Deciding to buy/move:FG, CH, BS?

snortlilac

Hello, everyone, I'm a new, somewhat desperate member. I've been looking into buying a townhouse/frame house/cariage house (basically anything I can afford) in these areas. After going to several OHs, I'm really surprised at the high prices. Some of these places are flat out money pits or right on the BQE and have over 1M price tags. I don't mind renovating at all, but paying that much money doesn't leave much of a budget for it. And not even one working fireplace!!! Can anyone give me advice on how best to navigate through this? Some areas of CH and BS seem really sketchy; can anyone help figure out what sections are safe-ish? I'd be eternally grateful . . .

anonymous

Frankly, anyone paying more than $250,000-300,000 for property in these particular areas are definitely bugged and ill-informed. Unfortunately, the real estate brokers have driven the prices to outrageous levels.You would be better off looking in Sunnyside or Flushing. I hear these are the next "hot" areas and you'll get more bang for your buck.

anonymous

??????????huh????????? :?:

snortlilac

Thanks for the reply, but it has to be Brooklyn. And those price points seem incredibly low, it is a house after all. Anyone else??? Know someone looking to sell? Anything will help.

boygabriel

Subject: Re: Deciding to buy/move:FG, CH, BS?

I don't think you're going to find any house in Ft. Greene or Clinton Hill for less than 700K - 1M. But that's my non-professional opinion.

The best deals in this little corner of Brooklyn are in Bed Stuy. B-S is a big place and parts of it are very nice. It really depends on what block you live on and the proximity to amenities and subways. There's no way to find that stuff out except getting out and about.

There's not an easy solution to your situation.

isla

I think it is about just getting out and looking. And looking and looking. Calling numbers on signs on buildings for sale, checking the paper and Craigslist and so on. I was told to give myself a year and a half from starting to look until closing on a place. I think you just have to keep looking until you find a place, check out the neighborhood and decide if you want to live there.

snortlilac

Subject: to Boygabriel

Do you live on Hall street? There's something I'm going to check out on 114 Hall. I was a little concerned about it being so close to the BQE. What are your feelings about it?

anonymous

you should definitely broaden your horizons to crown heights and bed stuy. fort greene is so overpriced-it's silly, and most of clinton hill is too. streets like franklin/classon/bedford and the streets that through them are good bets. as atlantic yards gets underway, people are going to RUN in that direction, to avoid the chaos that will be a way of life in those parts for years to come. it will feel the way that fg/ch feel now, as it's just next door...trees, beautiful brownstones, diverse population-that's my opinion. stuy heights is lovely, but too far for my taste. good luck!

jimmylegs

if you don't have at least a million to spend, you are unlikely to find anything in clinton hill, there are cheaper houses in bed stuy, but if you are worried about sketchy areas, well, that's where the cheaper houses are. what kind of budget are we talking here? i looked for years and couldn't find anything i could afford in CH, not a whole house anyway.

tinarina

Jimmy Legs is right. I live in Clinton Hill (bought over nine years ago) and on the off chance a property comes up now for under $1MM, it's going to need at least $300M of work.

When we moved here, it was particularly sketchy. That's why we paid what we paid, but it turned out to be a good move.

Realistically, your choices are going to be Bed-Stuy or Crown Heights. But don't be too freaked out--you can get a great house and be part of a constantly changing community at the same time.

If you have your heart set on FG or Clinton Hill, you should focus on apartments. Good luck to you.

anonymous

My advice for Bed Stuy is blocks that are walking distance to Fulton St are good bets. Stuy Heights is a beautiful area and close to Utica, which is an A express stop. The A is an awesome line that zips you into the city really quickly.
Like any neighborhood, it varies by block but a healthy tree-lined block with no apartment buildings on it can be a good indicator.

If you are willing to go deeper into Bed Stuy, Decatur St, McDonough St running from Patchen to Howard have some great housing stock. An area that passes somewhat unnoticed and prices are still (relatively) low. Very quiet blocks with middle class families. I bought in this area 3 years ago and love it. Prices can be as low as $600-650k for a 2 family in good condition.

Good Luck!

limestonekid

Subject: Re: to Boygabriel

snortlilac wrote: Do you live on Hall street? There's something I'm going to check out on 114 Hall. I was a little concerned about it being so close to the BQE. What are your feelings about it?

How come you have the hate on for the BQE? It's really not that bad. We face Waverly and we're parallel to the BQE and except for when they were doing all the jack-hammering it simply becomes background noise.

On the times I'm out walking I'm seeing new places going up on Classon, Myrtle and Adelphi that look like they'll be quite nice in terms of style but I don't think they'll be all that reasonable in terms of price.

anonymous

I would not buy near the BQE, although I live by it now.

In fact I'm getting ready to move. The air quality living in such close proximity to a hi-way can't be too good - does anybody know? and they are adding more lanes to the BQE.

And I'm also witnessing a horrible parking crisis on (Adelphi/Clermont) between Park and Myrtle. It started about a year ago. I predict it getting worse. I predict the whole area getting congested with traffic (folks are going to use Myrtle Ave, Lafayette Ave, Ashland and Fulton St. to avoid the congestion at the BAM intersection leading to and from Atlantic Center and the Ratner Arena, there will be no parking!

boygabriel

Subject: Re: to Boygabriel

LimestoneKid wrote: How come you have the hate on for the BQE? It's really not that bad. We face Waverly and we're parallel to the BQE and except for when they were doing all the jack-hammering it simply becomes background noise.

To each his/her own. I lived a few doors down from the BQE in Williamsburg and the noise from the 18 wheelers and motorcycle 'gangs' was too much for me.

Also when I moved out I realized there was a thin film of black soot on every windowsill (or surface near a window) in the apartment.

Ew.

anonymous

as long as you're not within 5 or 10 houses of it, the BQE is no big deal. think about it, it's basically the same as living next to 10th avenue or similar in manhattan. also, the BQE runs through much of residential Willaimsburg and Brooklyn Heights as well, and DUMBO has 2 bridges with car and subway noise. when you go look at that house on Hall check the noise level, it drops off quickly as you go move up the block. just make sure the house is not facing the highway. also frankly, worrying about soot and smog makes very little sense in NYC because it's everywhere, there are cars all around you, and the BQE is not much different than 6th ave. just my 2 cents.

brooklynjay

CHDiva wrote: Frankly, anyone paying more than $250,000-300,000 for property in these particular areas are definitely bugged and ill-informed. Unfortunately, the real estate brokers have driven the prices to outrageous levels.You would be better off looking in Sunnyside or Flushing. I hear these are the next "hot" areas and you'll get more bang for your buck.

huh?

brooklynjay

if it has to be a whole house you chances of finding one under a million are going to be pretty bad - regardless of the condition. too many developers are willing to pay the high prices, knock the building down and build a condo in the space. (drive around and you'll see construction everywhere.)

having said that...have you thought about one of these new condos? not saying they're the best but if location and price is an issues then this might be your best option.

tinarina

BrooklynJay wrote: if it has to be a whole house you chances of finding one under a million are going to be pretty bad - regardless of the condition. too many developers are willing to pay the high prices, knock the building down and build a condo in the space. (drive around and you'll see construction everywhere.)

having said that...have you thought about one of these new condos? not saying they're the best but if location and price is an issues then this might be your best option.

Except that you can't just tear down a house in FG or CH, most of which is landmarked. BS deserves more landmarked sections besides Stuy Heights.

I've looked at new condos in the area and most of them are just so poorly done--bad layouts, shoddy construction, and no central air. It's too bad that there's not better choices.

anonymous

Subject: Clinton Hill Coops

Frankly, anyone paying more than $250,000-300,000 for property in these particular areas are definitely bugged and ill-informed. Unfortunately, the real estate brokers have driven the prices to outrageous levels.You would be better off looking in Sunnyside or Flushing. I hear these are the next "hot" areas and you'll get more bang for your buck.

I am considering a one bedroom in the Clinton Hill Co-ops for between 300 and 350K. I've been looking all over the area, which I love, for a one bedroomunder 400K and found nothing. Actually was thinking the co-ops aren't a bad deal if you find the right one. Am I off base? Is the above writer correct? Anyone else have any thoughts?

anonymous

114 Hall should be safe from the noise of the BQE. I've lived just up the block for around six years. Its a heavy traffic street but has speedbumps so not so bad. When I lived on Bedford and South 2nd traffic was much worse with building vibrations. There is a strong family presence on the block so if you can't stand sounds of children then its probably not a good location. Used to be a yelpy dog from the backyard of Washington but I can't recall hearing it recently.

Like others have said there is a lot of development in the area currently.

guvna

Subject: Re: Clinton Hill Coops

xenobia wrote:

Frankly, anyone paying more than $250,000-300,000 for property in these particular areas are definitely bugged and ill-informed. Unfortunately, the real estate brokers have driven the prices to outrageous levels.You would be better off looking in Sunnyside or Flushing. I hear these are the next "hot" areas and you'll get more bang for your buck.

I am considering a one bedroom in the Clinton Hill Co-ops for between 300 and 350K. I've been looking all over the area, which I love, for a one bedroomunder 400K and found nothing. Actually was thinking the co-ops aren't a bad deal if you find the right one. Am I off base? Is the above writer correct? Anyone else have any thoughts?

That seems to be the going rate since at least last year. You can find some nice apartments in the Clinton Hill Coops with stunning views, but you can also find some overpriced ones with crap views. The elevators are crap, but the heat & hot water are great (at least in the upper floors) and there is 24hr security, and laundry rooms. Probably one of the better "deals" in the area. Hall Street apts sometimes has good units too.