House of the Day: 125 Willoughby Avenue

My friend was just mugged...beaten and kicked (front teeth knocked out) on Washington at Willoughby.

And they didn't take his money...

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 1:48 PM

$1,399,999.99 and not a penny more.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 1:55 PM

Just curious, Brownstoner. What is your beef with recessed lighting and exposed brick? Do you just not like it in brownstones or in general? thx!

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 1:56 PM

What a terrible layout.
3rd Floor is such a waste. How much room does a couple in a bedroom? All that room and only one smallish closet.
4th Floor - the bedrooms have to share a closet??

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:15 PM

with the insane amount of crime in clinton hill these days, these houses should be selling for 1.5 million and no more.

pratt is on LOCK DOWN for god's sake.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:17 PM

Willoughby is pretty around there, but a bit desolate at night, so things can sometimes happen. Projects arent too far away on Myrtle, so just have your wits about you.

Anyways, TERRIBLE renovation. Forget the layout, exposed brick, lack of closets etc.. I just cannot get past that bathroom. It is perhaps the most hideous renovated bathroom I have ever seen. Theyll get in the high ones and make some profit, but not over $2Million.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:22 PM

This place would go for $4 million in Park Slope.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:23 PM

Daveinbedstuy: Why "Definitely no exposed brick."? Just curious as to what's so wrong with it.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:24 PM

2:22 guest - "TERRIBLE renovation" and "perhaps the most hideous renovated bathroom I have ever seen". That's perhaps a bit much, don't you think?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:25 PM

This place would go for $8 million in Carroll Gardens.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:27 PM

This place would be priceless in Brooklyn Heights.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:29 PM

Why does Corcoran call this a 20' x 45' townhouse, when it is quite obvious, from their own floorplans, that it is only 40" deep?

So, shave 400 off the claimed square footage.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:31 PM

I second the "hideous bathroom" comment. Ick.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:32 PM

This place is worthless in Lodi!

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:33 PM

the fluorescent tube might work if its one of those spectrum-corrected ones with warm/natural light.

otherwise it'll look like a morgue in there when you switch it on.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:41 PM

Everytime I see a listing by Corcoran, without even looking at the house, I know it's overpriced.
That's just they way they roll.

This neighborhood is so over inflated.
I don't get it.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:44 PM

MILLION DOLLARS OVERPRICED.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:45 PM

1:48...sorry to hear that.

I know of at least 6 other people who have been victims of muggings in Clinton Hill over the past year. That hood is in trouble. People who buy at these prices in this neighborhood are going to LOSE THEIR SHIRT.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:46 PM

The house is in a good location, although I think that area is still unsafe and I would never live there myself.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:48 PM

Clinton Hill???

2.1 million????

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:48 PM

You really shouldn't use recessed lighting in a kitchen. It creates shadows. A more ideal solution is ceiling mounted fixtures that give off a general glow....and of course under cabinet lighting.

Recessed (straight)lighting shouldn't be used for highlighting art either. The best is spot lights, ie wall washers or track lighting.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:50 PM

There are no useful subway lines anywhere near this house. Worthless.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:54 PM

Thank you HGTV for making the average person believe that they are a designer.

I'm an interior designer and it really bothers me to see this kind of renovation and then to see how much it's listed for.

People wake up!! It make look fine, but this is not a high end renovation...so why is this house worth a high end price.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 2:56 PM

Okay, Okay, Okay...but isn't that that $17 IKEA rug (in front of the fireplace) I just saw in Red Hook this weekend?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 3:02 PM

That deck looks like it's on part of the lower level roof too.

Those tube lights in the bathroom could actually be incandescent; there are "frameless" tubes available and look pretty cool. Though, they look a bit long for that (at least they'd be energy efficient).

Exposed brick is dusty if not coated with sealer AND poor insulation if exposed on the exterior.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 3:39 PM

2.1 million....in a not so great neighborhood accessed by the 'G' Train...better damn be a very high end renovation.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 3:49 PM

my friend was date-raped by some yuppie scum on that block. BEWARE!

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:09 PM

Isn't this the block with the "by the hour" hotel??

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:14 PM

They bought that house in 2005 for 1.45m and did a full renovation.

They got ripped off in 2005 and now expect some one else to make the same mistake.

2million to live in this area...now that's funny.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:16 PM

Dave, where can I find the regs involved in building a deck? Does the city post them someplace?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:18 PM

I think the hourly hotel is a block away. It's the halfway house which is on this block.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:28 PM

Deck information is in the NYC Code...I'll try to dig it up and post it.

That is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make is building the deck right to the property line.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:30 PM

"Uh oh!!!"

calm down!

I cant really tell, but if the "deck" is built on top of an exsiting extension, it is not considered a "deck" in the eyes of NYC and it's perfectly legal.

Look it up!

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:35 PM

I too cannot get past the bathroom. I would hope, and presume, that the light is not flourescent, but everything else is just off. The high tub, double bath curtains, the tile, tile layout, the exposed piping under the sinks, the color. I just dont get it. I so badly wish to meet the person responsible for it.

I cannot see anyone willing to spend that much money, and live out there, and not have at least a high end beautiful place to show for it.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:39 PM

People can and do get mugged in all areas. But I will say that until a few months ago my girlfriend lived on Willoughby off Adelphi, which is a beautiful corner, but it was always so dark and eery wlkaing down that way towards Clinton (where her friend lived), she got harassed once and scared off a bunch of times - eventually I wouldnt let her walk alone late at night. But I wouldnt let that alone deter me from moving there - that is crazy. Now spending 2 million on that is something else...

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 4:45 PM

"My friend was just mugged...beaten and kicked (front teeth knocked out) on Washington at Willoughby.

And they didn't take his money..."

Your friend is probably a IPod wearing, walking-around-like-a-tourist, total PUNK (like Mr. Brownstoner). Hoods typically pick on easy victims - people who look soft and are not likely to fight back. Also, if he was not "mugged" if no money or valuable were taken, he was assaulted. Not hard to understand, either.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:07 PM

So you are saying someone deserves to be assaulted?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:10 PM

Some info about decks from NYC DOB

http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/deck-porch_060607.pdf

http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/tppn0403.shtml

It all has to do with what material you build it out of.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:13 PM

How come no one ever mentions that the amenities in this neighborhood reflect its proximity to public housing? There is not an acceptable grocery store within walking distance, and the restaurants (while cute) are all pretty wretched. There is only one decent upscale store (Thirst) and tons of pipeheads.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:13 PM

this neighborhood is a glorified ghetto.

there are parts of south central la that look nicer than here.

no joke.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:17 PM

Installing a deck or porch
A deck or porch is a raised floor, supported by structural
framing above the surrounding ground at the
level of the first story of a house. The difference
between them is that a porch provides for access to
the building’s primary entrance.
A deck or porch must be constructed without a
roof. An outdoor structure with a roof is not a
deck. It may be considered an additional room, and
different zoning rules and NYC Building Code provisions
apply.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:24 PM

the house is not worth what they paid for it in 2005. Clinton Hill is the ghetto. It will be intresting to see how long this sits on the market.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:33 PM

It's me 4:35/5:24 I forgot the link.

http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/swimpools.pdf

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:36 PM

If you don't mind living near projects you're better off buying in Crown heights or Bed Sty for less than 1/2 the price of this house.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:41 PM

I think Sunset Park is the new Clinton Hill.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:47 PM

HA! All the nay sayers are from less desirable areas and they hate it because the Mama Ruth on Willoughby Avenue is very equity rich.

Stop hating losers!

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:54 PM

"All the nay sayers are from less desirable areas"

There are less desirable areas than Clinton Hill?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:58 PM

sunset park is way better than clinton hill

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:59 PM

"So you are saying someone deserves to be assaulted?"

Yes, that's what I'm saying.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 5:59 PM

You all forget, this is a long hike to the C train (the G is useless).

Of course, if you have over $2Million to spend on a house, you can have a driver take you everywhere ;)

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 6:02 PM

Mama Ruth is equity rich?

Yes if equity rich means that her landlord will buy her out when he sells.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 6:03 PM

I think paying this kind of money for a house this close to public housing is asking to be assaulted.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 6:05 PM

"sunset park is way better than clinton hill"

So why does the price tag say diffrent?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 6:11 PM

lot's of orginal home owners on Willoughby.

Only skeeming renters talk that "buy out" stuff.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 6:15 PM

6:15PM: Uh, "original" to what? They bought when the house was built? Or are you saying that the the homeowning population of a certain age in Clinton Hill is now considered "original," while the guys with the inflated wallets and mortgages and recessed lighting and exposed brick are...fake? Come to think of it (speaking as an original myself, of course)you may have a point..

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 7:26 PM

It's a plain rehab. I am wondering if the sellers look to buy and flip it onto the market after they renovated.

It may have taken them a long time to finish the renovation and they missed the boat. Not that that is necessarily what happened with this house, but many people got caught in the mess, buying too high in 2005 & 2006 thinking they'd make a tidy sum renovating and selling.

Note that the furnishing is extremely sparse as though some furniture was put in to dress up an empty, non-lived-in house.

That settles it. It was a purchase for a reno'n'sell...gotta be! Corcoran usually has more views of rooms of reno'd houses for sale. Plus, look at that deck, would you! It has a table that looks like a TV tray!

This is a flip job. Bought for $1.4 with $300K, maybe more on the reno.

Though, I do feel bad reading these comments...my own included...feeling kind of guilty...and hoping we're not a HOTD when we sell! Yikes!

FGG

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 7:45 PM

"Things we like: parlor floor moldings"

I've been staring at the photo, but I'm not quite sure what you are referring to. The house has been completely stripped of its mouldings, all that remains is some very basic and apparently painted base cap.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 9:32 PM

Come on now. Your basement apt is no man's land. Stop it already "slick"

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 9:43 PM

Man! All this hating on Clinton Hill. I have lived here for 5 years and am married with a two year old. This is the coolest neighborhood I have lived in and is awesome for kids. I don't get where some of you are coming from. And in terms of commute, I take the G to the A to get to Chelsea and it takes half hour, which is pretty reasonable, so back off the G as well.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 9:50 PM

You couldn't pay me to live here.

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 9:59 PM

Thanks, 9:50. Been here 21 years now, last mugged 14 ago, always use the G train (hey, the "G train sprint" is good exercise in my old age), and wouldn't do it any different if you paid me. Tradeoffs: cheap brownstone, no mortgage, low property taxes, lots of space, good neighbors, lovely back yard, incoming amenities accompanying all you nice gentrifiers...but you know what? 21 years ago I was called a gentrifier too - and now someone on this thread thinks I'm an "original homeowner." Well, I'd rather be original than UNoriginal. Plus ca change...

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 10:04 PM

THIS PROPERTY IS NOT ON 100FT. LOT. IT IS A SHORTY! TOO MUCH MONEY FOR WHAT?

Posted by: guest at June 25, 2008 11:00 PM

In 10 years it will be worth 100 million. All of the houses in Brooklyn will be. The government is secretly buying them all so they can sell them to people moving from the UWS of Manhattan and pay off the national debt by 2015. OR it might be possible that in 2-3 years prices will resemble Miami, where 3 short years ago houses that brought 750K are now listed for 180K and still not selling. Things that go up that fast can go down just as quickly when the buyer and lender pool totally dries up - which believe it or not it is even happening up here even as you hide your heads in the sand. Only idiots believe it can never happen. Never is one of those words than never fails to prove otherwise

Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 12:59 AM

"If you don't mind living near projects you're better off buying in Crown heights or Bed Sty for less than 1/2 the price of this house."

I live in Bed-Stuy and I am nowhere near the projects. In fact, there are many areas in Bed-Stuy that are safer than parts of Clinton Hill.

Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 10:01 AM

Guys:

This is a beautiful corner in New York. Considering it's New York I'd say it's not that close to the PJs, if that bothers you. It is close to Associated and the Korean market across the street, both pretty good for food shopping, again considering it's New York (better than any Gristedes and most D'Agostinos I've been in in Manhattan).

I've been in Clinton Hill under 2 years, so I don't have the clout most of the haters on this list claim. But I love the neighborhood. I'm on the edge of Fort Greene and I feel I get the best of both neighborhoods. I don't stress about train access because I can still get to my office in midtown in 40 minutes (door-to-door) on the B or Q. I don't stress about the crime because I feel there's a real community of neighbors. And I really don't stress about prices, brick, or lighting. I bought one of the houses people on this list hated on, and I couldn't be happier. I'm changing the things I want to change, and enjoying the rest.

What's the problem?

Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 11:46 AM

this wouldn't sell for 2.1 in park slope. remember the open house pick on 1st btw 5th and 6th? that one has been sitting for some time at around the same price. way nicer area and shorter commutes to midtown.

Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 1:37 PM

I'm just hating on the bathroom.

Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 2:09 PM

I would be tempted to rejigger that master bed/bath layout. A big clawfoot tub for soaking right in front of that fireplace would be so fun... and if you opened up that bath area a bit you'd have more room for closets too. Yes, that existing bathroom should be the first thing to go.

Posted by: guest at June 26, 2008 2:48 PM