't care that much, but i would not buy in an area where i had to be part of a community that may hate my guts because of the color of my skin.
sure that i am not alone in this.
expect to see williamsburg and greenpoint charge ahead because of the fact that they have no projects, no ghetto people and that the hispanics in south williamsburg are getting pushed out.
black hoods can gentrify to some degree, but not as quickly as white neighborhoods regardless of housing stock (although Greenpoint does have some nice old houses).
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:25 PM
There was a very similar house on the Prospect Lefferts house tour 2-3 years ago. It was absolutely charming inside and beautifully restored/maintained. Lived in by 3 sisters (one of whom is an RE broker I believe) and featured in the NYT. One of my very favorite houses from the past 5 years. Reminded me of Washington DC's Adams Morgan neighborhood. Anyway, what a shame that this place is so neglected.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:27 PM
There's already an addition, which is where the kitchen is, and to my untrained eye it looked like the roof on that needed attention, as did the floor in one bedroom, where a beam was pushing up through three (or more) layers of linoleum.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:32 PM
Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights are the last great Brownstone areas in all New York. Bedford Stuyvesant has the largest number of brownstones outside Harlem but once those are hard to purchase like the ones in Ft. Greene etc... the ball game will be over...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:34 PM
The floorplan is bizarre, and would ideally get re-worked (though one awkward wall seems to be load-bearing). Surprisingly, for all that, it doesn't feel as "friggin' tiny" as it looks online. The weird room stuck between the two bedrooms has a skylight and is bright & airy, and probably big enough to be a (small) 3rd BR if it got its own door and a closet.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:35 PM
Saw this property at its first OH. At the time there was ample evidence of Corcoran coaching the seller to bandaid problems (cheap varnish on old floors, hasty patches in the walls, hasty landscaping).
My thoughts: a very small house for the price (albeit with some charm) eeding subsantial upgrades (don't forget that kitchen). Also, the bowling alley backyard butts up against a rather large apartment building in the rear, insuring that it will never be a very private back yard.
If I needed more space, which I do, I would look for something wider before going through the expense and energy of adding another floor.
I was not even tempted at the original or even current price, but it represents a potential foot in the ownership door in a good location in Bed Stuy.
My $.02
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:38 PM
i'd rather live with black people than over an oil slick, 4:25.
you come on here all the time and boost your crappy neighborhood.
NO ONE CARES!
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:43 PM
Originally, this house was listed for 987k when renken realty listed it. When brooklyn properties took over the listing they increased the price to 1.3 million and added a bunch of doctored pictures. The home has some beautiful details and yes, it's on a beautiful landmark block but considering the amount of work it needs; kitchen, bathrooms, windows, roof, carpentry work (beams replaced), new boiler, basement sealed and last but not lease, termite treatment. Asking for a million dollars is a far stretch. Also, the place use to be an SRO and sustained some fire damage that was not completely/correctly repaired.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:44 PM
Backyards are never very private in Brooklyn. I would not be concerned about the "bowling lane" effect. Landscape it well and it would be very charming. Can't say much else about the place because I have not seen it.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:53 PM
I went to see this house last weekend when they had an open house. It needs alot of work. There is a claw foot tub in the bathroom but needs some TLC. The back yard is long and narrow and there is an apt building as a back neighbor.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:53 PM
according the owner and the 1900 census this house original owner was Mr.. Nostrand...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:56 PM
It didn't sell when it was listed with Renken for $987K. WTF makes anyone think it would sell when price was increased to $1.3, and even now at $1 million?? Foolish and greedy.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:56 PM
just HAVING a yard is a luxury for almost anyone. especially if they are coming from manahattan.
brownstoner readers are the biggest bunch of prisses in the world.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:57 PM
Believe me, I understand burn out. This place needs so much work, and you'd have to take it a very small bit at a time, as time and money allow.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:58 PM
I think the peach color is an effort to be neutral but not bland. they probably assume people will change the paint anyway and choose not to paint it any other color as it may distract from the other characteristics of the house if the color is too bold and white is just so institutional.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:00 PM
4:25 you are not alone.
Us, "black people" live in neighborhoods where people hate our guts b/c of the color of our skin on a regular basis and work for some too. Being white doesn't make you a good neighbor.
Bad generalization, get over yourself.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:01 PM
I've been inside this house (it's around the corner from ours) and it's a good flip job. They have taken the time to nicely restore the molding and details, and the parlor floor kitchen is custom with a very pretty window. It's certainly move-in condition. As we are now finding out, even minor renovations can be costly and time-consuming, so I think it's probably worth $1.1-$1.2, and maybe even $1.25.
My one pet peeve on the renovation (aside from the yukky paint) is that some of the fixures are still Home Depot, allbeit high end HD. But that's easy enough to change -- and they look okay. You would only know they are cheapo if you have been trolling HD lately.
The other thing is that this block is a little shakey -- several of the surrounding houses are not in very good shape. But that also seems to be changing as the neighborhood improves.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:03 PM
The house next door to this sold for 1.1 million a little over year ago. However the house next door also had an entirely seperate charming brick building in the back yard that comprised two small one-bedroom rental units. It also needed more work. I would guess this place goes for a 1 million. There is a post office parking lot just across the street.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:08 PM
I think this house should be listed around 850k - 900k... I don't think it has been renovated
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:09 PM
there is no way this place sells for over 750K.
the block is HORRENDOUS.
and the neighborhood ain't much better.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:09 PM
I saw this house on sunday. The block is rather disenchanting, and the house is next to a garage of some kind. The living/dining area on the parlor is quite small. The kitchen is a joke - appliances look like they were tossed in there. It's also quite small. No charm to speak of. Interesting use of garden floor and a little extension gives some needed breathing room. There are 2.5 bathrooms, which is nice. And they're done fairly well. All in all, I wasn't super impressed. I'd rather buy a 3 bedroom coop on a better block.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:10 PM
I've seen this house. It's very cute, a bit small but could easily work nicely for a family with 1-2 children. The backyard is very big. It lacks some inate charm, but whoever buys it can add this as they want. I think it will definitely go for between 1-1.1M. The market for houses in neighborhoods with decent public schools, subways and amenities is still very, very good. For coops/condos it's slowed down more. These are just the facts people.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:13 PM
Jeez, 4:25 bad generalization is right!
I am a white person living in Bed Stuy, and I love living here because people are so nice to eachother on the street. I like saying hello to my neighbors instead of ignoring them. I like it when kids pet my dog and people notice when your car is in streetcleaning arrears and come remind you.
These are black people, 4:25. Saying hello to me and wishing me a lovely day. Helping me avoid tickets. Noticing how hard we've been working on the house and commiserating, and telling stories about their houses. Even though I am white.
I have learned a lot about how to be a good neighbor by living in Bed Stuy.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:15 PM
By now everyone on this board should know that this troll is clearly under the employ of the Prince Hotel Group. I went back through about 25 threads on PLG and Park Slope Moms and witnessed the same troll tirelessly and systematically sabotaging every board with respect to these two areas. By virtue of his writing style, tone and penchant for praising, talking to, and arguing with himself, it became abundantly clear that the Park Slope mom troll and Lefferts Hotel troll are two of the same. Given these desperate measures, I can only surmise that Mr. Fried finds himself in quite a dire predicament. I'm happy to see that Mr. Fried and his minions are finally feeling some real heat and succumbing to the pressure. Hopefully, in a few years they’ll also feel the solitude and coldness of a federal prison cell.
Trust me. There is a huge case here. I sense it. And at some point this house of cards will come crashing down. This dirty, rotten, bastards will not GET AWAY WITH THIS!!! I SWEAR TO GOD IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!!!
Sincerely,
Former Assistant United States Attorney
The Criminal Division of the US Attorney Office for the Eastern District; with many friends and contacts still on the job.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:17 PM
greenpoint murder rate = 0. (Being poor is no excuse for behaving badly).
greenpoint bad architecture - see landmarked brownstone streets.
greenpoint oil spill has never crossed west of manhattan ave, and never will - its being drained (slowly).
greenpoint schools ps34 and 31 - Grade A.
When it comes to a neighborhood to buy a house in most people are more worried about how safe it is on the street.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:37 PM
3.40 - you confuse racical group with cultural group. As does virtually everyone on here.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:39 PM
I have to say I am lost on so many levels on this thread. How is it that people are calling this house small when it is four stories and 20x50 - that is 4000 sq feet!! How are they saying it is in crappy condition when there are such beautiful floors and details and at least one photo of a lovely bathroom? Is a paint job and putting in a new ikea kitchen now considered major work?
And how is it that no one responded to that greenpoint person's offensive rant?
And finally - what the hell is 5:17 talking about?????
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:41 PM
5:41pm this thread has been hijacked by some poor individual with nothing else better to do.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:48 PM
My house (in the same rough area) is brick and brownstone so I should be biased toward your belief that frame houses are worth way less. But no way, no how is there a 30% discount for frame houses. Maybe it will take longer to sell than a brownsotne, and maybe for $100K less, I don't know. But if you could get a frame house this size and condition for $1M in this neighborhood, people like the house-hunter who posted above would jump for joy. They don't exist.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:50 PM
5:37 -You are only demonstrating your ignorance. A grade A means nothing. Actually - it does mean something. That a school was so bad that there was room for improvement. You'll note that none of the best public schools in NYC received a grade a. That is because they had no room to improve. The worse a school is, the more it can improve.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 5:53 PM
judging from this thread, half of brooklyn has already seen this house.
and it is still for sale.
that should tell you something.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:04 PM
The Greenpoint psycho comes on these threads often with her ignorant babbling.
Pay it no attention.
Greenpoint is for losers.
(Kidding, but it would make a great tshirt).
Although I'd never live there. If I wanted a home clad in alumnium, I'd move to Staten Island.
Or Scranton.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:06 PM
I think Greenpoint is used as a comparison because its a largely homogenous white low-income neigborhood.
6.06 - theres nothing like Kent Street in SI.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:08 PM
5.53 - you need to look at the reports again, only part of the score is based on improvement and ps34 already had some of the highest test scores in the boro. Keep your knee-jerk defense under control.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:15 PM
The Greenpoint Psycho is merely rationalizing the fact that she let her own racism lead her to a very expensive, tiny-treed, aluminum clad toxic waste dump of a neighborhood where you still have to step over just as many drunks on the way to the (inferior G) train.
Let her cling to the fact that at least the drunks pissing in Greenpoint's streets are white! We all know that the Greenpoint Psycho is just jealous--who doesn't want to live in a beautiful house on a beautiful friendly street for a lot less money?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:26 PM
Greenpoint does have drunks its true. I'd rather have drunks than gunplay and schools with metal detectors.
Your mindless charge of racism is misguided though. Its the wasteful overuse of the charge of "racism" without thinking that has taken the edge off being accused of it. Its being devalued to the point of nothingness.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:41 PM
Bed-stuy always gets over a 100 post... Hmmmmm whats with that.. I thought no one wants to live there...
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:46 PM
Ordinarily I would agree with you, 6:41, about lobbing around the word racist. But the Greenpoint Booster in question said this:
as a white person who has lived in a predominantly black neighborhood in the past, i can state that it, um, sucks. most of the people were threatening, mean, disruptive and horrible neighbors. i would never ever live in a poor black neighborhood again. i was a renter then, so I didn't care that much, but i would not buy in an area where i had to be part of a community that may hate my guts because of the color of my skin.
sure that i am not alone in this.
expect to see williamsburg and greenpoint charge ahead because of the fact that they have no projects, no ghetto people and that the hispanics in south williamsburg are getting pushed out.
black hoods can gentrify to some degree, but not as quickly as white neighborhoods regardless of housing stock (although Greenpoint does have some nice old houses).
And in this comment I get the following ideas loud and clear:
1. Black people are threatening, mean, horrible neighbors.
2. Greenpoint and Williamsburg are gentrifying quickly because they do not have any black people.
3. And for that matter, their brown people are leaving in droves.
That sounds genuinely racist to me.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:47 PM
Do I have to be the first to acknowledge the kissing white cherubs? That's funny.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:59 PM
Love the house and the woodwork, but would be tempted to sell off the cracked cherubs (I know, heresy...and I LIKE historic detail...but not that one...)
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 7:18 PM
uhhh, there was a murder last month in Greenpoint. Corner of Manhattan and Nassau Avenues. It was white on white crime from the newspaper stories.
Nonetheless, NYC murder rate in general is on track for lowest numbers on record. That's good news for all.
Also, googled the "school report cards" for 11221 in Bed Stuy- Three (3) schools in that zip code received A's.
We live in the computer age, so don't try to get away with false statments unless you are prepared to look the fool.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 7:18 PM
spell check: statements.
my bad.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 7:27 PM
Does anyone reading this post actually live in Bed Stuy? I'm thinking about buying a place on Hancock St between Marcus Garvey Blvd and Lewis Ave. That block isn't part of the landmarked district, but it is relatively close. It's also a short walk to the shops on Lewis as well as the A train at Utica. I'm not a member of the predominant demographic of the neighborhood, but have no problems potentially living in Bed Stuy b/c I think the people who live there are generally genuinely terrific. But I assume some blocks are not as safe as others. Is this particlar stretch of Hancock St. ok?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 8:04 PM
You folks are delusional about prices in Brooklyn. Three or four years ago a house like this one could be purchased for $300k.
A year from now you'll be able to pick up a similar house for $500k when prices adjust.
We are still experiencing HYPER REAL ESTATE MARKET that makes no sense. Just wait and little longer and prices will start making sense again in terms or the price to rent ratio, which is all that really matters.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 10:10 PM
"I'm thinking about buying a place on Hancock St between Marcus Garvey Blvd and Lewis Ave."
Why on heavens earth would you buy now? The market is melting down. Save and wait at least until 2010 and buy a Clinton Hill brownstone for the same price. Crime in marginal neighborhoods will tick up as this economic recession continues. If you choose to ignore me and buy, low ball by 50%.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 12:04 AM
Brownstones that are flipped usually don't fare well when they come up against the "mansion tax." If the buyer is going to use it a big one family, fine. Otherwise, the rent you would have to charge would be ridiculous just to recover the extra taxes.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 12:35 AM
This house has great bones... Great part of Stuyvesant heights.. close to Fulton Park... Owner should take it off the market and wait until 2009 when she can get her 1.3
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 9:45 AM
Greenpont: oil slick...world's largest, even! Waste treatment plant. G train. It's a horrible place! No one in his right mind wants to live here! If you buy in Greenpoint, you will end up broke, alone, psychotic, and up to your ass in toxins and surly Poles.
Any other neighborhood is better. I know. I live here.
This has been a public service announcement.
Greenpoint: just say NO™.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 2:08 PM
Greenpoint's PS 31 and PS 34 are exceptional schools and have been for a long time.
People are moving to Greenpoint to be zoned for these schools.
You cannot seriously pretend that Bed Stuy schools hold a candle to Greenpoint's schools!
Kids come from all over the city to attend 34 - it's a magnet school.
Please, if Bed Stuy is so great why do crap houses sell like hot cakes in Carroll Gardens and PS?
White neighborhoods are more valuable.
Also, just look at Prospect Lefferts - it is still struggling, after years! any purchase in a white neighborhood would have been better.
get real.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 5:56 PM
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