Ditmas Park Gets the 'Living In' Treatment
‘Tis the season to love on Victorian Flatbush, it seems, and the latest story in that vein comes from this weekend’s “Living in…” article about Ditmas Park in the Times. The piece describes Cortelyou’s retail and dining options as a neighborhood anchor and, increasingly, a big lure for new and old residents. There’s also an…
‘Tis the season to love on Victorian Flatbush, it seems, and the latest story in that vein comes from this weekend’s “Living in…” article about Ditmas Park in the Times. The piece describes Cortelyou’s retail and dining options as a neighborhood anchor and, increasingly, a big lure for new and old residents. There’s also an interesting snapshot of Ditmas Park’s real estate climate: Area broker Mary Kay Gallagher says that following the $1 million-mark being passed for houses in the area in the past decade, Victorians usually start at around $900,000. Another broker, however, says the down market is resulting in home prices as low as $800,000 and that “We haven’t seen these kinds of numbers in, I’d say, well over 10 years.” Ditmas Park Blog’sreaction to the story notes that while its descriptions of the area’s gorgeous housing stock and evolving dining scene are on the mark, it neglects to mention DP’s team spirit: “We came for the space, but we stayed because we like our neighbors, the laid back feel of the place, and the fact that folks like to slow down and enjoy each others’ company.”
Living in…Ditmas Park [NY Times]
Moved for the Space, Stayed For… [Ditmas Park Blog]
Photo by florence wang
I have to confess, though, we did spend several hundred thousand renovating it. Most people coming from more upmarket areas would not want to live with the grandma house kitchens and baths which dominated the neighborhood back then. Most people who bought in DP stayed there for 25-30 years, raising families etc… They didn’t renovate every 5-10 years. It was unusual to find a house with a post 2000 kitchen. Sometimes you might see a newish Home Depot style bath. Attitudes and expectations of the area have changed enormously in the past five years. Not least of all because of the amenities cited in the Times article. Still, there were some who saw the potential, worked hard for change, and are now reaping the benefits. Yes, I know, some will scream gentrification. Let them, I say.
Archi, if only we see those prices again then I’ll be in quick sharpish
Interesting point with this house – if BSW was landmarked, this paint job would never have been permitted. However, if BSW is landmarked, there couldn’t be any nasty front porch enclosures or any other type of bastardization of the period architecture.
I love the paint job on this house. Each baluster on that porch has FIVE different colors. Must have taken forever.
The broker (not MKG)who made the $800 statement is misinformed. I bought my BSW house (needed a lot of cosmetics, but certainly not a wreck) in 2003 for $675. A neighbor around the corner who bought at the same time paid $650. Our house had been on the market in 1999 for $475, and the owner couldn’t get anywhere near ask. Prices, even with the brave new market, are just nowhere near what they were 7-10 years ago in the Victorian Flatbush area. I’m not saying they won’t head further south, but they aren’t their yet. And, conversely, they were no where near as high back then as the broker in this article states.
Interestingly, we did see one house back in 2002, which was asking $950. Fiske Terrace, good condition, minor cosmetics needed. We were told at the time that this was the highests ask ever in the area, and that it was absolutely unrealistic. House sold close to ask… Now the average house price in Victorian Flatbush (for the average house, of course) is about $900k..
$880k refers to the first winter’s heating bill before you get it properly insulated.
Only 800k!!! Wowzers!!
Rob, if you took the halfway point between urban and suburban then it’s just on the suburban side of things!
omfg that house is awesome!!!! im not sold on ditmas park itself tho, it seems very country or something.
*rob*