Mr. Gordon, a graduate of Cornell University, comes from Chittenango, N.Y., a suburb of Syracuse known for being the hometown of L. Frank Baum, who wrote the “Wizard of Oz” series. After a few years in Washington, Mr. Gordon moved to Brooklyn. He now works as the director of online account management for Bertelsmann Direct North America, the book and music club company.Mr. Gordon wanted to stay in Park Slope, preferably in a roomy place with outdoor space, but he knew that he would never find as good an apartment for the price he had been paying. So he began his hunt with a budget of up to $2,100 a month.A two-bedroom in South Park Slope provided an encouraging start. “It lifted my spirits because this was a decent $1,700 apartment and I was glad to see it was out there,” he said. “But the apartment didn’t have much charm. It wasn’t a nice brownstone with details. It seemed kind of boring.”Riding his bicycle, he visited another two-bedroom, for $1,800. It was near gritty Third Avenue, close to Gowanus, in the area sometimes called G Slope.

The outdoor space was a concrete slab. The owner suggested using one of the bedrooms as a living room, which the apartment otherwise lacked. It needed closets, too. “He said, ‘I can build you a closet,’ ” Mr. Gordon said. “He said some people like closets and some people don’t. I was like, People don’t like closets? I’ve never heard of that.”As he left on his bike, he ran into two young women who had seen the apartment just before him. He stopped to tell them about the two-bedroom in South Park Slope, which was nicer, cheaper and better located. “They were very appreciative,” he said. “I wonder where they ended up.”Mr. Gordon liked a sunny $2,000 Park Slope loft with a sleeping nook. It would have been hard to turn down if not for the one-month broker’s fee. When he mentioned that it was listed in the no-fee section of the Craigslist Web site, the agent offered him the place for $1,950. “I said, ‘The rent is not a problem; it’s the fee,’ ” Mr. Gordon said. “

He apologized for wasting my time and I thought maybe he didn’t mean to do it wrong.”When that happened again, with a listing incorrectly posted in the no-fee section, his girlfriend, Kathleen McKenna, who rents on the Upper East Side, suggested that he was perhaps too forgiving, “giving both agents the benefit of the doubt.”At that point, Mr. Gordon and a friend had begun toying with the possibility of buying a three-family house. They looked at a few in Greenwood Heights, priced at $900,000 or less. Mr. Gordon considered taking a short-term rental, just until he and his friend made their purchase. He found a lovely place in a Union Street condominium, at a pricey $2,400 a month. The owner was waiting out the sluggish market, eventually planning to sell. But the three-family-house idea went nowhere. The only house that the two friends liked sold for $845,000 before they could act.Meanwhile, Mr. Gordon was having fun. “I liked getting a feel for the market,” he said.

“I liked the game of it and the exercise of making a well-researched decision. Sitting at my computer on a Saturday, I liked to drink coffee and go through Craigslist and find numbers to call and go out and ride my bike around.” For weeks, however, he found nothing compelling enough to take. john christian handyman serviceHe was ready to increase the range of what he was looking for and what he was willing to spend.business for sale mildura vicJust then, he arrived at a $1,900 garden-level apartment with a backyard in a three-family house on Second Street. jesse's handyman serviceIt was unquestionably the nicest place he had seen. north texas handyman services llc

The outgoing tenants, a couple buying a home in Ditmas Park, showed him around.The owner, Ron Brandt, was interested in having the new tenant take over as an informal superintendent in exchange for lower rent, they told him.Mr. Gordon jumped at the idea. “I fancy myself being a little bit handy,” he said. business for sale bangalow nsw“I like to do woodworking, and I could totally help out with stuff like that.”business for sale scarborough north yorkshireMr. Brandt, who grew up in Bensonhurst and now lives in Morristown, N.J., said the building was bought in the 1970s by his wife’s sister, who later died of cancer. It was passed on to her parents and then to him and his wife.Mr. Gordon’s skill worked to his advantage. “That was one of those qualitatives or intangibles that made it nice to choose Dan,” Mr. Brandt said.

Mr. Gordon signed a two-year lease and moved into his new home in April. His rent is $1,700, with utilities included. “I have enjoyed the whole process” of choosing paint colors, buying a couch, even hiring movers, he said. “I will never put my friends through that again.”The apartment has three big rooms and a kitchen wall lined with closets. The door to the backyard is in the bathroom.“I like the apartment for its imperfections, its weirdnesses,” Mr. Gordon said. “These old, old buildings have these quirks and pieces of character and little stories.”He has already planted a garden, with vegetables starting to sprout. His duties include taking out the trash and recyclables, cleaning the common areas, draining the boiler, sorting the mail and hiring any necessary repairmen. When the building has a vacancy, he will screen prospective tenants.“Dan got so excited about this apartment,” Ms. McKenna said. “It’s like training wheels” for owning a home someday.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1294450Residential 5 Alder Park RD Rural 3 1 3 Bedroom, 1 bath Ranch on 2.6+/- acre lot.

Slab on grade foundation. Large parking area on corner of Route 3 and Alder Park Road. Huge 2 door garage-1 door is 10' high. Endless possibilities for your home business. Home needs some TLC.Listed by Coldwell Banker Rizzo Mattson NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 5 Alder Park RD, China, ME 04358 China ME(# 1294450)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. Check with your bank or proposed mortgage company for actual interest rates.This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1294392Residential 266 Foye RD Rural 2 2 Spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath Ranch home. Open livingroom/dining/kitchen is spacious. Two car detached garage. Does need TLC but lots of potential here.Listed by Sprague & Curtis Real Estate

NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 266 Foye RD, Wiscasset, ME 04578 Wiscasset ME(# 1294392)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1276997Residential 146 Central AVE Neighborhood 3 3 Year Round Peaks Island home sitting on 1.09 acre private lot! This home features 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, Master Bedroom with bath, 3 large family rooms, large sun room leading out to deck. 10 minute walk to Ferry, restaurants and beaches. This property needs a little TLC. Owner is selling "as is" condition.Listed by Landing Real Estate NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 146 Central AVE, Portland, ME 04108 Portland ME(# 1276997)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates.

This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1294143Residential 906 Main ST Rural 3 1 A fixer upper 3 bedroom ranch with detached 2 car garage and a 1 car garage/workshop. Listed by Beal Realty NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 906 Main ST, Bradley, ME 04411 Bradley ME(# 1294143)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1294263Residential 31 Phil's DR Subdivision 1 2 Brackett Lake lot with 140' frontage on sandy beach. 425sqft, older camp in need of TLC or start from scratch! Concrete septic tank but unknown if there is a leach field. Nice spot to camp out while building your seasonal retreat.

Listed by First Choice Real Estate NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 31 Phil's DR, Weston, ME 04424 Weston ME(# 1294263)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1276882Residential 64 PERKINS ST 3 1 7 Charming 3 Bedroom 2 story home. This home has lots of possibilities. Nice backyard and Deck to entertain. Home is near amenities. Listed by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northeast Real Estate NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 64 PERKINS ST, Bangor, ME 04401 Bangor ME(# 1276882)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates.

This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1293805Residential 33 Newport RD Neighborhood 4 1 1875+/-, 4 bedroom, Large 2 story attached Barn/garage, front porch on 0.51 acre lot. SOLD AS IS, Needs a lot of TLC. Priced below town assessed value.Listed by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 33 Newport RD, Corinna, ME 04928 Corinna ME(# 1293805)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1293804Residential 117 Deep Cove RD Rural 3 2 Great 3 bed 1 1/2 bath Cape with open concept layout. Great location close to town and Sebago Lake.

Enjoy all the lakes region has to offer. 10 mins to Windham 30 mins to Portland 25 mins to Shawnee peak for skiing. With a little TLC you can make this house your home.Listed by Green Tree Realty, LLC NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 117 Deep Cove RD, Raymond, ME 04071 Raymond ME(# 1293804)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthMLS Number 1215333Residential 27 Broadway (Rt 192) 3 2 11 Great in town home near everything. Open dining and living room. Daylight, heated basement bonus bedroom with kitchenette. New furnace, Rinnai water heater, boiler, and sump pump, roof 2009. One car attached garage with workspace and a deck with enclosed space. Deck, patio and gardens need some TLC.

Listed by RE/MAX Hills and Harbors Realty NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 27 Broadway (Rt 192), Machias, ME 04654 Machias ME(# 1215333)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates. This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.Price$Est. Mortgage: $/monthPendingMLS Number 1293554Residential 36 Washington Street 3 1 5 Good value home very centrally located. 3 bedroom ranch with out a basement. Very little tlc needed. HIGHEST AND BEST OFFER DEADLINE IS MONDAY 1/30/17 AT 8 AM.Listed by CENTURY 21 Queen City Real Estate NameYour Email AddressPhoneDateTimeI would like to schedule a visit for the property at 36 Washington Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605 Ellsworth ME(# 1293554)Price $Down Payment$Interest Rate%Years$/month over paymentsCalculateUse Federal Interest RateFederal 30-year interest rate: % last updated on * All Figures are estimates.