BoogieDowner has been following this bizarre rental price fluctuation since December of last year. The price has been (in order) $1555/month, $1685/month, $1575/month, $1475/month, $1700/month and now $1595. In addition to the crazy price fluctuation the listings have tried to lure renters in with an ever changing array of enticements: a free month's rent, no fee, $500 off first month's rent, a free month's rent already calculated into the advertised price, and now a choice between no broker's fee or a month's free rent.
This very well might be a nice building ("on the outskirts of Riverdale" as the listing shouts), but there's something fishy about being unable to price the rental rates consistently. I'm no financial wizard, but if people aren't renting at a higher price, maybe you should try decreasing the price until people start renting.
Here's the Bentley's fancy ad material:
Does anybody live in or near the Bentley? Anybody have any info about how full it is? Please let us know...
FULL LISTING
~ErLu
10 comments:
Hey BoogieDowners! Orloff is on the east side of the Major Deegan...so the outskirts of Riverdale is a bit of a stretch. They should just say Kingsbridge or Jerome Park. I think these may have started as condos but converted to rentals when no one was buying. Another case of greedy builders trying to set Bronx real estate at Manhattan prices. Just look at http://www.solariariverdale.com for more of what I'm talking about.
This was a rental from the beginning, actually. I see people going in and out, but haven't tried to figure out how full it is.
The Solaria's offers to sweeten the deal are really wild -- they'll pay your maintenance and mortgage for a year if you lose your job, they'll give you $30,000 for your kid's education . . . and that looks pretty empty to me (its so easy to tell with those all glass buildings).
Loving this! But still out of my price range :(
Used to live in the Bentley. There are many available units mainly due to the expensive rent for this part of the Bronx and the incompetent Super as well as a shakey management team. Lower the rent, higher a new super and just maybe the Bentley would be a little more desirable.
I live @ The Bentley and there is constant tenant fluctuation. The 'amenities' really aren't all that great. Don't Be Fooled!! The pics of the fireplace and the pool table are just that, pictures. The 'community room' costs an additional fee and the outdoor deck they show is the private ones on the 7th floor NOT the one open to all renters on the 2nd floor. Parking is nearly impossible after 6pm in the area and the garage is wait listed. Did I mention it costs an extra $180/month for a parking spot? Tenants are becoming progressively less desirable. First chance I get, I'm OUT! Hope this helps someone.
Yes, the building was a rental from the beginning. I have lived in this building within the first six months of the building opening, February 2006, and love the quiet neighborhood, quiet building, cleanliness of the building, and convenience of the building. Now for the cons: I am seeing ads for 2bdrm apartments, which I have, that are nearly $300 cheaper than what I pay, I had to LITERALLY argue and threaten to leave to obtain a parking spot as I bore witness to newcomers and non-residents parking in the garage (garage fee is $150 per month), the recreation room now costs $325 dollars to rents and a $150 deposit with 4 hour rental blocks, which explains why the room has not been rented recently. I do agree that the tenants are becoming less desirable, as I have bore witness to pet urine in the stairway and pet waste (2x) in the elevator; however, it appears the super has addressed the matter. Of course, parking is ridiculous, so have your company come over before the evening rush hour. All in all the building is far from being a horrible place to live. However, I think the owners and management company needs to stop taking advantage of the attractiveness of the neighborhood and building, as well as their reliable residents by charging fair rent, comparable to that being offered to entice new renters, reasonable fees (recreation rooms and parking fees), as well as adhering to their own policy for the parking waiting list. As you may have surmised, I plan to address these issues with the management company when I resign my lease.
@ anon 4/22:
Thanks so much for your detailed description of the Bentley. I think it's really helpful for folks who are looking at the building to have access to the fees and parking situation from someone who actually lives there. We visited an Open House recently just to check it out and loved it! The units seem to have such smart floorplans and they are so bright and airy. Can't beat having that gym right in the building!
I was one of the very first tenants at the Bentley and the first tenant on my floor (2005). The Bentley has gone down in quality and tenants. There have been numerous "modifications" to the lobby appearance. Parking is a NIGHTMARE! If you are not on Orloff Avenue before 6pm, you might as well park 10 blocks from the building or circle the area for at least 45mins to an hour hoping for a park. The area is really quiet, the laundry rooms on each floor is conveinent as well as the gym, however, the asking price for units tend to go up and down with the market and TOO much to be soo far from Manhattan. Having lived in the building 5 years, I've seen every tenant on my floor come and go. Thats a sign the rent is too much. One bedroom - $1390, two bedroom - $1600. I'm going to assume the tiny one-bedroom duplex with terraces will run at least $1800-2000 a month. Really? For Kingsbridge? Or should I say the "outskirts of Riverdale"
iam going to be moving to this building and must i say that the price is just right. We looked wanted to move to central riverdale and actually found a few things with in out price range but nowhere near the amenities. If you want these amenities in the actual Riverdale you can count on paying over 2,000. and 2000 is actually low. we say an apt for 1500 in tibet very dated!!!! at least even if we are paying over 1500 a month your going to love how decent the building looks.Hey i think that once your rent goes over 1200 you should at least like living in the place.And in ny 1200 gets you nowhere! (just recently checked the market believe me! Iam hoping i stay satisfied through out my stay at the bently! ohh yeah and the bently really! where is the logo on the building???
I lived at "The Bentley" for approximately a year and a half starting in 2007. Although I feel the place was way over glamorized in the advertisement, after living in other places I would have settled for what the bentley had to offer any day. I tell you the best amenity this place offers is the laundry on every floor. Just the convenience of being able to walk down the hall late a night with your basket and get a machine is priceless. There were some cons like the sketchy super who had a fight with my neighbor and also over charged me to used to "community room", at times the staff can be unreliable and the decline in the appearance of the building overall. But as I said before with all of these issues I would have stayed at the bentley because now living in Westchester county I pay almost the same rent for one less bedroom, no dishwasher and no laundry on my floor and lets not get started on the neighborhood. So I guess it all in what you are willing to put up with.
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