Quick question for the board

anonymous

I am one of those unfortunate folks who couldn;t afford to grab a lease, and then overchanrge a roomate in order to live cheap. So I took a place with a friend of a friend, and I'm wondering if it's an OK deal, or if I'm getting screwed:

The place is a duplex on 15th st, tween 6th and 7th ave. Two bedrooms upstairs (spiral staircase), both decent sized. Downstairs there's a living room (also decent size), good size kitchen (with a breakfast island, or whatever you call those things) and a full sixze bathroom. We also have a backyar, nothing amazing, but big enough to hang out in - with a BBQ pit. OH yeah, there's a deck that is accessed exclusively through my bedroom.

I'm being charge $1100 month for rent - though this includes heat, electric, gas, water, etc.

So I'm curious to hear what current residents think of paying this much - perhaps the total rent is $2200? Or maybe it's around $1800 and I'm subsidizing this guys life....

candicissima

There's a duplex in "South Park Slope" on 4th Avenue going for more than that on Craig's List. It's kinda pricy (for me), but it sounds like the place is nice and a good deal.

emily

That seems a little pricey to me but not so much that I'd be worried the guy is gouging you. After all, maybe the landlord is gouging him!

sje

Personally, this sounds a little high, but maybe not.

ben

I don't think this is too high. Consider that gas and electric are included which brings it down a little but more importantly, you have 2 outdoor spaces, a yard and a deck.

While you could find a two bedroom for a little cheaper than $2200, a duplex with a yard and deck will be on the high end of two bedrooms in that neighborhood.

ic96

I think that is a pretty good deal actually. You are what? 3 blocks from the F train? Deck and a backyard? Sounds good to me. I am assuming that the building is in good shape, but that seems like a good deal.

If you were closer to the park, or more in Central Slope, you'd probably be paying more.

Heck, I've seen 1BRs in Brownstones go for 1800+ on Craigslist.

anonymous

It is that big and includes utilities? You got a great deal there-I would be happy and not complain

j0518

i think it sounds on the high end of reasonable for a place with two bedrooms, a deck, and with all utilities included. my only concerns there are that you are waaay south, where you should get some sort of relief with rent, and that the renter's market is not what it was 3-4 years ago.

$1800 for a good one-bedroom in the North or Central Slope happens more often than not. it's actually exactly what my wife and I pay.

anonymous

Subject: thank all

ok everyone, thanks for the input.

i take from this convertsation that, while i may not be getting the best deal in the world, my rent is reasonable for the are and what i'm getting.

see y'all out on the streets!

mc

If this is a double floor through of a brownstone duplex, it sounds like a good deal. Especially considering all the outdoor space. Depends a lot upon your indoor square footage.