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There was an open house at 413 Sterling Place yesterday, which we’re hoping some of you attended cuz the listing doesn’t provide any interior photos. (It does, however, include one nice data point that others should: date listed.) The 3,000-square-foot, three-family house is asking $1,600,000. If the were in great shape this would be an interesting price. We’re betting this place hasn’t been touched in years. (Certainly no central air, judging from the window a/c units.) That said, we dig the rounded bay windows and the proximity to the park is sa-weet. How ’bout it? Who’s been inside?
413 Sterling Place [Washington Realty] GMAP P*Shark
Photo by Krista Kujat for Property Shark


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  1. Hey 9:48am, Time to do some leg work! Start reading “Forum” on this website and researching the archive. Check out last week’s NYT House & Home section on renovation. Talk to real estate brokers with years of experience selling brownstones. Call architects and GCs. $200 a sq ft is typical for a medium-to-high end reno (but less than full on luxury and/or extensive restoration of period detail).

  2. What kind of a question is that 9:48pm?

    It’s like asking how much a car costs. Do you want a used Buick or a new Rolls Royce? What do you expect to hear?

    Simple Answer:

    If you go middle of the road and find reliable contractors, 100k per floor is a fair budget. You can spend a lot more or a lot less. It depends on Pablo, Hanz, Micky, Wei-Ping, Tyron, Frank, or whoever else you decide to hire.

    It also depends on what materials you use and whether you plan to do a period restoration or just gut and renovate.

    Deciding what you want, pricing the fixtures and materials, and getting estimates from contractors, carpenters, plumbers, designers, or whoever else you want to hire is how it’s done.

  3. I would really appreciate a little input on how Mr. B or others with experience gauge costs to renovate/restore a brownstone. I intend to purchase in the next year or so and most of what I see needs a lot of work. Are there any traditional figures… i.e. figure $100k per floor for gut. Just looking for some guidance.

    I see some pretty nice exteriors that appear to be in good shape in decent areas of Park Slope and Cobble Hill. However, most are set up as multiple families and generally look like crap. A few have decent period details waiting to be brought out.

    I would truly appreciate any advise and/or insight.

    Thanks

  4. “Does the other 1499998 go into a complete gut?”

    You answered your own question.

    The broker was also completely incompetent. If I am going to write someone a 1.6 million dollar check, I need to know that that person is competent. It was the worst run open house I have ever seen.

  5. “A million and a half in repairs” is a pretty tough assessment of any house having only looked at the 1st floor. A 2 dollar shovel and the plastic bag can it came in can solve the dog shit problem. Does the other 1499998 go into a complete gut? Anyone else see it?

  6. My wife and I went to that open house. We look at the ground floor and left. Lots of dog manure in the backyard. The garden floor bathroom had a curtain for a door. It’s a real flop-house. Not worth the money they are asking in any way shape or form. Especially since it’s lacking the stoop. I would guess a million and a half of repairs would make it look nice again.