Clinton Ave btw. Greene/Gates

anonymous · May 2008

Hey -- wanted to get opinions on an apartment on this block. It's on the second floor of one of the mansion-y townhouse-y buildings, at 457 Clinton.

There are a lot of those buildings on this block.

It feels pretty big, it's a 1.5 BR (it has an office-ish space). I don't know the SF, but the apartment is a little bit bigger than a friend's apartment on Fulton btw. S. Portland and S. Elliot.

He's lived on Fulton for 5 years and his rent is $2200... and this place is $2500.

I've looked at a bunch of places in FG/CH, and the price seemed in line with all the other places I saw, but I wanted opinions on if this is roughly market price for this kind of place, or if that seems ridiculous.

I ask because it felt ok when I was there, but whenever I tell someone it's a 1.5br in Clinton Hill for 2500, they look at me like I would be an idiot to take it.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

wasder · May 2008

Subject: I live one block over...

That is a great block and from what I know of the rental market that is totally in line with market price. If you like it and can afford it I would do it.

anonymous · May 2008

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. After looking at a bazillion apartments I'm fatigued from what feels like playing poker for so long... Wanted to make sure I wasn't just 'folding'.

anonymous · May 2008

Subject: hmm

That sounds a bit high to me...

I live in the area and pay 1400 for a place that sounds quite similar to what you're looking at. Maybe I got lucky but I even have a friend who has a smaller one bedroom on S. Elliot Pl. between Fulton and Hanson and pays 1400 as well.

My girlfriend's sister lives in one of the big highrises in LIC Queens, one stop away from Grand Central, with an amazing view (I know, Queens still sucks) and pays 2100/mo.

I would look around a bit unless you're really ok with shelling out that much a month for rent.

Check Eva Daniels realty on Fulton and S. Elliot or Brooklyn Properties.

urbancowgirl · May 2008

I'm on Waverly between Myrtle and Park, which is admittedly a BIT further from the train than the apartment you're considering. However, I'm in a 750 or so square foot 1 and 1/2 bedroom apartment with a private backyard, gas fireplace, exposed brick, laundry and basement storage facility for slightly less than $2000 per month (and that's with my forthcoming rental increase). I honestly think you can do better. My friend moved into an apartment across the street for $1500/month and it was a top floor one bedroom.

putnam-denizen · May 2008

I live on the edge of Clinton Hill, and I was worried because I was going to rent out my similar apartment for about 1850 (current tenants moving out). Clinton Avenue is a lot nicer than where I live - so maybe that is worth 700 per month? In any case your experience makes my proposed new rent (up 200 after 2 years) sound all right. Does 2500 include all utilities?

anonymous · May 2008

Subject: backtofg

Thanks for the additional thoughts.

I did look around quite a bit -- through both Eva Daniels and Brooklyn Properties (this place is through the latter).

This place is nicer than any of the places I saw through Eva Daniels (although most of what they showed me was 2100-2300), and comparable to the other places I saw through Brooklyn Properties for the same price...

I guess my worry was, more specifically, if ALL the brokers had inflated prices. I'm okay paying for that but I wanted a place that was worth it, is all.

If it's meaningful to anyone, most of the other places in the same price range were above that nail place on the corner right next to Brooklyn Properties, a place at The Portland on Fulton, and a couple places on Clermont (in FG). This was actually the only place I looked at in CH. I think I saw total 7 or 8 places.

You can see a picture of the building here, it's the one on the left with the porch http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/clintonhill/clintonave/07463clintonave.jpg

bolletje · May 2008

That price is probably a wee bit high, like what you would pay for a true two bedroom instead of a 1.5, but if it's in one of the "mansion" type buildings on Clinton Ave then you're paying extra for that. Also, is there anything else special about the apartment that you can see making it worth the higher price? Is it big? A new kitchen or bathroom, a dishwasher, laundry in the building, architectural details all add to the price You can always try to negotiate the rent down if you seem like a good reliable tenant on paper (good credit, good job, etc). Maybe try for something like a 2 year lease with no increase.

The important thing is if you like the apartment and want make it your home, then it's worth it! You're not crazy wanting to live on Clinton btw Gates and Greene--I live on that block and it's awesome!

anonymous · May 2008

I actually know a few people who have lived in that building and that price is high. Shouldn't be more than $2k tops. My guess is that since the bottom 2 apartments have been empty for some time (heard the plan was to renovate them) - landlord is trying to make up for the lack of income coming from those by hiking up your rent.

That said, it's a really great building and neighborhood. The landlord is an ok guy but he is terrible about maintaining the place - never even cleans!

anonymous · May 2008

Subject: Re: backtofg

Anonymous wrote: Eva Daniels

They showed me terrible places. Complete waste of time :x

anonymous · May 2008

Is it that pretty Romanesque building right by the subway with the for rent sign? I love that building, I would probably pay a premium just to live in it.

We just moved in around the corner on Vanderbilt for about that price and from what I saw, that's market. And the neighborhood seems great so far, except for the lack of a decent coffee place in the mornings.

Clinton Ave btw. Greene/Gates

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