A Prospect Heights two-bedroom with outdoor space sounds ideal, but our experts aren't entirely convinced
Prospect Heights is one of those Brooklyn neighborhoods that has seen its popularity—and as a result, its prices—shoot up in the last five years. This $3,900 two-bedroom, one-bath on Underhill Avenue is proof of that.
Located on the first floor of a walk-up building, the apartment has two bedrooms and one extra room (that can be used as a den). The finishes aren't modern but it does appear to be well-kept. Plus, there's access to that perennial New York City covetable: outdoor space.
Moreover, Prospect Heights has pretty great transportation options if you're traveling into Manhattan, including the 2/3 at both Grand Army Plaza and Eastern Parkway, which are both less than five blocks away.
So is it worth considering? For more perspectives, we asked our experts (and veteran renters), real estate research and analytics firm NeighborhoodX founder Constantine Valhouli and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.
Size: Two-bedroom, one-bath
Location: 194 Underhill Avenue (between Sterling and St. Johns), Prospect Heights
Monthly rent: $3,900, plus 12 percent broker's fee
Flexible layout: Yes
Days on the market: 3
Subway: 2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza; 2, 3 to Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum
Pros and cons:
"I happen to love Prospect Heights (its proximity to the park, the Botanic Gardens, the museum, its restaurants and shops, and its super-convenient transportation options), and while I get that this apartment and the building it's in aren't fancy, I think someone with a good eye toward design could make this a winner. The bedrooms do appear to be on the smaller side, so I'd check to make sure that they'll comfortably fit what you need. Also, to me any outdoor space is good, especially if you're willing to put in the work to fix it up." —Lucy
"'It looks like an elegant and understated renovation. But it looks like they under-renovated relative to the asking price. Also, a dishwasher is not an amenity. It's a basic appliance. And good luck with the broker's fee while corporate rentals with roofdecks, pools, and gyms (actual amenities) are eliminating the brokerage fee in this market." —Constantine
"I get it: Prospect Heights is cooler than cool and it looks like the owners did an okay renovation exchanging the utilitarian lighting fixtures with something a bit nicer, but the kitchen cabinets are still pressboard. What bothers me most about this nearly $4K/month two-bed is that it's described as 'well kept.' I guess that's just for the interior? The bonus of the place—the private backyard—is one of the most depressing we've seen. It looks like it hasn't been cared for in decades and that's the only view you'll have from this ground-floor apartment." —Lambeth
Who this apartment would be perfect for:
"Two roommates, at least one of whom has a green thumb/eye for design and can turn that outdoor space around. That extra room could be a nice office space." —Lucy
"Someone who wants to stay inside and do dishes with their dishwasher "amenity" because they can't afford to go out and do things because of the $3,900/mo. The rent is too damn high." —Constantine
"A family (FYI: there's only one bathroom) with a green thumb, eager to transform this ugly lot." —Lambeth
The verdict(s):
TAKE IT "But negotiate either on the price or the broker fee first." —Lucy
LEAVE IT "In this case, the rent really is too damn high." —Constantine
LEAVE IT "And don't even get me started about the 12 percent broker fee." —Lambeth
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