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Lack of Light Doesn't Deter House Hunters from One-Bedroom Bargain

By DNAinfo Staff on November 19, 2012 9:50am

300 West 72nd St., 2A
One-bedroom, One-bathroom
$470,000
Maintenance: $1,035

UPPER WEST SIDE — A one-bedroom, one-bathroom co-op on the Upper West Side had all the right amenities: a built-in bookshelf, wood flooring, arched hallway, and in-building laundry and storage.

There was only one hesitation in the minds of the house hunters who passed through on Sunday: whether the living room window provided enough light. 

"For the price and location, the space is great. But light-wise, it's a dark apartment," said a 34-year-old pharmacist who was shopping with his companion and mother.

"But I really liked the wood floors!"

However, the some 500-square-foot apartment — located in a 34-unit, pre-war co-op with an elevator — boasted both vintage flourishes and modern amenities that allured even the most discriminating buyers.

The hall leading to the bedroom and bathroom felt narrow, house hunters said, but the expansive, square-ish bedroom and living area — which featured a foyer/dining space — gave an overall sense of largesse.

And recently, the bathtub was reglazed and the walls were painted.

"I also would have liked a little more light," said the other man, a 39-year-old business analyst.

And mom agreed with the young men: They would need to re-do the kitchen, they said.

A 65-year-old retiree, in search of an area pied-a-terre, voiced similar concerns to Robert Treanor, a representative with Town.

"It's dark even without the shades up, but it's nice in here," he said of the living room. "My wife would not like it as much as I do. She's more in need of light than me."

He said the couple had been looking for a residence for the last six months, and realized that they will have to compromise either on location, apartment size, or price.

"At our level, we're sacrificing something," he said. "We're not going to get everything."

For Treanor, the pros far outweigh the cons.

He emphasized that the step-down living room makes for an even roomier vibe, and pointed out that the superintendent lives in the building.  Also, he said that the co-op is removing cell-phone antennas from the building — though this will prompt maintenance to go up by $100 a month.

"It's a phenomenal apartment, and I think it's priced very well," he said. "This would be perfect for anybody who wants to live in New York City."