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Open House Agenda: 3 Condos to See This Weekend

By Donna M. Airoldi | October 16, 2014 8:26pm | Updated on October 17, 2014 4:53pm
 Condos are usually in great demand, but account for just one third of the supply of co-ops in New York. Here are three for sale, all for under $1 million.
Condos for Under $1 Million
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NEW YORK CITY — Many buyers consider condos more desirable than co-ops: typically there are fewer restrictions from boards, investors are more welcome, and units often sell for a higher price per square foot. But even with condo development on the rise, they are scarce, representing roughly a quarter of the city's inventory.

Here are three condos on the market with open houses this weekend — all for under $1 million.

4260 Broadway, Apt. 406, Washington Heights
3 Bedrooms/2 Baths
Condo
Approximately 822 square feet
$539,000
Common Charges: $555.03 per month
Real Estate Taxes: $430.40 per month
Open House: Sunday, Oct. 19, noon to 2 p.m. (There’s also an open house for brokers only on Friday, Oct. 17, from noon to 2 p.m.)

Lowdown: In March, a new investor purchased 47 unsold apartments from the original sponsor in this pre-war, courtyard condominium. Pre-war condos are rare, and this building was originally converted in 1990. Unit 406 is one of three on the market after receiving recent gut renovations, said Iris Perez-Walls of Halstead Properties.

“This unit has the best value and layout, being a three-bedroom/two-bath, and nothing was spared for the finishes,” Perez-Walls said. “Everything is custom.”

Pocket doors separate the living room and master bedroom, so the “space is flexible.”

Details include new wood flooring, exposed brick, a Bosch dishwasher and laundry and “centerpiece lighting in every room.” The marble bathrooms have Kohler and Moen fixtures. The electrical and plumbing were upgraded.

The building “suffered a setback” with the original sponsors, Perez Walls noted, “but the new owners are making this building come alive."

The common areas are being painted and getting new light fixtures. There’s talk of future storage units for each apartment.

Location: The building overlooks 181st Street, which has several shops and restaurants, along with the 1 train two blocks east and the A train three blocks west. The new George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal is nearby, which will to house a Gap store and new restaurants. A new tapas restaurant opened last week in the former Bleu Evolution space on 187th Street. The building also is situated between two weekly YUM Fresh Food markets.

Why put it on your open house calendar? “You’re getting the quality renovation for a great price in a very good location,” Perez-Walls said.

251 Seventh St., Apt. 3D, Gowanus
1 Bedroom/1 Bath
Condo
Approximately 650 square feet
$625,000
Common Charges: $502 per month
Real Estate Taxes: $41 (abated until 2024)
Open House: Sunday, Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lowdown: The sellers of this west-facing Gowanus unit in The Argyle purchased it from the sponsor and kept it in “immaculate condition,” said Monica Novo of Corcoran Group, adding that the developers “did a really good job on this building.”

“What’s special is it has a nice-sized kitchen that you can entertain in because the bedroom is a little removed,” Novo said, adding that the balcony is another plus because “not that many units with balconies come up [for sale] that often. It also gets a tremendous amount of light and is quiet.”

The elevator building includes a “live-in resident manager,” virtual doorman, fitness room in the basement, storage cages and “a beautiful roof deck with amazing views.”

There is an assessment in place for $350 per month until next year covering capital improvements, Novo said.

Location: The neighborhood has transitioned from primarily industrial to mixed use and residential space. New restaurants, bars and services line Third and Fourth avenues, including the popular new Whole Foods at Third Street that features a rooftop greenhouse.

The F, G and R trains are at Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street. The downtown Brooklyn-bound B103 bus earlier this year added stops along Third Avenue at Eighth, Third and Baltic streets.

Why put it on your open house calendar? “It’s in a prime location and priced right, not aggressive at all,” Novo said.

37 Powers St., Apt. 4B, Williamsburg
1 Bedroom/1 Bath
Condo
Approximately 827 square feet
$899,000
Common Charges: $252 per month
Real Estate Taxes: $15 per month (abated until 2035)
Open House: Sunday, Oct. 19, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Lowdown: The sellers “love this space, especially the amazing roof deck and hot tub,” said Marsel Avdiu of MNS. “You can go up there after a tiring day at work and just enjoy.”

The walk-up building, formerly known as the Belvedere V, was completed in 2008. They purchased from the sponsor and did not make any changes, Avdiu noted.

The unit has city views, including the Empire State Building. In addition to the roof deck, the balcony off the living room is large enough for a table for four. The bedroom is located on the main floor, not the loft area. The mezzanine might feel short for some people, but “an architect can raise the ceiling to 6-foot 2-inches,” Avdiu said, adding that loft also can be converted into a second bedroom.

For investors, “to rent they can get $3,500 easy,” Avdiu said.

Location: The building is in the heart of Williamsburg, just east of the BQE between Lorimer Street and Union Avenue. The G and L trains at Metropolitan-Lorimer are two blocks away. A Gimme Coffee is around the corner; Avdiu recommends the “amazing” Campbell Cheese & Grocery on Lorimer. Restaurants in the neighborhood recently earned Michelin stars.

Why put it on your open house calendar? “You have two private outside spaces, a large bathroom, and everything has been built with quality,” Avdiu said. “And for an investor, it’s a very good deal,” especially with the low common charges.