two properties.Both were built in the 1920's
OK, 1920's
.........What? Say that again?
I could hardly believe it, but these buildings, which are called "prewar",
were constructed before Wold War Ⅱ between 1900 and 1940 are still
very active in the property market in New York.
In Japan, who wants to live in or even buy such an old house?
The life of a house in Japan is usually 30 years.
But in New York, it seems to be very different.
Prewar housing is very popular.
It is said that it's not only the exterior, but also the quality is good.
So I'm so excited to see such authentic prewar properties.
The first property is near a prestigious hotel.
According to the agent, it's a SUPER prime location,"
but oddly enough, the price is much lower than we had expected.
From the outside of the building, I can feel a dignity.
Well, I really like it.
In the small dimly lit entrance hall, I can't find an elevator.
"Do I have to go up the stairs?" When I get a little worried,
the agent opens a door.
Then a very antiquated box with iron barred appears.
"What's this?"
It's an elevator.
"This building looks like an old hotel in Europe." my husband says.
I guess even they don't have such a mysterious door....
Anyway, I step into the unit and realize it is not very sunny and
the view is obstructed by next to it.
Also, it seems not to have been renovated for a quite long time.
I can see its age and damage here and there.
These two weak points are directly reflected in the price.
But when all is said and done, this location is really special, and there're no
problem with the space and floor plan.
Thinking about it as an investment, it seems pretty good reasonable.
My husband and the agent talk in whispers.
And to my surprise, there're private washer and dryer in the unit!
To me, newly come from Japan, there is one of the mysteries of
New York City: in most buildings, even new ones, many units don't have
their own washer and dryer.
Even if I want to buy one and put it in, in many cases the building
doesn't allow it.
Then where do New Yorkers wash their clothes?
There's a laundry room on each floor or in the basement.
If not, they carry a big bag to a laundry, which my be a few blocks away.
That's the city style.
In Japan, I could put in my own washer even in a tiny studio type of room.
I really don't know why, but in Manhattan, where the land value is so high,
that people would rather use the space as a closet than put in
a washing machine.
There's an opinion that it's not that big a problem for people who have
never washed their laundry themselves, but sent it to the laundry or
have the housekeeper do it.
To an ordinary people like me, it's very difficult to understand thought...
The agent says that there's a positive side to a common laundry room:
it can be a social meeting place for neighbors.
Nevertheless, even though this unit has a washer and dryer, I can't
imagine myself living in such a place where the floor creaks and
the bathroom is so shabby...
I'm about to turn on my heel immediately, but wait!
Here is " the Kingdom of Renovation," America.
I remember from TV or something that people in Europe renovate
and use their old houses from generation to generation. Same here in America.
"Renovation" means to repair partially some broken or damaged
places in a house.
I've been thinking like this, but it's not really true. It's more dynamic.
Some people change a kitchen into a study some break through a wall and
create an open kitchen, and some others a one-bedroom with a next door
studio into two bedrooms.
They can do whatever they like, freely.
That's renovation in America, wonderful!
I really like this flexible way of thinking.
There's a scene in the "Sex and the City": Aidan breaks down the wall of
Carrie's room, trying to combine it with the next unit.
( Do It Yourself ---- that's like Aidan!)
So, in America, it is nothing special to renovate a unit, and it means not only
making your favorite room, but raising the unit's value.
OK, then I can think seriously about changing this old unit into a brand-new place.
First, I will break the wall to turn this kitchen into an elegant open
style with wood.
The floor must be replaced, and let's put in floor heating.
The old bathroom also needs to be renovated into a shiny new one.
Hmm...not bad. If it's all come true, it must be so fabulous!
Yeah, it's like a HGTV!
I wish I could experience such a dramatic scene to see my home reborn
and say, " Oh, my God! "
When my delusion starts, it's time to go to the next place.
It is also prewar, built of plain dark brick, but it still looks noble.
When a doorman show us into the lobby, I'm so impressed, feeling
the big, bright and elegant atmosphere beyond my expectation
from outside appearance.
I suddenly begin to liven up.
And...sure enough, I say, " Oh, my God!" when I open the door.
The living room and bedrooms are all very large and brilliant.
We can have enough space even as our daughter grows up.
This unit seems to have been combined with a studio into two bedrooms.
Everything is newly renovated. The kitchen is red and the bath room is
shiny green.
It's very modern. It's very unique.
How many time have I been shocked today?
The outside looks like an antique brick wall, and the inside is a modern style.
New Yorkers say this gap is good, but isn't it too modern--I mean, too artistic?
I ask the agent if these interiors are all current owners'.
" It may not be," he says. "It must be staging here."
When people sell a house, he explains, some ask an interior coordinator
to arrange furniture and decoration like a model room.
I remember that some properties I visited before were arranged very nicely.
It felt like looking inside a magazine.
"As expected, New Yorkers are sophisticated."
I always admired beautiful rooms,but now I know.
Some properties may not be staged. I felt they had the lived-in feel
of the current owners.
From the interiors or their photos, I can imagine what it's like to live there,
and what it will be like if we live there.
But I really CANNOT imagine cooking in this red kitchen, which has very
artistic mosaic tile.....
Then the agent says " Don't worry, you can renovate it."
Well....I see. Today's keyword is " Renovation."
We should remember this word as we keep searching for a home in New York.
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