Did I undervalue my Carroll Gardens rental?

Why would you think Carroll Gardens is more desirable for a young person or couple than Park Slope? PS has more retail, nightlife, watering holes--plus the park, an attraction for Da Yoot. Slightly better transportation too, and street parking's about the same.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 1:05 PM

I'm also a Carroll Gardens landlord, and we have tenants paying $1,600 for a 900 squ ft 1+ bedroom floorthrough. No outside space, top floor, no dw or w/d. They've been wonderful tenants for a few years now.

I have heard that rents have increased, but I wouldn't compare to Park Slope. PS has traditionally been more desirable than CG, and even if that may be changing for some young couples, overall that's still the case.

In my opinion -- if indeed the $1,900 is low (and I don't think it is), you'll get lots of responses to your ad and lots of choices in a tenant. You can pick someone you really like.

Anyone paying over $2,000 is going to expect a fair amount for their money. I'd rather have a happy, non-complaining tenant who thinks they have a good deal than someone who is paying top of market prices and expects more services. So if I were you, I wouldn't worry about whether you could possibly find someone willing to pay more, just to maximize rent. $1,900 for 600 squ feet is still alot of money, and despite the backyard, some people prefer the light of a higher apartment to a garden floor.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 1:29 PM

Yeah, I don't really know where you got the notion that CG was preferable over PS for singles and couples. I absolutely think the opposite is true.

The area of Park Slope, especially in the North part closer to Flatbush has the Q train and the 2/3 train at Grand Army Plaza or Bergen, which makes it MUCH more easily accessible than CG on the F train. For that reason, along with Prospect Park, the huge influx of shops and restaurants on 5th avenue in Park Slope (Blue Ribbon Sushi, Al di La, Union Hall, etc) make it by far the more attractive of the two neighborhoods in terms of singles (gay and straight) as well as young couples.

Having said that, I think you should be fine getting 1900 a month...

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 1:52 PM

Thanks for your response 1:29 - I think you're right. Can't comment on whether PS or CG is more attractive objectively since I loathe PS.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 1:57 PM

You loathe PS as a neighborhood or you loathe some of the people that live there?

There's a huge difference, you realize.

If you loathe the neighborhood, you probably worhip Satan as well.

If you loathe SOME of the people, I'd agree with you.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 2:51 PM

Difference between Park Slope and Carroll Gardens is Carroll Gardens is fun for singles only on a block by block basis. Not everywhere in Carroll Gardens is close to amenities. Whereas every block of Park Slope is within a couple blocks of someplace hip young people can hang out, drink and be merry.

But sole access to a nicely landscaped garden is really nice. Seems you could get this rent for that. But I bet it will be a young couple who don't want or need to go out every night.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 3:28 PM

dear landlord,
My friend is looking for a space in this price range. How can she contact you?

Thanks

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 3:36 PM

yeah, I thought 1:57 comments strange. How do you loathe a neighborhood? Anyway I do not live in PS or CG but like both of them have friends in both and have met a few aholes in both. The only differences is PS got the park and cg might have a somewhat shorter commute and taxi ride from Manhattan depending where exactly you live. BTW there are many singles in both nabes. I don't get this hating of adjacent nabes, isn't that supposed to have been left behind us in junior high. This is what the internet blogs have done, misdirected all of our anger and made us haters of wherever and whatever we are not. Sad.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 3:44 PM

Wow, what a lot of inane, off the topic responses (mostly in defense of PS). To answer the question: Depending where precisely the apartment is in CG, that does seem quite low. If it's near the main strips and/or the subways, it should go for a few hundred higher. (As another has pointed out, there are advantages to renting at below market prices, but that wasn't your question.) A very nice 1 BR in our building just rented for $2500 -- it seems nicer than the one you described, but not nearly $600 nicer.

Stay on point, people.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 3:46 PM

I think you are priced a bit low for the neighborhood. I know of several apartments in Carroll Gardens that are off the beaten path, closer to 900 sq. ft. that are going for well over $3000 month not including utilities and not including the garden and laundry.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:11 PM

As someone who was just looking for apartments in both Carroll Gardens and Park Slope I can tell you that there are many more affordable apartments in Park Slope. Perhaps just has to do with less supply in Carroll Gardens and equal demand.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:13 PM

Park Slope is also much bigger than CG, 4:13.

And if you count South Slope, it's enormous.

You're probably right though. I'd guess there's a lot more for rent in PS.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:30 PM

i would take that thing in a second

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:45 PM

I'd certainly be interested in the apartment at that price. But that $2000 mark tends to be a sticking point for many people.

Where did you list the apartment? And what was the response?

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:52 PM

ps>bococa>fg any time of the day.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:52 PM

If the bedroom is so small that you can only get a double bed in it, you are not likely to get a couple (or one that weill be happy once they move in). So I think you should not go above $1900 and hope to get a single whol will be a happy tenant!

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 4:56 PM

I was curious about what the general consensus was regarding which nabe is more desirable. Personally, I prefer Carroll Gardens, mostly because of its proximity to Manhattan. If you are stuck on the Park Slope F line, the commute is pretty bad, and a taxi is more expensive. I also think there is more diversity in terms of people and restaurant choices in Carroll Gardens.

It's interesting to see the different opinions.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 6:59 PM

I think that the rent asking price is about $500 to $600 way to low unless it is not Carroll gardens? Overall i like Carroll gardens better than park Slope streets located on Henry street and Clinton st are my favorites along with the place blocks. There is good in all .

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 7:53 PM

I prefer Park Slope for a couple reasons...

1. Prospect Park...proximity to Greenmarket, Library, Museum, Gardens, etc.
2. Huge variety of shops, restaurants, services on 7th and 5th avenues
3. More gay friendly
4. Near 2/3 and Q if in North Slope
5. Something for everyone. 99 cent stores in South Slope, Blue RIbbon Sushi in the north, etc. Diverse group of people, I'd say also contrary to what you might hear.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 8:01 PM

600 square feet is a closet. A garden adds no value unless it's been well-taken care of. I saw tons of garden apts when I was looking - for a while it seemed that's all there was available. They are less desirable because in actuality they're really basement apts, so they come with all the disadvantages of a basement apt - low ceilings, less light, less privacy because it's street-level, less secure for the same reason and more prone to flooding. I found that garden apts were generally cheaper for those reasons. I think that $1900 for 600 sw ft. is way overpriced, unless the interior is brand-spanking new and the garden has a jacuzzi. And Park Slope is definitely more desirable a neighborhood than Carroll Gardens for a young, single person.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 8:33 PM

600 sf is a closet?

thats alot of fuckin shoes.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 8:55 PM

I like carroll gardens better than Park slope. Carroll Gardens has Smith street it blows away 5th ave or 7th ave. There is a better european mixture in carroll gardens of French and Italians. Carroll Gardens is 20 min to 55st on the F. The proximity to Manhattan is much shorter than park slope. There are plenty of Gays in Carroll Gardens. Also PS 58 is a great school not that ps 321 is not.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 10:05 PM

What is on Smith Street that's so great? I'm curious...

Soula Shoes?...just opened one on 5th.
Matter...oops...you don't have that.
Al di La...best Italian in Brooklyn. nope, don't have that either.
Oko eco friendly greek frozen yogurt? Nah
Bob and Judy's Antique shop? No again
Moim Korean Food? rivals Koreatown. Not a chance.
American Apparel. Already have one of those.
Starbucks? We each have one.
McD's?? Coming soon to Smith!

Enjoy it.

And if by plenty of gays, you mean the salespeople at American Apparel, yes...you do have plenty of gays.

But I love CG too.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 10:36 PM

Ok have you tried Mario Batali's PO?? ok how about Lucali Pizza on Henry street one of the beautiful blocks of Brooklyn.Ohh have you tried Bocca Lupa on henry st? how about Zaytoons on smith one of the best Middle eastern? NO! what about stinky Brooklyn do you have a cheese shop up in park slope? Smith street has so many more resturants that are better than anything park slope has to offer. don't get me wrong i like park slope also but Carroll Gardens and Cobble hill are just a little nicer.Ohh and there are 2 starbucks in the area I wish there weren't any. Frequent Mom and Pop stores keep Brooklyn real

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 12:56 AM

To the owner of the rental if you don't realize that your apt is undervalued by a lot than you are a fool and should loose the money every month. I just wish i had the cash to rent your place you fool.It is owners like you who should be renters or better yet sell the property and let the yuppies get a chance the old guard has lost it's grip.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 1:05 AM

Sounds like the apt I rent to my own tenants in PS also for $1900/m. I could probably get a bit more but I agree w/an earlier post. Happy tenants are worth money to me and $2k is a threshold they don't like crossing.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 8:14 AM

Spend 1 or 2 month's rent on new appliances for the kitchen and raise the rent if you feel you;re being too generous. This will both make you more money from the justified higher rent and save you money on the utilities, old appliances SUCK up energy.
Also, although the apartment has a yard, $1900 for 600 sqft in what you described as an unupdated and possibiliy minimally maintained apartment is fair to pricey...I pay less for about the same. I second yesterday's 1:29, the only reason I don't gripe about my slitty crappy apartment in CG is that the rent is low.
Good luck and keep us posted!

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 8:28 AM

OP here - I think CG is more attractive to young people because if they're anything like I was, social life is oriented towards manhattan, and the closer you are the better. PS feels like a landlocked island, far far away from the wonderful energy of Manhattan. When I used to stay with a friend who lived in PS in my 20s, I hated being so far away. But then again, I never would have lived in CG either.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 12:15 PM

The Q Train at 7th Avenue gets me from Park Slope to Union Square in 11 minutes.

Don't think you can get to Manhattan from CG in less time than that.

2/3 at Bergen gets me to 14th and 7th in about 15.

Oh, and New York is not nearly as Manhattan centric as it used to be....unless you are a Wall Streeter or Lawyer.

The good (off the beaten path) music, clubs, even art exhibits are in Brooklyn these days.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 12:57 PM

PS is like the Upper West Side and CG is like Nolita. Take your pick.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 1:36 PM

"CG is like Nolita"

LOLOLOLOLOL

What planet do you live on???!!!

Too funny.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 1:55 PM

When most people talk about PS being cool they are talking about fifth avenue and when they talk about fifth avenue they usually live on the R/N subway line or what I like to call the "Rarely" and the "Never". If they live on the F then they can add another 5 to 10 minutes to their commute to manhattan as compared to people who live in CG. And 15 minutes to 14th street on the 2/3 is a total bullshit. Try a half hour minimum.

This whole thread is designed to pit CG against PS and nothing more. I decided to take the bait but only because 33 other people did first and I don't want to be left out.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 4:58 PM

people are so friggin defensive about PS it's crazy. I don't care how fast you get to manhattan on the Q train, the truth of the matter is you are much further out - and in my opinion you can really feel that in the vibe of the neighborhood.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 5:05 PM

yeah, must be why the prices are higher in ps, right 5:05?

that WAS the whole point of the post, no?

prices are higher in park slope. rentals and for sale. period.

but it must be because it blows so hard.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 5:09 PM

"people are so friggin defensive about PS it's crazy"

only because people are so damn jealous of PS that they love to trash it.

there would be no defense, if there weren't an OFFENSE by those who attempt to make themselves feel better by trashing another neighborhood. most likely one they wish they could afford.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 5:33 PM

Actually, I think if you bother to look at the average price of a rental in PS and the average price of a rental in CG you will find out that the rental prices are higher in CG.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 6:20 PM

You notice that nobody ever bothers to bait Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights into these arguments? Why? Because they wouldn't bother to respond since everyone knows that these neighborhoods get higher prices, more rent, etc.. Slopers are defensive.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 6:29 PM

Park Slope started the entire gentrification of Brooklyn practically. Brooklyn Heights doens't count...it's always been a rather nice place. It is the model that all other neighborhoods in Brownstone Brooklyn have tried to emulate to one degree or another.

Some people, while not loving PS should consider all the work a lot of people did to essentially put Brooklyn back on the map.

If those hippies in the 60's and 70's didn't move out and fix up that neighborhood, we might not even be having this conversation right now.

A little respect would be nice.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 7:44 PM

Where is Carroll Gardens?

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 7:51 PM

Here's the real deal. The rental market is extremely tight right now. So landlords can charge way more than ever in many situations and they will rent their place anyway. So landlords should use a broker if they want to find out the latest in pricing. I am a landlord and used to use craigslist. But since I started using a broker I started getting better tenants and more rent. That said, I was once a renter and like the idea of not having renters pay a fee. I get it believe me. But in the end I got better people for my place and more money so it makes more sense.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 9:02 PM

Carroll Gardens is just next to Cobble Hill and much closer to Manhattan than Park Slope. Park Slope is the neighborhood with the inferiority complex that is filled with uptight people who demand respect.

Posted by: guest at September 18, 2007 11:00 PM

CG and PS are so similar that if a Cg'er dislikes PS or vice versa, it's in actuality self-loathing

Posted by: guest at September 19, 2007 2:03 AM

I get $1900 on Columbia St for a top floor 700 sq foot apt with no charm. The tenant is VERY happy and has paid every month on time. I think you are low-balling, the fact is that rents have gone up tremendously over the past year.

Posted by: guest at September 19, 2007 3:43 PM

I get 1950 for a 350 sf studio in the North Slope.

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 12:35 PM

Forget PS and CG - come to Bed Stuy!

Posted by: guest at September 20, 2007 8:15 PM