Despite its downsides, is this $3,000 Fort Greene two-bedroom with historical details worth snapping up ASAP?
Almost every listing in NYC will say something along the lines of "this won't last!" but in the case of this two-bedroom in Fort Greene, we believe it. The walk-up is nearly $200 less than the median asking price for similarly sized apartments in the neighborhood.
And while it's a bit of a climb, it's a full floor in what appears to be a well-maintained brownstone. Plus, pets are allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Of course, it's not perfect, and that's why we've asked our experts (and veteran renters), real estate research and analytics firm NeighborhoodX's founder Constantine Valhouli and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.
The apartment:
Size: Two-bedroom, one-bath
Location: 241 Clermont Avenue (between Willoughby and DeKalb), Fort Greene
Monthly rent: $3,000/month
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 7 days
Subway: G at Clinton-Washington, C at Lafayette
Pros and cons:
"The location is pretty great since it's less than a five-minute walk from the C and G trains. Plus, the living room as it's staged now looks like Brooklyn brownstone perfection (just check out those windows and the original marble fireplace). The downsides are the dated (though spacious) kitchen, the pretty tiny second bedroom, and the climb you'll need to take to get there. " —Lucy
"On one hand, it's in an attractive brownstone on an iconic Brooklyn street. However, one must consider the unequal size of the two bedrooms. And it looks like a while since the apartment was updated."" —Constantine
"There are a lot of thoughtful details to this Fort Greene two-bed. For example, I just love the whitewashed fireplace in the living room and the arched doorway into the kitchen. That’s what makes the place special. Things I’m seriously disliking: The mini second-bedroom and the bars on the windows—those are such a big bummer." —Lambeth
Who would this apartment be perfect for?
"A young couple with a baby who want to live near Fort Greene Park. Just make sure the owner's okay with strollers being left on the bottom floor." —Lucy
"Because the smaller bedroom is only accessible through the larger one, it lends itself to a someone who could use it as a home office or a baby's room, although the unit's location on the third floor of a walk-up makes it somewhat challenging with strollers." —Constantine
"A Fort Greene work-from-home newbie who plans to use the second-bedroom as an office." —Lambeth
The verdict(s):
TAKE IT "It's a pretty apartment, and as long as the small second bedroom and the dated kitchen aren't dealbreakers for you, it offers decent value (by hot Brooklyn neighbohood standards, of course)." —Lucy
TAKE IT "The analytical side of me sees the numbers first: $3000/month for 990 square feet is $3.03 per square foot. For comparison, 159 Adelphi St. is asking $3,300 for a 1,500sq.ft. 3BR with 1.5 baths. This is $2.20/sq.ft., almost 37% less. This works out to an affordable (for NYC standards) $1,100 per roommate. In light of these, 241 Clermont seems fairly priced. It's a go."—Constantine
TAKE IT "And prepare for some major stoop-sitting." —Lambeth
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