Upper West Side 1 bedroom for under $350K

That doesn't seem like a desperate seller; seems like a smart seller. A good price for a lovely, small walk-up apartment.
Tina
(Brooklyn broker)

But let' see what W81st has to say - it's literally right up her street!

Great block, cute little apartment. Don't know about prices for that kind of place.

One thing it has is an enterprising, painstaking owner. Putting work into the place and into the marketing.

Hard to judge if at 500 square feet it should really be compared to studios. If so, there are plenty of studios with $700-800 maintenance in full service buildings on West End asking around 350k now. It may find a buyer who really digs that kind of character living in exchange for space.

Tina: Yes, I know that block rather well. ;o)

To me, this looks like a 400 square foot walk-up studio, on a mediocre block traversed by the eastbound #79 bus, among other issues. $800+ PSF? Ummmmmmm....

Have to agree West81st - small, mini kitchen, walk-up, ppsq too high. quite the write - up though everything but the floor plan. also interesting financial analysis - why do they never consider that regardless of tax deductions etc. you still have to write a check for the full mortgage and maintenance amount every month.

I will be able to buy in Manhattan, I will be able to buy in Manhattan, I will...........................

I agree w crescent22 and West81st, it doesn't seem like a total bargain, given the sf, and maintenance seems high for a place that size w no doorman.

and that 'bedroom' is only 7 ft wide - more like a coffin

Not sure I would call an apartment with a 7 foot wide bedroom a 1-BR apartment. Maybe a studio with a maid's room, or a Classic 2?

I got suckered in by the purty pictures, as intended. That floor in my favorite color blinded me to, e.g., the curtain serving as bedroom door.

A floorplan would've revealed just how tough it is to squeeze two rooms into the width of a 19' house. As here, one of them has to be 7' wide, which makes it not even count as a bedroom per code.

Is a studio/jr 1 for $700/sq ft really a good deal? I think you can do better if you have time.

Those are all interesting points. Thanks for your perspective.

I can only afford to spend about $350K and I want to live in the West 80s.

Which of these 2 apartments do you think is the better deal?

The 500 SF 1 bedroom at 118 West 81st #4F for $349,000 ($744 maintenance)
http://www.118west81.blogspot

or this 250 SF studio at 102 West 85th #3E for $355,000 ($695 maintenace)?
http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/387340-coop-102-west-85th-st-upper-west-side-new-york

I found 1 more to consider, so which of these 3 West 80s apartments is the best deal?

27 West 82nd #4A for $400,000 ($730 maintenance) 500 square foot 1 bedroom.
http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/379814-coop-27-west-82nd-street-upper-west-side-new-york

118 West 81st #4F for $349,000 ($744 maintenance) 500 square foot 1 bedroom
http://118west81.blogspot.com

102 West 85th #3E for $355,000 ($695 maintenance) 250 square foot studio
http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/387340-coop-102-west-85th-st-upper-west-side-new-york

Thanks!

If those are your best options for a purchase, I would strongly urge you to rent. In the last RE downturn, tiny UWS apartments like the ones you listed were absolutely crushed, and a lot of the buildings went completely to h*ll. There is so much downside in these units, and so many good rental options.

This one sold, and for more than Columbus was asking: http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/closing/905202

See also http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/12864-would-you-pay-this-broker-a-3-commission

Anyone know if this initial apartment on 81st Street sold?

Yes. "This one" is Columbus's own FSBO.

His question "or is this pricing a gimmick just to generate traffic and generate bids above $350K?" has been answered, as it went for $399K.