Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Ok so we have a co-op problem. There is this BEAUTIFUL co-op. And I'm not exaggerating when I say BEAUTIFUL! It was a 1926 hotel for wealthy families from New York who would come out to Long Island to spend their summers. It has a gorgeous old Orvis elevator, the kind with two doors, wood paneling etc. The entrance way is all dark wood and a HUGE marble fireplace with seating area. The courtyard is stunning and the mailboxes are in the old room where they would check people in. The apartment is a converted suite that has an enclosed balcony a HUGE bedroom with tons of closets, a full bath, a very small kitchen since it was put in an old dressing room and a huge living area. The best part is that it's next to the train station on 22 minutes from NYC and the street over from the center of town.
My Dad fell in love with the place and offered to lend us more money than he was going to so that we can afford it.
We put an offer down and settled at a great price.

The other co-op is bottom floor apartment in a huge co-op complex that was built in the late 50s. Its a young couple area which used to allow dogs, but just recently stopped it. I love dogs, so to me thats an added benefit- a pool, basketball courts (not that I would use them) and a community room that can be rented out. This apartment is half the size almost, but also half the price. It doesn't have the luxury of the other complex, but has its own little things like I listed above. It also needs to be fixed up a bit, but nothing completely major. THe person had 2 Labs, so they tore the place up a bit and the floors need to be redone. With the apartment fixed up we could make a bit of $$.



HELP!!!!!!!!!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

WOW!! what a desision!!

The second co-op...how close to the train is it? will the commuting time be the same?
Is your husband handy that you can take on the task of fixing up the place?

I love the idea of living in a renovated hotel...its sounds beautiful but onthe other hand...is it worth the extra rent?

You said the kitchen is small...are you a cook that a small kitchen would bother you?

These are just some of the questions I came up with reading your post!

Good Luck with whatever you do!!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

What a difficult decision! I think this really depends on how handy you are. I know for me and my DH we would go with Option 1 because my DH is not handy and we both have little spare time to work on the house.

Good Luck!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Personally I would go with the older building as long as you can afford it. It sounds like it is in move in condition and you won't have to do any work. Plus it is close to everything which is a big plus. It sounds like you are happy with the price, which is usually the biggest issue.

The second apartment is smaller and may have damage that you can't see now, but will have to deal with later. Pet smells are amongst the most difficult to remove. Plus if other people have dogs you will smell it on a humid day!!

From your post is sounds as if you are leaning toward the older one. Best of luck whichever you choose!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

From reading your post it sounds like you like the first co-op more.

What you have to keep in mind is how long you plan on living there? I live in a co-op now and I cannot have any pets but I would like one. We have also outgrown our apartment even though its cheap. Commute is also important depending on where you work. These are things you want to keep in mind when deciding. Good luck!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

You definitely have to way the pros and cons to each co-op and decide which things are most important. Money is a huge decision. Also consider which property will be more desirable when it comes time to sell.

Good luck! Let us know which you decide to go with!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

The first place sounds beautiful! But remember the 22 mins on train is only the train portion add on extra time for the walk to train and then from train to work. Also remember that the LIRR is expensive! We just got a co-op in Bayside (moved in last week) and the train is soo much $$! I couldn't believe it...that was something I didn't think of b4 moving. The 2nd place sounds very familiar..Windsor Park by chance? If it is we looked there and the places were very nice. Do you want to do work? We did on our place (ripped out rugs and had hardwood refinished, paint, fixtures, etc) and the place looks brand new now! Good luck deciding it sounds like a tough choice.

Also remember LOCATION is key when selling!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Nice position to be in!
Personaly I would go with Option 1 ( Is it in Douglaston or Great Neck by any chance?) The big draw for me is walking to the train station. Parking near most LIRR train stations is a pain! It also sounds beautiful and I am sure it will at least hold its value. How do the maint. charges and tax situation compare?
Another consideration would be how long you think you are going to stay there. If you dont plan on staying there long do you want to invest the time and money to fix it up? If you can do it yourself
Good luck. I am sure you will be happy with your choice.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Beth!! I am soo happy for you! I replied. but you never emailed me back.. I'm soo happy that I helped you get to thispoint in some way.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Oh I KNEW you all would be sooo helpful! Thank you soooo much for your wonderful advice and questions to ask myself.

The more expensive co-op is right across from the train station. You can see it from the kitchen window. The second co-op is exactly a 4 minute walk. I tried it.

Evan is handy at fixing things up and very particular so I know everything will look great, but he is NYPD and spends every minute not working, sleeping. Why are men so thick? I don't think he even realizes that he has no time!

I'm not crazy about the tiny kitchen, but all the appliances are new and I definitly don't get home early enough to cook big dinners.

Lisa- I am so glad you posted your questions! Is it worth the extra rent-a question I can't stop asking myself.

Wendy- I never thought about dogs in the summer! Pet smells are horrible! Luckily there is no carpeting in the apartment so at least that doesn't need to be replaced, but still! 2 dogs too! Hmmmm good point.

Irenie19- does it really sound like I like the old one more? I mean it does have its advantages, obviously why its more money.....

HotelCalie- The second place is great neck terrace.
But the Location is definitly a good point, the first one being in a town is a very good point!
-Another added benefit of that place is the train station next to it is Little Neck which is a lot cheaper than other stations since its still City Zone on LIRR.

-The first one is across the train tracks from a Waldbaums too and in the center of town.

Thanks everyone for helping me! Even if no one responds, writing this out makes me feel so much better!!!

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Wow! How exciting. Congrats on finding two great places.

Based on how you describe #1, it seems to win hands down. And assuming there is no issue with your dad lending you the money - i would think you should go with that one.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Will there be excessive noise being so close to the train station? Might want to consider that too.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Ok I know exactly which co-ops you are talking about now. I have friends that used to live in GNT. I know the area well, we used to live in Little Neck. Great Neck Terrace is nice and was always well maintained. Its also quiet and very park like. Noise might be one more thing to consider. I think the other co-op you are talking about is on a main street. Depending on how the where the apartment faces it may be very noisey. Decisions, Decisions!
Best of luck to you.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

from the description I would go with #1...also it seems that you are leaning that way...also it seems resale would be easier...


as for train noise...i used to live on the GN line and the trains are only 1x an hour off peak...so noise shouldn't be a big issue...and no whistle...


although there is no Off peak rate within city limits...just FYI

good luck

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

I would choose #1. Its sounds beautiful and it soulds like the kind of place that I would love to own.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

congratulations! this is so exciting!

i would go with the first one personally. it has all the things i would want in an apartment.

good luck with your decision.

Re: Which place to pick???? 2 offers down, both accepted

Did you walk into either and just feel like this is the one?? If you felt that for one more than the other, then that is the one you should pick!