Dumb to buy a gorgeous pre-war apt with no view?
My husband and I have been seriously apt hunting for a month or so now in Park Slope/Prospect Heights and its been (mostly) incredibly depressing. We’ve seen horribly laid out apartments with 2 bedrooms that really should have only had one, kitchens and bathrooms that were woefully outdated and basically needed to be ripped out,…
My husband and I have been seriously apt hunting for a month or so now in Park Slope/Prospect Heights and its been (mostly) incredibly depressing. We’ve seen horribly laid out apartments with 2 bedrooms that really should have only had one, kitchens and bathrooms that were woefully outdated and basically needed to be ripped out, 3rd floor, 4th floor and 5th floor walk-ups, spiral staircases that you needed a jackhammer to get up and down b/c they are so narrow and steep, etc, etc. I was beginning to think that finding a decent place within our budget was a total pipedream…until this weekend.
Through a friend of a friend, we happened to find an amazing (not yet advertised) apartment, in a fab, beautiful, pre-war building, in a spectacular location, and it has everything that we are looking for (high ceilngs, elevator in bldg, charming pre-war details, lots of space, great kitchen minus one or two quirks, original hard wood floors, etc). The *only* hitch is that its an interior courtyard unit–so no view and and the light isn’t fantastic.
Are we crazy for still wanting to buy? I feel like in comparison to everything else we’ve seen, this place is such a gem. Our last apt in manhattan had absolutely killer views and amazing light and our blinds were always closed (except when someone came over so that we could brag about our amazing views).
Am I in major “justifying” mode” or is this problem not *that* horrible if everything else is fab (including the price). With every other place we saw, its been within our budget, but we’d then need to do 50k of work to make it nice and really livable. With this place, I feel like we could do 10-20k of strictly cosmetic work, and it would be a showstopper.
Any opinions? Thanks!
Perhaps you can use it is a negotiating point?
I personally never have the blinds close, and my apartment has great sunlight in every room, but that’s what I need. If you love the space and don’t need that much light, I think you’re just coming here to hear what you already know.
I also live in an apartment with mediocre light and no view, and I love it. The truth is, I’m never really home during the day, so I don’t even notice the absence of natural light. I have a great view and light at work, where I spend most daylight hours. And during the weekend, I don’t want to spend the day inside looking out my windows.
As great as a view may be, after a few days, it will become just as boring as an interior courtyard.
Don’t worry about resale. If you love the apartment this much, someone else will too.
lack of light isn’t that big a deal.
you can find creative ways to use lighting to make up for it.
i have very little light and LOVE my place….
also in the slope.
It sounds as if you yourself will be very happy in that apartment. The only reservation I would have is how the lack of light/view affects your ability to resell the apartment should you need to.
I’m someone who doesn’t need alot of light and like you, often keeps my blinds closed. But I have friends for whom lots of light (not necessarily a view) is a requirement and if the apartment seems dark, will not buy it at any price. So the lack of light could eliminate some portion of buyers for whom light is an absolute requirement.
As long as the resale isn’t really an issue for you (since you plan to stay a long time) it sounds as if you would enjoy living in your new space.
Why don’t you compromise in the area instead of the apartment. Get something south south slope or greenwood heights (ok maybe not greenwood heights) or windsor terrace (especially windsor terrace) is just as liveable but your money will go further.
And you have the satisfaction of knowing that 1000s of people will go through the same process and end up buying in your area over the next few years and the value will at least hold and maybe appreciate.
Thanks, all! I assure you, I am not the seller…just an anxious buyer looking for some feedback. I, too, love the quiet factor and totally agree with the notion that “compromise is the nature of real estate.” I appreciate everyone’s insight…
We bought a HUGE apartment with a courtyard view (ie. fair light at best) and it was great. We loved living in the space, we even found that the reflected light off of the windows across the courtyard brightened things up–I know it sounds crazy! It was also very quiet since we were removed from the street noise. I would say go for the space and location.
Depends on what your budget is. Quiet is good so facing a courtyard or internal is not as bad as you think!
I can email you an amazing 2 bedroom with beautiful views of the city (watched the fireworks from my apartment last nite!). prime park slope and no work needed. send me an email address to contact you and we can go from there.
Serious answer: compromise is the nature of real estate. Sounds like you love the place and have answered your own question.
Cynical answer: your post reads like an ad. Are you sure you aren’t the seller fishing for a buyer? If so, send money to the webmaster.