House of the Day: 75 Fenimore Street

Looks like something in NE DC or Baltimore

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:14 PM

Great FSBO ad! That's the way to do a listing.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:16 PM

what's your point 1:14 PM??

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:19 PM

Fringe area. I think many people are going to wait for the market to bottom out before taking a chance there.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:20 PM

nice vintage saab convertible

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:20 PM

I know someone who sold their limestone on that block last year for 900k

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:22 PM

Can you cross to the park from there?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:25 PM

Stop hyping these places, let the bubble burst already.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:26 PM

If, as both the floorplan and Property Shark say, the lot is 24' wide how can the living room be 18'wide and the driveway 12'?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:27 PM

Nice looking place. Don't know much about the area. And looks like it shares the driveway with the neighbor. Drunken fender-bender funny business to ensue.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:28 PM

Me again 1:27 - I get it now - they share 6' of their lot with next door's to make the driveway 12'. I would hope the title comes with easement rights in that case.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:29 PM

"If, as both the floorplan and Property Shark say, the lot is 24' wide how can the living room be 18'wide and the driveway 12'?"

Shared driveway. See pics.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:29 PM

How's that area?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:31 PM

Have to say, this is the first time I've seen having a driveway and a garage has been a negative, in this town. (because you share?) Some people have to find a negative side for everything and every place.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:34 PM

There is a similar house for sale on my street in Kensington. It's not that pretty on the outside and maybe smaller?, but it's cheaper, in a very safe area and zoned for a good public school (p.s. 230)
This is near Church Av. stop on the F
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/rfs/586068007.html

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:35 PM

All that work to put together a website, and no pics of the kitchen, bathrooms or bedrooms?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:36 PM

1.31... it's the 71st precinct.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs071pct.pdf

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:37 PM

Nice house, nice layout. Should be more pictures.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:38 PM

The professional brokers should take notes on how a property should be marketed on-line from these FSBO's. However, as well designed and informative as their website is, it should also include photo's of the kitchen, the bathroom and at least one bedroom.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:42 PM

Wow--I want it. Too bad that there aren't more interior pictures. Then I would *really* want it.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:51 PM

Be aware that this house is not in the historic district.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:52 PM

I like the thoughtful, intelligent copy on their website but am also puzzled at the lack of interior photos. I really suggest they add more.

I remember visiting a very similar house on the Lefferts Gardens house tour that I believe is co-owned by a local RE broker and her two sisters. It was completely charming and elegant.

The immediate neighborhood is great although it's a little isolated and local amenities haven't really arrived in force yet. Very convenient to the Q train so only 25 minutes to lower Manhattan. You really need a car in that area so the off-street parking is a huge plus. Solid, very pretty house. Good luck to them!

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:55 PM

For a 2 story in Lefferts Manor, the price seems reasonable. The problem is that it looks to be about the third house in from Flatbush (hard to tell for sure since GMap has it wrong). I'd be nervous about the noise from the street. I have friends who live right behind this row on Rutland, and they complain about the loud loiterers and all-night street parties on Fenimore and Flatbush, which they can hear in their house. They say it is worse than what they get on Rutland, which is bad. They also complain about loud music from the rear of the apartment building on Flatbush, which would be an equal issue for this house. All my info is second hand, so take it as such.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:57 PM

In Baltimore, this house would sell for 250K.

And would be in an area with less crime.

Which is saying a lot considering how dangerous Baltimore is.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 1:59 PM

Thank you Bob. I should have been more precise, only one side of Fenimore is in the Historic District, which makes it less of a desirable block.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:10 PM

No 1:59 you are not saying anything. Baltimore is Dodge City in comparison to NYC. Their crime stat's can't even compare to NYC especially when you consider the size of the city of Baltimore and the size of just Brooklyn. If this house would go for 250K in Baltimore you should move to Baltimore.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:13 PM

1:59 - But then you're in Baltimore. Ick.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:17 PM

I live pretty much right across the street & I am sorry to see the people from 75 go away; they got along well with everyone on the block & I like the peace sign too.

The block is somewhat loud during the summer with kids playing around til midnight and people sitting on their stoops talking and laughing. But it couldn't be friendlier or safer if it were Kansas. (I know, I know, PLG is scarier than Cabrini Green.)

If you are afraid of or don't like Caribbean people, food, etc., don't come. If you like us, grab this house because it's adorable and well priced.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:19 PM

I'd be terrified to spend this much money on this neighborhood right now.

Prices in fringe areas are falling fast right now.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:27 PM

Is it just me, or does this seem like a great deal? Only two blocks to Prospect park...

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:27 PM

It's just you.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:30 PM

"Only two blocks to Prospect park..."

yeah, not the good part of the park, sadly.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:36 PM

what does that mean "not the good part of the park" how can there be a not good part of the park? I haven't heard of any crime in prospect park lately, and it's all pretty.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:48 PM

2:19 that's an interesting take on the noise issue. Not at all what I've heard from my friends who live on the next block--they talk about street parties with mulitple car stereos booming unitl 3:00 at night most nights. But since you live there...

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 2:51 PM

Which next block do your friends live on?
The first block of Rutland is really quiet and so is the next block of fenimore between bedford and rogers.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:02 PM

2:19: "next block over": Rutland or Hawthorne?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:03 PM

Great FSBO website (other than the lack of pics). Many realtors could learn a thing or two. Nice work.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:04 PM

I must of grown up in a fringe area in Virginia.. My parents paid 120K for there house in Virginia Beach back in 1985 and sold it two years ago for 950K

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:05 PM

3:02 and 3:03--"next block" meant the first block of Rutland, right off of Flatbush. They don't describe it as quiet at all. They complain bitterly about street noise from people hanging out in front of the apartment building at the corner of Flatbush and noise from the same apartment building in the back of their house (facing Fenimore). But I don't live there so I can't really say more than that.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:10 PM

Dudes, what's up with the "fringe" neighborhood thing? Is it because you are uncomfortable with people who own houses in highly desirable communities who moved to Brooklyn from the Carribean and not Iowa? Or every house that you don't have because you can't afford it is in a "fringe" neighborhood? Or is it code for place where the darker nation lives with highly desirable houses that I can't possibly afford?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:12 PM

fringe areas are where prices are dropping, will continue to drop and don't have the services to support the pricetags.

this area has zero amenities, the schools are horrendous and the house is almost a million bucks.

that's a fringe area.

not virginia beach. that's a beach. apples and oranges.

nothin beachlike about this place. except for the noise.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:18 PM

[2:19] 2:51,...street parties until 3:00 most nights? sounds like fun, but no. It can get loud, but people have to work and at 12:00 it is suddenly silent. (But forget about the W.I.-day parade... all is then chaos & celebration.)

NYC is different block by block, though. I can't speak about your friends' neighbors.

Also, NYC is generally noisy... the population density is very high here. (20-30K/sq. mile) Foolish young men (mostly) do drive around with their car stereos loud.

The folks from 75 are opening a B&B upstate & it should be very quiet around there. Perhaps your friends would enjoy a visit!

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:23 PM

It's a nice house, nice block, three blocks from the park and subway.
The same comments were out there when these houses were selling for 200K, then 400K and now 800K.
Just keep on hating and watch when the person who buys this sells five years from now for 1.5M. Write it down. YOu'll still be renting.
Prices are still rising in PLG because not everyone who wants a townhouse can spend $2M to live in PH or PS or CH, all of which were once labeled fringe too.
And most important, it's a great place to live!

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:28 PM

your imaginary friends are full of it about corner of Rutland and Flatbush.. . it's quiet.
I come home every night and I know. Go by there and see for yourself.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:29 PM

Wollman rink, paddle boats. . .

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:38 PM

Fringe neighborhood according to who? White people who sip on starbucks coffee 4 times a day? The 2/5 trains are like 3 blocks away the Q and D are near by. Buses run up and down New York, Nostrand, Rogers, Bedford, Flatbush and Ocean Avenues. There are plenty of caribbean owned bakeries, restaurants and cafes, korean fruit stands, fast food joints, supermarkets, churches. Prospect park is near by. For a European American or African American this means nothing but for a Afro-Caribbean American/Immigrant you can't get a better location than this.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:38 PM

This place won't be selling for 1.5 five years from now. The economy is tanking. Write it down.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:40 PM

"not everyone who wants a townhouse can spend $2M to live in PH or PS or CH, all of which were once labeled fringe too.
And most important, it's a great place to live!"

One difference oh young one.

When Park Slope was considered fringe, the homes sold for 200-300K.

Not almost a million.

Big difference.

Now you are paying for gentrification that has yet to arrive. It's silly.

And I don't agree. I think in 5 years these houses will be worth about the same as they are now.

And I'm not a renter, I'm just saying that as someone who has been watching the market closely and I don't think ANY area is going to see much appreciation for another 5 years...certainly not fringe areas like this.

Think about how much 850K is and then walk by this house and tell me if you think it's worth 850K.

When Park Slope was in a similar stage that this area is in, the prices were almost a third of what this house goes for now.

Think about that.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:41 PM

Fringe is in the eye of the beholder. Stay in L.I., Park Slope or Manhattan.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:45 PM

[2:19] LOL, Bob! Don't forget the skating rink, the boathouse, and the botanic garden!

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:45 PM

"When Park Slope was in a similar stage that this area is in, the prices were almost a third of what this house goes for now."

... And the people selling the houses in PS throught you were crazy for buying at that price back then. What's your point. Your statment is nonsense. What was the average salary of a New Yorker then?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:48 PM

Bob, you forgot Composer's Grove, the Peninsula, soon-to-be-refurbished Wollman Rink, and the south entrance to the BBG. This end of the park is beautiful.

And a townhouse in an historic district 20 minutes from Manhattan is a very good deal at this price. With a garage? Even if you didn't drive you could rent it out and knock $25k off your mortgage.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:48 PM

The average salary has not changed much in the last 20 years, 2:48.

That's part of the problem with home prices like this.

A huge problem, in fact.

Do what you want. I don't think this area can sustain prices like this.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:49 PM

Is this house in Queens?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:50 PM

I walk by the house almost every day and it is definitely worth what they are asking.
Frame house on the next block (outside the Manor distric) sold for $925K last year.
And no, prices have not dropped since then.
Little tutorial about the economy--it goes down and then it goes up.
That's how it works.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:55 PM

some people on this blog really do not understand how overvalued the fringe areas are.

there is no trying to reason with them, 3:41.

they will learn the hard way, when by next year they owe more on their house than it is worth.

using comps from last year...the top of the market is really not helpful.

do you people read the news, or only the articles relating to starbucks?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:57 PM

3:55 = The Owner

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:58 PM

Party like it's 1989.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 3:59 PM

There were 11 murders in this district in 2007.

That's a hell of a lot for a house asking 825K.

That's about similar to districts in Harlem and the Bronx.

Btw.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:02 PM

3:41 = jealous renter

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:14 PM

3:57 It seems to me that the realestate market can follow fluctuations as so all markets, suffering a down to bounce back up no, fringe areas or not?
And we do read the news but have YOU invested in realestate within the past 10 years? I guess not, otherwise you would have seen the ups and downs of the market and realize that 10 years down the road, realestate is still an investment that will return more than any bank cds or long term investments ranging at a poor 5% average.
I have seen a return of 300% for my house bought in 1992 in Carroll Gardens, a fringe area back then with no public schools and no amenities...back then Manhattanites would not dare crossing the bridge and cabs would be reluctant to take me there.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:15 PM

4:02PM, Since you love looking at stats, what U.S. cities with the population density of that area faired better.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:16 PM

3:41 = realist.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:16 PM

4:16:

Detroit fared a little better. And Camden, NJ.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:21 PM

It's a hard call whether to buy right now. One the one hand, interest rates are still very very low, so payments on these prices are more affordable. And with inflation on the up and up, interest rates will almost surely rise sharply some time in the not so far future. On the other hand, with the economy in the state it is, it seems pretty inevitable that prices are going to fall drastically in this city. However, mortgage costs could stay the same with higher interest rates...

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:30 PM

Buy now! or pay high later.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:37 PM

There were 11 murders in the 71st Precinct in 2007, which covers a lot more than just Prospect Lefferts Gardens.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:40 PM

I see an area like this as a potential risk. At the very least, I'll wait to see how the high-end houses in Lefferts Manor that have been on the market for months fare. At the moment, no one seems to be buying there.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:46 PM

This house is a cutie.

I especially like the old maid's room at the back with its own stair.

Today, it can combine with the adjacent bedroom and bath to make a nice "parents' suite" inside the house, apart from but handy to the kids.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:49 PM

[2:19] Hi, 4:02! I think you mean "precinct," not "district." "Districts" are voting divisions for Council, Assembly, Senate, and Congress. Precincts are constabulary divisions, but are not arranged by neighborhood.

The 71st precinct covers parts of Crown Heights, Wingate, PLG and Flatbush. Some blocks and areas there are more or less dangerous.

This block of PLG/LM is quite safe... fortunately for those of us who live here. As I said earlier, if Caribbean people make you uncomfortable, please stay where you are.

As to the question of return on investment, it is imprudent & too speculative to buy real estate just for that. (The fact that PLG has been appreciating at a rapid rate notwithstanding... ) You want to enjoy living where you are, while you are there, right?

If you want the best return on your 5-year investment, may I suggest Cicso or Boeing? A more speculative-aggressive choice might be Phillips LCD.

Oh yeah, and anyone who can afford to buy a house in Harlem, I recommend they do it right away while we still have these rates.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:52 PM

this area is dead to me.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:55 PM

I'd say this is a pretty good deal, for what we can see here.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:06 PM

Yes, a lot of haters today. My family has lived on this bad side of the park for 30 years without any problems. My sons, however, were mugged numerous times on the good side of the park even once on a summer Sunday afternoon.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:13 PM

Well that's a great trip down memory lane, 5:13 but the fact is that crime on this side of the park is about 5-10 times what it is on the "good side"

Anectdotes are great, but crime stats from the city are a little more important to most people.

Or were you trying to say that PLG is safer overall than Park Slope?

If so, please do continue...I'd love to hear more...

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:20 PM

salaries have changed since 1989. and the dow. and the value of everything.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:24 PM

is this the area where the doller van drivers take a wiz in your gate?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:26 PM

Speaking of fringe areas, for those who continue to believe that RE always goes up, a reminder that during the late 80s/early 90s recession Brooklyn real estate peaked in 1987/88 and didn't recover to the same levels until about 1994/95. Fine if you can hang in until the market bounces back but in the meantime lots of folks had to endure the anxiety of carrying negative equity. I remember coz I was one of them! Check out this article about Clinton Hill in the NY Times: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DB1738F93BA35751C0A961948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
Lots of people didn't get it then and don't get it now.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:26 PM

[2:19]
It is important to feel safe and to be safe. People who feel safer on the West of the park are really very welcome to stay there.

A walk down Flatbush Ave to the Lime bar from the Prospect Park stop in the evening should tell you all you need to know about neighborhood safety regarding the house in question. There are probably too many Caribbeans here for most Brownstoner readers and it really is ok if you stay in PS and the UES. Or even move to Birmingham.

I feel like I'm wasting my time here, but I just thought I would try to help clarify since I live across the street.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:29 PM

What 5:29 said.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:45 PM

5:45 = 5:29.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:55 PM

5:26, that article was fascinating. Add 20 years to the date, add a zero to all the sales prices and this could be passed off as an article from a recent newspaper.

Denton, I agree the economic issues look similar to prior recessions but I think the social dimension is different. Especially in the early 70s, an entire post-war generation had lived in the city, watched it unravel (in the minds of those who fled) over the late 60s and early 70s and then ditched for greener pastures in the suburbs, for reasons of racism or whatever. Now, I think there's a significant group who has just made a commitment to plant a flag in the city during the recent real estate run-up and will try to stay here for the long haul.

Not saying there won't be painful economics for a lot of folks but I'm not sure we're going to see the flight of a prior generation.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:57 PM

What 5:45 said.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:02 PM

Your "impression" Bob Marvin does not line up with New York City statistics on crime.

Or would you like me to do a side by side comparison for everyone?

Don't think you'll want that, if you had any hope of winning this argument.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:05 PM

What a tough guy you are, 6:05. Threatening to line things up side by side. Next thing you know you'll be threatening to display things on top of one another.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:08 PM

So what you are saying is that there are fewer crimes committed in PLG than in Park Slope??

That's REALLY what you are saying?

I thought you were a sane man, Bob Marvin.

If you actually believe that, everything you have said in the past doesn't quite carry the same weight for me as it used to.

You are nothing but a neighborhood booster with blinders on.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:19 PM

6:05, I'd like to see a pie-chart. But your analysis is apples and oranges, we're discussing a relatively small part of the 71st precinct. Lefferts Gardens barely covers a quarter of the 71st precinct, whereas the 78th precinct covers both Park Slope and half of Gowanus (plus the park--including the "bad side"). Unless you have access to a much more precise CompStat analysis than the NYPD posts on the web, you are nothing but a troll.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:22 PM

Prices will never fly high in such a short time as they have in the past 14 years because lenders will never again hand out money to deadbeats with no credit and no money down. That party is over for good, and thats the ONLY thing that made real estate boom like it did. When unemployed Joe Shmoe could buy an 825K house with no money down and make a couple payments before he went into default then sellers could get that kind of price for any piece of crap property in any crappy neighborhood, including park slope which was crap until a few years ago when the gays came and cleaned it up (and most likely on liars loans but during a time when they could be flipped easily). Now its a different story. Flipping as we knew it is over. Only credit worthy people can buy these now with 20% down the normal way, so buyers have dried up and sellers holding these will just keep on holding them or else go into foreclosure like you are seeing everywhere because they really couldn't afford them anyway. The idiotic rise in values had NOTHING to do with values really increasing, it was because of the easy credit which is now gone. A few suckers still out there but not many. Good luck if you missed the flipping boat and bought high. You or the bank will be selling low.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:30 PM

Poor Joe Schmoe was not educated enough and did not realize it was a scheme all along for his dumb ass to be pushed out.

There was no bubble just a well thought of plan to create a 2 class society. The filty rich and the stinkin poor to serve hot dogs at stadiums.

I'm brick rich Beeyatch!

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 6:43 PM

[2:19] There is some measure of truth in 6:30/6:43's ranting. (Although his written English is embarrassing.) Fortunately, people are still buying townhouses around here in order to live and not to flip.(See Zillow @34 in the past 6 months.)

Also, anyone concerned about crime stats might check out NY the Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060428_HOMICIDE_MAP.html

Sadly, PLG has had from 1-2 homicides per year since 2003. I wish it were 0. None were close to 75 Fen.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:11 PM

[2:19] I mean "the NY Times"

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:12 PM

some incredibly ignorant posts on here today.

so you think people buying 2-3 million dollar properties in park slope were using subprime mortgages?

lord where do we begin to edumacate you.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 7:52 PM

Peopel who use fringe to describe a neighborhood have never been to that neighborhood.

Stop talking out your ass you tWhat, aka asstWhat.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 8:12 PM

So let me get this straight:

Since both PLG and Park Slope are equally safe says Bob Marvin...so this house is half or 1/3rd the price of a similar house in Park Slope because??

Simply because it is undiscovered?

Sounds idiotic.

If this neighborhood were as safe or as desirable, it would not be 825k.

Let's not be stupid.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 8:23 PM

There is some measure of truth in 6:30/6:43's ranting. (Although his written English is embarrassing.)

7:11 So you couldnt just agree or disagree like a normal poster?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 8:37 PM

"so you think people buying 2-3 million dollar properties in park slope were using subprime mortgages?"

No, but the people in between from the time they were 60K about 10 years ago, until more recently were. They were part of what drove the prices up to those levels, which are only sustainable between others making that kind of money now. People who are happy they paid that amount and plan to stay put have no reason to fear. Good luck selling in the future at those prices though if something happens where crime increases even more or the economy takes an even steeper nosedive. Hard to make the mortgage when you're unemployed. Park slope is far from a safe neighborhood. Just ask all those people being mugged and robbed in the park and on the side streets at night. Sub prime and shifty lending is how they got to those levels though. If people, God forbid, start being killed in those areas again like 10 years ago you will see those 2 million houses not being able to bring 300K. Similar prices are being asked in others areas now that have not really gentrified (East new York, Brownsville, Bushwick, Crown Heights, parts of Bed Stuy, and even Williamsburg to a certain degree - just because hipsters move in doesn't mean those rotten run down houses are gentrified), and you people continue to think they are really worth those prices. Interesting to note that Williamsburg, East New York, and Brownsville were the top 3 crime neighborhoods the past quarter. People in those areas are still trying to flip old fixers for 700-800K or more because they paid that much in the past year or two with a subprime loan, thinking they would continue to rise in the land of free money and no money down. PLG is marginal as well. There are pretty houses in East New York. Doesn't mean people will pay 800K to live there.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 9:13 PM

Is there ever a thread about PLG that gets less than 100 posts? Do people love our neighborhood so much that they can't stop talking about it?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 9:13 PM

Don't even get me started on the white windows

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 9:50 PM

Two thousand zero eight
Party's over, whoops, out of time!
So tonight we're gonna party like it's 1989...

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 9:58 PM

you are a total moron, 9:13.

total.

60k brownstones in park slope 10 years ago??

in 1998, the average price of a brownstone in park slope was around 500K-1 million

you don't know your ass from your elbow.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 10:03 PM

it's called an assbow.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 10:11 PM

And in 1989, homes in PLG were going for .83 cents.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 10:24 PM

9.13, while not right on his numbers, does bring up a good point. When the economy heads south, crime goes up.
And don't get me started on those white windows, either. Outrageous.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 10:46 PM

825K AND LIVIN WITH THE MONKEYS...........

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 11:55 PM

Most of you really should be in the suburbs (or rural Alabama in the case of 11:55pm) from what it sounds like where your comfort levels are at. You'd just fit in better there. If you don't like diversity you are so in the wrong city.

Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 2:02 AM

So many people see this neighborhood in comparison to other neighborhoods instead of taking it for what it is. First of all to say that the area has zero amenities is incorrect. There are plenty of supermarkets, 2 decent coffee shops, restaurants (mexican, japanese, seafood, diner, not to mention the delicious roti shops on Flatbush) and easy access to multiple trains (the q,b,shuttle,2 and 5).
The houses here are also spectacular and varied (instead of being the same brownstone over and over again). And the people who live here are actually very friendly and polite. I have lived here for 4 months and I have not once been catcalled, something that used to happen to me in Williamsburg all the time. Not only that but, my neighbor, who I barely know always sweeps up the leaves that fall on my step. I never asked him...he does it for everyone on the block! So go ahead and make your comparisons so that you can feel better about paying twice as much in rent as I do (I pay 1250 for a two bedroom with a backyard). And while you're paying 4.50 for your starbucks, I'll be enjoying a cup of homebrewed coffee with my neighbors on the stoop.

Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 4:18 AM

11:55PM 825K and livin with the monkeys. hey Brownstoner we are going to mail that one to your kids at their private school. Look teacher my dad makes money this way! This is how I can stay out of "monkey" schools.

Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 9:23 AM

60k ten years ago?!

I bought my brownstone in Park Slope in 1990 for $650k.

That was closer to 20 years ago than 10! I WISH they cost 60k in 1997.

Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 10:35 AM

my neighbor sweeps my stoop in park slope too.

does that make my neighborhood better??

Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 10:53 AM

You're lucky, 10:53. Our neighbors in Park Slope barely spoke to us.

Posted by: guest at February 28, 2008 12:28 PM

I knew this discussion about noise on Fenimore rang a bell. When I was researching the area I found the following on wwww.acrossthepark.com. It's from summer 2006--have things changed?

"More tame than what? I haven't noticed any increase in quiet or calmness on Flatbush along Fenimore or Rutland. The summer has been quiet noisy and busy to my ears and eyes. Not sure if it was any worse than last summer, but certainly no better.

Posted by: jd | August 01, 2006 at 02:15 PM

Flatbush may not be as rowdy, but the site lines of this camera have been. In front of 66 Fenimore especially. Late nite drunken dice games, music, dealing, 24/7 basketball court set up on the sidewalk. This has been the worst summer yet (since summer of 2003).

Posted by: Tom | August 01, 2006 at 02:19 PM

I recall street life being much more rowdy about 5 years ago. Anyway, if people are breaking the law, you should call the cops.

Posted by: Ed | August 01, 2006 at 05:41 PM

I am with Tom, when there are gatherings -- which are intermittent -- they are way worse than any I have seen before. This is the first year I have seen open gambling on the street. The day of the Flatbush Street Fair I stopped counting at 70 in terms of how many people were gathered in front of 66 Fenimore.

And yes, I called the police several times. I did observe a cruiser stop early in the evening (9:30 pm or so) when the crowd was very large and have a pleasant chat with the folks involved. No one seemed to even care a police cruiser was present, so I am doubtful this car was even responding to a call. Essentially there was absolutely nothing done and zero impact if in fact that particular cruiser was intended to disperse the crowd.

What I did see was lots of public urination, drug dealing, etc. -- business as usual. I might add that none of the people in the crowd live in this building.

The fact the police/precinct have absolutely no intention of seeing this corner cleaned up in the immediate future couldn't be any clearer to me. We get a lot of lip service from the precinct about calls, etc. but in general we get no response whatsoever from the police and therefore all remains status quo with the continuing degradation of that corner.

Posted by: Laurel | August 01, 2006 at 06:23 PM

There's been a semi-regular Friday night craps game on Rutland and Flatbush for years--I've heard it was going on long before I moved to the area. I think it moves from the sidewalk to the alley next to 16 Rutland sometimes. I've never seen it get larger than 12 people or so, but it includes plenty of drinking and yelling.

As for the regular hanging out on the stoop and playing music, it really isn't against the law--at least not as far as the police are concerned."

Posted by: guest at February 29, 2008 12:00 PM

Place is now sold. . . so much for the naysayers.
Good price and nice house trumps all the background noise on Brownstoner

Posted by: guest at March 13, 2008 4:57 PM