86 Cooper is a completely trashed two-family at the far end of Bushwick. The block itself is actually quite leafy and somewhat well-kept, and pretty convenient to both the L and J subway lines. If you have the know-how and extra scratch to fix a place up, you could unlock a bit of equity from this cute little house that’s just down on its luck. The price is certainly right.

86 Cooper Street | $349,900
1800sqft | 20ft-wide | 2-family, 5br/2ba | frame
Wilson L/Chauncey JZ

$2000 — 3br: Here’s your chance to live on one of the best blocks in “Greater Bushwick” — a beautiful, bow-front apartment full of original details and modern amenities where they count. New kitchen and bath fit right in with old moldings. There’s even a crystal chandelier. Check it out!
Stockholm and Onderdonk | street view | DeKalb L

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244 Covert is a clean-looking two-family on a street with only fleeting bits of remaining architectural interest. But the block has a quaint, neighborhoody feel thanks to the mature trees lining its entire length. The location is convenient to recently revamped Irving Square Park and the Halsey and Wilson L stations are equidistant. Unfortunately, there are no interior photos, but the description assures us it’s in “excellente condition.” There is some new residential development nearby and lots of architectural diversity in the surrounding blocks. Irving Square is sure to be a future hot spot for homebuyers looking for history.

244 Covert Street | $525,000
2736sqft | 19ft-wide | 2-family, 5br/3ba | frame
Halsey L

$1350 — 2br rr: Wow. This place is choked with charm — moldings, old floors, clawfoot tub, original violet bathroom tile, French doors. Convenient to transportation, basic shopping and food. Considering the price, too, this place is awesome all around.
CATS OK | Gates and St. Nicholas | street view | Myrtle-Wyckoff LM

$1450 — 2br: Lots of funky details in this apartment in the pretty Irving-Putnam-Halsey area south of Myrtle — look at that archway! Parquet floors, bay-front windows, large kitchen, and cheap. Could use some fresh paint but is otherwise adorable.
Jefferson and Irving | street view | Halsey L

$1250 — 2br: Nothing special but decent enough and cheap, in a solid-looking building. It’s at the end of Bushwick but only one block up an attractive street from the Wilson L. Hint: the locals call it mow-fat, not moffit.
Central and Moffat | street view | Wilson L/Chauncey JZ

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As reported here in April, 228-230 Troutman is slated to be a 14-unit condominium. The twin vacant lots have been plywooded and foundation work has begun. Based on DOB records, it will be five stories and I’m guessing the units will average about 1000sqft. No clue yet what it might look like, but the folks building 225 Troutman should probably keep a raised eyebrow trained at the site.

403 Grove is a cute little white brick house just off Wyckoff Avenue in what some people still seem to call Wyckoff Heights, after a short-lived attempt in the 80s to “hold the line” against Bushwick’s decay. Either it worked, or there never was much danger — these streets to this day are still mostly well-kept and attractive. Not that you can tell from this Google street view image I yoinked, which is actually better than the nasty one taken by the agent. The interior photos make it seem like the same old lady has lived there for 30 years — which is not a bad thing. It looks like there are a few old details here and there, including beams in the dining room. This could be moved right into with some minor cosmetic work. It’s on a convenient stretch of Wyckoff for buying basics, and some food up on Myrtle, not to mention the Myrtle-Wyckoff L-M hub a couple of short blocks away.

403 Grove Street | $559,869
2160sqft | 20ft-wide | 2-family, 6br/2ba | brick
DeKalb L

$1848 — 2br loft: Is McKibbin growing up? I normally would ignore this building but come on, that apartment is fabulous. And how many buildings have yoga, karate, a cafe, and a speakeasy in them?
PETS OK | McKibbin and White | Morgan/Montrose L

$1250 — 2br: A rowdy, central block of Bushwick, overlooking our awesome María Hernández Park. Close to everything great in Bushwick, period. Cheap as hell and probably stabilized. Jump on it.
Starr and Irving | street view | Jefferson L

$1450 — 2br: Looks like a high floor apartment in what I think is that blonde brick buildings on top of Alfie’s Deli, which probably means a real, original two-bedroom, not a railroad. Needs a paint job, but it’s close to the train and cheap.
PETS OK | DeKalb and Myrtle | street view | Myrtle JMZ

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I was at a friend’s place this morning on Covert and Irving, and from his roof I could see the progress at the rental building at 342 Eldert — it has indeed risen to 4 stories, and seems to be sporting over 40 units. Looks like they will have balconies. Packin’ em in!

I called Kai Construction today to try to find out what exactly is going on at the newly plywooded flatiron lot at 960 Willoughby/1237 Myrtle. As usual, a rude, annoyed, brusque person answered the phone and rushed me to my point. “What do you want to know for?” I explained my purpose, and the woman snapped “Well I imagine it’s an apartment building — I mean, that’s what we do, right?”

Okayyy…do you have any specific info on what kind of building it will be? “No, that’s all the information I can give you on that property.” Thanks.

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1077 Hancock doesn’t have an attractive exterior, but for someone looking to get into a house on the parlor floor, this is awesome, especially considering this has three apartments over an admittedly tight 2000sqft. If you look inside, past the ugly tarpaper “brick” veneer, you can see the house still has a lot of interesting old details, including fireplaces and various moldings. Normally a house in this price range is nearly uninhabitable — this one, while not luxurious, looks like it could be moved right into. The neighborhood is nothing to write home about — it’s row after row of vinyl-sided (or worse) frame houses, but many blocks down this way are lined by large trees that make up for the architectural “problem.” There’s certainly a charm to it.

1077 Hancock Street | $499,000
2000sqft | 20ft-wide | 2-family, 7br/3ba | frame
Halsey J