G
ianna Llewellyn’s journey began on her 22nd birthday in 2019, when she left Long Island for New York City with a diploma in hand and dreams of directing films or becoming a tattoo artist. “I just wanted a job that let me be free and wear blue hair,” she recalls. Her first gig came from a Facebook post: running errands on a horror film set. That led to production work on shows like *Law & Order*.
She shared an East Williamsburg apartment with two roommates, but the $850 rent and low wages left her “worth negative dollars.” For a year she survived on Nutella sandwiches. By 2023, however, she had built an $80,000 savings cushion. Curious about buying a home, she scoured online listings and discovered a government grant that could cover up to $100,000 of a down payment for low‑income buyers.
In September, a Zillow search matched her with Paul Graham of Platinum Properties. They hit it off immediately and spent over a year touring Brooklyn and Manhattan listings, all priced around $400,000. “Paul feels like family,” she says. “He’s honest, cares about what I can afford, and never pushes me toward something I don’t want.”
Gianna prefers Brooklyn, where most of her friends live, but she’s open to Manhattan if it fits her budget. Her priorities are a sunny co‑op with low maintenance fees, a flexible sublet policy for long film shoots, and enough space for her collection of chess sets, guitars, art supplies, and an antique static‑TV. She wants a place larger than her current 500‑sq‑ft rental, ideally with a walk‑in closet.
**Options**
1. **Top‑floor one‑bedroom, 500 sq ft, pre‑war building** – Southern and eastern light, a nice bathroom, washer‑dryer in the kitchen. Two large windows in the living room; bedroom is tight, possibly too small for a queen mattress. Subletting allowed after two years, pending board approval. Price: $450,000; monthly fees: $405. Near G & L trains and Kellogg’s Diner.
2. **Two‑bedroom, 715 sq ft, Crown Heights co‑op** – Third floor of a 40‑unit building, eight windows, hardwood floors, five closets, fancy molding. Views of Manhattan skyline from bedroom. Plumbing and electrical need updates; kitchen requires gutting. Live‑in super; subletting permitted after two years with restrictions. Price: $440,000; monthly maintenance: $688.
3. **One‑bedroom walk‑up, 515 sq ft, Manhattan** – Top two floors of a five‑story pre‑war co‑op near 10th Avenue. Whimsical spiral staircase connects kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Fire‑escape view of skyscrapers; ample closet space. Wood floors and kitchen need work. No subletting. Price: $500,000; monthly fees: $325.
**Which Would You Choose?**
- Walk‑up with laundry in Williamsburg
- Spacious two‑bedroom in Crown Heights
- One‑bedroom duplex in Hell’s Kitchen
**Which Did She Buy?**
- Walk‑up with laundry in Williamsburg
- Spacious two‑bedroom in Crown Heights
- One‑bedroom duplex in Hell’s Kitchen
