Too Soon for April 1 Rental?
I have a question for the landlords here – is it too soon to be looking for an April 1st rental? I’ve been on Craigslist, but I can’t seem to find anything quite yet, especially in Prospect Heights. CL seems to be full of new construction rentals for PH and that’s just not what I…
I have a question for the landlords here – is it too soon to be looking for an April 1st rental? I’ve been on Craigslist, but I can’t seem to find anything quite yet, especially in Prospect Heights. CL seems to be full of new construction rentals for PH and that’s just not what I am after. I am trying to avoid a Broker’s Fee this time around, so I’ve been looking mostly at by-owner or no-fee apartments. It just seems like there isn’t much out there right now.
The pricing will be so specific for each unit (is it nicely renovated? Is it REALLY in Prospect heights? Does it have outdoor space?). Our Garden level apartment rented for $2400, it’s a very nicely renovated two bed, 1 bath with a small private outdoor space, Washer dryer in apartment, central ac and electricity included. You will finder cheaper options and more expensive options–it just depends what is included…..
Good Luck! Prospect Heights is a great place to live.
Thanks for all the feedback and the perspective – It’s been incredibly frustrating as I tend to be someone who likes to have their ducks all in a row, and I like to know that I’ve secured a place. It seems like I am doing all I can for now, and just have to wait a bit until the LL start posting for April.
As an aside – what have people general seen as a rental range in Prospect Heights for a 2-bedroom/1ba? With all the new construction that seems to be posted in CL, I am having a difficult time trying to gauge what a fair price is!
I’m actually the poster of that Brooklyn Heights two-room studio. As duckumu guessed, my boyfriend and I have a lease through the end of August, but we’re moving out of NYC for work and need to break it. Our landlord said they’d allow us to if we find someone to start a new lease when we leave. Even though April 1 is still a while off, we’d love to have it settled asap, which is why we’re looking now…
However, I can tell you from my own apartment hunt that it’s very rare to find anything more than a month before it’s available. Generally you’ll have the most luck 1-2 weeks before. Stressful, huh? I certainly thought so.
Good luck!
fyi, here’s the april 1 rental that i was talking about in my earlier comment: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/abo/1591389487.html
it’s a two-room studio on columbia place (brooklyn heights) for april 1. looks to be a nice enough place. price isn’t bad. that’s a cute block with a recently opened cafe (iris cafe).
> it’s prob too early to be serious, but not too early to get
> ideas and see what’s out there..
That sums up my take on it. Particularly if there is a broker in the mix, there won’t be much to see (that you will probably want) before March 1. The best places still tend to get rented quickly while the dumpier places linger.
I might break all records on premature looking, but I’m starting to look now for a June 1 date (since buying is not in the cards this year). I, too, am trying to avoid a fee, but also am strongly considering the new luxury buildings being built (Brooklyner, Avalon, Gold, etc) because the ammenities are drool-worthy and the prices aren’t bad. Since these places are still being built out, I’ve made a couple appointments to “get it out of my system” and to fuel my real-estate obsession. This way, come April/May when I *really* have to look, I’m much for focused in what I am look for in terms of exact locale, price, ammenitites, etc. And if I find something early, many apts won’t be done ’til then, so that’d also work.
So in sum – it’s prob too early to be serious, but not too early to get ideas and see what’s out there..
since most tenants give their landlords 30 days notice, start looking in march. i’d guess 80% or more apartments hit the market in the 30 day window.
my theory on why LL’s post their rentals at the last minute is because they know renters are pressed for time; renters NEED to find something by X date, or else. Closer to their X date, the crappier apartments start becoming more appealing!
If you see a place that interests you that’s a March 1st move-in, you might also contact the landlord and see if they’d accept a April 1 move-in (or sometime in March). Especially if you’re willing to sign the lease in advance.
Some landlords are happier to have a “bird-in-hand” earlier than hope to get someone approved in the next two weeks. I’ve been asked that often, and sometimes it works out.