Bergen Brooklyn, 323 Bergen Street (Renderings courtesy of Avdoo & Partners Development)
If you're looking to buy a property in 2024, now is the time to prepare. From securing financing to narrowing the scope of your search to finding a representative, there is plenty to do before you enter your first open house. This article presents a list of tasks and considerations to work on first, as well as newly launched Brooklyn developments to see after you've taken these steps.
In this article:
Get pre-qualified or pre-approved for lending
If you're thinking about buying this year, and you haven't already started looking at your financing, it is time to start getting your paperwork together. First, you'll want to ensure that your current credit score and debt-to-income ratio will be considered credit-worthy by a competitive range of lenders. Second, if you're considering buying between March and August, you'll also want to get pre-qualified or even pre-approved for a mortgage. Doing this leg work in advance will help you set a realistic price range for your property search and also help you move from offer to closing more quickly once you seriously embark on your search.Educate yourself by spending time on a local listing site
It was once common for people to begin a property search by visiting a local real estate office or, perhaps, picking up a real estate flier at the local supermarket. In the twenty-first century, prospective buyers nearly always begin their search by spending time on or subscribing to a real estate listing site. While surfing real estate listing sites has recently become the butt of a range of jokes (and even served as fodder for a Saturday Night Live skit), looking at property listings on sites like CityRealty is an essential part of buyer education in a digital era. Many agents even recommend that prospective buyers, including those who may not be ready to buy for another year or two, subscribe to a daily or weekly listing site. After all, becoming a close watcher of the real estate market is the best way to clarify the type of property you want, need, and can afford under current market conditions.Define your spending limit, must-haves, and compromises
If you're buying with a partner or spouse, now is the time to define how much you're willing to spend. Committing to a spending threshold in advance will help you stay in your financial comfort zone once you go on the market and avoid any irreparable financial errors down the line.Likewise, it is always better to get clear on the compromises you're willing to make prior to seriously starting a search. While you may have your heart set on in-unit laundry, would you consider shared laundry if it meant being able to buy a dream apartment in your price range? Would you give up access to bike storage or an on-site gym for an extra bathroom? The clearer you and your buying companion are about what features and amenities are and are not negotiable, the easier and less stressful your home search will be when it starts in earnest.
To get started, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much are you willing to spend?
- What is your maximum threshold for co-op or condo fees?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms must the property have?
- What neighborhoods are you not willing to consider?
- What is your maximum commute time to work?
- Are you willing to invest in a fixer-upper or distressed property that may require a significant renovation before you can even move in?
- What other features and amenities do you consider non-negotiable (e.g., in-unit laundry, dishwasher, number of closets, square footage, outdoor space, storage, doorman, parking, etc.), and what are you willing to give up?
Find an agent to represent you
While you might assume that most agents don’t want to hear from prospective clients until they are ready to buy, this isn’t necessarily true. Many agents are happy to connect with buyers even before they are ready to view properties. A longer lead-up time can help an agent better understand a buyer, their specific needs, and where they may or may not be willing to make compromises. Once a client is ready to view properties, this knowledge also typically speeds up the process since the agent can confidently bring a highly curated set of potential properties to the buyer and avoid wasting time viewing properties unlikely to appeal to them. But this isn't the only reason to contact an agent before you are ready to start viewing properties.Real estate agents are trained to do much more than give buyers access to properties on the market that match their criteria for buying. Agents can also refer buyers to trusted lenders, real estate attorneys, appraisers, and everyone else needed to find and secure a property. Most importantly, any good agent is someone committed to buyer education, which means they are also there to answer any questions a buyer might have about the current market, preparing to buy, and getting the best value for their money.
New Brooklyn developments now selling
524 Halsey Street (The Brooklyn Home Company)
524 Halsey Street dates back to the late 19th century, when it was constructed as a carriage stable that was later used as a parking garage. Most recently, amidst its conversion to residential, the historic facade and stone rubble foundation were restored to their original glory. Details are not yet available about the interiors, but they are said to include townhouse, duplex, and simplex units. A offering plan with a $44.3 million sellout was accepted in April 2023, construction is winding down, and a sales launch cannot be far behind.
392 Graham Avenue (StudioSC)
Sales have just launched on The Graham, a new boutique six-story condominium designed by STUDIOSC Architecture with oversized arched windows and a buff brick facade. This feature cannot help but fill the interiors of all eight half- and full-floor units with incredible natural light, and every unit comes with private outdoor space. An offering plan with a $10.566 million sellout was accepted in February 2024.
The Graham, 392 Graham Avenue, #5
$1,975,000
Williamsburg | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,128 ft2
392 Graham Avenue, #5 (Compass)
128 Woodpoint Road
2 availabilities from $899K
2 availabilities from $899K
The Woodpoint (Serhant LLC)
Williamsburg was an early entrant in Brooklyn’s building boom and shows no sign of slowing down. One of the latest additions is The Woodpoint, a collection of five one- to three-bedroom units located a short distance from Metropolitan Avenue dining, popular concert venue Brooklyn Steel, and the Grand Street L train. All interiors feature open-plan layouts, double-pane windows, kitchens with integrated appliances, and primary baths with radiant heated floors and Italian ceramic tilework. Additional conveniences include a package room and video intercom.
The Woodpoint, #2 (Serhant LLC)
181 Jackson Street (Serhant LLC)
Also in Williamsburg, 181 Jackson Street offers four full-floor units on a vibrant street. All homes are reached via keyed elevator access and open up to private balconies. High ceilings and oversized windows make for an airy atmosphere, and interior features include white oak flooring, recessed lighting, custom Italian chef’s kitchens, and washer/dryer hookups. Nearby transportation options include the Metropolitan Avenue G and the Graham Avenue L trains.
181 Jackson Street, #PH
$2,400,000 (-3.8%)
Williamsburg | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,436 ft2
181 Jackson Street, #PH (Serhant LLC)
323 Bergen Street
13 availabilities from $775K
13 availabilities from $775K
Bergen (Avdoo & Partners Development Marketing Inc.)
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With 105 units and an address spanning a length stretch between 3rd and 4th Avenues, Bergen is one of the larger new development projects to take shape in Brooklyn in recent years. Designed by renowned architect Frida Escobedo, the building’s East and West residential wings are connected by Glass House, a collection of amenities that includes an attended lobby, a ceramics studio, a fitness center, a private park, and two landscaped roof terraces. In both the East and West wings, interiors by Workstead feature earth tones, tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, oversized kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, and spa-like primary baths.
Bergen, #PH707E (AVDOO & PARTNERS DEVELOPMENT MARKETING INC)
601 Baltic Street (Corcoran New Development)
At the nexus of Boerum Hill, Park Slope, and Gowanus, 601 Baltic Street stands out at street level for its Ironstone Brick facade with metal fins. All 21 one- to three-bedroom units feature oversized casement windows, 6” white oak flooring, kitchens with white quartz countertops and high-end appliances, elegant primary baths, separately controlled heating and cooling, and in-unit washer/dryer. Residents arrive to an attended lobby, and amenities include a gym, private storage, and a roof terrace.
601 Baltic Street, #5A (Corcoran Group)
76 Congress Street
2 availabilities from $1.975M
2 availabilities from $1.975M
The Govley (Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty)
The Govley is a collection of 10 three-bedroom, two-bath condos, the majority of which have private outdoor space. Two units per floor allows for excellent privacy, and all interiors feature expansive windows, kitchens with marble countertops and Thermador appliances, and primary baths with statuary marble finishes and Toto fixtures. Building amenities include a gym and deeded parking, but the building’s greatest perk may be its address near Brooklyn Bridge Park, Van Voorhees tennis courts, and top Cobble Hill restaurants.
The Govley, #3B (Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty)
853 Carroll Street (Douglas Elliman)
853 Carroll Street was designed by acclaimed architect C.P.H. Gilbert in the 1880s, when it was built as a single-family mansion. Over 100 years later, in the wake of its conversion to a multi-family building, original details were preserved as the infrastructure was brought into the 21st century. The interiors retain their period charm as well with features like bay windows, parquet flooring, and lofty ceilings. However, modern kitchens, in-unit laundry, and private storage were designed to appeal to todays’ buyers.
853 Carroll Street, #PARLOR (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
341 13th Street (Nest Seekers LLC)
341 13th Street is a new construction condominium, but its low-rise height and classic red brick facade help it fit in on its classic residential street three blocks from Prospect Park. All four floor-through units feature high ceilings, European white oak chevron floors, sophisticated kitchens, Nest thermostats, in-unit laundry, and private outdoor space. Amenities include private storage, a fitness center with smart mirror, and a shared roof deck with grilling station and skyline views.
341 13th Street, #GARDEN (Nest Seekers LLC)
186 16th Street (Nest Seekers LLC)
In a section of Brooklyn known for its intimate boutique buildings, 186 16th Street has only three duplex units whose floor plans put living/entertaining space on one floor and all the bedrooms on another. Each unit comes with a private balcony, and all apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows, open-concept living rooms, custom Scavolini kitchens with eat-in peninsulas, and primary suites with walk-in closets and luxurious en suite baths. It is in a central location near Prospect Park, Greenwood Cemetery, Nitehawk Cinema, popular restaurants, and the F, G, and R trains.
186 16th Street, #2
$2,450,000
South Slope - Greenwood Heights | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 1,839 ft2
186 16th Street, #2 (Nest Seekers LLC)
625 Rogers Avenue
6 availabilities from $695K
6 availabilities from $695K
The Rogers Residences (Corcoran Group)
On a rowhouse street leading to Prospect Park, The Rogers Residences brings a modern design and amenity-rich living with garage parking for purchase, storage included with every unit, and a common roof deck with grills, private cabanas for purchase, and panoramic city views. All one- to three-bedroom units feature large windows, 7.5” white engineered oak flooring, oversized living areas, kitchens with natural finishes and high-end appliances, and in-unit Whirlpool washer and dryer.
The Rogers Residences, #3C
$990,000
Prospect Lefferts Gardens | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 969 ft2
The Rogers Residences, #3C (Corcoran Group)
1462 Flatbush Avenue
5 availabilities from $425K
5 availabilities from $425K
Avanti (Nest Seekers LLC)
Just up the street from Brooklyn College, Avanti brings modern, amenity-rich living to this section of Flatbush. All units feature open-concept living areas, contemporary kitchens, well-thought primary suites, in-unit laundry, and private outdoor space. Amenities include virtual doorman service, a secure package area, a fully equipped fitness center, a dedicated coworking lounge, bike parking, private storage, and a common roof terrace.
Avanti, #PHA (REAVIS PARTNERS LLC)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Contributing Writer
Cait Etherington
Cait Etherington has over twenty years of experience working as a journalist and communications consultant. Her articles and reviews have been published in newspapers and magazines across the United States and internationally. An experienced financial writer, Cait is committed to exposing the human side of stories about contemporary business, banking and workplace relations. She also enjoys writing about trends, lifestyles and real estate in New York City where she lives with her family in a cozy apartment on the twentieth floor of a Manhattan high rise.
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