Co-op or small townhouse?

No way to say from a financial perspective. Don't buy a coop, if you value your sanity.

What do you think would be easier to resell in a few years?

By a few years, I mean 7 or so. Not a flip

Sprint It's about to break out...... RE is like on the way down......... Me thinkz. Follow me to stop glory or at least just back stop me @$2.40

where? I'd be inclined to go with the townhouse

The question isn't which will be easier to sell. Or at least that's just 1/2 the question. the other part is "sell at what price?" The TH may be $900K but if everything needs work, that means potentially >$400K because unlike an apartment, you have the mechanical/electrical systems to fix up along with roof, facade, structural issues, etc. If they place has really been neglected, it could be more. You don't say what condition the coop is in. Also critical here is the exact location. A prewar 3 bedroom coop overlooking Prospect Park from 8th Avenue (it is 8th, right? I don't speak bklyn very well) is AAA. A townhouse on a just ok block between 4th Ave and 5th Ave is okay (man, how things change in just 25 years) but sure isn't AAA. You don't really provide enough info here. Layout, light, building quality of coop, views...all the regular things factor into this. There is not an answer worth anything based on what info is provided here.

Mini townhouse is in Carroll Gardens but only a few blocks from Gowanus Canal - which is iffy because of Superfund deal. It needs some mechanical upgrades, a wall taken down and a new kitchen and bathrooms. But otherwise structurally is in good shape, and on nice block. Exterior also in good shape. Co-op is in Prime Park Slope - above 9th street, around 7th avenue, so less than two blocks from the park. It would need cosmetic upgrades (new kitchen and renovated bathroom). Both are in school district 15.

Anyone who tells you they know what markets are going to be like in 10 years is lying. Buy what you like.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

Thanks guys

if you have kids, you need to see what zoned schools are for each address. this can add $30K per kid if the Carroll Gardens townhouse is zoned for the "projects school". there's one between hoyt and bond on president.

yes check on the department of education website to confirm what school it is zoned for

Also, FWIW, remember how much space stairs take up in a small 3 story townhouse.

Also think in terms of lifestyle and what your preference is. Townhouses afford greater privacy,freedom from intrusive coop rules and often have some outdoor space for kids, dog etc to run around in. But you also have to shovel snow, maintain exterior and not have the luxury of "calling the super" when something goes wrong. You didn't say if your coop option has a doorman, but they provide a huge service in terms of deliveries, leaving things for people to pick up, keeping keys when you left yours upstairs, etc. etc. all of which you don't have in a townhouse.

It is zoned for PS 32, which I've heard is an up and coming school. Is it that bad?