尋.找.自.我.中

Another "good day" for house hunting. It was 20 degree F (-6 degree C) outside. A little bit windy but sunny. This time, I used Streeteasy.com's "Open house planner", very useful tool. It seems there are many people shopping/ looking for houses now- agents ran out of their price sheet very quickly.

Here is our house hunting tour:

1. 14 West 14th Street

Pros: Brand New construction (will be completed in March). Convenient location, close to Union Square and major subway lines. Floor to ceiling windows. Facing south. OK lighting. Include Washer/Driver in each apt.

Cons: the developers keep 2/3 of the building for themselves to rent out. Used to be "cash only" but now there is one bank will be willing to provide financing. Part time doorman.

Summary:

An affordable 2-bed room in the new construction building. Though all the interior a little bit too "white". I think the financing of this building might be a little bit questioning. The room size for both rooms are a little bit small. I think they waste space on the foyer/hallway when walking in the apt.

Apt 6C: $975K, Monthly main+ tax: $1,586, 2Bed/ 2Bath, 1,023 sq + 48 sq feet of bacolny

Additional info: http://www.14w14.com/

                        http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/463799-condo-14-west-14th-street-greenwich-village-new-york

2. 50 Franklin Street

Pros: Brand new construction. Guest suite (add'l room in the first floor of the building to provide for friend/family to stay- app. $130 per night). Parking space for sale- $150K per unit. Washer/Dryer included. A lots incentive/giveaway: Offer $25,000 furniture package from BoConcept (the furniture company- where Steven bought his modern red sofa). Free add'l 20 sq ft storage space in the basement.

Cons: Neighborhood is b/w Chinatown and financial district. Though it's a brand new building, feel some detail they didn't pay attention (or just use low cost material- ex. floor in the lobby..)

Summary: Price seems to be negotiable. Don't like theneighborhood-- though it's close to chinese market/chinatown. Master bedroom seems to be too small.

Apt 5D: $995K, Monthly main+ tax: $1,326, 2Bed/ 2Bath, 993 sq feet

Apt 12C: $1.1M (probably can come down a little bit less than $1M), Monthly main+ tax: $1,334, 2Bed/ 2Bath, 998 sq +42 sq ft of bacolny

(same layout as 5D but has bacolny and at higher floor)

Apt 7C: $1.2M, Monthly main + tax: $1,511, 3Bed/2Bath (one is home office no window), 1123 Sq feet

Additional info: http://www.fiftyfranklin.com/

                        http://streeteasy.com/nyc/building/50-franklin-street-new_york

3. 280 Park Avenue South (Gramercy Place)

Pros: Good location- close to subway, madison park, 24 hr nice grocery store at the 1st floor. Nice "address"- park avenue. Decent size of 2nd bed room. Facing south with Ok lighting. Very nice public amenities- indoor rooftop pool with jacuzzi, gym, sauna/steam room, free yoga class- all these and the elevators are built/ renewed 2 yrs ago. Nice lobby- used to be a bank's lobby.

Cons: No view due to low floor. Shared laundry in the basement. Some interier need to be fixed (some wall, some floor). 1/3 of the building is for rental. Floor is parquet not wool. Converted to residential building in 1986.

Summary: Good investment/ resale value- location, neighborhood, public amenies, and little bit lower than market price. The owner dropped the price twice  since Nov- look likes they are eager to get rid of it so we may have room for negotiation. Though only 878 sq feet but for some reason it looks bigger than the number.

Apt 3D: $899K (listed at $949K, lower to $925K, then $899K), Monthly main+ tax: $1,407, 2Bed/ 1.5Bath, 878 sq ft

Additional info: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/478215-condo-280-park-avenue-south-flatiron-new-york

4. 159 W 53rd Street

Pros: Convenient location (close to where we are now). Newly renovated bathroom. Lighting and view ok (facing north & east).

Cons: Kitchen at the back, not open kitchen. Overall the unit looks small. Master bed room can only fit queen-size bed. Only public amenity is roof deck, no gym. It's a mixed of residential and commercial building.

Summary: Great location but not ideal layout- feel small. Good price.

Apt 15H: $859K, Monthly main+ tax: $1,430, 2Bed/ 1.5Bath, 900 sq ft

Additional info: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/building/159-west-53-street-manhattan