House of the Day: 49 Putnam Avenue

Hey 2:22 who are you calling crazy? My point in my post was that there actually is a very reasonable explanation for the first transaction (shielding family assets). As far as the “sniff” directed at Brownstoner’s relentless purveying of 2 million properties and designer kitchens, I thought I was being relatively mild. And I notice I don’t have to explain to you why the windows are boarded up because someone else did. That said I would agree that the fact they felt that they had to board the windows is reason to pause. I remember when I was closing on my house down the block the son of the owner offered to stay in the house for me so “they wouldn’t steal the pipes.” There was a time when house renovation and gentrification meant moving into marginal neighborhoods and taking risks to create a lovely home or a hefty profit (any check of property shark will reveal that when I bought in 2001 houses were going for 1/3 the asking price here). The price set here indicates that the owner wants to pull out all that potential equity upfront. This house seems to be the most reasonably priced and nicest of a whole slew of vacant properties from Grand to Classon on Putnam. I am gald to hear about the sale of junk yard across the street. I’d love to see some development there. Of course, I would ahve more difficulty parking…

I’ve checked the place out. It was an intra-family transfer apparently. As for details, it is full of them. All the original molding and doors seems to be there (painted), tin ceilings (might not be original), plaster friezes and picture framing on walls, lots of built ins, wash basins between bedrooms, parquet floors, banister, spindles, ironwork outside (missing pieces of iron newel post are in the building), original front doors, etched glass, bluestone in front of house, mantles, built in dining room (front of garden level) cabinets for china, pantry between what would be a good kitchen and dining room etc. Basically, looks like an old lady lived there for decades and nothing has changed. It does not have a c of o.

That said, it will need a completely new roof (rebuild it), new baths, a kitchen, upgraded electrical, plumbing (looked like a lead water main), has oil heat so you might want to change that to gas (oil tank is above ground in the cellar so could be removed or dealt with more easily than if buried. Cellar is dirt floored, so might want to dig out and do concrete, new windows (was told they were removed and boarded up to ensure the house was secure while empty – the original windows are sitting in the house).

The house to the right of it is redone and looks great. It would make a fantastic single family home if restored, especially since all the old detail is there waiting to be taken care of. The price is completely unrealistic. I was told the seller might take an offer in the mid to upper 800s. Still too rich for my blood for the location and amount of work required. The lot across the street was bought for a purported $3MM – so you’ll have construction of condos there at some point. This house is within the new contextual zoing R6B and is part of the proposed landmark extension for Clinton Hill. I could totally see a family living here if the seller would be realistic about the price. I pray the owner doesn’t try to do some renovation a lose all of the intact original detail. I haven’t seen that much potential in a house in a while.

lp

$360k?! Jeez.

This place is slated for the Haunted House series.

“Adorable untouched three story brownstone with loads of original details.”

Can someone give me their best translation for this.

I could do with a chuckle this afternoon.