Hello all–

And a happy spring (???) to you!

I’m taking the plunge in “becoming an adult” and finally going to be living alone; my current lease ends May 31. I’ve been a Boerum Hill/Park Slope resident for 7 years and am very familiar with the area and know I want to be within walking distance of Atlantic Terminal.

I saw a 1BR this morning and am looking to Brownstoner-land in helping me figure out whether I should jump or keep looking. Below are my thoughts…

PROS:
1. Great size, entire 2nd floor in 3 fl brownstone; living room is about 20×20 with a large open kitchen (10×10?) that could fit a small table
2. Bedroom is small around 10×10, but will absolutely fit my queen bed and dresser
3. 2 large closets (bedroom and hallway)
4. private patio – about 10×10 off bedroom
5. on tree-lined block b/t 4th and 5th (great location)
6. free access to another building’s gym about 2 blocks away
7. north/south facing windows (bedroom in back)
8. hardwood floors throughout exposed brick on 2 walls
9. No broker fee

CONS:
1. May 1 rental (I wanted May 15), non-negotiable.
2. no washer/dryer (laundromat on corner – I’ve had a W/D in my apt for years and LOVE it and I know I know, it’s rare and I need to give it up)
3. Small bedroom (does this even matter w/a massive living room?)
4. not a ton of counter space
5. not a new property (I like new construction – this one was renovated several years ago and is still in good shape, tho the stove has seen better days). Also, something I prob have to give up.
6. Tenant pays heat, hot water, electric. Heat estimated at $80/mo in winter from current tenant

The rent is $1900/mo, which is $100 more than I *wanted* to spend. I can afford it, though.

This place will absolutely go once it’s listed. It’s a great place, but do the pros outweigh the cons? Am I missing anything in my analysis? Am I stupid not to take it?

Thoughts, inputs, etc. fellow brownstoners!

Thanks, tons and tons,
Bklynight


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. If its the entire floor of the building and assuming the building is 20 feet wide and 65 deep…you are looking at around 1200 sq feet of living space. That is a HUGE apartment and at $1900 and absolute steal! Once advertised the apartment will not last……….

  2. it’s never a bad thing to rent the first thing you see.
    Why make it a headache if you know what you want?
    Do you really think that you’ll find the same space with a washer and dryer and heat/hot water included without a broker fee for a $100 less? Even if you find one of those things, is it worth giving up a private outdoor space? It wouldn’t be to me.

    The number one reason landlords increase the rent aside from market is the increasing costs of maintenance (tax, heat/hot water, major improvements). Being responsible for your own heat means that is one less reason for the landlord to increase your rent. Oil costs are going through the roof… that means a lot of people are going to be seeing major increases in their rents as their leases renew.

    Best

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