Co-op of the Day: 2 Grace Court, #4T
We love the building and location, but some of the usual charm of 2 Grace Court in Brooklyn Heights seems to have been lost in the recent renovation. Of course, it could just be the kitchen tiles and generic interior decoration—both of which are easily fixable—that we’re reacting to, plus we’re a little weird in…
We love the building and location, but some of the usual charm of 2 Grace Court in Brooklyn Heights seems to have been lost in the recent renovation. Of course, it could just be the kitchen tiles and generic interior decoration—both of which are easily fixable—that we’re reacting to, plus we’re a little weird in that we don’t like prewar walls to look too smooth and finished. After all, the parquet floors are still intact and it’s a nicely laid-out one-bedroom. And for a full-service doorman building, the monthly maintenance of $646 is a great deal. The asking price is now $499,000, down $26,000 from when it hit the market in May. What say ye?
2 Grace Court, #4T [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
I had a place in Brooklyn Heights for 17 years–a coop. I know all the buildings mentioned — I like 2 Grace Court, 111 Hicks St. has a screwed up mortgage that is why the maintenance is so high, 135 Willow is very ugly. I understand the pros and cons of Brooklyn Heights. I felt that it had a claustophopic feel to it after a while. It is pretty white bread, heavily inhabited by financial industry people, like me, who like the easy commute to downtown. I agree that there are not many restaurants, and it is definately more expensive than a lot of other areas, although good deals can be found. I really got sick of coop life; I lived in a gorgeous 25 foot wide brownstone with 5 stories and 9 apartments and when I had the opportunity to move out of NY for a good job, I just sold the damn place rather than deal with the board to sublet it. And when I returned to NY, after having owned a house, I decided I just couldn’t take the commune environment again and no way could I afford to buy a building there.
I have to say that at times my new neighborhood, Ft. Greene, is annoying because of the lack of retail over where I am, but it is getting better and I just LOVE my street, my neighbors, the architecture. I love the fact that there are kids running up and down the street (you do not see this in BH) and after a while, everyone on my block and I gradually got to know one another and become neighborly in a light touch kind of way. I sometimes think that never would I hear gunshots in BH (which I have heard here at night) but I was actually held up at gunpoint on the Promenade with a friend at twilight one September evening in the mid 80s. You don’t have that now, but there is still crime there. Anyway, I guess like any place, each person has their own criteria but BH definately has its charms.
And that’s the thing… so you need to “trade up” to get a small little hole to call your own (and pay through the ass monthly)??
I don’t comment very often, but an Open House experience in BK Heights has led to. I’ve been living/renting in the neighborhood for a solid 2 1/2 years now, the entire time looking to buy a 1-bedroom around the $400K area. Yesterday I went to an OH at 135 Willow Street for $425K and my jaw literally dropped at the fact that the bedroom was no more than 8′ x 8′, there was a full bed inside and not even enough room to walk around it. It was dark, limited closet space, and teeny kitchen. One positive thing was that it was perhaps the first 1-BR I’d seen in the neighborhood with monthlys/CC at $599, it’s absurd what the average maintenance is in the neighborhood. 111 Hicks averages about $1000-1300/month for a 1 bedroom; who seriously will pay that? What have I figured out after 2 1/2 years of going to open houses? Unless you’re spending $600K+ for a 1-BR with a decent amount of space, it makes absolutely no sense to buy in this neighborhood when you can continue to rent for hundreds of dollars less a month. Unless I’m missing something, this may be the most 1st-buyer-unfriendly neighborhood.
“Even by subway, it can be a 30 min to central BK.”
unless i want to go get shot, why would i want to go to central bk?
Actually, I have said nothing to defend my neighborhood. I don’t feel the need. Maybe you should get some professional help. You are clearly having personal issues.
It also seems that you are mixing the concepts of price and value. You might want to consult a dictionary.
I guess I don’t feel so inferior about my neighborhood that I need to get all worked up and bash Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo.
Also, price is set by market sentiment. People pay what they think something is worth. You vote with your dollars. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Clearly, enough people disagree with you that they will pay the prices of Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo.
On location, Brooklyn Heights has access to almost every subway line in Brooklyn with exception of the F. So I don’t know where you get that from.
I had a horrible experience trying to buy into this building and would recommend that everyone stay away. My realtor was so disillusioned, that she walked away from the business.
That and this is about 50K more then anyone should pay…
Eat-in kitchen doesn’t mean more than 1 person Stargazer… don’t be silly.
Is this really what a $1/2 million, plus another $8000 a year, buys you? I’m so sick of this city’s retarded ways. Yes, I know it’s Brooklyn Heights. Yes, I know it has a friggin’ doorman. But seriously? 1/2 million dollars for this place?
to small, to expensive.
where do I put my kitchen table that maybe someday 4 people will sit??????