I have passed my license requirements for the State of New York to be a Real Estate agent. I am now interviewing with firms and hope to

represent you in the near future when it comes time to buy or sell your largest investment. 

Monday

215 Gates Avenue 

Time to revisit 215 Gates Avenue. Up late one night looking at Real Estate and what's available in Clinton Hill,  I see the listing for 215 Gates Avenue. I saw this house and did an extensive photo shoot a few years back. Property Shark had this house selling at a price approaching $1m. Part of the R.E. bubble for real. Well it's back on the market or maybe it never left. The interior is in need of deep pocketed renovators. Decent location, on the corner of Classon and Gates, but I have some doubts about this being an official brownstone. Looks like brick covered up with plaster. At the top of the building, the exterior wall looks like it's bending in toward the house. Structural issues may be lying under the surface.

Offered by Brooklynproperties and Donawald Realty (open listing probably) for $599k and $530k respectively. Might be a do for the right person. Check out the full story and pics. HB

April 25, 2009

I have passed my NY State Real Estate Salesperson license. I have the in class exam to go and that will complete my license requirements. Thanks for your support. HB

April 24, 2009

Open House Pics:

This weekend will definitely see a more robust crowd for open houses because of the 80 degree weather. Here are two that are notable.

$1.25m

168 Midwood Street

4 beds, 3.5 baths

Lefferts Manor

Corcoran

4/26 12noon- 1:30pm

Beautifull 1family brownstone. Renovated in 2006 it successfully carries forward the 1905 period details.

$465k

361 Clinton Avenue 5C

Clinton Hill Co-ops

2beds, 1bath

Corcoran

4/26 2pm- 3pm

Spacious real 2 bedroom apartment in coveted Clinton Hill Co-ops. Bright and airy, a real find. 

HB

April 23, 2009

Hello Historic Brooklyn,

This is HB with a comment on the wild real estate market out there.

As I review the offerings for the landmarked neighborhoods, I see softening prices/ anxious sellers in prime areas such as Clinton Hill and Lefferts Manor. Take a look at what's offered:

This house on Maple street is offered at $985k.

4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 3200 sq.ft. and a 2 car garage

Brooklyn Bridge Realty

Similar house offered by a competing broker is listed at $1.125m. Similar (style) house on Midwood street is close to $200k above this most recent listing. The Midwood house has changed brokers at least twice. The Maple street home looks less modern more original. Who's priced right here? Let me know with an email. HB

April 2009

Rather than being just another blog, I have decided to make this site a resource for goods and services in our Historic Brooklyn communities. You'll see Restaurant Reviews , commentaries on Real Estate, a section on Kids, and places to Lounge.

For the small stores with little web exposure, let this be the place you come to first for the info!  HB

Choice Market-Restaurant quality food by the pound

I usually do a full write up for my food reviews. This one will be a brief introduction followed by pictures and a complete article later.

Choice Market on Lafayette and Grand Avenues is an amazing specialty food store that features tasty tarts, cakes, and other baked goods along side an extensive offering of freshly prepared meats and sides. Everything from Baked Salmon, BBQ wingettes, rack of lamb, and steak can be purchased by the pound. Mac & cheese, garlic spinach, and string beans sauteed with shallots and cherry tomatoes are just a few of the sides that are made fresh daily.

I see this place as a wonderfull Choice for the single guy/ gal who doesn't want to slave for hours cooking a good meal after a long day at work. And why should you when they've put the work in. I bought the mac & cheese for my son, the string beens, rice pilaf, and two brownies. It was to accompany some roasted chicken I bought from Costco. The bill rang up at $20 bucks or so but believe me when I tell you, worth it. Flavorfull and Fresh. That's my best description of it. It's like home cooking without the dishes and the trip to the grocery. A really good Choice for someone who needs a great meal fast but not fast food.

Go in to Choice market at 318 Lafayette or call at (718) 230-5234. Pick me up a pound of the sauteed shrimp and candied yams as a side and tell them that Historicbrooklyn.com sent you. HB          

BK is Still Hip- A new Children and Maternity Store hits the Hill

283 Grand Avenue

Confectionary Cafe at One Girl Cookies-Cobble Hill

This popular Cobble Hill Bakery will transform itself into a sit-down cafe' on Friday and Saturday Evenings. It's a rotating menu of offerings that include: