The importance of a backyard

A backyard for the dogs to romp in and where we could entertain was a must-have for us when we were looking at houses. We bought a detached house in Kensington that had decrepit 2-car garage taking up the entire yard and knocked down the structure, leaving a concrete slab and a small strip of plantable ground. We built a deck over the slab complete with benches and planters and it’s lovely. We’re working on landscaping this year. We wanted a lovely outdoor space to enjoy in the spring, summer, and fall, since we knew that after buying a house we’d be too broke to go on vacations like we used to. We looked at dozens of houses in multiple neighborhoods and rejected several because the yard was too small, or was a weird shape (narrow triangle?) or was just unuseable (weird shape with an above-ground pool taking up the whole yard, of all things). Stick to your guns if it’s something you want.

CRussen

in Real Estate - Sales 13 years and 2 months ago

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st78n3c | 13 years and 2 months ago

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I thought I’d post to gather other people’s thoughts.  As I’ve said before, we’re in the early stages of looking for a brownstone in Brooklyn.  We’re definitely willing to overlook a lot of flaws, but a tiny backyard seems to be one of my dealbreakers.  To me, that’s one of the major benefits of living in a brownstone as opposed to a condo.  It’s like your own private sanctuary where you can grill, entertain, let your kids and/or pets play, etc.  Yet I’m amazed at how many places on the market right now have tiny-to-nonexistant back yards (a few examples below).  Is this more common that I realize?  Do you think I’m overrating the benefit of a yard?   635 10th St: http://bktothefullest.blogspot.com/2012/03/park-slope-under-2m-635-10th-street.html 177 Carroll St: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/659984-multi-177-carroll-street-carroll-gardens-brooklyn 233 Garfield: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/659384-multi-233-garfield-place-park-slope-brooklyn

eman134 | 13 years and 2 months ago

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i have to agree with you…the problem is that when maximum zoned additions are put on brownstones, the back yard is shrunken to a postage stamp…they trade the charm of brownstone living for more salable square footage

widthom | 13 years and 2 months ago

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In my opinion, you are definitely not overstating the virtues of a decent backyard. The house we purchased in South Slope is small and quirky and has a number of interior “issues” that I hope to address in the coming years… but there’s 16×60 of glorious outdoor space where we live our lives in the good weather (and sometimes the bad.)  It’s very much an extension of our living area and it’s the first thing everyone comments about.  Good luck finding your little Eden too.

marie-helene | 13 years and 2 months ago

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I think it’s very personal. Some people don’t care that much about their outdoor space, would rather have an eat-in kitchen, or another bedroom. Others move to Brooklyn to have a yard, a few trees, maybe even some grass. Personally, my must-have deal breaker was southeast exposure and 8 hours of sun, so I could grow peppers and tomatoes. It takes all kinds.

northofditmas | 13 years and 2 months ago

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Most (not all) people use the backyard way less after the first year.  You own the building because it’s good the be the king/queen of your own domain.  That’s why it’s better than a condo.  Two of your examples are steps from Prospect Park.  That’s where you send the kids and the dog.  The backyard is to show off to your friends during your first summer.  Then you realize that you have no privacy since all your neighbors can see you so you might as well go to the park instead.  One more thing – you always have the roof to build a deck on.

dancingirl | 13 years and 2 months ago

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Having a backyard for gardening is very important to me, and I love having it. On the other hand, it is hardly a sancutary. At the moment I am listening to construction behind the house that has been going on for weeks. Another neighbor is out there smoking and I get to hear all her cell phone conversations. If I had kids I think I would be better off in Ditmas Park. Oh, and I would never buy another place that is attached on the sides. Everytime I need to do a messy project in the back of the house, everything needs to come through the house. My neighbors on the sides are good and I thank my lucky stars for that.

likemike | 13 years and 2 months ago

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That’s true though what someone else said after the first year, not using the backyard. I have a backyard where I live and when I first moved in I had a lot of parties and people over in the backyard. Spring is around the corner and I might have more people over, but these days it just gets harder when everyone is busy. My other neighbors have backyards and they rarely use it (but none of them have kids either)…it’s either used to let their dog out, or step out for a smoke from what I’ve seen. I suppose if you have kids or have a produce garden, then those are the times it will probably come in handy the most. I spend more time maintaining/cleaning the backyard than I do using it honestly.

BHS | 13 years and 2 months ago

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My backyard is like a large patio surrounded by shrubs and I love it. It’s just nice to be able to step outside and see some greenery and to have coffee or breakfast out there. We’re actually using it more and more as our shrubs mature giving us more privacy.

brooklynbemused | 13 years and 2 months ago

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I use my yard fairly often for barbecues etc and my kids play in it some of the time too. BUT, what I value most is being able to look out at it. It’s really pretty to look at from my kitchen and dining room windows and i would really miss not having a pretty view that’s “mine”.

brooklynhouselove | 13 years and 2 months ago

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I’m in the Gowanus and after giving friends a tour of my new home I always show the backyard last. It’s the icing on the cake that leaves them most impressed. We are in the middle of designing a fun outdoor space for entertaining and I cannot wait until we are done to host backyard bbq’s with friends and cuddle up with a good book in the nook of my yard. Don’t settle for a home without one if this is part of the living space you dream about in your own home.