(Part 19) We went to the Sunday open house to take some measurements and see the renovations. As the pictures show, the renovations are about half done, and so far look nice. We're pretty happy with everything. I made a floor-plan based on the measurements that is in the picture album (with a queen sized bed in the one bedroom for size perspective). Even though they were busy, they let us take out time and didn't rush us too much. They couldn't leave us alone because the door doesn't lock without a key at this point in the renovation. We measured the windows for window A/C units, and some other rooms.
When we got there, there was a broker who had brought like 10+ people. Flatbush does a lot of advertising (which is how we found out about it), so I felt bad for them. The standard broker fee is 15%, so assume they negotiated down to 12%, on a studio at $875, that's a $1,260 fee they'll have to pay him. They could upgrade to a one bedroom for over 8 months for free with that money. I mean, no one likes paying for things, but I see the benefit of a broker. They can help the rental market of single units, or low volume units, but it seems a shame to get them involved in a place that advertises in every local paper and other places. Oh well. (And no, Flatbush Gardens does not pay brokers for business).
So the plan is: get the keys July 1st or 2nd, install the window A/C units we bought on amazon.com that are currently being shipped there (with $42 in sales tax, thanks to NY's unconstitutional internet sales tax), and move in on July 3rd. My parents were already scheduled to visit for like a month before I even decided to move, and coincidentally will arrive as I'm moving to the new place (i.e. the same day). So, that should be fun.
