Apartment hunting advice

My wife and I are looking for an apartment to rent in Brooklyn, primarily seraching in the Prospect Heights, Park Slope, and Fort Greene neighborhoods though open to others. We are hoping for a 1-2 bedroom for under $2000: is that reasonable? A cat and a small dog (30 lbs) will be coming as well. We are meeting with a few brokers though I would prefer to not use one and rent directly from the owner. Any good places besides Craigslist or Padmapper to look for private owners? Sifting through those can be pretty painful. Any general advice would be greatly appreciated as we are not from the area (i.e. things to look for, common misteps…). Thanks in advance!

nfarber

in Real Estate - Rentals 13 years and 2 months ago

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brokelin | 13 years and 1 month ago

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If you are willing to go to windsor terrace and/or ditmas park neighborhoods, do not forget kensington as well, also more space for the money there, and no further away than those two neighborhoods.  remember that people use ditmas park to refer to an area of about seven separate neighborhoods, each with its own name, also known as victorian flatbush.  If I were looking for spaciousness for low money, which is what you are doing, I would look in those three neighborhoods, windsor, ditmas, and kensington, though you may be priced out of windsor terrace, and I would look also in crown heights and bed stuy as well. It partly depends on whether you want a brownstone rental or an apartment building…some neighborhoods have more of one than the other.  park slope, prospect heights, fort greene, and carroll gardens are all out of your range,  by going a bit further out, but still with good train access, you will get more space for your money.  you might find something in the far edges of prospect heights.  most areas listed above will be close to prospect park, which is nice.

Skillman | 13 years and 1 month ago

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2,000 is definitely on the low end of the spectrum for one bedrooms in Fort Greene and Park Slope (prime).

slimc | 13 years and 1 month ago

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The reason sifting through “For Rent By Owner” Craigslist ads is so difficult is becasue brokers abuse that category. You can help by flagging ads by brokers who post in the owners section.

m926bk | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Carrol Gardens is also expensive.  If you’re flexible on neighborhood, South Slope, Windsor Terrrace and Ditmas Park are good neigh’s with slightly better rents.  Bay Ridge is much farther into Brooklyn but a nice neighborhood with very good rents.  Agree with the advice above to walk around those neighorhoods and pop into the mom-and-pop realtor places, especially in Windsor Terrace and Ditmas Park.

coopking | 13 years and 1 month ago

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this might give you some price perspective http://www.rentometer.com only other advice i can give is walk around the neighborhoods and visit the mom and pop realtor places. they often have stuff that goes quick and never makes it onto the internet. the tri neighborhood area you describe is very popular so might be hard to find something in that price range. you could try crown heights “a bit more sketchy” or ditmas park ” a bit further out. if i was looking to rent in brooklyn right now thats where i would go.

italiana71 | 13 years and 1 month ago

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You can definitely get a two bedroom for under 2K in Bay Ridge. Just a suggestion.

m926bk | 13 years and 2 months ago

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You should be able to find a 1 BR for that amount but, in those neighborhoods, I would say definitely not a 2 BR.  Every rental has different animal rules, so you’ll want to be upfront about that.  Craigslist is still the best place to find a For Rent By Owner.  You severely limit yourself, though, if you don’t go the broker route.  In your case, it might be worth the money because they can show you properties in other neighborhoods that fit your criteria.  Paying a broker’s fee hurts, but if they find you a good place that you can stay in for awhile, it’s kind of a wash.  Good luck!