Ah, To Have Bought In 1996
For everyone who missed the chance to buy a house in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill ten years ago, Sunday’s profile of Gitta Robinson and Richard Grisaru’s Clinton Avenue Edwardian townhouse will be a little bittersweet. How much did the couple pay for the 4,000-square-foot house back in 1996? A whopping $270,000. Ouch! As the…
For everyone who missed the chance to buy a house in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill ten years ago, Sunday’s profile of Gitta Robinson and Richard Grisaru’s Clinton Avenue Edwardian townhouse will be a little bittersweet. How much did the couple pay for the 4,000-square-foot house back in 1996? A whopping $270,000. Ouch! As the article describes, despite having been an SRO for years, the house had retained much of its original detail: oak paneling, claw-foot tubs, handsome fireplaces, a stained-glass skylight and a wall of casement windows topped by leaded-glass transoms stretching the width of the house. Even at what seems like a bargain-basement price today, the purchase was a stretch for the couple, both of whom are architects. Their strategy was to quickly fix up the top duplex to start generating rental income while they camped out amidst the renovation of the lower half. The process informed their outlook on architecture.
“When we work with clients on their own renovation projects, we design every square inch to perfection,” Ms. Robinson said. “But I’ve discovered that I don’t need that level of perfection in my own life. It doesn’t bother me that this house shows its quirky age.”
Amen, sista.
From the Beginning, It Felt Like Home [NY Times]
GMAP P*Shark
Lelia,
Sure, plenty of “cheap co-ops” in FH and KG, but don’t let that cloud your thinking. Forest Hills Gardens is not to be believed. Unhip? Absolutely!! Architecturally stunning? Absolutely!!! Value? No idea, but most places are well over the $1 million mark.
Forest Hills is beautiful and has never been cheap per se. There are some tudor places that are as fascinating in their own way as some of the brownstones in Brooklyn. Ever take a ride on the LIRR past that area? It looks like something out of an English country town (albeit with high rises a few blocks away and the LIRR right there). Wasn’t Forest Hills a planned community in many areas? It’s interesting in it’s own right. But not cheap, sadly.
As for Westchester, Peekskill is lovely but too far. And you can find a really nice place in Westchester for 850, depending on where you’re looking. It’s just a different lifestyle – not better or worse.
I agree. Westchester is out of site. Remember that Peekskill is WAY up there, and it’s an unreasonable commute to the city. It may be ok if you stay there and don’t commute.
Savannah is okay, but remember what jobs pay down there, including Atlanta.
KG, and FH may have increased, but many of them are cheap co-ops that went from 60K to 120K over the years. They aren’t as breathtaking as a brownstone.
Sorry but $850k buys very little in Westchester these day. Plus, the taxes are sky high.
In any event, Anon is only looking to spend 150-225K so Westchester is not a serious option. With that being said, a quality apartment could still be had at this price point in various parts of Brooklyn. A brownstone or townhouse? Not.
I was up in westchester visiting recent transplants and we went to Peekskill for lunch. Great stores and coffee houses and a really cool new modern art museum. I was shocked. And houses there are nice and still actually cheap. The schools aren’t good, of course, but the area is booming.
Forst Hills and Kew Gardens have actually increased more than many Brooklyn areas in the last few years–so don’t be so snotty. For that matter, I was watching one of those real estate cable shows, and prices in Savanah have tripled in the last 3 years. Let’s not think it’s just Brooklyn..
Are you crazy – Westchester? That’s terribly expensive. $850K for a house is crazy. Yeah the schools are better, but it’s not exactly a place to get a reasonable house, and we’re talking investment here.
As for good investments now, the far suburbs. Lots of people moving north and creating new art districts, stores, galleries, restuarants–all the hallmarks of gentrification. Houses can still be had for as little as 850K, and the schools are great. I’m amazed by how many people I know who have stopped looking in brooklyn and are instead buying in westchester. that’s were I’d invest if I had anything to invest.
Anon 3:09, please disregard these armchair analysts. I was anon 1:21.
Not everyone needs the “zest” & hipness of Brooklyn. We are not all hipsters. Yes some areas of Queens are lacking in the cultural enrichment that exists here in Brooklyn. But I would say that the cultural diversity of the Queens makes up for some of that. It all depends on what you are looking for. There are many great neighborhoods in Queens that don’t need to “take off”.