« Open House Picks: Six Months Later Development Watch: Little Progress on 23 Caton Place »

October 17, 2008

Open House Picks

houseClinton Hill
304 Lafayette Avenue
Corcoran
Sunday 1-3
$1,895,000
GMAP P*Shark

houseProspect Lefferts Gardens
73 Rutland Road
Brown Harris Stevens
Sunday 2-4
$1,375,000
GMAP P*Shark

houseClinton Hill
49 Putnam Avenue
Douglas Elliman
Sunday 12:30-2
$799,000
GMAP P*Shark

houseFlatbush
1058 New York Avenue
Fillmore
Sunday 1-3
$399,000
GMAP P*Shark




Posted by Brownstoner at 1:10 PM | Comments (39)
Categories: Open Houses

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Comments

I know nothing about the neighborhood, but that Flatbush house is cute and seems to be in pretty good shape. Ridiculous backyard, too. Commuting to midtown might be a pain on a local line, though.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at October 17, 2008 1:25 PM

While HOBOKENROCKS can't quite yet get a brownstone in Brooklyn Heights for under $600,000, I'm sure he'll be happy to know he can get a home in Flatbush for under $400,000.

The PLG home is very nice and seems reasonably priced, although admittedly I'm not overly familiar with prices in that area.

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 17, 2008 1:29 PM

The days of 1 million plus homes in PLG are probably gone for now, maybe in a few years it will start again. The $800,000 Clinton Hill place has lots of potential, though it's currently set up as a strange three family (but only 2 kitchens?). Probably cost easily over $600,000 to renevate, so it's still a little pricey. Maybe at $500-600K it would be a good deal.

Posted by: LOL at October 17, 2008 1:37 PM

That PLG house is amazing. I'm drooling at the pics but I still feel that the neighborhood doesn't warrant prices this high but it does seem to be a unique property.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at October 17, 2008 1:41 PM

Theres a beautiful old dutch church on flatbush ave, 1700s I think, looking a but worse for wear. I wonder how much older stuff is around there.

Posted by: dittoburg at October 17, 2008 1:41 PM

One thing I'm wondering is why they didn't do custom cabinets in the kitchen when everything else is higher end.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at October 17, 2008 1:42 PM

I know that Clinton Hill house and despite what looks like a great price, it is a gut job type renovation. And not on the most charming of blocks. Could sell for 600 maybe in that condition.

Posted by: wasder at October 17, 2008 1:44 PM

PLG house has some great details. Love the paneling in the Dining Room. Those Kitchen cabinets are an eyesore, though.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 1:45 PM

Re: the PLG home - I can't decide if I prefer the bowl of fruit or the flowers on the kitchen table. Hmmm.....

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 17, 2008 1:51 PM

Wasder - have you been inside the Clinton Hill House? What's going on with the ceilings? Does it need new mechanicals? I'm too lazy to call the realtor.

BTW - nice chatting with you yesterday.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 1:53 PM

Biff...you made me go back to look.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 1:55 PM

Wasder, I know the Clinton Hill house as well. I've been inside and would NOT gut the place. It would need a complete mechanical overhall with plumbing and electric, and a convert to a new gas boiler (unless they changed it in the past year).

The best thing about it is (was when I saw it anyway) that it has most of its original detail, including built in cabinets in the original dining room on the ground floor in the front, the marble wash basin area separating the bedrooms on the top floor etc. Hopefully that has not been removed. It would only really work, in my opinion, as a single family, unless you did not have a any children.

Has a lot of potential. The house to the right of it is in nice shape too.

Also, as I recall, pieces of the missing ironwork to the front newall (sp?) post were inside the house. It was with Christmas realty and priced far too high (around 900K, about a year ago). It is most likely older than 1901 as well.

Someone with the means and patience could do really nice things here. Also, this and the other house on this block, are slated to be landmarked in the Clinton Hill landmark extension. Right now, they are zoned R6B.

Drawbacks are the location on Putnam, the empty lot across the street (which I thought was recently bought and will likely be built on at some point). Those those drawbacks may, in the long term, become positives as the area develops (what with the new bakery opening on Fulton between Downing and Irving, the Fulton Street BID etc...

Posted by: 1842 at October 17, 2008 2:07 PM

bayridge girl--I have not been inside the house so I can't answer many of your questions. It looks like the ceilings are tin which I personally dig. The paint appears to be peeling off the tin so they look weird. The exterior of the house is in OK condition. It could be a good buy at 600 if you have a few hundred G for renovation.

Posted by: wasder at October 17, 2008 2:07 PM

Also, I don't think it had a CofO, one of those old places that never got one as it never formally converted to a 2 family or other occupancy since it was build, so you wouldn't have the issue of having to change it etc. That said, it would be a lot of work to fix the mechanicanicals, new baths and a kitchen, but it would be nice. If I had the ability, I'd love this project if I did not have to live there while I did it.

Posted by: 1842 at October 17, 2008 2:12 PM

It will be interesting to see how the PLG house does in this market. It's nearly $1.4M, but 49 Rutland Road fetched $1.425M (closed in June). Of course we are miles away from what the lay of the land was back April (when 49 most likely went into contract). If 73 Rutland sells, it will most certainly sell for over $1M, whether it's closer to $1.1M-$1.2M is really the question. Anyone who is (seriously) looking at this house, in this neighborhood, has already made the determination that they are willing to trade certain neighborhood amenities (as would be available in a 2/3bdrm apt in PS or Prospect Heights) for the space and privacy that they will gain by owning their own house.

Posted by: jurist at October 17, 2008 2:13 PM

1842--thanks for adding your thoughts. I didn't mean gut reno in terms of getting rid of details which are clearly copious and charming but it didn't look from the pictures that there was much in the way of kitchens, electricals, bathrooms etc. So maybe gut was the wrong word but its a pretty thorough overhaul that is needed.

In re the block, it definitely is one of the sketchier ones in Clinton Hill but one that I walk down almost every day and it is more aesthetically displeasing than it is dangerous. I am very hopeful that the work being done on Fulton now (and they finally seem like they are getting serious about it) will pick this end of the neighborhood up alot.

It definitely could be a good buy for somebody with the means to fix it up.

Posted by: wasder at October 17, 2008 2:17 PM

Thanks 1842 and Wasder...very helpful. I can't take on a full mechanical renovation. I would need to live in the place, while I renovate. It's one thing to go with out plumbing for a couple of days. But a couple of months of using an outhouse, will have the neighbors calling the Environmental Protection Agency.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 2:21 PM

Not to quibble, but isn't Putnam Bed Stuy, and not Clinton Hill?

Posted by: Miss Muffett at October 17, 2008 2:22 PM

Miss Muffett, there are a few blocks of Putnam that are in Clinton Hill. The dividing line between the two neighborhoods is Classon so Putnam to the west of Classon is in Clinton Hill. It only runs about two or three blocks before deadending into Fulton.

Posted by: wasder at October 17, 2008 2:29 PM

Hey Wasder, I hope I didn't sound snarking or hostile with the all caps "NOT". Apologies if I did. I agree with you about the block. Could be a good long term investment, but it is not too nice aesthetically right now across the street and on Fulton nearby.

Posted by: 1842 at October 17, 2008 2:32 PM

kudos to the putnam broker for her honesty about the need for heavy renovation. but i think she still could have rolled that tv out of the bathroom.

Posted by: i disagree at October 17, 2008 2:32 PM

1842--didn't even notice. You clearly know more about the interior of the house so you should correct me where I am wrong. No sweat at all.

Posted by: wasder at October 17, 2008 2:34 PM

Dittoburg, for the answer to your question about the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church and the surrounding area, take a look at this.

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2007/05/open_house_pick_123.php

Posted by: Chaka at October 17, 2008 2:38 PM

For anybody who's interested in the Flatbush house. There's a house further south on New York Avenue...1605 New York Avenue, right by Brooklyn College.

I thought it was interesting.
http://www.marykayg.com/html/0535.html

It's 2 blocks from Target (saying it with a French Accent).
I don't know the area, but I know what's in every aisle of Target.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 2:50 PM

Good observation Bayridgegirl but this one is one has a similar lay out as the Open House pick and despite the wallpaper and carpet, it is basically in move-in condition. It is also only block away from Brooklyn College and on a beautiful street.

http://marykayg.com/html/0534.html

Posted by: Chaka at October 17, 2008 3:09 PM

re: Clinton Hill Floorplans - What's a FOAMAL DINING ROOM?

Posted by: tippingpoint at October 17, 2008 3:36 PM

Thanks Chaka...but we're not looking in that area.

The MaryKay listing I posted just caught my eye. I covet a driveway to park our big jalopy.

I'm so drawn to a porch. I have this image of me and my husband sitting on rockers; me - knitting and him smoking a pipe, listening to a baseball game.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 3:48 PM

BRG, I hope your hubby doesn't mind the loving 11233 gave to you in my Forum thread.

Posted by: Biff Champion at October 17, 2008 4:03 PM

A place to park the big jalopy is a good thing.

Posted by: Chaka at October 17, 2008 4:04 PM

Bayridgegirl - have you looked at the house on Hancock St between Nostrand and Marcy? There are actually 2 houses on that side of the street for sale, but the one I'm talking about is a super cute brick 3-family. Needs major work on 3 of its 4 floors, but the parlor floor is currently a separate apartment in move-in condition, so it would be perfect for a couple or single looking to live while renovating. I looked at it on behalf of a friend. I forget the realtor, it is a small-time one - Weichert? Something that starts with W.

Anyway, southwestern Bed-Stuy is just a couple blocks away from Clinton Hill and is both safer and more attractive than the eastern parts of CH, in my opinion. This block has some wonderful long-term residents who maintain their homes beautifully. Plus you've got the A express train instead of the poky C or G.

Posted by: StuyMom at October 17, 2008 4:25 PM

StuyMom - We didn't see that house. We stopped looking, waiting to see what happens with the economy.

And today (the day after the end of the world), I lost a big project. They lost their financing, I lose work for 6 months...AAARRRGGGHHH! I am beside myself, I can't think clearly.

That only leaves me with more time on Brownstoner...GREAT!

I'll go by there this weekend and get the info, just to appease my curiosity. Thanks for the lead.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 17, 2008 5:31 PM

The two blocks around 49 Putnam have at least 5 houses for sale. 50, 62, 64 and 66 Putnam and 63 Putnam are all for sale. 50 is a gut job; 62-66 were recently renovated without much style. 63 is an owner-occupied home whose owner is moving over to another property he owns in the neighbhorhood. Be nice to get prices down to a level like I paid seven years ago so we could get some nice, enegetic new families on the block.

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at October 17, 2008 7:59 PM

Bayridgegirl, the house I'm talking about is 208 Hancock - it was HOTD a couple of months ago. It looks like they've lowered the price and they're having another open house this Sunday. If you go, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts... mine are in the original HOTD thread. Enjoy!

Posted by: StuyMom at October 17, 2008 8:16 PM

Oh, and sorry to hear about your lost gig, Bayridgegirl.

Posted by: StuyMom at October 17, 2008 8:17 PM

I agree with the first post about the Flatbush house - it looks like a great deal. I'll add that if you work in Brooklyn, can get in there for about $385k and plan to stay in the house for a while, this is very workable.

What is the area like?

Posted by: i_heart_brooklyn at October 18, 2008 4:04 AM

Re the inexpensive house in Clinton Hill, on Putnam Ave: It does have three kitchens, one on every level. What I really find puzzling is that it does not have a bathroom on every level, which means one apartment is missing a bathroom. Hey, who really needs one anyway? I'm sure the kitchen can do double duty! 1842, any thoughts on this?

Posted by: mopar at October 18, 2008 12:43 PM

The New York Ave house in Flatbush is adorable. Somebody cared for that house and garden for many years and was happy there. It has a cozy, positive vibe.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 19, 2008 12:56 PM

The adorable Flatbush house is between Snyder and Tilden, a few blocks north of the Sears from Hell. Rotten commercial strip (crappy old Flatbush Ave.) and plenty of crime over there, still, along with lots of good decent people like the ones who kept this house so nicely. Almost completely Caribbean demographic, wrong place to bet on imminent gentrification if that's your hope. I'd be hesitant to buy there at this early crest in the foreclosure crisis, frankly; this area has been hit hard and I am concerned that the rocky spots will get rockier, not stronger.

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at October 20, 2008 10:19 AM

Mopar, while it does look like it has kitchens, or places where they would be, it is not configured as apartments, or at least it was not when I saw it - it had most of the original detail. It may have been used (illegally I presume) as 3 apartments, I don't know. I think it did not have a CofO and was classified as a 1 family for Dept. of Finance purposes, though I could be wrong as I looked at it over a year ago for a friend.

Posted by: 1842 at October 20, 2008 11:49 AM

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