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July 25, 2008

Open House Picks: Bed Stuy Edition

houseBedford Stuyvesant
404 Hancock Street
Corcoran
Sunday 12-2
$1,200,000
GMAP P*Shark

houseBedford Stuyvesant
263 Stuyvesant Avenue
Douglas Elliman
Sunday 12-2
$950,000
GMAP P*Shark

houseBedford Stuyvesant
250 Monroe Street
Fillmore
Sunday 12-2
$785,000
GMAP P*Shark

houseBedford Stuyvesant
238 Monroe Street
Century 21
By Appointment
$699,000
GMAP P*Shark




Posted by Brownstoner at 1:12 PM | Comments (57)
Categories: Open Houses

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Comments

I believe there's also an open house at 325 Stuyvesant...Corcoran...$699k...newly renovated (low end but not bad) three family. Much closer to the Utica A stop...literally a 4 minute walk and much nicer area than these similarly priced Monroe St. houses

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 1:21 PM

That Hancock house could be really nice. That block is nice too and fairly subway convenient with the Throop St C station. Overpriced for sure but would be a great purchase at 900,000.

Posted by: wasder at July 25, 2008 1:30 PM

I see that 483 Putnam is still for sale at $795...Corcoran...it was HOTD about 4 weeks ago.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 1:36 PM

The Putnam house hasn’t sold because it’s about 150K overpriced. It’s a very small house and there are several larger houses on that block for sale for much less.

Posted by: 7andfive at July 25, 2008 1:49 PM

7andfive...and only the parlour floor has been nicely renovated...downstairs owner's BR and bath are in need of major work. Never saw the top floor apt.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 1:54 PM

I think the Hancock Street house is very nice. That is the Montrose Morris street. Stuyvesant is also nice. Monroe is what I call the last nice street going north before the area gets a little twilight zonish with "wood frame aluminum houses and public housings mixed in with brownstones...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 2:08 PM

Best building for sale in Bed Stuy in recent memory remains 408 Stuyvesant - had 5 apartments that had been renovated and a recalcitrant rent stabalized tenant that wouldn't leave. That was a real beauty and a great investment if you got rid of the loser.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at July 25, 2008 2:09 PM

Hey Brownstoner!! I hear they want to shut down the flea!!! Whats up with that and why you HAVE NOT address this issue, HUH!!!!???

The What

Someday the flea is gonna end..

Posted by: what at July 25, 2008 2:13 PM

So I note that the further you get from PS, CH, CG, etc the Corcoran agents are more likely to be black. How do they do this legally?

Posted by: cmu at July 25, 2008 2:18 PM

Brooklynnative...I think 404 Stuyvesant sold for about $1.1 MM and was far more grand and a much, much better location than the hancock limestone.

263 Stuyvesant is a really spectacular building. I believe there's an incredible gargoyle at the top of those stoops separating the buildings. Its not far off from what it should sell for but I reserve on that given how old the kitchens and baths are. It needs a few baths on the owner's second floor and doesn't need the full bath on the parlour floor.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 2:19 PM

Hey Dave,
Are you going to invite me to the BedStuy social at Peaches?
email me the details 7andfive@gmail.com- I promise to leave the What at home :)

Posted by: 7andfive at July 25, 2008 2:24 PM

The house at 483 Putnam is a good deal around its asking price. The third floor apartment is really nice. Only the garden floor is still in need of reno. The thing to do with that house would be to flip the rental from the top to the garden and make the owners duplex the top two floors. would be a nice house.

Posted by: wasder at July 25, 2008 2:24 PM

7andfive....are you actually living with The What?? Scary.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 2:26 PM

cmu I think many of the agents have to find there own clients or some agents are assigned to certain neighborhoods that they even reside. Many of the white agents do not solicit this area but the black agents do. About once a week I get some Realtor card under my door.

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 2:39 PM

from looking at these photos it looks like Bedford Stuyvesant and Park Slope used the same architects 120 years ago. I really hope they landmark more blocks in the Bedford Corners and Stuyvesant Heights area.

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 2:59 PM

When's the gathering at Peaches? The bully wants to roll through and I promise to let you leave with your lunch money.

Posted by: Bed Stuy Bully at July 25, 2008 3:05 PM

You're an unknown entity BSB. We need to see more of your political leanings, thoughts on architecture, retorts to The What, thoughts on Park Slope and stroller moms and what kind of sense of humor you have. You can't just barge in here, try and bully us and expect to play in the sandbox.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 3:10 PM

Bed Stuy Bully please hurt them all! Baseball Bat style! Smash it over they heads then shove the pieces up their asses!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: what at July 25, 2008 3:20 PM

glad to see you here today What...I saw that assinine post you put up on the Forum today...your asshat names never really made any sense until i realized there was a letter missing...assWhat!!

got a comment on the houses?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 3:23 PM

"got a comment on the houses?"

Sure fucktard, 404 Hancock was a foreclosure in 2004 or 05. Some Asshats got and did the Home Depot Special on it. It sat on the market for 8850k and not this Asshat wants 1.2? Yep good luck with that..

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

BTW My office had this one too...

Posted by: what at July 25, 2008 3:27 PM

263 is pretty sweet, but 408 Stuy had exposure on three sides and it was a limestone which is really a fully grade up from brownstone. I'm still hoping that that deal falls through, the market plummets and I can step in. It's been "in contract" forever now.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at July 25, 2008 3:29 PM

I think the $1.2 MM price is so ridiculous that no one even wants to bother commenting. First intelligent thing I think you've said in a long time.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 3:30 PM

Brooklynnative...are you talking about 404 (which does have 3 sides exposure)...the one where Mr. B took pics of the people hanging out the window? I haven't seen anything going on with that house since then.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 3:32 PM

Hey What--"they heads" and "their asses"? You try so hard to come across as not knowing the basics of English that it is coming close to outing you (no matter how many of you there actually are). careful if you want to remain anonymous.

What did your office list this house at?

Posted by: wasder at July 25, 2008 3:35 PM

Brooklynnative...yes, you're correct...I went back to the listings and it looks like 404 did close and you are correct that 408 is still pending.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 3:35 PM

Dave,
I don't live with the What- it was a little Brownstoner humor.

Posted by: 7andfive at July 25, 2008 3:41 PM


I have been lurking for a while and have been around long enough to see you get owned a couple of times on the boards. So, taking your lunch money should be easier than taking a blow pop from the kids left in strollers in the Slope.

More often than not I have posted anonymously to educate people that continue to spew venom against the Stuy (like those who don't think you can find Soy milk and the WSJ at the bodegas in Bedford Stuyvesant). I have been around long enough to know that Al Vann needs to move out of the landmarked buidling on Throop and Decatur so something can really be done with it.

As for 404 ---what else is there to see, the people moved in, fixed up the front and back gardens and are happy.


With that said...I am getting my louisville slugger ready and will stalk Peaches

Posted by: Bed Stuy Bully at July 25, 2008 3:42 PM

BSB...There are a lot of buildings in Bed Stuy where "something really can be done." Care to put some money where your mouth is and partner up with some people?

You're a little rough around the edges but your second paragraph is spot on. I like that.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 3:50 PM

Of course I am rough around the edges ---is a bully supposed to be Noxzema and Bath and Body works friendly?

As for your question --it depends on the opportunity and the people. In this market...it would need to be something sweet.

Posted by: Bed Stuy Bully at July 25, 2008 4:00 PM

327 Stuyvesant...corner of Macon

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 4:02 PM

Dose anyone know of any new restaurants coming to the area? We need about 20 more like Peaches...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 4:05 PM

As for the houses... Keith Mack has lost his mind asking for $1.2. (Disclaimer: I am not a big fan of his) It ain't gonna happen. Puh-leeese. "The two one bedroom units will provide enough income to cover 60% of your mortgage. " -- what numbers is he using?


263 Stuy - nice house. Assuming a monthly nut of $5700 or so, I wonder what how much the studios would bring in. While I think the house is a tad overpriced, I think that the dollars make sense.

Posted by: Bed Stuy Bully at July 25, 2008 4:08 PM

263 is a really nice house on a row of nice houses. Its just the price is crazy. Not to mention that this is a 5 Family house. With the banking crisis at hand good luck landing that commercial loan. The house would be worth the risk if it was priced right, i'll say at around $750k.

The price on the Hancock house is just plain crazy! Corcoran needs to come down to earth, i know they are trying to catch a sucker, but DAM! that's just a straight up jack move.

The other two house in the heart of Bed Stuy are posted by bad brokers that don't know anything about the neighborhood. They have a couple of short sales in the heart of Bed Stuy on Monroe for around $400k. Prices dont make sence right now.....

Posted by: Wick_or_Stuy at July 25, 2008 4:09 PM

I think 327 Stuyvesant can be something nice. I hear something is going on at the old hardware store on Throop and Decatur. I just that McDonald's would go...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 4:10 PM

I went to the open house at 263 Stuyvesant couple of weeks ago. It is a beautiful house, it needs a lot of work, but has tons of potential. I would assume you can get around $1000 for each apartment, which would help a lot with the carrying cost. The financing can be a little difficult to achieve for a five family, but if someone can make it work they will have a beauty.

Posted by: resideinbklyn at July 25, 2008 4:13 PM

"old hardware store on Throop and Decatur" --- are you refering to the the tool rental place? If so, it has been rented to a couple that plans to open up a coffee shop with internet access...etc. I thought it would have been opened by now. I am not sure about the hold up. It will be interesting to see the interaction between its patrons and the McD's patons next door. It will be an interesting experiment.

Posted by: Bed Stuy Bully at July 25, 2008 4:20 PM

I heard that it is going to be a coffee house on Throop which is also needed in the area. The McDonald's can be a bit much with all the teens that hang out there... I really think that McDonald's puts something in the food that makes the kids crazy...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 4:54 PM

Does anyone know whats going in at the corner of Fulton & Marcus garvey? I walked by last weekend and they were measuring the outside and drywall was going up inside. Looked like there was some restaurant equipment inside

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 25, 2008 4:58 PM

BSB:

Once upon a time, I was not a fan of Al Vann. I now am. If there is an issue that needs to be addressed...say for example....getting the most out of District 16 and District 13 schools...dealing with faux developers who only want to r#$# and pillage the community...

He is definitely the elected who can bring ALL parties to the table. On one occasion with a developer...he had all the big guns (read knowledgable, influential, experienced and VERY familiar with the community) in the room. The developer KNEW that if he was a "no show" he would have been a duck without water.

The meeting place was Al Vann's office. BTW, did you know that Vanguard was formed to lend money to homebuyers in Bed Stuy when the nabe was redlined.

The building serves the community. Leave Al alone.

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at July 25, 2008 5:06 PM

You know what would be really great for the community is some type of college. Over 70 years ago St. Johns University was once headquarter in Bedford Stuyvesant and many of the buildings still stand. Half of the neighborhood is truly beautiful but the other half needs help. If one of the NYC schools came to the area that would be a great boost for Bedford Stuyvesant.

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 5:28 PM

That would do a lot for the area Amzi Hill, but good lord, imagine the "gentrificonfrontation" war that would erupt on this and other blogs if that happened! lol

Posted by: 1842 at July 25, 2008 5:41 PM

I saw these all:

408 Stuy: The tenant is now out and it will be closing.

404 Stuy: Closed for 1.115 mil (without my name on the deed, unfortunately)

404 Hancock: A good quality reno with attention to original detail.

263 Stuy: Not much needs to be done here. Great house at a fair price.

Posted by: Susan Elkins at July 25, 2008 5:46 PM

Some areas in the Bedford Stuyvesant could use Gentrification especially in the Northern part of the neighborhood were you have many abandon warehouse in empty lots. Near the Clinton Hill/ Bedford Stuyvesant line between Franklin and Bedford many of those blocks need help. It is not a really smooth transition between CH and BS like CH and FG. Fulton street also would work nice as a college street... But this is just a dream...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 25, 2008 6:07 PM

I just think it is great to see that Bedford Stuyvesant has its own open house post and no one acted like an idiot about it, except the what.

btw, what, as a real estate broker, you were part of the "mutant" asset problem and now you bitch and moan about it. You are an idiot.

I have to say, I like the house for $700K. You can probably get it for $650 and it is near the A/C at Nostrand, the Franklin Avenue shuttle, the supermarkets, banks and stores on Fulton without dealing with the foot traffic and you can get on the LIRR at Nostrand for a quick getaway to the island in the summer.

The houses in the Heights are really nice, but a little rich for my blood.

Posted by: 11233 at July 25, 2008 10:07 PM

I have to put a little something in for the 200 block of Monroe houses! This is my block and it has the strongest community of anywhere I have ever lived. Good block association, but even better, neighbors that have been here forever, know generations of each other, and welcome with open arms the new generations moving in. I've been here five years and hope to see some people buy these houses who plan to live in them and give them the love they deserve. That will only help the block and the houses. Also, I think they are about 100K overpriced given the condition/level of work etc - don't hesitate to make an offer, you never know! And I look forward to meeting my new neighbors!

Posted by: amybnyc at July 26, 2008 10:38 AM

Stock Picks circa Mar 2000: NASDAQ Edition

CSCO $77.31
SUNW $187.40
MicroStrategy $333.00
ivillage $100.00

Posted by: DOW8000SP800 at July 26, 2008 11:31 AM

So many new Bed Stuy posters, all of whom are happy to be there, and eager to better the community. This is great. Most of you seem to be in the Stuy Hts area. Is anyone near my old stomping grounds of Jefferson, Marcy and Thompkins? As happy as I am, where I am, I have to admit, my old block was the best in terms of what makes a neighborhood. Concerned, watchful, old time neighbors, who knew everyone's names, including ALL of the kids. A cast of characters, good and not so good, a myriad of occupations and skills, the generous and the petty, all on a beautiful and historic block.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 26, 2008 12:21 PM

I hope some of the new Bed Stuy posters throw some love over to the bedstuyblog. It's a great site run by women who live in the community. (I'm not affiliated.)

Posted by: nosleeptil at July 26, 2008 5:35 PM

No Sleep:

That's a great point. I often wonder if the Changeling intentionally avoids featuring picks from bstoner or if she's just getting scooped by him. I'm thrilled to see the stoner feature Bed Stuy in a significant way that allows for some informed discussion of our nabe.

Amy & Morris: Clearly many blocks here can boast a similar cohesion and consistency that runs contrary to the many anti Bed Stuy/ race-baiting posts that we find here. I certainly can! (I'm near Tompkins, btw.) While I'm also thrilled this thread doesn't contain the usual (for the most part) petty aggressions, I do wish it were taking place on BSB. Perhaps this is the reason for our relative silence. Amusing as the shit-talking here can be, how many parent/ homeowners care to enter into such a contentious fray? We live here, we've inherited great neighbors; we don't like sweeping up the potato chips bags and wrappers every morning, but it's a small price to pay for a long term vision that seems less prophetic and more prescient every month. This is a strong neighborhood and anyone who appreciates community more than speculation recognizes that.

We're here, bruh, shaking our heads at the naysayers and going about the business of enjoying our homes.

Posted by: Quincy at July 27, 2008 2:12 AM

Montrose,
We live very near your old block, in a house designed by your namesake. Your description of the community is still spot-on. We're very happy here.

Posted by: StuyMom at July 27, 2008 8:30 AM

StuyMom, you must be on Hancock. Congratulations! The blocks of Hancock between Nostrand and Thompkins are 2 of my favorite blocks anywhere. I always used to go down Hancock to Nostrand to get to the subway in the morning, just to admire the views. I hope your landmarking comes soon, and these blocks, as well as the entire surrounding area, are protected forever.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 27, 2008 10:32 AM

Montrosemorris,

I live on Marcy between Jefferson and Putnam. I can attest to Jefferson between Nostrand and Tompkins, both lovely, lovely blocks. (My daughter and I walk on one on our way to the subway and the other on the way to the laundromat.) I especially like the block between Marcy and Tompkins. THe houses are all in great shape, and there seems to be a very nice vibe between new residents and old. My daughter is 12 and was a little old to get involved with kids on the block, but if she were still in elementary school, I would be very happy to send her around the corner to play, as I did on our block in Clinton Hill.

Hancock is just as nice on the same blocks. Putnam is a little less low-scale residential--the block between Nostrand and Marcy has a building that's part of the Louis Armstrong projects and my daughter won't walk there alone because she overheard people talking about guns. The eastern part of the block opposite the old Boy's High School is very nice. The block between Marcy and Tompkins has smaller houses, plus some buildings (a nursing home, I think?) owned by Concord Baptist Church. Although the block is not as stately, I like it a lot.

The commercial strip on Tompkins between Putnam and Halsey is recently diminished by the loss of some of the stores, but there are still a couple of old furniture/antiques places, a nice coffee shop (Common Grounds), a yummy full-service restaurant (Brook Valley), a pharmacy, a hardware store, a vet and a dog groomer. And of course the laundromat, which is the great leveler of the social scene of the nabe.

Posted by: rf at July 27, 2008 2:02 PM

rf, I know your block, and it is a wonderful little piece of calm on a busy through street. I remember when Dr's Cave opened, it really was the first coffee shop in the area. When I lived over near you, Thompkins was sooooo different. It was crack alley in the 80's, and into the 90's. The bodega on the corner of Jeff was constantly harrassed and used by the dealers. I remember when one of the Yemeni guys who worked there got beat up because he told a dealer to take his business outside. The laundromat, same location, very different owners, was the scariest thing you ever saw. We got a washing machine as soon as we could. The only place that is almost the same is the newstand/candy store. That man has been there since the dawn of time, and was the only person for miles who sold the NY Times. He was always a sweetheart, and his buddies were always polite. The pharmacy has been there forever, too. I never liked buying anything from behind plexiglass, but I can certainly understand why they had to do that.

On the other side of Jeff, towards Putnam, there used to be a butcher shop, and lots of beauty parlors and bodegas. One could always see that these blocks must have been quite nice in their day, and the great glassed-in Victorian storefronts were always crying out to be restored. Wouldn't you know it, the year I moved to Crown Heights, Ibo Landing and the antique stores opened, followed by the local rib joint turning into Brook Valley, and the arrival of the vet, and dog groomer, and other retail. I still have good friends on Jeff, and whenever I'm over there, I always drop in on Mohammed in the bodega, and I'm so glad most of the drugs, dealers and junkies are gone. I'm very happy to see that an area that was quite scary is now thriving and doing well. I'm sure some good businesses will eventually fill the Ibo Landing spaces.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 27, 2008 3:56 PM

Hello all and Dave in particular-- Just wanted to chime in about the lack of / need for some good markets over here! I like the Food Town but it is still lacking a lot, and it's a little far from where I just bought at MacDonough and Patchen. Fresh Direct does not deliver to 11233 at this point and who knows when they will. There are so many great little markets in other parts of Brooklyn. When do we get our share? Dave a while back you mentioned something similar and was wondering if anyone knew about anything opening up? If not I want to open one! Produce, meat and fish, prepared foods/deli counter, coffee, baked goods, household products...

Posted by: macdonoughrowhouse at July 27, 2008 10:36 PM

Every listing that Keith Mack has had in Bed-Stuy, he's listed at or above $1MM. A couple of them were HOTD last year on Hancock. They eventually moved for about $900K. So I guess there's a method to his madness. Everyone complained about how crazy his price was for Bed-Stuy.

Since we're talking about Bed-Stuy, can someone please tell me what is it with the potato chip bags and half eaten chicken carcasses on the sidewalk? I've never had to sweep so often in my life.

That said, I wouldn't move if you paid me. I Love the Stuy and Putnam is a great, friendly, neighborly block. Some of the newer folks just have to learn that we say "hello" to everyone when we see them. Leave the Manhattan attitude on the Island!

Oh.. and the Bed-Stuy Blog... Simply the BEST!!!

Posted by: PutnamStoner at July 28, 2008 1:46 AM

Went to 263 Stuy open house yesterday. Some gorgeous original cherry wood details on the parlor floor. However, there are 4 sad little studio apartments on the top two floors.

The brokers are hoping the potential rentals will appeal to buyers. Who wants four tenants, especially in such close quarters? Not sexy.

Posted by: liexpat at July 28, 2008 7:19 AM

macdonoughrowhouse....in process of working on opening a gourmet market/cafe

looking for investors for both property and the store

email me at bklynsocialclub@yahoo.com

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 28, 2008 8:56 AM

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