Do the perks of this Prospect Heights one-bedroom outweigh the cons? Our experts are split
Prospect Heights is one of those Brooklyn neighborhoods where the apartment prices —both rents and sales—keep going up, and it's not really a surprise when you consider that some of the biggest attractions in the borough, like the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Botanic Gardens are within walking distance; the express subway to Manhattan is close, too. And this ground-floor one-bedroom apartment, asking $2,500 a month, is asking as closw as can be to the median rental price for similarly sized apartments in the neighborhood, according to StreetEasy.
So is it worth considering? 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.
The apartment:
Size: One-bedroom, one-bath
Location: 291 Lincoln Place (between Underhill and Washington), Prospect Heights
Monthly rent: $2,500/month
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 28
Subway: 2, 3 at Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum
Pros and cons:
"Honestly, those steps in front seem a tad annoying to me (they take up space after all). Plus, the broker describes the apartment as a 'contemporary 1 brm with a flair.' That, to me, translates to a sort of odd or less-than-ideal layout. That said, the appliances look to be brand-new and there's a decent amount of space in what the broker calls the 'great room'. Also, there appears to be a small hallway between the living room and bedroom, which often makes an apartment feel bigger. Of course, the fact that the apartment's on the first floor means it'll probably be on the darker side and foot traffic could get irritating.'" —Lucy
"In NYC, you know you've made it when you have two things suburban residents take for granted: stairs inside one's apartment and a washer and dryer in-unit. This apartment has a small flight of interior steps leading to the living space, although the W/D is in the building, not the unit. The bathroom and the neighborhood seems to be the stars of the show, here. The apartment looks to be on street level, next to the entrance, which means that there might be a lot of noise from residents constantly entering and leaving the building. And 700 square feet can either feel very spacious or empty, depending on its layout, which is difficult to tell from the listing." —Constantine
"If your pet passes muster, you can move right into this newly remodeled Prospect Heights one-bed with your pooch. My only concern: It may be steps away from prime Prospect Park but it’s still on the first floor which means you may need to invest in a good pair of earplugs." —Lambeth
Who this apartment would be perfect for:
"A single person who likes to cook for friends. Also, someone who has a dog and would prefer not to go up and down to high floors everytime it needs to go out." —Lucy
"Someone who works in downtown Brooklyn, the Financial District, or Union Square and would like a commute of under 30 minutes." —Constantine
"A charming space-seeking Manhattanite single or couple ready to take the Brooklyn plunge." —Lambeth
The verdict(s):
LEAVE IT: "This apartment doesn't appear to be all that spacious (especially for two people), and the first-floor location is a negative in my book. If you do decide to take it, try and get the broker to discount the fee. It's winter after all." —Lucy
TAKE IT: "The median asking rent for a one-bedroom in Prospect Heights is $2,600, and this comes in just below that at $2,500 for a renovated apartment. Even better, they include square footage, so it is easier to make a truly informed decision. And in this market, it might even be worth asking for a slight additional rent concession." —Constantine
TAKE IT: "And get ready to revel in early morning walks to the Prospect Park farmer’s market or afternoons spent at the Brooklyn Museum." —Lambeth
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