Small pre-war vs. larger new construction - Bkln

Is the condo brownstone a walkup? That makes a big difference when looking at alternate properties. How is the airconditioning and heat handled? Window units for A/C? w/d in unit, laundry room in building?
Updated or renovated? Lots of things to consider.

I am also a little confused when you write "rustic loft, pre-war apartment" as I would not usually associate brownstone with loft type renovations. IMHO people buy into pre-wars for that look, and lofts don't fit that image.

I think spending any money at all on a place you don't love is the worst investment you could ever make, regardless of its resale value in X years.

If it's Fulton Street (?) not selling very well - developer did an EXTREMELY rustic look, which might not appeal to a wide buyer pool

Gutted parlor-level units are sometimes considered "loft-like", but really!

Indeed. Only in New York will you find real estate agents who think that 10-foot ceilings make a "loft".

In other markets, "loft" means something more like "hayloft" ... neeeiiiiiiighhhhhhh!

sometimes the loft can be a storage loft not living space loft. we had that on the 5th floor of a walk up about a million years ago. my only comment on that is don't do like a railing where you can see into the loft, close it with a wall and make sliding doors in several points. you're not going up there to vacume and the dust the collects up there is a real menace for the rest of the apartment.

ph41 - Yes, it is Fulton Street. I should have said "renovated" instead of "updated". The building is a 4-floor walk-up, and I am considering the 3rd floor unit. I thought the attention to details are really great and have not seen many that are similar AND within my price range. What do you think would be a fair offer? They ask for $633/sf which is rather high comparing to properties in a half mile radius.

xanth - remember, with a walkup, you definitely limit the buyer pool (just imagine schlepping a baby carriage up those stairs, as well as groceries, and suitcases, etc., etc.) Also, what about w/d? laundry?
Also, those details are very, very, very "rustic", (rough beams, exposed screws) and again, IMHO limit the buyer pool. Vestigial sort of kitchen (though I do understand that the units are fairly small). Also, very interesting that nowhere on their sales site do they show floorplans with dimensions, which is a telling sort of LACK of detail. Like, how big is the bedroom? Could you fit your bed and possibly an end table in that room? Closets? Living room - can you fit a sofa and a couple of chairs, coffee table, small dining table in the space?

It is obviously an attractive price point, but the apartment has to be attractive in all the other ways that would make you happy living there for at least the next 5 years. Re: resale, I'm not so sure.

oh i can comment on that too! being on a top floor of a walk up really just makes you completely dependent on delivery people. they'll come for your laundry and bring it back, but you have to tip. you have to get in the habbit of always tipping more than normal people who live closer to the jungle floor. but there are advantages of living on the top floor of an old walk up, most important of which is you have less pests than your downstairs neighbors. and you actually have a fighting chance of keeping YOUR problem under control, and if you're that good maybe even non existent, with vigilance and common sense preemptive tactics. but don't listen to people who say it's hard or impossible to live up there, first of all, you'll be able to sprint up there without much difficulty after the first few weeks. your body will adjust to it, not fight you on it, that's just nature. and everything else, too. you'll get used to it and whatever is too heavy or hard, you'll pay someone to bring it up. no big deal. but the good thing is when the economy completely collapses and gangs of unruly thugs roam city streets, most of them probably not make up to your place to pillage it. they'll give up at your downstairs neighbor's door.

ph41 - I went to the openhouse and was provided with floorplans (used to be available on their external site). I don't remember the dimensions off the top of my head, but it did not seem uncomfortable. There is w/d hookup and AC in unit. The 1-bedroom unit would certainly be enough for a single person (me), but slightly tight for a couple. Of course, I might prefer more space than other NYers. I love the rustic details, but I guess I am in the minority here. I appreciate your opinions - will certainly keep them in mind.

"but the good thing is when the economy completely collapses and gangs of unruly thugs roam city streets, most of them probably not make up to your place to pillage it. they'll give up at your downstairs neighbor's door."

Lucille - LOL!!

Don't forget, it's unruly thugs FROM NEW JERSEY. Has the West Village crime thread taught you nothing?

... and are you calling Jersey thugs fat and lazy?