Are these apartments along Homewood's Valley Ave safe?

[bosshawk]

The problem with the Berkely is that the spaces are downright tiny for the price compared to anything else in the city. Granted the location is great and the building has some very nice features but they definitely need to come down about 10-15% to be more in line with the market.

[intheflowers]

Originally Posted by jakabedy

I don't know what rents are now at the Berkley, but it seemed to me that when they renovated it, they more than doubled the rents. And it's not like there was a lot of renovation to do, anyway. They put in some odd corner sinks in the baths (and some unfortunat faux finnishes) and updated the small kitchens. The floors, walls, etc. were already perfect.

Maybe they'll cut you a deal of some kind for a longer lease? One question: does the door have a buzzer now? Because back in the day it was a hassle letting people in. Thankfully the "M" units faced the front. I had a practice that came to be known as "throwing the animal". I had a key that was tied to a little stuffed animal and when my friend got to the front I would throw it out the window and he/she would catch it.

nope, no buzzer. it's a laser key thing. i do have a question about living in the berkley though. when you were there, were the halls air conditioned/heated? because if they are i think it would be easy to keep heating/cooling costs down by keeping the door window open and stealing heating/cooling from the hallway.

[jakabedy]

Originally Posted by intheflowers

nope, no buzzer. it's a laser key thing. i do have a question about living in the berkley though. when you were there, were the halls air conditioned/heated? because if they are i think it would be easy to keep heating/cooling costs down by keeping the door window open and stealing heating/cooling from the hallway.

I truly don't remember if the halls were heated/cooled. I just remember the great tilework. I also don't remember the utility bills being killers there, or I couldn't have made it. The rent was $335 and I think I brought home about $950 a month, and I didn't have a roommate. You know, the "M" units had windows on three sides. So it was pretty easy to get a cross breeze going in there. And I added ceiling fans, so that helped a ton.

[devarian]

Have you look at terrace court?

All hardwood, freshly renovated and apparently have a parking deck going in. $300 pet deposit, 2 bed 1 bath is $930, $45 a month for water.

Terrace Court | Amenities

[jakabedy]

Originally Posted by devarian

Have you look at terrace court?

All hardwood, freshly renovated and apparently have a parking deck going in. $300 pet deposit, 2 bed 1 bath is $930, $45 a month for water.

Terrace Court | Amenities

I would get that in writing about the parking deck. "Approved" is not "built". Those apartments have always been huge, but with the attendant parking nightmare I would take a pass (Sort of like the Dulion and LaSalle buildings behind Highland UMC). For instance, negotiate two rental prices in the lease -- one without the deck and one with. You pay the "without deck" price until the deck is actually built and ready for use.

[scophone]

Very safe

[sandwiche]

Safe enough, for sure. Might be better just driving around highland and southside collecting numbers off apt buildings.