Finding Home · August 1, 2024
Can Bryan Handle a Townhouse?
FINDING HOME
Can Bryan Handle a Townhouse?
Bryan’s career took off a few years ago to levels he couldn’t have expected. He travels abroad almost every month, works extremely long hours, and his hard work has paid off tremendously. Though with all his career success, he was still in a one bedroom rental — and began noticing a line of mold growing in his bathroom. Time was a tight commodity for him, but upgrading his living situation was a necessity.
He considered himself a Brooklyn guy, and in this borough, purchasing a townhouse felt like the ultimate marker of success.
Bryan’s priorities were rather loose, and his budget covered a wide range. Overtime, we narrowed it all down.
Here’s where his priorities started:
Move-in ready, no renovations needed
Northwest of Prospect Park
Excited by the prospect of owning a townhouse
Among his options:
No. 1:
The Glamour of Fort Greene
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This townhouse was definitely Bryan’s style. It was in the heart of Fort Greene, renovated to the nines, and had plenty of room to entertain. The home included a garden apartment down below, which he would likely reserve for his parents when they came to visit. There was plenty of character throughout the home — including original hardwood floors upstairs and stunning mantles throughout — yet the home felt fully fresh and new.
No. 2:
The Boutique in Brooklyn Heights
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With Bryan’s packed travel schedule, some of our tours happened through video. This was one of them - unique to the rest in that it was a boutique condo building with a 24/7 doorman. This 3 bed/2 bath included a large private terrace, with privacy afforded by a beautiful greek church beside it. The location bordered Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn, offering convenient transportation access while also sitting close enough to the charm and peace of brownstone brooklyn.
No. 3:
The Duplex in Carroll Gardens
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This home offered condo living within a townhouse setting. It was a 3 bed/3 bath upper duplex within a 3 unit townhouse. It sat on the border of Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, an ideal location for Bryan. This home would allow him to enjoy the experience of living in a townhouse without being responsible for the upkeep of the building. The expansive private roof deck was the cherry on top.
*names have been changed
Which Home Do You Think He Chose?
BRYAN’S HOME:
THE BOUTIQUE IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
I love townhouses just as much as the next person, and have developed a career specializing in this housing type. And still, I know they’re not for everyone.
After sending Bryan a video walkthrough of this boutique condo unit, he watched it no fewer than 17 times. He felt at home as soon as he stepped inside, and we knew it was the right spot for him. Having a doorman downstairs would give him peace of mind when he spent several weeks abroad. He wouldn’t have to worry about building upkeep, package delivery, or ever spend a minute considering “hm, how do I prevent water from seeping into my cellar?”
Townhouses are magical, and can provide a joyous living experience - especially when they come with room for friends and extended family to visit. But they also come with another level of responsibility - one that we make sure clients understand thoroughly before taking on this asset.
MARKET INDICATOR
Manhattan
Month-to-month we remained rather stable on both data points, but my eye is on 2024 compared to 2023. Inventory is surpressed, but contract signings have held steady. This is a good indicator of seller sentiment, and their interpretation of the buyer’s market in Manhattan. As sellers begin to pull back, will buyers claw for more? I’m excited to see how September fares, and if we’ll see another major spike in inventory.
Brooklyn
Once again, we’re seeing our data hold stable from June to July, just like in Manhattan. Though in this market, we saw a slight bump in signings - compared to last year’s slump over the summer months. August is likely to be the best time for buyers to get a deal on overlooked properties, with September expected to push through with a fresh sweep of Fall activity.
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