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November 17, 2009
House of the Day: 121 Rapelye Street
There aren't a lot of interior photos provided in the new listing for 121 Rapelye Street, a four-story brownstone in Carroll Gardens. The three shots that are shown reveal a mix of nice original details and cheap rental-style finishes, so it's hard to develop a strong opinion about the $1,300,000 asking price. Given that this is a BQE block and not one of the neighborhood's most charming, we bet it'll be challenging unless there are some positive surprises on the inside.
121 Rapelye Street [Heights Berkeley] GMAP P*Shark
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Comments
Is the seller actually paying that broker????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 17, 2009 1:22 PM
You gotta be kidding. Maybe if they put in some side windows.....
Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 17, 2009 1:22 PM
"We bet it'll be challenging unless there are some positive surprises on the inside."
Like a pot of gold and/or Jessice Alba waiting for you in the living room?
Posted by: Brokedeveloper at November 17, 2009 1:22 PM
The widget doesn't go low enough for this one
Posted by: dirty_hipster at November 17, 2009 1:25 PM
MM...there are Carroll Gardens busy bodies who will rally against that.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 17, 2009 1:26 PM
They need to get in line with the new yard planting regulations...don't see a lick of green, not even in the backyards!
Posted by: NorthHeights at November 17, 2009 1:29 PM
It's actually NOT a terrible location considering the BQE proximity - it's the first house in from Henry Street. The block's really not bad either. Nice baseball field, and great dog run, on the western end of the block and running south along Hicks Street. And there's a nice little park and playground in the middle of the block, running through to Woodhull Street, adjacent to a sunken section of the BQE.
For $1.2, you're getting a lot of space for the price of a 1,200 square foot co-op or condo, apparently with some original detail, a private garden and no board. Convert it back to a single family, re-do the facade, and for God sake, plant some street trees.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 1:30 PM
(I know this block well because I used to take the CDog to the nearby dog run.)
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 1:32 PM
I actually love this part of Carroll Gardens. There is a tiny tiny coffeeshop up the road on Henry and President. It feels desolate and disconnected but that is why I like it.
I almost moved very nearby here actually. Carroll Gardens rules.
Posted by: infinitejester at November 17, 2009 1:34 PM
jester, what coffee shop? I lived a block from there for 10 years, and I can't visualize it.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 1:38 PM
It's on Henry and Union I think actually. On the southwest corner...has a small bench on the sidewalk? 'Cause the bench is on the side I misremembered President.
Posted by: infinitejester at November 17, 2009 1:43 PM
"(No amenities listed)"
They're not kidding
Posted by: Expert Textpert at November 17, 2009 1:43 PM
This is an income-producing property, someone will buy it and rent out the units. One or two per floor probably. The style is Grungde-revival.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at November 17, 2009 1:45 PM
I judge neighborhoods by the "bike index" - if you can safely daydream on your bicycle ride through the streets. That will determine where I eventually buy!
Posted by: infinitejester at November 17, 2009 1:49 PM
Mazzola is on the southeast corner of Henry & Union, with a bench on the side. Naidre's is on the southwest corner of Henry & Sackett, with 2 benches in front.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 1:50 PM
> For $1.2, you're getting a lot of space for the price of a
> 1,200 square foot co-op or condo
Except at $1000/sf, that co-op or condo would be in a better looking neighborhood in Manhattan.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at November 17, 2009 1:52 PM
Minard, I'd consider buying it for the right price and either converting it back to single-family or an upper owner's triplex (with a deck down to the garden) and a garden rental (without garden acess, or only access to a patio beneath the owner's deck). There just aren't very many houses in Carroll Gardens at this price anymore.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 1:53 PM
jester, don't daydream too much, the mom-zillas all over Brooklyn drive SUV's and they're not happy.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at November 17, 2009 1:55 PM
Mazzola! Thanks.
limonata in the sun on summer Sundays = jester smiling
Posted by: infinitejester at November 17, 2009 1:55 PM
mazzola is awesome. naidre's blows.
this block is ok. it's not as bad as it's proximity to the BQE entrance would imply. on the downside, it's right next to a giant school. and not cute little munchkins either. full on YOOTS (youths). henry street is awesome though. quiet but not as overwhelmingly residential as clinton street. there are a couple of good restaurants (lucali's, koto), a GREAT bakery (mazzola's) and a couple of bodega's which are handy for last minute lotto ticket purchasing before a big jackpot. and dry cleaners / laundromats. the grosser blocks are down by luquer right off the BQE. dog poo smooshed into the sidewalks and a bit more gritty than here.
Posted by: CG_ups at November 17, 2009 1:56 PM
True enough, Snark. Actually the co-ops and condos I've seen in the $1.2 price range were more like 1,500-1,800 square feet (like the one on Atlantic Avenue in today's Last Week's Biggest Sales thread). Having lost an 1,800 square footer in a bidding war in which I declined to bid, I'm just thinking that buying a house like this in my old neighborhood might make more sense.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 2:00 PM
"mazzola is awesome. naidre's blows"
I agree with CG_ups. Though when Naidre's first opened in Carroll Gardens, and they served hot food, I used to there every day (literally).
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 2:05 PM
I hear ya, CG. And yes, a bit of greenery would do this place a world of good.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at November 17, 2009 2:06 PM
I am wrong (like usual).
The Coffee Den, Union and Hicks.
Still planning on writing a tour guide to coffeehouses though!
Posted by: infinitejester at November 17, 2009 2:08 PM
I want to live there. I love Rapelye Street. I too have been there numerous times on my bicycle. I love it, a little desolate down there, but I too like that.
The little park there is cute and for some reason you really do not hear that much noise from the BQE.
Oh how I wish I had a million, I would by this property in a flash.
Posted by: STARGAZER at November 17, 2009 2:10 PM
jester, you should try Mazzola's then. Fantastic. Buy yourself a lard bread (it's a meal).
"it's not as bad as it's proximity to the BQE entrance would imply."
Agree with CG_ups post on location, too.
"The little park there is cute and for some reason you really do not hear that much noise from the BQE."
Agreed, Stargazer. Just what I said. Used to walk my dog through that park en route to the dog run. Perhaps I should stop posting about it and go see it.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 2:15 PM
a lot of space, but location will always limit how high the price can do. Better are the little houses btw hoyt and bond where you can pay a cool mill and build another story and extension for the $200k you saved. although this is in ps 58 district which is a big advantage.
Posted by: gkw at November 17, 2009 2:43 PM
The area is nice, not a slum, but it is kind of, um, blue-collar -is that term used any more? It just doesn't seem like one would get a lot of value for one's 1.3 million dollars. It isn't pretty and it doesn't have social cachet, it's really best as an investment property. I know people say "if I had a million dollars I would buy this tomorrow" but you know what? If they really had a million dollars they would be in a position to look at options and demand more.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at November 17, 2009 2:45 PM
Uggers. I used to live here and am totally underwhelmed by the charm. It's too close to the BQE. It's far from the subway. There are no decent grocery stores. As Minard says, this is a rental property. Figure about $7,500 in rental income a month. Eh.
Posted by: mopar at November 17, 2009 2:48 PM
Okay so Naidre's they do sell hot food and their food so so much better than most. Mazzola's is amazing and Koto is CREEPY! Come on people who eat there?! But jesus people unless you are handicapped there is no reason to point point out what is right there - you are two blocks from court and three from Smith. Rapelye is right on the school -its not quiet during the day AND you spend most of your time digging down your dogs throat to pick up what a kid dropped on the ground. The location does have its draw but the killer is the proximity to the BQE - unless you live here you do not know how much dirt comes in through the windows. Now for the matter at hand. That house is a dump. Are those laminate floors? CHIRST HOW COMMON! You would have to start all over with a match and gasoline. And look it even has cement in the backyard - that's a card carrying feature for a CG home. CHRIST!
Posted by: Ljubitca at November 17, 2009 2:51 PM
AND I HAVE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH LARD BREAD - try the cheese, chocolate or veggie versions for crying out loud.
Posted by: Ljubitca at November 17, 2009 2:53 PM
You seem seriously agitated, to the point of shouting, by all of this Ljubitca. Has this home offended you in a previous experience?
Posted by: Nokilissa at November 17, 2009 3:04 PM
"Has this home offended you in a previous experience?"
Maybe in past life, Noki, lol. I'm sorry, but I lovvvve lard bread - the original only.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 17, 2009 3:13 PM
Sorry I had a peice of fruit stuck in a tooth - all better now but I still hate lard bread - the thought if it makes me bloat.
Posted by: Ljubitca at November 17, 2009 3:32 PM
Aw, give Koto a chance. The people are nice and the sushi is excellent. I have no idea why it is always empty. Probably too off-the-beaten path. But I do agree about the BQE noise and dirt. Okay if you have a cheap rental but I personally would not buy anything that close (IF I could buy).
Posted by: Carol Gardens at November 17, 2009 3:38 PM
The location, while far from "prime", is only a very short block from the place blocks -- in fact, Rapelye is simply the continuation of 2nd Place. The school that it overlooks is the Brooklyn New School (an elementary school that many affluent families travel from Park Slope and Fort Greene to attend) and BCS (the middle and high school that, while not as popular, is one of the up and coming middle schools in the neighborhood and likely to improve even more over the next few years). In addition, the fact that this street is zoned for PS 58 makes this far more desirable for families with young children than a house on Hoyt or Bond. Also, as other posters said, it's very close to Henry Street and some pretty decent neighborhood food and shops. The proximity to the BQE is a definite downside, but there's a very popular neighborhood preschool (Cobble Hill Playgroup) that is a block away and even closer to the BQE, so that isn't keeping people from travelling here and living here. Price is a bit high since there's lots of renovation needed, but I don't think that size and location would sell below $1 million, even in this market.
Posted by: CGfan at November 17, 2009 3:45 PM
I grew up next to a high school, an alternative one. We used to throw snowballs inside as they had a longer school day than the rest of us did.
Posted by: infinitejester at November 17, 2009 3:51 PM
This place def has potential, saw when first came on the market for 1.5 something. Note the place next door sold for ~1.7 2 years back, renovated. Straight shot down 2nd place for subway, fine part of town really.
Posted by: dabozz at November 17, 2009 4:51 PM
the house next door sold for $1.75 couple years ago...
People on brownstoner said had cheap looking upgrades.
Posted by: Petebklyn at November 17, 2009 5:00 PM
> the house next door sold for $1.75 couple years ago...
Good thing nothing has changed in the economic landscape since then.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at November 17, 2009 5:13 PM
Hey I dont care if its the best school in the country I dont want to live next to it- I live around the corner from it - noise is noise and trash is trash.
Posted by: Ljubitca at November 17, 2009 5:16 PM
trash? this is across from an immaculate kids baseball field. all families and professionals in the nearby brownstones and large apt building on corner of hicks.
Posted by: dabozz at November 17, 2009 5:22 PM
You may as well suck on an exhaust pipe. No amount of discount is worth it.
Posted by: mopar at November 17, 2009 7:46 PM
Theres a nice parking lot already there next door.
Perhaps they could open a drive thru.
Posted by: dittoburg at November 18, 2009 8:42 AM
Crappy pictures=crappy broker marketing your house
I guess they took the listing for 3% so you get what you pay for. over priced by 300,000 I say.
The location is the pits... noisy BQE +exhaust ridden fumes!
999k
Posted by: tjj at November 18, 2009 8:20 PM
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