Finding an Apartment in NYC

Actually, I tried to use the site and found it doesn't function correctly and there's not much being offered as far as apartments. Ten listings or so is not enough inventory...

I understand. A friend of mine used it recently and found a nice apartment, so I thought I would mention it.

To date I've found all of my NYC residencies on Craig's list. This time around, though, a friend recommended a really awesome broker in Brooklyn who apparently can find great Greenpoint/Williamsburg/Bushwick apartments at decent prices. http://www.yelp.com/biz/proper-real-estate-brooklyn

Hi BroadwayBK, thanks for the link. I will have to check it out. Ajadedidealist, I used Craigslist to find a place and did find one, but it turned out to be a dud. It doesn't matter where you get the leads from, you have to be careful and read over the fine print. It is also a great idea to take someone with you for a second opinion. Two heads are better than one.

@ajadedidealist There are definitely tons of creeps on Craig's, but I would say the number of legit places makes it worth a bit of searching. It's a much-used site in a number of cities, and New York is no exception, so you can expect a few crazies.

The problem I've encountered with the site is that people often phish for emails by posting fake ads. I try to bypass this problem by only responding to ads that list phone numbers.

What about streeteasy.com?I often check the site out for sales but I do know that they have a rental section as well though both my friends who are currently renting had success with craigslist adds.

It is hard to say. I think Craiglists is a good option, but then again, any source that seems legit would be a good source. Make sure to read the ad carefully. If a company is listed, do a background check. Cover your tracks.

Craigslist has the nice feature that you can sort through fee- and no-fee apartments. It does seem full of crazies, though. I've somehow made up my mind that next time I get an apartment I really will go for a broker. If they can find me a great apartment at a great price, maybe the fee will be worth that.

@Uraniumfish Aren't you currently looking for an apt? Or did you find one? I came to the same conclusion about a broker - I think it is absolutely worth the fee.

@BroadwayBK I was looking, but put it on hold till the summer. I'll be better prepared for a move then, though I'm still keeping an eye on the listings in case some gem pops up.

I would never pay such a high fee to find an apartment. Let's say I want an apartment and find one. The cost of a month's rent is $1200. The owner wants two months security. Right there I would have to come up with $3600. Now take into account the broker fee, which is usually the first month's rent. So now, instead of paying $3600, I would have to pay $4800. In other words, for that $1200 apartment, I would need nearly $5000 to move in. No thanks. I'll find an apartment on my own and one that only requires a month and a half.

That's always been the deterrent for me too, hhusted, and for a lot of people. Guess lately I'm looking to find a place I like and intend to stay in for the longer term, in which case the fee balances out with the benefits of being really happy with where you live.

I agree with Uraniumfish. There comes a time - when you want to find a long-term living space - when it is just worth it to have someone with connections do all the dirty work for you.

That is what happens when you deal with an agent or broker. I rather do the dirty work, knowing I can save money. That is the name of the game for me.

@ajadedidealist I hear you, sometimes agents want homes to look like immaculate showpieces . How can a home in which people real live and sleep look like those that are featured in Architectural Digest all the time? I think many people who want to sell their apartments in NYC do use staging services. Last summer my husband and I went on a look -see just to explore the market in our neighborhood while some apartments that were being offered for sale were pristine others were lived-in so as to speak but not filthy or disgusting. I can bet the immaculate ones sold much faster than the lived-in lot.

What is that about, uptowngirl? Why are homes pictured like that. I guess it is to attract people to the home. But that defeats the purpose of selling the home, because when people get to the home and see it for what it really is, they will decline it.

@hhusted don't know if they will deciline it .. I seem to think this is the trend nowadays if you want to sell your house/ apartment you have to make sure it is absolutely immaculate and uncluttered otherwise it will sit longer on the market or you will get a lower price.

Yeah, I guess you are right there. I haven't been shopping for a home, so I don't read real estate magazines or newspapers. Therefore, I really can't comment that much on what is practiced to attract and sell a home. Thanks for bring it up though.

@uptowngirl I looked through the RoseNYC offerings, and it seems they're good if you're looking for high-end places, but they don't seem to have a lot of offerings for, let's say, middle class renters. I still think with enough persistence I'm going to find that one splendid, affordable place in all of New York...

@Uraniumfish: If you have a good attitude and stick to it, you will eventually find the home or apartment you want.

Yes, definitely tell me about any good brokers you know of...I am always interested in brokers who are reputable and will be worth the commission fee...

The building I live in - though, not for long - just went up for sale. Does anyone have any idea how the sale of a building effects the current leases of residents? I'm mostly just curious.

If your lease is about to run out, it is up to the new owner to offer you a new lease. My advice is to start looking now, just in case. You may be okay. If you paid your rent on time, and was a good tenant, the new owner shouldn't end your lease. But I have heard of tenants who were really good and when the new owner took over, many of the tenants, who has leases that were within expiration, found themselves having to move, because the owner refused to allow them to renew. It is up to the new owners. If you know the new owners, perhaps you can have a talk with him, or them, and see where you stand. It is best for you to get informed now before it is too late.

By the way, BroadwayBK, I have a client, who is a real estate broker and investor. He has a few apartment buildings he owns. He told me that when he bought the buildings, there were many tenants that had leases up for renewal. He took a look at their history of paying and conduct, and got rid of a lot of them, because the tenants were questionable.

The ones who were great tenants and paid their rent on time, were able to stay.

Just some thoughts to throw at you.

I think it might depend on what the new owner wants to do with the building. If he wants to turn it into a parking garage, then you're probably out of luck. But if he wants to continue to keep it as a rental property, then the lease would just continue...

I pay my rent on time and my roommate is buddies with the landlord an appears to just hand over a check whenever he wants anyway.

I was curious because I know the lease he has won't run out for two more years.... I guess it all depends on who buys the building?

@hhusted But I thought you couldn't just kick people out for no good reason? Or that you at least have to go through the courts to evict people.

A new owner would be bound to honor all currently existing contracts, but may not be obliged to renew contracts unless he wants to. But I don't think I'm saying anything earth-shattering here.

No, you're not. I don't think I would ever fall under the category of people who aren't offered a renewal on the lease, but it just seems sad that people can be so easily removed from their homes if a new owner so feels.

@BroadwayBK I tend to agree with Uraniumfish it depends on what the owner wants to do with the building though I wonder if he will compensate you if you are required to move from the building ? That is the practice in many countries you are generally offered alternative suitable accommodation or monetary compensation for the inconvenience.

Uraniumfish, there is a great broker from Citihabitats (the Sullivan Street one) named Jared Taylor. I know that paying a broker sucks, but if you have to do it, he's great. I used him when I moved to New York. I had no idea what I wanted, could afford or needed in terms of what living conditions are in the city. He went out with me every day for a week -- which is a lot of work for a client that isn't renting an uptown penthouse. He is really nice and easy going and he can even find a lot of no fees at this point. Since meeting him, I've referred all of my friends to him and they've been really happy.

Good, JenMac, sounds like the kind of nice guy I should get to know...I'll post updates on the ongoing search for th eperfect apartment.

Read about these two luxe apartment buildings in NYC which are essentially geared towards the successful, stylish single folk in the city-
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e324dde0-169c-11df-aa09-00144feab49a.html

@uptowngirl The vetting process described in the article sounds rather terrible. Imagine being turned down! "We don't think you're young, hip, and unattached enough"!

I've now been educated to the teh existence of "Singelringen" though. What will they come up with next?

Ugh, that building sounds horrendous! I wouldn't live there if you paid me! (okay, well, maybe if you paid me)

@uptowngirl: When it comes to landlords helping you find a place, if he takes over the property, don't hold your breath. Apartment building owners are not obligated to do anything for you. Once you are evicted (for whatever reason), you are on your own. He may suggest who to contact, but he isn't going to give you one cent to help you.

On the other hand, there are some landlords who are kind and understanding and may help you out. If you left your apartment in good condition, he will not only give you your security back on the spot, but he may decide to give you extra. But how many apartment owners do you know will extend themselves for their tenants.

If you know of any, post them here, I would like to know who they are.

@hhusted The landlords that I referred to in my post are some landlords/developers who are located overseas. I myself was wondering if there were any such landlords in NYC.

None that I know of. If anyone knows of any landlords that will help a former tenant, please post them here.

@hhusted A landlord has to go to a hearing in order to evict - so I wouldn't say that they can evict "for any cause." A tenant has to be in violation of the lease, you can't just evict for any reason - renters do have some rights. As for lease renewal, we've already discussed how a landlord doesn't have to renew yours if he doesn't feel like it. But they are completely different things.

@BroadwayBK: You are right. Landlords do need probable cause to evict tenants. However, there is a situation where the law gets complicated.

I had a friend of mine who lived in an apartment building. He paid his rent on time each month and lived in that building for 5 years. Suddenly, the landlord decided to turn the apartment building into a co-op. Every tenant in the building was given an eviction notice. The tenants went to court over it but lost. The judge stated that the owner had a legal right to turn the building over and remove the tenants. However, according to the law, the landlord is obligated to give the tenant at least 60- 90 days notice of the eviction, so the tenant can have time to find another place.

The city of NY was considering a bill that would give renters more rights. This means landlords could not just evict a tenant because he wants to convert a building. He has to give the tenant the option to stay in the building and continue to pay the monthly rent, knowing the rent will go toward the purchase of the co-op.

If the tenant did not want to stay, he would be given up to 90 days to get out.

Of course, these are laws in place, it is up to the discretion of the landlord whether to evict a tenant or not, when considering apartment to co-op conversions. This is why it is best to consult a landlord tenant lawyer to be sure of your rights as a tenant, since the laws do change all the time.

@hhusted That's good advice about he tenant lawyer! And I do hope they give renters more rights in this city - there are so many of us.

@BroadwayBK and @hhusted in NYC the laws favor the landlords and in cities like Mumbai they favor the tenants. Its usually very difficult in Mumbai for a landlord to evict a tenant especially in a rent controlled building. In Mumbai there is a seaside promenade which is known as the Queen's Necklace and alongside this promenade are some of Mumbai's most famous rent controlled buildings which sport the Art Deco style of architecture. Several of these buildings are quite decrepit as the landlords don't have the funds to maintain them as they are still getting 1950's rents from the tenants who occupy spacious apartments in these sea- facing buildings. Some years ago my cousins grandmum who was a long time tenant in one of those buildings passed away. My cousin and her sister tried to invoke the long term tenancy rights to stay on in the apartment but the landlord wanted them out as he wanted to redevelop the building. Rather than head to the courts my cousin and her sister accepted an out of court settlement from the landlord and gave back the apartment to him for a sum of $100,000. So in some countries the tenants do have some rights and cannot be evicted that easily.

@uptowngirl Well it's nice to know that not every city only supports the whims of building owners.

@Uptowngirl: I wish the same was true here. Unfortunately, the tenants due get screwed by the system in this country more often than not. Maybe we should start a revolution as did the French citizens during the French Revolution. Maybe then we will get noticed and have our demands met. Wishful thinking I know.