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Nikki Yeager's Guide to NYC Apartments
I have a whole bunch of friends who are desperately searching for apartments. They're looking uptown, they're looking downtown... they're even getting panicked and checking out Brooklyn. All to no avail.
So a few of them have asked me how I've done it (twice!) and within a [former] volunteer's budget. To that I always reply "oh, just a bit of luck".
But after sitting down and dishing out some tips to a friend, I realized that isn't true at all. In fact, it's anything BUT luck. Both times it's been a massive email blanket on craigslist and dozens of hours weeding through crappy real estate agents. After which I've learned a few things. So I'm passing that info on to anyone who'd like to hear.
Here is my, Nikki Yeager's Guide To New York Apartments
1. When? Look during the last or first week of every month. Most leases run out the first week of a new month so renters will be scrambling to fill spaces before their current tenants leave. More importantly, check between college semesters. A month to a week before each semester starts, student housing frees up like magic. All the studios around Columbia and NYU are suddenly brought into daylight and broker's are more than happy to show you a cute little one bedroom for a college budget smile
2. Where? Most people know prices get increasingly higher as the numbered streets get lower. However, if you're willing to move into Chinatown you can snag some good deals. Granted, your landlord will probably not speak English and there's not a single American grocery store in sight. But still, SoHo is just a walk away.
If you're willing to go uptown, you're in luck. Harlem/Morningside Heights is beautiful and only a 10-30 minute commute all the way downtown. There are clean grocery stores on every corner, big parks and friendly people everywhere! Plus, not everyone buys into the impressive reviews of previous drug territory so you can still get a decent price. In 5 years you'll probably be out of luck if you're on a budget.
As for Brooklyn, you'll get a bigger space for the same price and have to deal with crappy transportation and messed up late night trains. Some people adore it, I'm not buying the appeal.
3. How? Don't go with a broker. They will charge up to two months rent. Imagine what that really adds up to. You're looking at increasing your budget by 50-100 dollars a month over a year's time. That's just absurd! Do it yourself or go with a no-fee broker. Brian just used a really awesome no fee broker and I found a few really good ones as well (just email for their names). These brokers are just as good and they won't rape you for money.
As for websites, don't buy into the ones that post on craigslist as 'great resources' and catch you in a maze of website links. I got stuck paying a weekly fee to a company who didn't exist and wasted hours weeding through the garbage. Not a fun scenario. So what websites do work? Craigslist, sublets.com and any free site. Sublets.com actually has quite a few year+ long leases.
4. Craigslist is a monster of its own. Craigslist works if you use it correctly. If you don't do it the right way you'll get screwed over, misled and denied time and time again. First, if there is a phone number call, don't email. Emails will usually be ignored (they don't list their number for no reason!). If they email back with an automatic reply move on. 99% of the time that means scam.
What do I do? I stick to the 10 hour rule. Anything posted more than 10-24 hours ago is probably gone already. Remember, there are millions of NYers looking for homes 24 hours a day. You have to beat them to it. So, when you find a post respond immediately. Call and leave a message even if it's 8 am, email no matter what time it is. Then, when they call you back pick up immediately. Do not wait for a voicemail, they will move on.
Lastly, don't be afraid to say "I'm interested in this apartment and only this apartment." "Are the pictures on your site actual pictures of the apartment?" "Is this apartment actually at this address?" If you ask them straight forward they usually won't take you on a wild goose chase... they'll just ignore you all together if they're looking to pull a fast one on potential shoppers.
5. General rules. Go to an apartment viewing with proof of employment, referrals and a check for a deposit. New Yorkers rent apartments within an hour of viewing. If you go home to "think about it", chances are the apartment will be gone within 45 minutes. I signed a lease within 1 hour of seeing both of my apartments. If it's the right place you'll know it... but so will the couple walking in 10 minutes after you. The only difference is that they will probably be ready right then and there.
So good luck and happy hunting!
Read More of My Blog- www.nikkiyeager.com
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
So a few of them have asked me how I've done it (twice!) and within a [former] volunteer's budget. To that I always reply "oh, just a bit of luck".
But after sitting down and dishing out some tips to a friend, I realized that isn't true at all. In fact, it's anything BUT luck. Both times it's been a massive email blanket on craigslist and dozens of hours weeding through crappy real estate agents. After which I've learned a few things. So I'm passing that info on to anyone who'd like to hear.
Here is my, Nikki Yeager's Guide To New York Apartments
1. When? Look during the last or first week of every month. Most leases run out the first week of a new month so renters will be scrambling to fill spaces before their current tenants leave. More importantly, check between college semesters. A month to a week before each semester starts, student housing frees up like magic. All the studios around Columbia and NYU are suddenly brought into daylight and broker's are more than happy to show you a cute little one bedroom for a college budget smile
2. Where? Most people know prices get increasingly higher as the numbered streets get lower. However, if you're willing to move into Chinatown you can snag some good deals. Granted, your landlord will probably not speak English and there's not a single American grocery store in sight. But still, SoHo is just a walk away.
If you're willing to go uptown, you're in luck. Harlem/Morningside Heights is beautiful and only a 10-30 minute commute all the way downtown. There are clean grocery stores on every corner, big parks and friendly people everywhere! Plus, not everyone buys into the impressive reviews of previous drug territory so you can still get a decent price. In 5 years you'll probably be out of luck if you're on a budget.
As for Brooklyn, you'll get a bigger space for the same price and have to deal with crappy transportation and messed up late night trains. Some people adore it, I'm not buying the appeal.
3. How? Don't go with a broker. They will charge up to two months rent. Imagine what that really adds up to. You're looking at increasing your budget by 50-100 dollars a month over a year's time. That's just absurd! Do it yourself or go with a no-fee broker. Brian just used a really awesome no fee broker and I found a few really good ones as well (just email for their names). These brokers are just as good and they won't rape you for money.
As for websites, don't buy into the ones that post on craigslist as 'great resources' and catch you in a maze of website links. I got stuck paying a weekly fee to a company who didn't exist and wasted hours weeding through the garbage. Not a fun scenario. So what websites do work? Craigslist, sublets.com and any free site. Sublets.com actually has quite a few year+ long leases.
4. Craigslist is a monster of its own. Craigslist works if you use it correctly. If you don't do it the right way you'll get screwed over, misled and denied time and time again. First, if there is a phone number call, don't email. Emails will usually be ignored (they don't list their number for no reason!). If they email back with an automatic reply move on. 99% of the time that means scam.
What do I do? I stick to the 10 hour rule. Anything posted more than 10-24 hours ago is probably gone already. Remember, there are millions of NYers looking for homes 24 hours a day. You have to beat them to it. So, when you find a post respond immediately. Call and leave a message even if it's 8 am, email no matter what time it is. Then, when they call you back pick up immediately. Do not wait for a voicemail, they will move on.
Lastly, don't be afraid to say "I'm interested in this apartment and only this apartment." "Are the pictures on your site actual pictures of the apartment?" "Is this apartment actually at this address?" If you ask them straight forward they usually won't take you on a wild goose chase... they'll just ignore you all together if they're looking to pull a fast one on potential shoppers.
5. General rules. Go to an apartment viewing with proof of employment, referrals and a check for a deposit. New Yorkers rent apartments within an hour of viewing. If you go home to "think about it", chances are the apartment will be gone within 45 minutes. I signed a lease within 1 hour of seeing both of my apartments. If it's the right place you'll know it... but so will the couple walking in 10 minutes after you. The only difference is that they will probably be ready right then and there.
So good luck and happy hunting!
Read More of My Blog- www.nikkiyeager.com
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
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