How to Find An Apartment In New York City
How do you find a rental in New York City, one of the largest cities in the United States with more than 26,000 people per square mile? The answer is, “with 100 percent preparation and zero procrastination.” Finding a great place to live can be easy if done proactively, preparing for, and taking control of a difficult task. The result is finding an excellent New York rental that meets your needs.
Rentals in New York City are in high demand. Due to the current state of affairs in the housing market, the best rentals don’t last very long. Competition is fierce; Landlords sort through hundreds of applications. To increase your chances of renting the right place, there are several steps to take before securing a rental. Smart renters are prepared with a structured plan that gives them an advantage over their many competitors.
A Structured Plan
Below are step-by-step tips to assist you with finding the best New York City rental:
- Set-up a budget based on your income and financial obligations;
- Explore and conceptualize the type of rental you want to live in;
- Choose the type of neighborhood that fits your individual lifestyle;
- Create a list of necessities, requirements, and absolute deal breakers;
- Consider things to do and prioritize them in order of importance;
- For a broad range of choices, take advantage of every available resource;
- Stay focused by creating a timeline of things to do with start and finish dates;
- Make calls, leave messages, schedule appointments, and follow-up as needed;
- It is important to tour perspective communities for safety concerns; and,
- Know and understand important landlord/tenants laws and responsibilities.
Set-up a Budget
A budget estimates and itemizes expected income and expenses. Budgets are financial plans of operation based on monthly income that allows an allotment of money set-aside for the purpose of saving and surviving. However intimidating a budget is good money management.
Financial responsibility guarantees success. Take a close look at your financial situation listing fixed expenses and anticipated expenses, possible variables, and total income to figure out a monthly (yearly) budget. You can save a great deal of money setting-up and sticking to a prescribed budget. Consider the following financial obligations checklist:
- Total Income
- Rent
- Utilities
- Food
- Hygiene
- Health Care
- Clothing
- Miscellaneous Items
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Insurances
- Savings
- Transportation
- Entertainment
- Total Expenses
From work to play, the quality of life benefits from budgeting constraints that control unneeded spending.
Conceptualize and Explore Options
Whether moving to New York City for professional or educational reasons, forethought, planning, and organizing will significantly better your chances for the type of rental that best meets your individual needs and standards. The process of fully exploring your options begins with asking yourself basic questions.
Consider the type of housing you prefer – a house or an apartment – and availability in the area you’re considering? How much travel time to and from your place of employment? Do you prefer large complexes that typically house professionals on the move, or family-oriented settings with amenities that offer small-town charm?
Select an Area
Considering your lifestyle plays a key role in figuring out where to live. New York City is divided into 5 separate boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Lower and Middle Manhattan areas. Anchored by Wall Street, Lower Manhattan includes popular areas such as China Town, Little Italy, the Financial District, and Greenwich Village. Upper Manhattan includes Harlem, Morning Side and Washington Heights. List Requirement and Necessities
In New York City, affordability is the number one factor when considering rental requirements and necessities. Once you understand what you’re working with - wages and cost of living (your budget), take a serious look at your basic needs and requirements verses your desires. Fancy landscaping, BBQ grills, swimming pools, state of the art fitness centers, hardwood floors, and shag carpeting are desires.
Requirements such as appliances, closet space, laundry facilities, parking and mass transit options, medical and health care locations, grocery stores, schools, and spiritual preferences are imperatives. Electrical outlets, phone jacks, Wi-Fi access and high-speed internet connectivity in the community are important essentials. Snow removal, sanitation, security and safety are necessities.
Develop a Contact List
Evaluate the best resources available. The most common way to find a rental is through a New York City broker. Rental agencies are helpful as well. Provide realtors with your requirements and specific needs. Networking by word-of-mouth is invaluable. Speak to friends, business associates, and acquaintances letting them know you’re seeking a rental. Networking is a communication tool easily done with a contact list of resources.
Available Resources
New York City has a wealth of resources available to help you seek and find rentals. The expertise of a realtor is incomparable. Classified ads, rental web sites, housing referral services, government offices, and community groups are great resources for renters. Similarly, rental periodicals and weekly magazines provide rental listings. Some publications have neighborhood profiles and crime statistics.
Develop a Timeline
A timeline will display events in chronological order, demonstrating your progress. Computer office programs such as Office Excel 2007 allow you to create grids to accurately lay-out your successes and failures. Rental notes, research, short descriptions, and important information can be formatted in groups of cells, in a row, offering you a visual element of your accomplishments.
Choose Your Community Wisely
Tour perspective rental locations, speak to residents and inquire about safety and security concerns. Know and understanding Landlord/Tenant Laws such as Rent Control. Consider obtaining Renter’s Insurance. Don't get discouraged, make confident decisions. Use internet search engines for the best results. The top New York City rental websites are:
- www.renthop.com
- www.bestaptsnyc.com
- www.citysitesny.com
- www.platinumpropertiesnyc.com
- www.nycdwellers.com
- www.rfrrealty.com
Additionally, there are low-income rentals available through New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development; Visit www.nyc.gov/html/hpd for more information.
A structured plan will provide a helpful guide bettering your chances of finding a rental. Most importantly, budget your money, shop around and compare prices to ensure finding the very best New York City rental available.
