This Red Hook house has plenty of reasons to love it and a few causes for concern
There's a lot to love about 72 Dikeman St. in Brooklyn's Red Hook. For one, the three bedroom, three bath was listed for $2,500,000 just under a year ago, and after a time off the market, has been re-listed at the reduced price of $1,695,000.
The building is set back on a deep lot, behind a fashionably weathered steel door. A lovely garden with mature plantings, grapevines, and lighting and irrigation has an Ipe deck, outdoor kitchen, built-in gas grill, fire pit, Big Green Egg Smoker, and storage shed with green roof.
According to the listing, the house was "renovated with attention to detail" after Hurricane Sandy, and that the mechanicals are hung from the basement ceiling—a common measure taken to prevent flood damage. But the house is located in the AE Flood Zone, considered at high-risk of flooding. If you buy a house in a flood zone, you are required to purchase flood insurance (which is separate from homeowner's insurance), and it can be difficult to get financing in high-risk zones. (This may be one of the contributing factors to the dramatic price drop.) For more on buying in a flood zone, read this.
Another possible reason for the price decline? The house to the left of the lot, which on Google Street View, is a bit of an eyesore.
The cedar bungalow has windows on all four sides, and the ground floor features an open living and dining area.
The renovated kitchen has weathered oak cabinets, an island, LG stainless steel appliances, and Caesarstone countertops. A powder room adds some flair with Flavor Paper-covered walls.
The second floor has three bedrooms, and its ceilings are raised for extra overhead height; one of the smaller bedrooms looks to be outfitted with a loft space.
The master bedroom overlooks the garden, and has a small private terrace, as well as a walk-in cedar closet. The master bath is windowed, and has limestone floors, and a glass-enclosed walk-in shower; an additional bath on this floor is decorated with penny tile.
The house is outfitted with central heating and cooling, new plumbing and electric, and new windows. You'll also find a vented washer and dryer setup.
The neighborhood has lots of options and charm. Small bakeries, bars, and restaurants are all a few blocks away; Fairway and Ikea are nearby for big shopping trips. And while transit is not ideal, the B61 bus can be hopped to get to downtown Brooklyn and beyond, and you can also take a ferry to Brooklyn waterfront neighborhoods and Wall Street.
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