House of the Day: 182 Rutland Road
This limestone house at 182 Rutland Road in Prospect Lefferts Gardens is beautiful, no doubt about that: Gorgeous original details, attractively updated kitchen, everything in good shape. It is, however, only a three-story house and it’s not in the most expensive part of town, so it will be interesting to see whether the asking price…
This limestone house at 182 Rutland Road in Prospect Lefferts Gardens is beautiful, no doubt about that: Gorgeous original details, attractively updated kitchen, everything in good shape. It is, however, only a three-story house and it’s not in the most expensive part of town, so it will be interesting to see whether the asking price of $1,050,000 flies. It was purchased for $450,000 in 2003, though it looks like the current owner is the one who did the renovation work.
182 Rutland Road [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
Say what you want, but the second story just doesn’t offer the living space of a brownstone, or for that matter, a similarly priced house in Ditmas Park. You don’t have to go to the suburbs to find more space – you just have to go somewhere in Brooklyn other than this street in PLG. The second stories of these houses are deceptively small… The third bedroom is a horse closet. It’s the truth. Go on the next house tour and judge for yourself.
Anyone spending $1 million plus in Brooklyn is not looking for a cramped railroad apartment. Especially if they are looking at a single family house that can’t be carved up into rental units. The buyer for that type of house is almost certainly a family, or a couple hoping to have a family. The living spaces, as I said, are more than adequate for a family. The bedroom and bathroom situation is very limited. Yes, four people can share a bathroom. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But at this price point, is that the lifestyle you’re interested in buying?
A three story house is only big enough for a couple or at most a family with one child??? Not enough room for a family of four???
Go back to the suburbs.
“It was purchased for $450,000 in 2003…”
Beep beep beep beep…
***Bid half off peak comps***
I looked at a few of these houses back in 2003, when you could still purchase one in decent condition for under $450. The exteriors are lovely, well maintained. The living areas have lovely period detail. The second stories, to my mind, leave a lot to be desired, especially if you have more than two kids. The master is small and there’s no way you can carve out an ensuite bathroom unless you sacrafice one of the tiny second bedrooms. The third bedroom is particularly small – good walk in closet or second bathroom, maybe a study.
I have seen nice things done with the windowed basements. Great family rooms, guest rooms, cedar storage, media rooms, home offices, etc…
I think these homes are delightful for a couple or a family with one child (also easy on the private school tab which is something to consider in PLG). There just isn’t enough room on the second story to accomodate a modern day wish list for a family of 4 (or more).
Brooklyn Chicken,
Anyone familiar with my posts here knows that, after 34 years in Lefferts Manor, I think the neighborhood [by which I mean all of PLG] is wonderful. However, don’t take my word for it–come and look for yourself. Our 39th annual house tour will be on Sunday May 31st. Be warned though–I went on the tour, in a neighborhood I hadn’t previously considered, in June, 1974, stopped looking for a house elsewhere, closed on my house in October of that year and moved in by December.
The ground floor of this house is lower than most two story plus basement houses (plus cellar) in Lefferts Manor, but much higher than the typical two story plus English basement houses built c. 1910 by Real Estate Associates on most LM second blocks near Rogers Ave. There are a number of similar houses on this block.I’m not sure which category this parfticular house fits into. I guess it depends on whether there’sacedllar below the “basement.” I can’t tell by looking at it from the outside. Does anyone know?
The ground floor is half underground. Who the hell wants to live like a rat. I like the house though.
Mr. B what do you mean: “it’s not in the most expensive part of town” Do you mean in Brooklyn or PLG? You describe the house as in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, which it is, but it is specifically in Lefferts Manor, which by PLG standards IS the most expensive part of town. This is a landmarked home that has been a one-family house since the day it was built. I would say the price is fair since the other homes here in the most expensive part of town are getting a little more than that asking. I assume the house was in bad shape in 2003 when the owner purchased it, because in 2003 450,00 was on the low side for the neighborhood.
Old timers called the garden level the basement and below that was the cellar