How did you find your Apt?
Are there alternatives to craigslist for renting an Apt? I tried the NYT, VillageVoice classified but not much listing. I’m looking for a studio/1BR around Prospect Park (Park Slope, Windsor terr) area. RANT: And what’s up with Brokers charging 1 months rent for showing 1-2 places? =( Is there a listing of building mgmt offices…
Are there alternatives to craigslist for renting an Apt? I tried the NYT, VillageVoice classified but not much listing.
I’m looking for a studio/1BR around Prospect Park (Park Slope, Windsor terr) area.
RANT: And what’s up with Brokers charging 1 months rent for showing 1-2 places? =(
Is there a listing of building mgmt offices to avoid Brokers?
Just wondering how you got your Apt?
I have a beautifully renovated 2BR apartment on 6th Avenue off of Garfield Place for $2,200.00 rent on the 1st floor. If you are interested in taking a look you can email me at info@acrcontracting.com we can talk about fees through the landlord who is also a Real Estate company.
I always post my apartments in craigslist. I am the landlord so there is no brokers fee. This usually generates a large interest and I have many people showing up to see the place.
however, for every landlord posting there are at least 8 who claim to be landlords with no fee apts and they turn out to be brokers. I had some very very fustrated people show up at my building with all their paper work at hand. some have been looking for over 2 months.
many ads will state park slope but are actually south slope or are at 4th ave and below. Some list a studio apartment in park slope which is actually a chopped up apartment and has less then 300sq feet of living space.
So to sum up: if going through craigslist you have to be very patient. always ask for the exact address and sq footage of the space. if you are willing to pay a 1 month fee to a broker, it might save you lots of footwork and time.
I have rented two apartments in NYC. The first was on the UWS of Manhattan and I rented it through a broker that worked for the management company, it was a market rate rental and if there was a broker’s fee the owner paid it. When it came time to renew the Manhattan market was near its peak (Oct 06) and the rent was going to go up by 17% so I decided to move. I did a bit of looking on the internet and went to some open houses, but nothing yanked my chain. I ended up going to a broker in Astoria, told her what I wanted, she showed me three apartments, two that would not fit my furniture and one that was ideal. If the broker is good, they don’t need to show you a lot of apartments, just the ones they think you’ll like. The apartment I ended up renting was a huge one bedroom with an eat in kitchen, but plenty of room for my huge dining table and six chairs in the living room. The landlord didn’t object to my cats either. I had no objections to paying the broker’s fee because I got a nice apartment and did not get dragged around for three weeks. It was a good deal, but now my hubby and I own a condo in Brooklyn.
Bottom line, find a broker in the area you want to live and pony up the fee.
I went the no fee craigslist route when looking for all the rental apartments I’ve ever had. I have found that the quality of places is typically better if you use a small, local broker. They have access, and have relationships with landlords who I have found to be a little more realistic with the rents they charge. I know it is painful to give someone thousands of dollars to just turn a key – but I feel as though one cannot put a price on finding a great, comfortable place to live with a great landlord.
asking the supers in buildings is an alternative to asking the doormen. i think if a classifieds tab is added it should be strictly for apartments, not stuff… next thing you know people will be trying to sell their booties on here!
*rob*
I don’t know how many door men apartments there are in Park Slope, but one of my friends found an apartment on the Upper East Side by going from building to building and asking the doormen.
Thanks. This is good food for thought.
Also… 1 months rent?! (8.3%) You’re getting a deal! Most agents charge more like 10-15%
Classifieds tab is a great idea. If it becomes too big to manage then start charging. I’d use it. I got some doors to sell/give away.