546 40th St., Apt. N, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
2 Bedrooms/1 Bath
Co-op
$349,000
Maintenance: $433/month
734 square feet
Open House: Sunday, Aug. 4, noon to 2 p.m.
Lowdown: This well-maintained pre-war apartment is located in one of Sunset Park’s Finnish cooperatives, which were built in the area — then known as “Finntown” — between 1916 and the early 1920s by the Finnish Home Building Association. They include the first nonprofit co-op apartment building in the United States.
“They were built as cooperatives for the dock workers and their families of that time,” John Wescott, of Corcoran, said. “They never were converted from rental apartments, which is unusual for New York.”
The top floor unit’s pre-war details have been kept intact and in mint condition with moldings and built-in cabinets, Wescott said.
The current owners updated the bathroom and gut-renovated the kitchen when they bought the unit in 2008.
"Everyone pitches in to help keep things in shape,” Wescott said of the self-managed building where owners spend two days a year working on general maintenance, such as painting the common areas. "That’s what they’re looking for in a purchaser, someone ready, willing and able to pitch in and be part of the community."
Location: The building is one block north of Sunset Park and its Olympic-sized swimming pool and fitness center. There are plenty of good, affordable ethnic eats nearby, with Brooklyn’s growing Chinatown centered around Eighth Avenue, and several Dominican, Mexican, Ecuadoran, Salvadoran and Peruvian restaurants along Fourth and Fifth avenues. The 35th Street station for the D, N and R trains is five blocks away.
Why put it on your open house calendar? It’s good value for a beautiful pet-friendly apartment that can work for a variety of prospective buyers. “This building has 16 units and is 100 percent owner-occupied, so there’s no problem getting financing,” Wescott said. Sunday is the unit’s first open house.
222 E. 80th St., Apt. 4D, Upper East Side/Yorkville, Manhattan
2 Bedrooms/1 Bath
Co-op
600 square feet
$500,000
Maintenance: $1,078/month
Open House: Sunday, Aug. 2, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Lowdown: Unit 4D in the Kimberly building was originally an alcove studio that has been converted into a two-bedroom apartment, said Lisa Interdonato of Douglas Elliman.
“You would normally think it’s tiny, but the space is laid out beautifully. It’s really workable, and there’s light throughout the space,” she said. “The other nice thing about it is the lovely view. It’s on the fourth floor looking out onto trees and an historic church across the street, which adds charm to the apartment.”
Built in 1962, the full-service building has 95 units on 12 floors. There’s a roof deck, laundry, storage and a bike room. Sublets are allowed, but dogs are not.
Location: Situated between Second and Third avenues, the building will be close to the Second Avenue subway, which is expected to be completed by December 2016. The neighborhood is getting a new middle school on York at 79th Street in 2014. Gracie Mansion is two-and-a-half avenues east; Central Park is a mile west.
Why put it on your open house calendar? It’s nearly unheard of anymore to find a two-bedroom on the Upper East Side for this price, even if it is a converted studio. Plus, there’s a roof deck and the Second Avenue subway is finally becoming a reality.
Note: Check the listing before attending. An offer had been made at the time of publication, but if a contract isn’t signed by Friday, the brokers will still hold the open house on Sunday.
139 E. 30th St., Apt. 4D, Murray Hill, Manhattan
1 Bedroom/1 Bath
Co-op
475 square feet
$425,000
Maintenance: $889/month
Open House: Wednesday, Aug. 7, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Lowdown: Though listed as a one-bedroom with an office space, “the apartment is actually being used as a two-bedroom, so you have options here,” said Justin Figari, who represents the listing with Noble Black of the Corcoran Group.
The galley kitchen has a custom built-in island, which adds additional counter space and electric outlets, Figari added.
The unit still has its pre-war picture-frame moldings, and there are windows in every room. It’s a pet friendly, elevator building with 23 units on six floors and laundry and bike storage in the basement.
Location: “You can't beat this prime Murray Hill location, close to all restaurants and only a few blocks from the subway,” Figari said. It’s close to Madison Square Park and the recently dubbed NoMad area north of the park, with its trendy bars, cafes, restaurants and boutique hotels. Grand Central Terminal is a comfortable 12-block walk north.
Why put it on your open house calendar? For an individual or couple willing to compromise space for convenience, this compact unit in Murray Hill could be the right fit.
