House of the Day: 735 Decatur Street Revisited
When 735 Decatur Street was House of the Day back in December of 2997 2007, it was asking $630,000 and we called it “by far the most charming house for the money on the market right now.” Well, now its asking price has fallen to $469,000 and the same statement still holds. We just hope…
When 735 Decatur Street was House of the Day back in December of 2997 2007, it was asking $630,000 and we called it “by far the most charming house for the money on the market right now.” Well, now its asking price has fallen to $469,000 and the same statement still holds. We just hope that whoever buys this place is able to negotiate a price that leaves them enough money to redo the facade! For lots of pics, check out this Flickr page from someone who almost bought the house.
735 Decatur Street [Corley Real Estate] GMAP
735 Decatur Street [Brooklyn Properties] P*Shark
House of the Day: 735 Decatur Street [Brownstoner]
I love Moon River Chattel! Ahhhhh! Yes it’s the same look exactly, isn’t it? It’s all over Williamsburg, really, that sort of austere Victorian look and the subway tile and milk glass. (DIBS, it goes hand-in-hand with all that artisinal meat that NYT article was going on and on about.)
Lead paint: Not a problem if you cover it up. Schools: The Bridge school sounds very interesting for elementary, and Hunter’s always nice for junior high no matter where you live.
Oh, Montrose, I wouldn’t dream of throwing out the stove. But I hadn’t thought of using it decoratively in the big kitchen (there’s tons of room). Thanks! And I had the same setup for dishes in Queens, but it does get a bit mystifying where to put the dirty dishes before you wash them — in Brooklyn we used the floor during dinner parties, which got a bit nasty. 🙂 Though I’m sure the mice appreciated it.
So glad you asked, Nomi. They both need cleaning, stripping, painting, and new linoleum.
The upstairs rental kitchen looks particularly disgusting at the moment with that black paint over the tile behind the stove, and the bizarre little cupboards over the sink that appear to be made of fake paneling. I’d get rid of all that.
If the stove can be made to work, I’d keep it, and maybe get the linoleum in matching green with a black border. (The real thing, if possible, not vinyl.) The walls and trim I’d paint off white.
I’d put in a table with storage underneath next to the dish cupboard to serve as a counter. New fridge. Maybe I could make or find a cover for the stove, which would offer more counter space. My biggest concern is how to do dishes in that sink with no counters on either side.
Alternatively, maybe with a new stove, there would be room for another bit of built-in counter space between the sink and stove, which would be much more practical.
In the owner’s kitchen downstairs, I’d do more or less the same thing — get rid of those odd cupboards around the sink, and the paneling on the walls, put in a fresh blue linoleum floor. I like linoleum and it’s easy on the feet. Place seems to be begging for some cheerful cafe curtains.
Maybe I’d put in old-fashioned dish drains to have somewhere to perch the dishes while washing. And of course a big farmhouse table in the middle for food prep. Maybe in a few years I’d put in a 1920s-style counter under the windows. I would either buy an inexpensive white stove at the dealer on Broadway or a vintage stove.
What would you do with it?
Mopar, I have the same metal drain thingy on the right side of my sink, which is the deep sink, and I use the left one, which is shallower, and bit deeper than most modern sinks. I have a dish rack sitting on the cover, and I’m fine. I don’t have a dish washer anyway, so this is my dish washing system. It’s been fine, even for large gatherings.
If you do get the house, don’t get rid of that great vintage stove, it’s in good shape, and very cool. Even if you don’t use it to cook, it would look good in the kitchen. People are paying good bucks for those.
Mopar, it’s exactly the kind of house I would love too… were it not for things like lead poisoning and school districts. My gut would say if it’s still standing now after so little work done over the years it’s probably fine, but, I echo everyone else here with concerns about the neighborhood. It’s just far, is all. I’d think you could find similar houses closer in these days at about the same price?
But god, all that untouched detail… I was in Moon River Chattel today marveling at how much they charge for that same kind of look.
Mopar, I can gather that you’ve probably talked about this before, but I’m really curious: What would or wouldn’t you do with the kitchens?
Mopar, it really is a pretty little house. I can see exactly why you’re so in love with it.
Keep your eye on it. With prices dropping this may not be the last word.
Good luck!
Go hunt for a nice rental that fits your needs. Your current landlord might give you a material rent reduction. if that happens, you have 2 good options – (1) stay for lower rent so you can save up more toward purchase later or (2) move to rental you like and take advantage of having luxury of time monitor real etate mkt and overall econ. It’s anyone’s guess where & when RE and Econ will bottom out but guessing wrong could so expensive and mentally draining. Not to go back too far in time, but I’m sure our parents were not that worried about risk of foreclosure (ie due to job loss, etc.) at the time of their home purchase. If home purchase is not mostly joyous feeings then there’s no rush to buy – ie why the urgency to buy if there’s that much reservation / concerns.
If Corcoran listed it the price would have been $2,400,994, but they couldn’t use “walking distance to crack house” in their description any more.
mopar- I think you did the right thing considering that they refused to allow a second inspection. Maybe if they drop the price more you’ll decide to take it. If they handle all offers that way its no wonder they haven’t been able to sell. And I think any borker who knowingly handles this sale should be held responsible for a buyer getting ripped off.