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May 1, 2007

House of the Day: 44 Strong Place

Oh, ye brokers of limited transparency, stop the madness! It took all of five minutes to figure out that the address of the house in this Craigslist ad is 44 Strong Place, a four-story, 4,000-square-foot charmer between Kane and Degraw. ~~Here's what we can't figure out: Who gives a $2.95 million listing in Cobble Hill to a brokerage firm that doesn't even have a web site?~~ Back to the house. Nice 22-foot-wide brownstone facade. The listing says to "bring your architect," though, so it's fair to assume the interior needs some work. It's a safe bet that some readers have already seen this place so we're looking forward to getting the real scoop on it. And what's the story with the broker, Vespa Properties?
44 Strong Place [Craigslist] GMAP P*Shark
Photo by Kate Leonova for Property Shark

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fyi -- Vespa Properties is the contact for the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens House Tour tickets (benefiting PS 29), so it must be in the neighborhood.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 1:41 PM

who needs a website when there is "Brownstoner"?

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 1:43 PM

Vespa is a newish real estate broker on Court Street near Kane Street. They have a wierd store front and not too many listings.

Posted by: bored at work at May 1, 2007 1:54 PM

3 million for brownstone that needs my architect? I think I'm going to be sick.

Posted by: west at May 1, 2007 2:08 PM

"The best street to live on in New York, right now..." New York Magazine

the block this place is on is unbeleiveably gorgeous. A quintessential
bronwstown brooklyn block..quiet, tree lined etc. That's what you'd be paying for.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 2:31 PM

mr b:

they have a website...here's the link for the house..

http://vespaproperties.com/listings.php?pt=town

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 2:33 PM

OK,

9 pictures on the website and none of the interior. Hmm. So, along with your architect, bring your GC, you termite guy, your stair guy, your roofer, etc. And all for just $2.995 mil.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 2:44 PM

nothing makes sense anymore. . .

how much would this place be worth post renovation?

how does this compare to that other 3 million dollar Cobble Hill place that recently sold?

The other place was in excellent condition already, wasn't it? And wasn't it even wider?

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 2:50 PM

A perfect Brooklyn brownstone.
Chances are someone who spends 3 million on a home would redo everything anyway. I used to work for an architect and was stunned to see how incredibly wasteful the very rich are. Beautiful new kitchens and baths, ripped out, perfect wood floors removed and replaced with marble. Fireplace mantles trashed and replaced with wine safes, I mean you have no idea. So I do not think it matters if the place is raw inside, it probably saves on demolition costs. And this is a lovely, quiet block. Primo.

Posted by: fred at May 1, 2007 3:01 PM

Do they have a "wierd" storefront or a weird one? I happen to walk past it everyday and am impressed by VESPA's quirky and unusual listing photos, the art work inside (they had a real art opening when they opened their offices back in February or March), and the beauty of the office itself. AND, they do have several exclusives -- this brownstone, a bunch of condos in the neighborhood, and more exclusive rentals than any other firm on that realtor-saturated stretch of Court Street. I'd give 'em my brownstone if I had one to sell . . .

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 3:07 PM

Dudes gotta work on their Google search ranking and get up on that first page of search results. They're buried right now. They should also include a link to their web page from their Craigslist ads.

Posted by: Brownstoner at May 1, 2007 3:12 PM

I heard 230 Degraw is in contract right now for over $3.4 million. It is a 25-footer, but it ain't Strong Place.

And, I took a look at VESPA's website. These guys are new and obviously need more listings, but they're doing a lot right, too -- interesting photos, easy-to-use website, neighorhood links, and they're artists, too. They seem like their smart, funny, and good at what they do. How many real estate firms have those three qualities in their brokers and agents?

Are they having an Open House at 44 Strong Place anytime soon?

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 3:22 PM

mr b, forget about their website...they are lucky vespa (the scooter people) don't sue them for infringement and use of their product on their website.

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 3:23 PM

Isn't "vespa" Italian for wasp or bee and a popular last name in Italy? I saw the scooter but it hardly seems to be exploiting a corporate image or "infringing" -- could just be another neighborhood shot. There are a lot of scooters in Brooklyn. The website is a lot of fun, too, compared to stodgy Corcoran or Brown Harris Stevens. Does anybody know if these guys are real -- have you read their backgrounds? One is a sculptor and the other is a poet but they've done tens of millions of dollars worth of real estate in the past few years? And they're still doing their artwork? Wow.

Posted by: anony at May 1, 2007 3:40 PM

click on the "about us" section on their website and tell me that aren't trying to connect to the vespa scooter name and image...please.

and if you are one of the brokers there (which it sounds like you are), you should talk to your lawyer.

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 3:53 PM

We're in wonderland. I don't know what is going on price wise, don't understand it anymore - at all. What's nice is the width, the front is very attractive (except for the crappy white and vinyl windows) and the neighborhood.

As for transparency in advertising, Mr. B's exasperation with cryptic advertising is understandable. What kills me is that so many of these ads don't list anything about the C of O, which is essential in figuring out the pricing and whether or not you want to deal with a place at all, not to mention that we don't have one interior shot. We can assume that it is a total reno.

Posted by: donatella at May 1, 2007 3:59 PM

Ciao.

Posted by: Eddie Izzard at May 1, 2007 4:03 PM

pietro you do give yourself a little too much praise. it is transparent it is you who wrote some of the comments

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 4:29 PM

Pietro from Vespa is one of the sleaziest realtors in the neighborhood.

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 4:42 PM

Denver Butson? That has gotta be his 'porn star' name.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 4:52 PM

Are we talking about 44 Strong Place? That's what I want to know about? Is it worth the price or not?

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 4:55 PM

If they do real estate, art, poetry, and porn, I'm getting my license . . . and a scooter.

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 4:56 PM

No. It's not.

Posted by: Denver Butson at May 1, 2007 4:57 PM

sleaze? porn? Italian motorscooters? and a brownstone? I've got $3 million!

Posted by: brownstone girl at May 1, 2007 4:59 PM

Didnt Vespa spring up when IronGate or whatever it was on Court closed down? Rename? That's what I always figured- could (proabaly am) way off base.
But 3 mil.? Sounds about right- as a start- come down a few 100K and they will make a deal- location location location.
And they definately need to call their lawyers- the suit is in the mail.

Posted by: Anon at May 1, 2007 6:51 PM

Whoever went off about how wasteful rich people are, I don't know which rich people you're referring to (Paris Hilton? That other offspring, Mini McNally?), but my experience with the wealthy is that they are a shrewd bunch of money-hoarders, they don't overpay for diddly, and if they do get exactly what they want (marble floors replacing the wood), that marble will be gotten for a historically low price.

That's how people get wealthy, and that's how they stay wealthy: smart buying.

This house is stupid asking.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 7:16 PM

I think Strong Place is lovely, but is it really the most desirable block in the neighborhood to command such a premium for a "fixer-upper"? It's a fair walk to the subways and doesn't have the front gardens you see on blocks of President and Carroll Street (between Smith and Hoyt) and 1st and 2nd Place (between Henry and Court), which are also quiet tree-lined streets. Just wondering what others think.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 7:54 PM

well it's a 4 family that needs a total gut, on most streets in cobble hill that's worth $1.7 - $2.2 (assuming 20ft plus), but strong place is a beautiful, quiet block so i'd say this place may get closer to $2.5. if theis palce was a fully renovated 1 or 2 fam it'd probably be listed at close to $4 mill. the house on clinton and kane just went for over 3 mill, the house on degraw that looks down strong place is in contract with an ask of $3.5 and i heard a house on clinton that sotheby's had for $3.7 has an accepted offer. and none of those houses are recent renovations, just nice, move in condition 1 and 2 fams.

the problem is vespa is a small brokerage and are probably selling this house for a very low commision (3% or less). most brokers are such snakes that they won't even bring their clients to see a house with such a low split. so unless a buyer sees this on their own (brownstoner helps a ton) many potential buyers may never get a chance to see it. even if a buyer sees it and tells their broker, brokers are much more inclined to tell their clients this is a bad deal and steer them towards a house with a better commision.

Posted by: anon at May 1, 2007 8:23 PM

donatella, west, etc you're out of touch 3MM for a fixer upper is market. Educate yourself before you sound ignorant

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 8:47 PM

In terms of value, if you're telling me that houses in Clinton Hill (a semi-ghetto) go for 1.5 to 2.5 million, and that houses in Bed Stuy (a ghetto from central casting) go for 1.1 to 1.6 million, then a house in lovely, thouroughly unghetto-ed Strong Place should go for 2.7 to 3 million. This is a block where your children will not be mugged and where irrate locals will not throw cans and bottles at you. That's got to be worth something.
The rich are parsimonious in many things but not with their homes. They spend like drunken sailors on them.
If you disagree with that, you don't know shit from Shinola as they used to say in South Brooklyn.

Posted by: Fred at May 1, 2007 9:43 PM

Fred, honey, I don't know what they used to say, but seems to me you're still living back then, in "used to" land. Welcome to the new brooklyn. Stop sniggering and accept the fact that the uptight snore-zone is no longer the most sought after neighborhood. FG is selling houses in the 3.5s, and clinton hill in the 2.5s. Yeah, scary. They're younger than you, richer than you, cooler than you, and their kids go to private schools.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 10:22 PM

excuse me, but carroll gardens is just as much a ghetto as clinton hill, just a different kind of ghetto- and not a very desirable one to some of us.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 10:50 PM

10:22
You sound like an ignorant and arrogant boor.
Just because you believe it in your drug-addled brain, does not make it so.
And another thing, you do do not shine shoes with shit.

Posted by: Fred at May 1, 2007 10:52 PM

The owners of Brooklyn Landmark Properties (previously on Court St at Warren) split up, one is now at Property Scouts on Court between Warren and Baltic, the other at Vespa Propeties.

Posted by: smudge at May 1, 2007 11:21 PM

I would buy this house for 6 million. I think it is very good investment. Please I would buy that really cheap tile at home depot because I have no any money after investing in this hot market you call Brooklyn. House look good with what you call it granite table tops. hey I have cousin from country he can fix your roof, call me.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 11:40 PM

Dude 11:40. Chill out this house is not 6 mil. Try Queens they have houses for you, Brownstone Brooklyn rocks the house for the strollers and private schoolers!! NO 321 for you my friend..

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2007 11:48 PM

Looking for a good architect and General Contractor. Does anyone have possible recommendations?

Posted by: Mickey at May 2, 2007 2:06 AM

Try:

Marc Appelbaum : RADIUS Construction Group, LLC

radius office : 377 Pacific Street Brooklyn NY 11217-2219

radius studio : 204 Van Dyke Street Pier 41 Red Hook Brooklyn

tel. 718.243.0280 fax. 718.243.0004

www. radius construction.com

Here's some background info and photos of their work:

http://nymag.com/guides/brooklyn/style/16787/

Posted by: kuroko at May 2, 2007 8:27 AM

It WILL be a quiet block but the church construction is kinda noisy today! (weekends are fine)

Posted by: Carol Gardens at May 2, 2007 10:52 AM

10:50 PM
"excuse me, but carroll gardens is just as much a ghetto as clinton hill, just a different kind of ghetto- and not a very desirable one to some of us."

you must be retarded.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2007 1:15 PM

Vespa is a new outfit, but one of the owners seems to be Pietro Costa who built that huge, awful extension over on Bergen Street. 20 feet out into the donut. Rediculous. Watch out for him.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2007 1:46 PM

"...houses in Bed Stuy (a ghetto from central casting) go for 1.1 to 1.6 million..."
Again with the Bed Stuy bashing. Please. That's so last week.

Posted by: anonymous at May 2, 2007 4:03 PM

1:46pm, I think Pietro Costa did the neighborhood a favor by developing that house on Bergen -- "huge, awful extension" included. The house was a wreck before he purchased it, whereas now it looks spectacular and really enhances the visual appeal/character of the block. I live on the Dean side of the "donut," use my backyard and look out my windows all the time, and rarely ever notice the "huge, awful extension."

Posted by: Anon at May 2, 2007 4:11 PM

Which Bergen street extension are we talking about? Is this another Scarano job? Can you see it from the street? Is it over FAR? I can't believe what some architects get away with....but I don't know this project.

Posted by: Anonymous at May 2, 2007 10:02 PM

The agent Pietro is a horror story.
Why anyone would buy or sell from these mad...crazy person..should be committed.
He is sleazy dishonest person.
Go meet and talk with him and find out for yourself.
You'll see.
ONE WORD: STay Clear.

He is not to be trusted.
AND naming your company Vespa?
ugh!

Posted by: anon in C. Hill at May 3, 2007 12:13 AM

I can't help thinking that the negative comments about Pietro Costa are coming from disgruntled agents he has beaten out on deals. I bought a condo through him, sold it, and bought a building through him as well, and he was nothing but honest. He's aggressively honest -- maybe thats what people don't like about him (more honest at times than I wanted him to be and more honest than any other realtor I ever had business with), but I know he helped me on both sides of deals without misleading me.

Posted by: mommy in the hood at May 3, 2007 9:57 AM

Pietro is sleazy, he talks down to women and now has taken DENVER UNDER HIS SLEAZY WING.DENVER SAID THAT VESPA's NEW POLICY IS TO OVERPRICE RENTALs AND SALES. He is damaging the market, all they care about is the money.No real artist do that. Stay clear of this guy

Posted by: anon at May 3, 2007 4:56 PM

ouch! I have no idea what your experiences with Vespa properties has been but it seems very diferent from mine. a friend of mine alerted me to this blog because I just rented a property through them and they were honest and professional. they descibed the place to me and when i saw it it was actually the same! i came into contact with all three of the agents there - Denver, Pedro (sp?) and Gennaro. i hate to say this but some of the nasty postes here really sounds like quipping from a bunch of competing brokers. its borderline slander actually.

Posted by: satisfied customer at May 3, 2007 6:17 PM

Re: DENVER SAID THAT VESPA's NEW POLICY IS TO OVERPRICE RENTALs AND SALES

Either denver has some new marketing strategy that the world doesn't know about yet or he didn't say this. who in their right mind would have a policy like this? i'll have to tell my Econ students about this new strategy. somebody said he was a poet? it sounds like whoever wrote this is actually the one using poetic license. I have to agree with mr satisfied customer. it sounds like we have too many agents quipping.

Posted by: Mr Logic at May 3, 2007 6:34 PM

I have seen this property and it is a dismond in the rough. The views of Manhattan are breathtaking, and the location of Strong Place is primo. There are three things about this property that make it a gem - Location, Location, Location. If I could qualify for this mortgage, it would be off the market already.

Posted by: Jane at May 3, 2007 9:31 PM

I am no brooker and I know very well Pietro, I will say: he does talk down to woman and he is too insecure to be fare or honest with his clients, he is to hungry for money... please just look at his face or even better... his eyes.
Did you ever try to disagree with him?!!!
Well I did and you can imagine what happens... I am still runing and not looking back, the coco is coming...
he is sooooo unprofesional!!!!!
somebody who likes to yell at people when there is a disagreement... Napoleon sindrom.

Posted by: alex at June 29, 2007 12:43 AM

i lived on the top floor of this brownstone for two years...it broke my heart to leave. the block is magical!

Posted by: guest at January 29, 2008 1:18 PM

« Co-op of the Day: 235 Lincoln Place One Hanson Breaks 50 Percent Barrier »

May 1, 2007

House of the Day: 44 Strong Place

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