So I'm about to go into contract on an apartment that we're really excited about, but I have a niggling concern in the back of my mind - this apartment is in a line of the building that is primarily studios, but because the apartment is a little bigger than the others on the line, the owners were able to convert it into a one-bedroom. However, the "wall" separating the bedroom from the living room... [more]
So I'm about to go into contract on an apartment that we're really excited about, but I have a niggling concern in the back of my mind - this apartment is in a line of the building that is primarily studios, but because the apartment is a little bigger than the others on the line, the owners were able to convert it into a one-bedroom. However, the "wall" separating the bedroom from the living room is made of built-in cabinets and there is a gap at the top of the cabinets that is filled in with paned glass (essentially a window from the living room to the bedroom at the very top along the ceiling). Would you consider this apartment to be a true one-bedroom? Both brokers assure me that it's a one bedroom and act confused by my concern, but as far as I know the divider is not a real wall even though it technically touches the ceiling. Any thoughts?
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Response by pier45
over 8 years ago
Posts: 379
Member since: May 2009
I think it's objectively a studio but you can price it at the higher end of that range since it functions as a 1. Make sure there is separate heating and cooling in the "bedroom".
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Response by pier45
over 8 years ago
Posts: 379
Member since: May 2009
BTW a broker being "confused" by this concern is a joke. The only way they could really be confused is if it's obvious to them it's a studio conversion but they are confused at why you think it's a 1 br.
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Response by dmargolies
over 8 years ago
Posts: 9
Member since: Jan 2010
Do you have a floor plan? There are a bunch of legal requirements to make it a legal bedroom. If you email me floor plan I can check it out for you. dmargolies@compass.com
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Response by ph41
over 8 years ago
Posts: 3390
Member since: Feb 2008
It's a "junior" one bedroom, aka an alcove studio . If it works for you, enjoy it, just make sure it's priced appropriately with the others on that line.
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Response by tryinbuyin
over 8 years ago
Posts: 9
Member since: Mar 2015
I don't want to give away too much about it so I'm going to hold onto the floor plan for now (but thank you for the offer!). To clarify, the bedroom has no dimension less than 10 feet, has windows and a door, and separate heating and cooling units, so I believe it would satisfy all the technical requirements in the housing code.
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Response by 30yrs_RE_20_in_REO
over 8 years ago
Posts: 9880
Member since: Mar 2009
Not too many alcove studios with over 10' ceilings.
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Response by tribby
over 8 years ago
Posts: 36
Member since: Oct 2011
While the bedroom can technically be legal (does it have a closet?) I believe the living room needs to have at least 1 real window per code. In other words I don't think the divider was legal (DOB would probably not approve a similar project now). In this case perhaps it was grandfathered in and you should not worry about it.
I think it's objectively a studio but you can price it at the higher end of that range since it functions as a 1. Make sure there is separate heating and cooling in the "bedroom".
BTW a broker being "confused" by this concern is a joke. The only way they could really be confused is if it's obvious to them it's a studio conversion but they are confused at why you think it's a 1 br.
Do you have a floor plan? There are a bunch of legal requirements to make it a legal bedroom. If you email me floor plan I can check it out for you. dmargolies@compass.com
It's a "junior" one bedroom, aka an alcove studio . If it works for you, enjoy it, just make sure it's priced appropriately with the others on that line.
I don't want to give away too much about it so I'm going to hold onto the floor plan for now (but thank you for the offer!). To clarify, the bedroom has no dimension less than 10 feet, has windows and a door, and separate heating and cooling units, so I believe it would satisfy all the technical requirements in the housing code.
Not too many alcove studios with over 10' ceilings.
While the bedroom can technically be legal (does it have a closet?) I believe the living room needs to have at least 1 real window per code. In other words I don't think the divider was legal (DOB would probably not approve a similar project now). In this case perhaps it was grandfathered in and you should not worry about it.