Take It Or Leave It

Take It or Leave It: Are two outdoor spaces worth $2,795/month for a Greenpoint 1-bedroom?

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner  | February 12, 2014 - 9:59AM
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Under examination in this week’s Take It or Leave It is a no-fee $2,795/month Greenpoint 1-bedroom loft with bamboo floors, floor-to-ceiling glass walls and windows, and a private terrace. Our panelists—who together have 43 years of rental experience—are RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin,  freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and BrickUnderground’s own senior contributing editor, Lucy Cohen Blatter.

The Apartment:

Size: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Location: 285 Driggs Ave. between Leonard St. and Manhattan Ave. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Cost & concessions: $2,795/month+no broker’s fee
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 37 days
Subway: G at Nassau Ave.; L at Graham Ave.; G, L at Lorimer St.; Ferry at North 5th St. Ferry landing
 
Pros and Cons:
 
Zeb: “A sunny, fancy-looking apartment with a wraparound balcony and a virtual doorman right by McCarren Park? Sounds good to me. Only con I can think of is that the apartment is a solid 15-minute walk to the overcrowded L train.”
 
Lambeth: “There’s lot about this Greenpoint 1-bedroom apartment to like, including the fact that it’s light, airy and sports bamboo floors and a modern kitchen, though it’s really more of a kitchenette. Unfortunately, the terrace is right off what looks to be an awkwardly shaped--and teensy--bedroom.” 

 

Lucy: “This well-designed--no fee!--1-bedroom condo has a nice living space and open kitchen, and the bedroom has a balcony with room for a table and chairs. Score! That said, the bedroom looks small and the price tag seems a bit high for a 1-bedroom in Greenpoint.”

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

Zeb: “Someone willing to trade commute time convenience for a modern 1-bedroom in this happening Brooklyn neighborhood.” 

Lambeth: “A couple that worships the area, is looking to rent in a newer condo building, and plans to frequent Enid’s--which is right around the corner--for its tasty brunch menu.”

Lucy: “A single person or couple that wants a modern apartment and appreciates outdoor space. There’s a communal roof deck too!”

The Verdict(s):

TAKE IT “It’s market-priced, gets great light and has a terrace and roof deck!”—Zeb

LEAVE IT “You can probably do better than $2,795/month for 654 square feet and you might even find a building with a real doorman--not a virtual one--as well as an amenity or two.” —Lambeth

TAKE IT “The price might be a little high, but considering that there’s no broker’s fee and that it has condo finishes, I think it’s worth it.”— Lucy

Ready to rent? Check out our How to Rent Guide...and if the apartment you like requires a guarantor that you don’t have, see if the landlord accepts Insurent, a guarantor solution from one of BrickUnderground’s sponsors.


Take It Or Leave It is a weekly column in which a panel of long-time renters weighs in on the pros and cons of an apartment that’s currently on the market.

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.

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