Apartment Hunting Tips

Finding an apartment in New York City is always difficult, for people of all income levels. Be sure you know all there is to know about looking for an apartment before beginning your search.

Ways to Find an Apartment

#1: Brokers One of the most common methods of finding an apartment in New York City is using a real estate broker. If you know what neighborhood you want to live in, it's usually best to find a broker based there. Many brokers also have Web sites where you can view available apartments, sometimes even with photos and detailed descriptions.

#2: Word-of-Mouth There is good news for those who would prefer not to pay hefty brokers' fees: a substantial number of New Yorkers find their units by word-of-mouth, mostly from friends, relatives, and co-workers. If you're looking for an apartment, make sure everyone you know knows that you're looking.

#3: Classified Ads The third most common method used by recent movers is a classic: the classified ad. Movers cite using the New York Times, the Village Voice, the Daily News, local or community papers, and Newsday. Foreign-language or ethnic newspapers, such as El Diario and the Jewish Press, are also a good source of classified ads. Many newspapers now post their classified ads online, so make sure to check out the Web sites of local papers and online message boards like newyork.craigslist.org.

#4: Walking Around A small but notable percentage of movers find their apartment when they simply see a "For Rent" sign. It can pay to walk around the neighborhood you want to live in and look around.

#5: Housing Office If you're living here for professional or educational reasons, don't neglect your organization's housing office or service. They know what you often don't about renting in New York City and it's their job to help you find a great new apartment.

#6: Referral services are a growing resource that savvy hunters, especially those who are comfortable searching on the Internet, should not neglect. For a monthly fee these services will provide you with a list of no-fee apartment rentals as they become available.

#7: Apartment Referral Office Finding a Vacant Apartment in Same Building Other movers find their apartments in the same building in which they already live. Be proactive and talk to neighbors, doormen, supers, landlords, and/or your management company to see if another apartment is available in the same building.

#8: Going on Waiting Lists Affordable housing is often offered through waiting lists or application lotteries. If you have time before you need to move, put your name on waiting lists and/or fill out applications for affordable housing through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), or the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA).

#9: Community Groups You may occasionally find housing through local government offices or community groups that keep information on neighborhood housing notices.

#10: Apartment Guides Lastly, don't forget to rely on resources like our Apartment Guide. These general references provide information about leases and other housing issues.

Apartment or Loft? Which is the perfect deal for me?

There are pros and cons associated with both apartments and lofts and the best fit really has to do with what kind of function they want their living space to provide. If you are someone with a care free attitude who does not want their world defined by barriers, then a loft would be the best option. But if you need pre-defined boundaries for privacy and space then the traditional apartment setting is the way to go.

A traditional apartment has definitive rooms separated by floor-to-ceiling walls and accessible through doorways with or without a door. Bathrooms are always separate and are not included in the overall square footage. A classic loft-style apartment is one huge space with an average living space of 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. High ceilings (with windows to match), hardwood floors and exposed building elements such as brick, pipes, and beams with cavernous spaces beyond the reach of the average resident are just a few of the aspects that lure tenants to the city-life. Many lofts are converted factory space which reflects the living environment. Lofts are usually attractive living spaces for trendy hipsters and yuppies looking to make their mark on the NYC scene.

Brooklyn is filled with many traditional apartments and lofts each offering up great living space and spectacular city views. Secured video entry, in-house fitness center and a pool are a just a few of the luxury items that may or may not come with your apartment, no matter which style you choose.

Renters in Brooklyn take advantage of Real Estate "Market Crisis"

Developers who have constructed or are still constructing new apartments have found themselves in a very tricky situation in this volatile real estate market. These apartments were originally slated for sale once completed, but the financial crisis that has hit the nation has forced the developers to adapt quickly and shift from selling to renting these apartments. This has in effect created a win-win situation for thousands of young professionals who have dreamed of living in some of Brooklyn’s most sought after neighborhoods, including the trendy Williamsburg hot spot.

Eager hipsters from all over the nation have begun grabbing up these apartments in record numbers and there is no shortage of apartments to meet this demand. Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. has been fortunate enough to negotiate many exclusive deals featuring the most amazing apartments in Williamsburg, Red Hook, Greenpoint, Clinton Hill, and tons of more locations throughout Brooklyn.

“If there is an economic crisis gripping this nation, it hasn’t quite made its way to our backyard” says Malkiel Berlianshik, owner of Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. “We’ve been incredibly busy in this traditionally slow season and have been fortunate to be able to offer apartments at unbelievably low prices. The developers are happy to rent out their apartments as soon as possible and the renters are even more happy taking advantage of this “renter friendly” market.

For more information on how Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. can accomadate your rental needs, please visit our web site, Peoples Choice Rentals.