House of the Day: 141 Lefferts Avenue
We’re not loving the finishes in the kitchens and bathrooms, but this brick-and-limestone at 141 Lefferts Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens does have a lot of the charming original detail that houses in the area are known for. Given that it’s only three-stories tall and not on one of the neighborhood’s prime blocks, we suspect…
We’re not loving the finishes in the kitchens and bathrooms, but this brick-and-limestone at 141 Lefferts Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens does have a lot of the charming original detail that houses in the area are known for. Given that it’s only three-stories tall and not on one of the neighborhood’s prime blocks, we suspect that the asking price of $879,000 is a bit of a stretch. Do you agree?
141 Lefferts Avenue [Brooklyn Properties] GMAP P*Shark
I saw one of the Fenimore houses–totally out of curiosity–and it didn’t strike me as needing anything other than a paint job and some cosmetics.
The two houses on Maple I were very unlike the standard Manor houses and are more akin to 83 Lefferts – same basic layout, shared driveway and garage, sq. footage, etc. Both houses on Fenimore I need lots of work – however, I do find them charming and well-priced given their size; I think that the reason they haven’t sold is due in part to the sad state of the surrounding frame houses (Fenimore I and II (north side) are the only other blocks that have wood frame houses, apart from Lincoln I, in violation of the original Lefferts Manor agreement, that specified that all houses would be brick or stone). The lack of attention paid to those houses, the oldest in the Manor, is really sad – I often compare those blocks to the “before” and Lincoln I to the “after.” 98 Lincoln Rd. sold for $850K in 2009; it needed A TON of work (I saw it with a buyer), including a new roof, mechanicals, and boiler. And my guess on 141 Lefferts is (and has always been, since it was listed with Corcoran) $725K – and I think that’s generous.
I am not familiar with the houses for sale on Fenimore that are mentioned in the earlier post, but Fenimore I (btwn Flatbush & Bedford) can be quite loud in the warmer months because it has a big let’s-hang-outside-in-the-streets-through-all-hours-of-the-night-and-morning population. If the houses that are for sale are on that block, buyer beware.
As for the HOTD, seems decent enough, but I too would guess that a fairer price would be somewhere in the 700s.
I love the layout of this house, but I absolutely hate the finishes in the kitech and bathroom. Yuck!
Babs, weren’t there are a couple of very nice Maple I brick houses that recently sold in the low 800’s? And there are two nice brick houses on the north side of Fenimore that have been sitting on the market for a long time in the 700’s. Those are all Lefferts Manor blocks. I recall some Lincoln Rd houses that sold for well under 900K too. None of those needed major work.
This one looks fine, but uninspiring. I’d guess 700’s.
The manor houses that sell for below $900K generally need work in terms of mechanicals and, often, structure. This one may not have alot of character, but the mechanicals are new, and the rental option is important if you need that income stream. 208 Lefferts is on the other side of the street from this one, closer to Bedford Ave. – and has been sold twice since 2005. Most recent sellers paid $736K for it in 2008, so perhaps there is hope for flippers still. I personally know several people who would rather live across from chain link fences and vinyl awnings than the hanging-out that takes place in the warmer months in front of some of those buildings on Lincoln Rd.
Yes, I was talking about the Lefferts Manor blocks. Some of those blocks, like Lincoln Road I, are across for big apartment buidings as well and yet still look nicer than Lefferts Avenue. It’s just not as prettified a street, still has chain-linked fences and vinyl awnings.
208 Lefferts also just sold, for $768,000. I personally would prefer a garage to a rental, so I am not quite sure the 2-family adds that much value. If you compare 208 vs 93, it’s all about trade-off qualities, with prices being almost equal.
Also, not all houses in the Manor trade above $900,000, although the nicer ones certainly do. I don’t think this listing qualifies as nicer in any way. From the pictures, it looks like your average loveless flip job.
The difference between 83 Lefferts and this is that this is in the historic district, not across the street from big apartment buildings, and is a legal two family. By the “heart” of PLG I assume you mean Lefferts Manor, where the houses are larger and deeded one family – and sell for $900K and up.
Dreamin’
Since 83 Lefferts (fully renovated with C/A and a garage) sold for $765,000 a month ago, I don’t even understand the logic behind the listing price. Lefferts Avenue is a bit esthetically-challenged compared with the heart of PLG.