1 BR Condo In Park Slope/Gowanus For $330k

It's not everyday you see an apartment within a sniff of Park Slope for under $350k.  And trying to find a one bedroom CONDO in this neighborhood for this price is like trying to find a pink unicorn.

But that's exactly what's on offer at 630 Union St. Apt. 5E, a listing from Brooklyn Properties.   We haven't seen this one in the flesh, so we'll take the listing agent's word that it's a legit 1 bedroom and not a studio.

From the one interior picture (come on, BP, give us more!!!), it's clear this place is smallish and hasn't been renovated in a long time:

Plus, there's an additional catch: this place is on the fifth floor of a five-story walk up.  Not for chain smokers or the faint of heart, but whoever buys this place is going to have some diesel legs in short order.

The building is nothing special, and it's very close to unbearably busy 4th Avenue, but it's far enough on to  Union St. that noise shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

For a little bit more money we'd rather be in 292 7th St. (now in contract) and perhaps 475 Sterling Pl. (still available, despite the Streeteasy ad being down).  At this price, however, it's hard to find anything better.

Who It's For:  A first-time buyer who doesn't have enough income to land a co-op, but still wants to be near the slope.  Also appropriate for anyone looking to drop a few pounds.

The Intangibles:  Despite the proximity to noisy 4th Avenue, this unit is in a great location:  just one block from Union Hall, a HiBK favorite, and right next to the Union Ave D/N/R train.

The Numbers:  This bare-bones listing doesn't provide anything in the way of square footage, so we'll guess it's around 500 square feet, putting the price per square foot in the $600 range.  Common charges are a minuscule $263/month.

The Bottom Line:  If you thought you were priced out of the Park Slope condo market, this could be your last chance to grab a one bedroom east of 4th Ave under $350k.

Out With The Old: 33 St. Marks Ave.

Modern renovations in pre-war brownstones are harder to find than you might imagine.  That's why 33 St. Marks Ave. caught our eye.  It's a large 4 story + basement walk-up that has been renovated from top to bottom.  There are four units for sale: ground floor duplex listed for $1,485,000 (already under contract), two two-bedroom units listed for $925,000 each, and a final two-bedroom with access to a glorious roof deck, listed for $1,185,000.

The apartments have been decked out with carefully selected finishes: oak (we think) floors, modern cabinetry, stylish sinks and faucets.  No expense was spared on the appliances:  fine Bertazzoni ranges, Fisher & Paykel refrigerator and two-drawer dishwashers, an in-unit washer/dryers.  There's even a wood-burning fireplace.

The layouts are sensible, with two-proper bedrooms in back, and a spacious living room that enjoys southern exposures through through bay windows.  

The piece de resistance of this building is the roof deck on the fourth floor.   With gas, water, and electrical hookups, this deck is going to make someone into the king or queen of the summer barbecue.

So what's missing here?  Perhaps a soul.  Whether it's the dry staging or the complete lack of original details, it's hard to say.  But this place feels more like an Ikea showroom than a home.  Perhaps a re-decoration would help, but it's hard to get back the character that's lost when a building is completely gutted and renovated.

Who It's For:  A young, well-heeled couple, free of sentimental attachment to antique charms.

The Numbers:  Unit 3 (without the roof deck) is listed at $822/sq. ft.  Assuming 20% down, that's a monthly payment $4188 including common charges (which are $216/month).

The Intangibles:  In the heart of the north slope, two-blocks from the Bergen St. 2/3 stop.  Also close to some of our favorite restaurants and bars, including Taro Sushi and Flatbush Farm.  The Atlantic Yards project is going up close-by, and the long-term effects on traffic and the neighborhood are difficult to guess.

The Bottom Line:  For this much money, we can think of a few buildings we'd rather buy.  Still, renovated condos in walk-ups like this are rare.  If you like it, jump on it. 

Monday Sales Round-up

Here at Home In BK we'll be starting the week off with a roundup of recent sales of Brooklyn condos.  Nothing gives a better indication of where the market is going than where it's been.

This legit two-bedroom in a large building near the noisy intersection of Washington and Atlantic went for $560,000 (or about $550/square foot):

While this apartment, a 1 BR/office masquerading as a 2 BR on the edge of Park Slope, went for $737,500 (or a whopping $970/sq. ft):

When we say "legit 2 BR" we mean one that is at least 10' x 10'.  Here the second "bedroom" was only 6'6'' wide.  If anything, this sale shows you that it doesn't take much to get top dollar for your spot if you can claim to be in the Slope.