Staten Island: The wild or the wildcard?
Haunted Homequest
We’re on our final day of the Haunted Homequest, and then we’ll decide where the Ridgewicks will land.
Today? Staten Island.
While the Borough of Parks is frequently slandered by Manhattanites — myself included — for people like the Ridgewicks, Staten Island may feel like home: like Maine, Staten Island offers active waterfronts, large stretches of parkland, and a slower pace of daily life.
Norris and Myra have allocated $950,000 to $1,000,000, finding options aplenty in our first four boroughs. As we’ll see in our wrap-up, what this price range can buy varies markedly across New York City — especially for a couple with relatively few requirements.
Jump back to our preview edition here to see further criteria on the method and mortgage terms, and brace yourself for the ferry. St. George, here we come!
Details: Renovated single-family home with a first floor open kitchen, a 3/4 bath, laundry room, and French doors leading to a balcony. The second floor contains three bedrooms and 1.5 baths, equipped with central AC and multiple heating zones in the Richmondtown/Lighthouse Hill area.
List Price: $985,000
Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 3 BR/2.5 BA
Approx. Size: 1,500 SF
Monthly Carrying Charges: $0
Monthly Taxes: $0
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,816
Total Monthly Overhead: $4,816+
Notes: As a single family home, this property has no (expressed) monthly carrying charges. That the monthly tax information is not provided means we can’t provide a budgetary benchmark; however, we can be sure that the mortgage will run close to $4,800/month before taxes and utilities.
Details: Three-level home includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen with new appliances and flooring. Systems include updated heating, central air, and 200-amp electrical service. A corner property that features a large backyard and a brick two-car garage with adjacent workshop/storage space.
List Price: $959,000
Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 4 BR/2.5 BA
Approx. Size: 2,188 SF
Monthly Carrying Charges: $0
Monthly Taxes: $0
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,688
Total Monthly Overhead: $4,688+
Notes: As with the previous unit, this is a single family home with no (expressed) monthly carrying charges. That the monthly tax information is not provided means we can’t provide a budgetary benchmark; however, we can be sure that the mortgage will run close to $4,688/month before taxes and utilities.
Details: Colonial home with a first floor with stone fireplace, hardwood floors, eat-in kitchen, and full bath. The upper level provides three bedrooms and a full bath, supplemented by a finished basement and a detached one-car garage.
List Price: $989,000
Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 3 BR/1.5 BA
Approx. Size: 1,821 SF
Monthly Carrying Charges: $0
Monthly Taxes: $0
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,835
Total Monthly Overhead: $4,835+
Notes: Given that we’re in Staten Island, the most suburban of New York City’s boroughs, this is another standalone single family home. As such, it has no (expressed) monthly carrying charges. That the monthly tax information is not provided means we can’t provide a budgetary benchmark; however, we can be sure that the mortgage will run close to $4,840/month before taxes and utilities.
Details: Renovated 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom unit with an electric fireplace, automated curtains, and a kitchen with white oak cabinets and extended island. Two entrances lead to a private balcony. Accolade Condominium comes with a doorman, gated security, gym, lounge, playroom, on-site parking, and proximity to the Staten Island Ferry.
List Price: $999,999
Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 2 BR/2.5 BA
Approx. Size: 1,697 SF
Monthly Carrying Charges: $1,259
Monthly Taxes: $6,126
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,889
Total Monthly Overhead: $12,274
Notes: The monthly taxes on this property exceed the combined carrying charges and mortgage payment. We haven’t deeply probed the Ridgewick’s tastes or spending limits, we can say that this property is “one spicy meatball!”
Details: This single-family home features a main-level office/guest room with private entrance, formal dining area, and summer kitchen. The second floor includes three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an additional kitchen, and a private driveway with parking capacity for four cars.
List Price: $998,000
Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 6 BR/2.5 BA
Approx. Size: 2,400 SF
Monthly Carrying Charges: $0
Monthly Taxes: $736
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,879
Total Monthly Overhead: $5,616
Notes: Without any interior photos, it will have to be special for the Ridgewicks to make time to see it. Of course, if they’re drawn to the Manor Heights section of Staten Island, it could be worth it.
Next, we’ll review and the Ridgewicks will make the call…if they can!
