One of the best things about this Astoria studio: You don't need a huge down payment

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | October 12, 2015 - 9:59AM

Two things make this $399,000 alcove studio in Astoria, Queens stand out: lighting and storage space.

The lighting is of the pendant and recessed variety (see the main photo above), and the apartment's got built-in storage spaces all around—from a built-in wardrobe to a built-in bookshelf in the living room area.

We're big fans of that closet/drawer combination that's already built in.

The entrance to the apartment (above) has a pleasant, cozy vibe with the aforementioned recessed lighting and the built-in bookshelf. The apartment, in general, does a great job of mixing period co-op charm with modern updates.

The kitchen has been renovated, but there's one major downside: the mini-fridge under the counter. Maybe that's why the apartment got a 10 percent price slash since coming on the market in June.

The building, called the Colony, is pre-war, Art Deco-style with six floors and an elevator. It also has a live-in super, laundry facility and bike room.

And two potentially major perks: It's pet friendly and allows for 90 percent financing. It's also only two blocks away from the 30th Avenue Q/N express subway stop, and the train takes only about 15 minutes into Manhattan.

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