figandplum's Profile

  • Jess
  • 2001
  • 2006
  • Brooklyn
  • Park Slope
  • Rental
  • attorney
  • Female
  • 30
  • http://www.figandplum.com

Author's Posts

October 14, 2007

Renting in Prospect Heights

Can anyone recommend any especially good brokers for renting in Prospect Heights, or (better yet) tips for finding an apartment rented by owners in the area? We had an experience recently with one broker who claimed a 15% fee was standard in Brooklyn (ha!) and who tried to jack up the rent on a coop sublet we'd seen after we said we would take it. It was too bad, because we sincerely liked the place and the location (St. John's between Washington and Underhill).

Any advice would sure be appreciated!

Jess

Posted in Forum by figandplum at 5:12 PM | Comments (14)
Categories: Renters

Author's Comments

oh yes, we have been vigilant about checking craig's list! suggestions for other methods / resources would be greatly appreciated :)

Posted by: figandplum at October 14, 2007 7:09 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

i've heard of the palm-greasing method, but have never known anyone who has tried it... maybe we will give it a shot. too bad the building we were scoping out does not have a doorman - maybe they do have a bulletin board though.

Posted by: figandplum at October 14, 2007 10:14 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

thanks for the leads! bmfesq, i sent you an email. i think i stopped in at that office on flatbush (I forgot the name already too!) and gave a very nice-seeming broker there our information. maybe i'll give some of those other brokers a go.

Posted by: figandplum at October 15, 2007 4:06 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

thanks for the rec! did he do any plastering or just painting? we need someone who is an able plasterer, too.

Posted by: figandplum at October 15, 2007 4:10 PM in response to Great Painter Reccomendation.

i like this stalking tactic. do you like your building now that you've moved in? should i stalk them too?

Posted by: figandplum at October 15, 2007 9:01 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

the doormen in a lot of these buildings know everything that is going on in their buildings. perhaps if you ask could hook you up with someone in their building who is either thinking of renting or of apartments available for sublet.

i wouldn't normally suggest the 'palm greasing' scenario, but it has been known to work in the past. also, some buildings have bulletin boards. perhaps if you ask the doormen (nicely) they will allow you to put a notice up.

Posted by: guest at October 14, 2007 9:11 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

i've heard of the palm-greasing method, but have never known anyone who has tried it... maybe we will give it a shot. too bad the building we were scoping out does not have a doorman - maybe they do have a bulletin board though.

Posted by: figandplum at October 14, 2007 10:14 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

When are you looking to move and what price range and or number of bedrooms?

Posted by: bmfesq at October 15, 2007 11:48 AM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

You might be glad you weren't able to rent on St John's -- it's one of the noisiest blocks in the neighborhood with a kinda shady reputation for dealing and other street crimes. Most buildings in PH are too small to have doormen. You could try Prospect Heights Realty on Vanderbilt at Prospect. They also manage apt blds so some of their listings are exclusives. Ask for Duke. And there's a broker on Flatbush Ave btw Park and Prospect (forgot the name) that sometimes has properties that otherwise fly beneath the radar. Also, don't overlook the NYT classifieds.

Posted by: guest at October 15, 2007 12:24 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

Aguayo and Huebner have alot of stuff in Prospect Heights as well. But tt's kind of hit or miss with them. Some of their brokers are good, some are little sketchy.

Posted by: guest at October 15, 2007 3:45 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

thanks for the leads! bmfesq, i sent you an email. i think i stopped in at that office on flatbush (I forgot the name already too!) and gave a very nice-seeming broker there our information. maybe i'll give some of those other brokers a go.

Posted by: figandplum at October 15, 2007 4:06 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

In all seriousness, what is a good broker?

Posted by: guest at October 15, 2007 5:37 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

I found my place in ProHo by researching the ownership of the building I wanted to live in and then stalking them. An email once a month and a timely phone call finally did the trick.

Posted by: guest at October 15, 2007 5:43 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

i like this stalking tactic. do you like your building now that you've moved in? should i stalk them too?

Posted by: figandplum at October 15, 2007 9:01 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights

They have said it's less expensive to rent in Prospect Heights these days. Before a 2br/2 bath would be say $2200, now it could be less with AY.

Posted by: guest at October 15, 2007 11:45 PM in response to Renting in Prospect Heights