House of the Day: 242 Washington Avenue
We had already started to write up 242 Washington Avenue as a House of the Day when it hit us: We’ve been inside that house. We were guests at a lovely al fresco dinner party last summer. In fact, Mrs. B had just been talking about how the owner’s duplex would make a good interiors…
We had already started to write up 242 Washington Avenue as a House of the Day when it hit us: We’ve been inside that house. We were guests at a lovely al fresco dinner party last summer. In fact, Mrs. B had just been talking about how the owner’s duplex would make a good interiors post. Given the conflict of interest, we’ll steer clear of opining about the $2,300,000 asking price, and just say that the owner’s duplex of this five-story, 5,500-square-foot house is really nicely done in a simple but elegant manner. We’ve never seen the upper three rental units, but judging from the photos they’re not as nice. They do, as the listing points out, generate over $50,000 a year in income. This’ll be an interesting one to watch.
242 Washington Avenue [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
I have to remember to copy and paste these comments when Pres St. POS is featured as HOTD.
re: 329 bathrooms
My parents just installed those EXACT same fixtures, EXCAT same vanity and EXACT same sink and mirror.
All are from Home Depot and they spent 6K on the whole bathroom including a new shower, flooring and toilet.
So just so you know…it looks great out in the burbs…but that IS NOT the top of the line finishes described in this listing…especially not when considering it’s a 3.6 million dollar home.
I was underwhelmed too. Some of those pictures – notably the bathroom – reminded me of those Court and BQE condos that didn’t sell. Then BHS had the rental listings recently but the seem to have disappeared.
The owner of 329 has a larger house on the block – one of the nicest. I thought he bought 329 for his daughter or to rent out. The reno took at least a year. It is next door to 327 which was another HOTD and nothing has been done to that house since it was sold. Well, someone took off the front gate the other day but that doesn’t count.
This historic house needs to be restored. But how can it be restored if it sells for whatever, 2.3 million? Every cent of the rental income and the owner’s salaries has to go to the bank.
Unfortunately, these properties are currently inflated in price. They have suffered from decades of deferred maintenance and these problems are not solved by cosmetic repairs to the parlor floor. These old ladies can be made to look good, because they have good bones, but the problems are below the surface. They need major renovations of every system and every component. The current prices are unrealistic if you factor in the work that these old properties need. It is my belief that young people who are very savvy in law, and stocks, and hedge funds but know nothing about architecture or engineering think that what you see is what you get. That is untrue when buying an historic home because it is what you don’t see that is important.
The market will correct itself and these old houses may be able to be brought back if the crazed financial pressures of the moment are lessened a little.
my reaction to 329 president street:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
hey ted from queer eye…
tell us…is it appropriate to serve food at an open house?
take off shoes?
i’m guessing at yours, it was tops off, but over here in park slope, i don’t think there’s too many dudes i need to see barechested…
any other tips for holding a fsbo?
i kid. i kid.
Yep–the pics were just posted and are so underwhelming that my blood pressure dropped.
8:24 – is it 329 President St.?
I’ve never been offered any food at an open house. I have been made to take my shoes off, though. Where are all these parties happening at???