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  • Trying to move back to Carroll Gardens / Cobble Hill - Rents have jumped dramatically since we left 16 months ago...anyone know of a good broker w/ low commission, or have any inside info to get a good 2 br for my family???

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    08.21.08, 11:34 AM [ Flag ]
    • Craigs list

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      08.21.08, 11:36 AM [ Flagged | link to this post ]
      • I've called every listing in my price range. There are very few with no fee and lots of fringe areas being tagged as Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens & Boreum Hill...I know the area so I can weed alot of them out. I'm looking for a fairy godmother to help us!

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        08.21.08, 11:40 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • Your problem is that the old timers, who have an ancient mortgage (or paid off the house) and therefore can rent below market, are not going to be posting no fee. They are going to either do it by word of mouth or through an agent.

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          08.21.08, 12:24 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • What is your budget? There's a guy named Alan at Marilyn Donahue that represents alot of the old families with cheaper unrenovated apartments. He's annoying, but if he "approves" of you, you can get first look at listings. Otherwise, if you are moving back, I suggest word of mouth -- tell everyone you know there in case something opens up. You can also try 505 Court St. which is condos -- I don't know how well they are selling, and might be willing to rent for a bit.

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      08.21.08, 11:49 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • THANK YOU! I'd like to stay under $2800 (we lived in the ground floor of a brownstone on Henry for 6 years; 2 bedrooms, basement, backyard for $2200 - then it sold, so it's alot to swallow). Marilyn Donahue is in Bklyn Hts, right?

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        08.21.08, 11:57 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • I think your budget is unrealistic. Plus I would hope that someone who is too much of a snob to live any where except cobble hill proper, while not ready to cough up the cash would end up in another neighborhood.

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          08.21.08, 12:03 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • Wow, your advice is GREAT, thanks so much for chiming in!! I know where I want to live, and I didn't say "cobble hill proper". If you READ, I listed 3 neighborhoods, which I do not think is snobby, as I am obviously flexible. However, I don't want to live in Gowanas or Red Hook and I don't see anything wrong with that. I don't think it's a bad thing to try to find what I want in my budget. I'm asking for advice here, not being a snob. YOU SUCK.

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            08.21.08, 12:08 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • While that poster may not have said it nicely, what was said is kind of accurate. 2 BRs in my Gowanus/South Slope neighborhood are routinely going for $2,200-$2,500.

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              08.21.08, 12:22 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • I'm the OR above who recommended Marilyn Donahue, but didn't post the 2nd reply. The Marilyn Donahue office is on Court St. in Cobble Hill, around Baltic I think. Honestly, I don't know how your budget is. I know you could get a floor through for that price, but that's only a 1+ bedroom. As you know, there aren't that many "proper" 2 bedrooms in brownstones, unless you get a duplex, which is expensive. They are building some new places on the far end of Court St. (near W. 9th) and I don't know what they go for. That area is improving, as is the area around Columbia St. Do you have kids? Both 29 and 58 are great schools, so make sure you are renting a place in those zones.

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              08.21.08, 12:23 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • Sorry you got slammed there. Uncalled for IMO. We live in B'lyn Heights and had to move out of our apt. We looked and looked w/out a broker and then had to bit the bullet and pay. We got the rent down from 3300 to 3100, and the broker took 2 points off the fee (still a whopping 10%). We got a good deal because it's a short term lease (12-18 mos.--we're trying to move south anyway (nc/sc) so it worked for us). We got a 3 bdrm, 2 bath with deck. 3rd/4th floor walk-up, and first 2 floors are being renovated by new owner. So not ideal conditions in terms of noise and construction dust. Good luck.

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          08.21.08, 12:29 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • ^^Btw, moved from Hicks to Clinton, far noisier and busier. We also wanted to stay in the neighborhood. Not snobby: we've lived here 7 years, 3 y.o. dd goes to school here, wanted to stay in familiar surroundings.

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            08.21.08, 12:34 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • OP: I was pregnant when our bldg on Henry sold and we moved to Clinton Hill (before anyone thinks i'm disparaging that area, we live in a loft bldg on the other side of the BQE by Steiner Studios, it's not residential or great for evening walks etc...the bldg is great but we want a different environment and good school dist now). We didn't think we'd be staying in NYC so we weren't thinking long term as far as schools and family friendly areas, and now that I have looked around, I want to be back in my favorite Bklyn neigh. The people there (other then nasty poster) are incredible, warm, keep the neigh safe and as we know, ps 29 & 58 are well sought after. I'm hoping we find something in our comfortable range, thanks to most for your advice / comments.

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              08.21.08, 12:39 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
              • OR who recommended Donahue -- definitely try that. Also, if you only have one dc, you could do a 1+ bedroom for your price range, definitely. Not ideal, but I know lots of people who lived in those with 2 kids for a while. Also, once your dc is in the school for a year, you can move to a cheaper school district and still keep them in the school.

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                08.21.08, 01:01 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • Thanks. I didn't know it was an option to move and still keep kids in the school. We only have 1 dc, but hope for another in the next year or 2, so this is great advice. We're seeing something "a true 2br" tonight and it's in our range...$2500, so we're feeling mildly optimistic. I'm calling Marilyn now too...

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                  08.21.08, 01:24 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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