Would you rent this renovated Flatbush two bedroom for $2,575 (or your best offer)?
This apartment, 241 Linden Blvd, #2B., is in the bustling Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush, and the listing is a little puzzling.
It is a two bedroom, with one bath. The listing says it is in a “beautiful, brand-new building” but according to StreetEasy, it is a 1907 building. Still, the finishes and appliances look new—and there are split AC and heating units in each room, which would indicate a gut reno. So which is it? (The listing agent, when reached briefly by phone, said he wasn't sure.)
The small kitchen has a nice tiled backsplash and lots of cabinets (up to the ceiling) and a dishwasher. And the building appears to have a lot of amenities: A lounge, roof deck, bike room, laundry room, game room, screening room, co-working space, gym, meditation room, and parking.
It's three blocks from Flatbush Avenue, where you’ll find the majestic Kings Theatre and lots of chain stores, seven blocks from Prospect Park and four blocks from the 2 and 5 trains.
The rent advertised, $2,375, is the net effective rent. The landlord is offering one month free on a 13 month lease, so the rent you actually pay is $2,575. That’s higher than the median for a two bedroom in Flatbush, which is $2,300 (the listing says there’s no fee), and what’s interesting about this listing is it says, “No reasonable offer refused.” Hmm.
So, what would you offer?
As always, when weighing New York City apartment listings, we turn to our Take It Or Leave It experts: Constantine Valhouli, founder of real estate research and analytics firm NeighborhoodX, freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and myself.
But first, here are more pictures of the place.
Pros and cons
"This two bedroom looks tidy and the kitchen backsplash is awesome but the cabinetry looks very haphazard. Another thing that worries me is that three of the eight units in this building are vacant and, is it me, or does 'no reasonable offer refused' seem odd? Then again, perhaps we're entering an era in which we will start bidding for apartments." —Lambeth Hochwald
"Co-working space, meditation room (!), and gym? I rather like this combination of amenities—It doesn't feel like a cookie-cutter project, and it is going to draw an interesting mix of residents. Also, on top of the reasonable rent, you're able to eliminate a monthly gym and co-working space fee, too." —Constantine Valhouli
"The kitchen is very awkward—there's framing around an alcove that appears to partially block the countertop, which would drive me nuts, but might be an easy fix. Still, for an apartment that's close to the park, and where you may be able to name your own rent, this could be a deal." —Jennifer White Karp
Who is it good for?
"A marathoner who will be so psyched to train in Prospect Park—what's seven blocks to get to that glorious patch of green?" —Hochwald
"Someone with the job flexibility to work remotely and/or is an agoraphobe and doesn't want to leave the building to work or work out." —Valhouli
"Someone who just landed a job at SUNY Downstate Medical Center or Kings County Hospital—both are nearby. " —White Karp
Take it or leave it?
LEAVE IT. "I just can't justify this price for a so-called two-bed (that second bedroom looks awfully small to me) and a virtual doorman. Seriously?" —Hochwald
TAKE IT. "Also, is 'no reasonable offer refused' the opposite of the Godfather's 'I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse?'" —Valhouli
TAKE IT. "If you can get a reduction on the asking rent."—White Karp
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