What’s available in Brooklyn/Queens for under $250,000?
1) Brooklyn: apartments in Ditmas Park: the new yuppies are buying up the Victorian houses, so the apartments are overlooked and represent good value. Check out the nabe to be sure you’re comfortable, and bring a car.
2) Queens: to the extent that listings in Queens are in the Long Island MLS, they’re fully searchable by the public: www.mlsli.com
3) Queens: Check out “Kew Gardens Hills” — the neighborhood where so many airline staffers used to live they called it “Crew Gardens,” but if you can stand the proximity to the airport you can get a Jr. 4 for $175K.