C
laire Breedlove was content in her Harlem neighborhood, but not in her rental apartment, which was part of a poorly maintained building. Last winter, she decided to buy a place of her own, only to be outbid on a nearby condominium with a terrace. Her parents suggested she contact Bridget Harvey, an associate broker at Compass, who recommended by their agent from 25 years ago.

    Breedlove confided in Harvey about her dream of finding a Harlem townhouse to buy with her friend Charlotte Renfield-Miller, who was also considering a purchase. The two women, both native New Yorkers, had become close friends after meeting 10 years ago at a training session in Washington, D.C., where they worked for an international development nonprofit.

    As they commuted on the M102 bus between their apartments, they started checking listings and discussed buying a townhouse together. They wanted a specific location in Central Harlem, near Marcus Garvey Park, so Breedlove could easily visit her parents in Greenwich Village and Renfield-Miller could take a bus to visit hers on the Upper East Side.

    Their plan no longer seemed unrealistic as they learned more about the area's residential rowhouses within their price range of $2.6 million to $3 million. A two-family home would work best, but a three-family would allow them to bring in rental income from the third unit. "We plan to live as neighbors, not roommates," Breedlove said.

    Both sets of parents were supportive and willing to help with the down payment. The friends wanted a rowhouse with character that could still be improved, and they planned to create an L.L.C. for the purchase to protect their friendship in case of future disagreements. They agreed on how to cover common costs, and Breedlove's boyfriend would pay his share: half of her half.

    Their options included a two-family home or a three-family rowhouse with rental income potential.