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Open House Agenda: 3 Houses to See This Weekend

By Emily Nonko | June 19, 2015 7:22am | Updated on June 19, 2015 4:23pm
 These homes promise to transport you to a suburban-like sanctuary, far from the hustle of the city.
Open House Agenda: 3 Apartments to See This Weekend
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NEW YORK CITY — Searching for a property that feels more like an escape from New York City than the embodiment of it? These three freestanding homes — two of which are priced under $1 million — all promise to transport you to a suburban-like sanctuary, far from the hustle of the city.


6137 Fieldston Rd., Riverdale
3 Bedrooms/2 baths
House
Approximately 1,440 square feet
$774,900
Yearly taxes: $4,250
Open House: Sunday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lowdown: This freestanding, two-story brick home is located in Riverdale, a Bronx neighborhood that is one of the city's most suburban. The historic Tudor facade is paired with modern renovations done by the sellers, who have lived there for eight years.

“The family has outgrown the house,” said broker Chintan Trivedi of ReMax.

There are three bedrooms and a finished attic that could be used as a guest bedroom, according to Trivedi. The 200-square-foot unfinished basement could be renovated into an office or another bedroom.

The renovated kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and new cabinets.

Along with modern renovations in the kitchen and bathrooms, there are historic touches like wood floors, moldings, and stained glass accents throughout the house.

One big suburban perk: you won't have any trouble parking your car. There's a private driveway and a two-car garage on the lower level of the house, and it's easy to find on-street parking along the quiet, residential block.

Location: This Tudor home mimics the style of many other houses found on this stretch of Fieldston Road, a charming, tree-lined street. The property is also surrounded by gorgeous greenery. The College of Mount St. Vincent is located just west along the Hudson River, and the sprawling Van Cortlandt Park is three blocks away.

One big downside of the property? It isn't near a subway, and the Riverdale Metro North stop is almost a mile away. No one said living the suburban lifestyle without a car would be easy.

Why put it on your open house calendar? “It's a beautiful property, lots of character and charm with a modernized inside space,” said Trivedi.
 

512 East 24th St., Ditmas Park
6 Bedrooms/3 baths
House
Approximately 2,297 square feet
$1,450,000
Yearly Taxes: $4,704
Open House: Sunday, June 21, 2-3:30pm

Lowdown: This property is the reason why many people fall in love with the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Ditmas Park and nearby Midwood. It's a freestanding home on a large lot, with tons of green space outside and tons of historic detailing inside.

"The historic details are amazing here," said Fillmore broker Vera Capozucca-Cappi. She noted the original mahogany doors, woodwork, parquet floors and crown moldings. The interior was well kept by the seller, who lived in the home for 42 years and raised her two children here.

The three-story Victorian home was built in 1899. The first floor, which holds the living room, kitchen and dining room, is distinguished by a fireplace, sliding mahogany door, elaborate ceiling details and wainscoting. In the foyer, a striking central staircase leads up to stained glass windows.

It's also situated on a massive lot comprised of two adjacent parcels, which Capozucca-Cappi says is rare for a New York property. There's 100 feet of frontage over both lots, with a depth of 80 feet.

The buyer will get two deeds upon purchase: one for the lot that holds that house, and another for the near-empty lot that currently holds the two-car garage.

That offers the opportunity to build another structure on the property, or to simply enjoy the largest front yard in the neighborhood.

The front yard and garage aren't the only suburban perks of the property. There's beautiful landscaping, a multi-car driveway, front porch and a backyard patio.

Location: The surrounding neighborhood is quiet and residential, dominated by other free-standing homes. It's about a 15-minute walk to Cortelyou Road, the main drag of Ditmas Park with a number of businesses, bars and restaurants. The picturesque Brooklyn College is about a 10-minute walk to the south.

The home is about equal distance away from the Newkirk Plaza B/Q station and the Newkirk Avenue 2/5 station.

Why put it on your open house calendar? "This is a rare property, and a rare opportunity to own this much space in the neighborhood," said Capozucca-Cappi, referring to the double lot.

 

1163 New York Avenue in East Flatbush
3 Bedrooms/4 baths
House
Approximately 2,000 square feet
$749,000
Yearly Taxes: $4,015
Open House: Saturday, June 20, 1-3 p.m.

Lowdown: This charming three-story home looks historic from the outside, but it's completely renovated inside.

The seller gut renovated the house, according to Compass broker Maxine Resnick. “Everything's new, with nice, new finishes,” she said.

There are three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, and a finished basement. Since the home is freestanding, four exposures ensure “amazing light throughout the house,” according to Resnick.

The first floor has an open living and dining room, a powder room, and kitchen. Off the kitchen there's a deck that leads down to a paved outdoor space.

A driveway leads back to a garage at the rear of the property. “It's an enormous two-car garage, which is rare for Brooklyn properties,” said Resnick.

On the second and third floors, the bedrooms and bathrooms have been upgraded as well.

Resnick cited the porch as one of her favorite details of the property, “where you get a view of the lovely, surrounding houses with flower beds everywhere.”

Location: This block of Flatbush has several other modest homes, with a large apartment building on the corner. It is located just a few blocks west of Holy Cross Cemetery, which covers roughly 96 acres. It is also about a 15-minute walk from the extravagant Kings Theater, which was recently restored for $94 million and now hosts events and concerts.

It's a short three-block walk to the Beverly Road 2/5 station.

Why put it on your open house calendar? “The renovation is amazing and the price is right,” said Resnick. She considers the property a good investment, as it's growing harder to buy a Brooklyn townhouse for under $1 million in the current market.