Known as “The Real Estate Doctor,” Jeff Gardere is an associate broker for Dwelling Quest specializing in the uptown market. He also has a Ph.D. in psychology, and is a frequent contributor to TV and radio talk shows. He spoke recently with The New York Sun’s about his own neighborhood, Harlem.

Q: What is the profile of the Harlem buyer?

A: Someone who is still looking for space, and looking to pay less than for something downtown. Also, someone interested in the Harlem experience, who understands the richness and diversity in Harlem.

A lot of families looking for space are looking at two, three, and four bedrooms. Three-bedrooms are really, really hot right now. It’s still a mixture, but a lot of white, young couples and artists are coming into the Harlem and Washington Heights area.

A lot of folks are getting into developments, and they’re not developers. They are buying townhouses that need gut renovations, and either do several condos or a full townhouse a one-family or rental units.

There are a lot of investors who are looking for deals in Harlem. The property values are continuing to grow, and the property taxes going up for brownstones with four families and up have not deterred interest.

What types and styles of properties are available in Harlem?

A lot of people are looking for townhouses with wood moldings, fireplaces, old banisters, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Those are considered prime. There are townhouses here going for $1.7 million, $2.2 million, and $2.7 million. The other thing people are looking for are co-ops that have the same details.

You can find a two-bedroom that actually has a formal living room and formal dining room, and some have eat-in-kitchens. Downtown, you are talking about two-bedrooms and a living room and dining area.

What factors contributed to the upswing of Harlem?

It’s been a process. Over the past seven years, things have taken a real upswing. Twenty years ago, the city was giving away brownstones for a dollar. You couldn’t give these things away.

Now that’s pretty unheard of. There’s a real excitement up here. It’s getting a reputation of being a safe place, with prices better than downtown, but you don’t have to go to Brooklyn, Queens, or Williamsburg. It’s still doable here.

A lot of very progressive parents think this is the ideal environment for their children to be exposed to so many different cultures.

There are a lot of great deals to be found in Harlem. What else needs to happen there before more people will move in?

There are good deals, but they’re not great anymore. There still needs to be more services, more stores, more amenities, and more restaurants. It’s been exploding up here, but we need more. Among my Jewish clients, one of their concerns is that there aren’t enough synagogues up here.

If you were advising a young couple looking to buy their first home anywhere in the city, where would you suggest they look?

Harlem or Washington Heights. I live here and I love it. I love the mix of people. You don’t have that downtown. I just think it’s a wonderful thing. Many young couples want space, so for the price they might pay for a one-bedroom downtown, they can at least get a two to three-bedroom here, so they’re ready when the babies come.