Condos of the Day: 1296 Dean Street Revisited
When we first took a look at the 5-unit condo conversion at 1296 Dean Street in Crown Heights back in January, there was a general consensus that (1) it’s a beautiful building; (2) the renovation denuded the interior of any old charm; (3) the prices (which at the time ranged from $450,000 to $550,000 for…
When we first took a look at the 5-unit condo conversion at 1296 Dean Street in Crown Heights back in January, there was a general consensus that (1) it’s a beautiful building; (2) the renovation denuded the interior of any old charm; (3) the prices (which at the time ranged from $450,000 to $550,000 for floor-throughs) were probably a little on the high side. Fast forward seven months and guess how many of the apartments have sold? Zippo. Fillmore now has the listings and cut prices so that one unit is now $425,000 and four others are $475,000. (The prices on the developer’s site have yet to be marked down.) One close watcher of the Crown Heights market told us he’s waiting until the offer hits $400,000 and then he’s pouncing.
1296 Dean Street, #4 [Fillmore] GMAP P*Shark
Condos of the Day: 1296 Dean Street [Brownstoner]
Calm down Fillmore agent, I’m the poster from 8/22 @ 4:15 and I’m not associated with any competing firm. I am, however, a real estate investor and have had multiple experiences with many of the firms out there. I’ve bought a property through Fillmore, I’ve also put offers in on other properties through Fillmore so I’ve dealt with a number of agents and brokers at your firm.
Fillmore is indeed a large firm with lots of agents and you guys have sold lots of properties. However, brownstone Brooklyn is not your firm’s specialty. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t good agents behind this property and that they can’t make it happen. I’m just speaking from my personal experience as well as my general view of the RE firms out there.
When I think of condos in brownstone Brooklyn, Fillmore is not a name that comes to mind. If I was shopping for a condo (or selling one) in brownstone Brooklyn, Fillmore would not be the first firm I would go to as part of my search.
I just checked your website for condos, 95+% of the condos you have are in south brooklyn and are new construction. My point was that those people looking in gravesend, bensonhurst, sheepshead bay, brighton beach, etc. are not the people that are going to end up being convinced to look at crown heights. It’s a completely different market.
However, the firms that focus on park slope, prospect heights, clinton hill, bed stuy, etc. can show their clients something similar to what they want but just a little farther out for a better price.
So I just checked out the condo units offered in this building and thought they were pretty nice.
In particular I liked the third floor unit, which has eleven foot high ceilings, bay windows, a large living room space, generous sized bedrooms and a back deck.
The bathrooms in all the units were nicely done, although I thought the faucet fixtures were on the cheap side. It seems that indeed much of the architectural detail was obliterated, for instance I spotted many wall stubs where I suspect fireplaces once stood — they even overlaid the garden in the “garden” unit, with concrete! But, on the other hand, almost all of the units have bay windows.
The broker informed me that there has been a lot of interest on the fifth floor unit, which has a skylight in the kitchen (I was unimpressed) and rooftop access (which provides a great view of the Manhattan skyline). However, for me, the architectual bonuses of the other floors, i.e. the high ceilings and the bay windows, were noticeably absent. It just felt like another new construction unit.
Overall, I think that when taking into account the quality of unit itself, the beauty of the block and its proximity to trains, this (the third floor unit in particular) is one of the nicer units that I have seen.
While I was there there were a number of folks who came in to peruse the place, but all of them identified themselves as neighbors just curious about the open house. If they knock $50K – $75K off of the asking, these places will move.
It’s not just me who thinks this neighborhood is majestic: http://www.nysun.com/article/51033.
As a Fillmore agent (*not* the listing agent), I feel an obligation to respond to some of these comments, and clear up a few issues.
First of all, the prices *have* been reduced. When Taj had these, the 5th floor unit was priced at $ 530,000 – Fillmore convinced the seller to price it at $ 475,000. All the other units have been price-chopped as well, to $425K for the 4th floor & $ 475K for the others.
Second, regarding the statements “Neither… have done what’s needed…” and “…really needs a pro…” – please don’t lump a 500-plus-agent brokerage with over 40 years of history in with some random little realty firm. True, Fillmore didn’t make this the “one and only” centerpiece of our condo lineup – that’s because we have over THIRTY condo developments we’re currently marketing, including much larger ones (like Village Terrace Condominiums, with 42 units). Not everyone can be in the limelight at the same time.
Third, it’s really uncouth and disingenious to pass judgment on another broker’s handling of a project, from an anonymous platform. Mr. “Guest”, if you’re going to assume a position of authority that grants you the right to grade someone else’s performance, at least come out and say who you’re affiliated with. I’m not asking you to name yourself, but if you’re going to preach – we’d like to know your ministry!
It’s easy to accuse a real estate firm, or individual agents, of wrongdoing or incompetence – considering how many variables affect our business, no one can predict the outcome of any project. I’ve seen very well-run developments (by different brokers) sit still for months, because of one or two unforeseen factors, or changing circumstances.
Paragraph P.S.:
Meanwhile, Fillmore took over a project that {they who shall not be named, let’s just say “black & multicolor”} couldn’t sell for a YEAR, and already generated 17 offers on it (several accepted). So, you know, we’re not *totally* useless… .
Last but not least, thanks to everyone for pointing out the issues with this listing – bad photos, no floorplan, and shaky call-back service. The branch manager has been notified, appropriate agents will be beaten with sticks (several times), and we’ll take better photos.
It’s between Brooklyn and New York Aves.
Is there a reason you don’t give the cross streets?
Hi “Brower Park”….
Dare I ask how somebody is forging posts in your name? Leaving the cat unattended perhaps?
Everyone, please note that the post at 1:46pm was not made by me. It is a forgery.
Thats pretty far into Crown Heights to be asking that much.