If I wanted to buy an apartment in Brooklyn...

japes317

...sometime in the next year or two, where would I start?

Interested in Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Gowanus, Windsor Terrace, South slope/Greenwood....

I honestly have no idea where to begin.

meredithb

Take a train, walk around, figure where/what you like.

booklaw

Read the listings in the various neighborhoods to get an idea as to how prices vary by neighborhood. You may find that one or more of the neighborhoods are out of your price range.

whatchuwant

MLS.com (Multiple Listing Service).

MOD

You may want to post this on Brownstoner.com 's forum. You'll get advice form homeowners and also they have listings once a week on the main page.

opossumqueen

Watch the sales on various realtor websites and craigslist and go to open houses. That will give you an idea of what you can get in each neighborhood for the $$.

Also important is what you're looking for: condo/co-op in how big of a building, multifamily, single family, etc. That can help you narrow down where you're looking since not all are abundant in all locations. For example, in PS, the closer you are to the park, the bigger (taller, more floors) the houses are so if you don't want tenants and don't need that much space it will be hard to find what you need there.

Some real estate sites with listings around here:
http://www.remax-metro-brooklyn-ny.com/home/default.aspx
http://www.awayerealty.com/
http://www.heightsberkeley.com/
http://www.tbshaw.com/
http://www.coldwellbanker.com/servlet/SearchProperty

wingedearth

Are you married or single? Do you have kids or pets? What's your price range? Are you looking for a loft or a brownstone or any nice apartment? How important are shops/eateries to you, and what sort of shops/eateries? Do you prefer the park or a river view? Do you commute? Do you drive?

drunken revival

The first thing you do is talk to a mortgage broker to find out how much you can spend.

vidro3

Drunken Revival wrote: The first thing you do is talk to a mortgage broker to find out how much you can spend.

then divide by two in order to determine what you can actually afford.

whynot_31

...then decide whether you are brave enough to buy an apt in forclosure

bradedward

....then find a new broker because the first one will undoubtedly enter false information on your application to the bank.

pittiecity

Brownstoner is great. And they have really interesting walking tours/house tours posted on occasion.

ringrunner

Where do you work? What do you want your commute to be like?