High inventory of top floor unit in Park Slope

Is the top floor a walk-up?

yes it's walkup

switch: The top floor is prone to leaks from the roof.
ph41 knows a lot more about RE than I do, so can advise you as to what else.

If you're young, walking up the stairs to the top floor is a good work-out.
Got stroller-size kids? Not so good for you.

Yes, we have 6month-old-son. The agent keep telling us it would be the best one for us. Since it has been on the market for a long time, I'm hesitated! I'm from Korea and know nothing about real estate... Please help!

it's walkup...

The ones the agent highly recommended to us are 370 12th street #6 brooklyn and 390 14th street #6 brooklyn. She said both are zoned for ps107 and near to the transportation. We work in midtown Manhattan.

Be realistic--not desperate. Are you ready to have groceries always delivered or to carry them yourself up all those flights? Where is the baby while you are doing this? Do you go away on weekends? No one just takes a suitcase--there's plenty of other stuff we pack up the car with. Any idea what it is like moving your suitcase and other items PLUS a child's down five flights and then back up two days later? Don't even THINK about injuring your ankle--ever. Or breaking a leg or not feeling well. Because those flights don't care.

The payoff is the space you want, better light and views (I hope), no noise from overhead. If there's a roof deck, you have ready access. But really think this through. Many people--in fact most people--will not consider a top floor walk-up for an established family. It is more of a single person's thing when starting out or maybe a new couple. The resale market will be very narrow for you.

No way you can do it with a 6 month, maybe with a 6 year old..

...and if you "accidentally" have another. i.e. 2yr old and a 6 month old.

Well, if you have a 2 year old AND a six month old and live on the 5th floor, you are at least high enough to through yourself out a window to good effect should it all become too much.

That's productive.

Then, where should we go? We can down$300,000 and want to pay less than $1,600 for mortgage plus maintenance. We want more than 800sqf and decent public school... Do we want too much for that money? I'm sure there's some neighborhoods for us. Please advise.

If I were you, I would continue renting and/or get a new agent, one who would NOT recommend the top floor of a walk-up knowing I have a 6 month old baby.

"Be realistic--not desperate. Are you ready to have groceries always delivered or to carry them yourself up all those flights? Where is the baby while you are doing this? Do you go away on weekends? No one just takes a suitcase--there's plenty of other stuff we pack up the car with. Any idea what it is like moving your suitcase and other items PLUS a child's down five flights and then back up two days later"

There's a family with three young kids living on the fifth floor of my building (walk-up). She seems to have no trouble with the kids, groceries, stroller, suitcases, etc.

I imagine it would be a problem if you're disabled or obese, but if you're young and healthy it really shouldn't be a concern.

NYCMatt - that's insane, and you probably don't hear her bitterly complaining every night.

Yes, the fact that they are on the fifth floor doesn't mean they are happy with it. I think switchoco should be looking for something else.

In NYC it's uncommon for people with kids to choose to live in walkups, for all the reasons that others have outlined. In other cities in the world it's pretty common, and in some cities it's actually a sign of status to walk up further to apts with better light and no noise from upstairs.

I live in a walkup (no kids, though) and prefer it, for all the reasons that others have outlined. I know folks with kids who live in walkups who don't mind it, both in NYC and elsewhere.

But it does sound like your agent is pressuring you, which is disturbing. When I was looking to buy my agent vetoed all the walkups I liked because of how annoying it could become if I were tired, had kids, wanted to resell, broke my leg, needed frequent deliveries, wanted to renovate, etc.

You could rent for a year, and give yourself the time to consider your options. It's likely to be cheaper than buying, and will give you the chance to go to open houses, meet better agents (the one you have seems pushy, not informative), and decide whether you're going to have another child (and might need a bigger place.)
Transaction costs are very high in NYC, and it doesn't pay to buy/sell/buy.

Maly - that's great advice. The only downside is potentially higher mortgage rates, but as switchoco has a good cash position any uptick in monthly costs shouldn't be a huge issue. I know people don't like to move frequently, but buying in New York is a huge pain and expense. Rent in an elevator building until you are done with that stroller. You may know nothing about real estate now, but after a year in Brooklyn you will be well-versed and ready to act. Or keep renting, as most New Yorkers do.

Also, what if you discover you hate Park Slope? I know I do.

The trickiest part would be coming in from Korea with no credit score, but if you have a good job and can pay additional security, many landlords will work around that. Good luck!

Tina Fallon
Realty Collective, LLC

Wow, I really appreciate all the comments from everyone above.

It's all good information and opinions, switchoco.
Now maybe Tina can help you look for something else in Brooklyn.
Good Luck.