Where to start?
Starting your search for New York apartments can be a very daunting task. Since the city is the largest in the United States, it can be somewhat overwhelming knowing where and how to begin. Whether you have a great deal of experience in the city or you are completely new to the area, taking on the Big Apple demands a great deal of time, patience, and dedication.
The process does not have to be completely frustrating, however. By taking the time to follow a few key steps and knowing a few main tricks, you can narrow down your options faster than you ever imagined.
The first step when shopping for an apartment in New York is to determine the neighborhood in which you want to reside. While this may seem a bit simple, you will find out quickly that it is not as easy as you may have thought. You should find an area that is safe, that fits into your lifestyle, and one that offers all of the features you desire. Be sure to take some time to visit these areas to judge certain criteria, such as apartment sizes, noise levels, community, and how easy it is to navigate and get to where you need to go on a daily basis.
Are you willing to sacrifice?
Apartments in the City are not all inclusive, this means that you will have to make certain sacrifices. Whether you need to accept a smaller size, a different location, or the fact that various amenities may not be available, you need to understand that your picture perfect, ideal apartment in your mind may not actually exist in the city. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the father downtown the apartment is located, the more expensive and smaller it will be.
What is your budget?
From here you will need to set a budget and make sure it is realistic. Determine what is a fair, and average price for New York apartments in the neighborhoods that interest you. A good way to go about this process is to do a bit of research on the internet. You can easily compare prices, amenities, features, and size with just a couple of clicks of the mouse. Be sure to only visit reputable sites and stay away from online classifieds which are usually packed with scams.
Then, when you have seen what the average prices are, decide how much you can comfortably afford each month. Most landlords will also require at least a good credit standing of at least 650 in order to rent New York apartments. You will also need to have an income level of at least forty to fifty times your rent payment each month, or else a guarantor may be required. For example, if you are considering an apartment of average size, one bedroom, in the East Village the rent averages about $2,500 per month. This means that you will need to have an annual income level of about $95,000.
Timing is everything
Finally, you need to have good timing. Realtors agree that without taking timing into account, your chances of getting what you want, when you want it become quite slim. New York apartments are somewhat unique when compared to other cities because with other cities all you need is two or three months to search before your anticipated move out date. New York, however, has a market that moves so quickly that the majority of landlords will sign a lease as soon as your application is approved. This gives people a month at the most to complete a search, with the best apartment offerings hitting the market on the first and third weeks of the month. Roughly seventy percent of all listings found on the first week of the month are for individuals who are moving around the fifteenth of the month. The remaining thirty percent of listings are for those moving at the beginning of the following month.
You can be moving in, in no time!
Once you have decided upon an apartment, be sure to secure it about ten days before you want the keys to move in. The entire process from start to finish your search for New York apartments should only take about a week. The first couple of days should be used to find out what is available, the next couple of days should be to narrow down your options, and the last couple of days should be dedicated to submitting paperwork. That being said, it is possible that you will find the apartment you desire on the second day, in which case take it without hesitation. Do not wait because if you love what you see, someone else will as well. There is generally a one to two percent vacancy rate in the city, so there are always more people looking than there are openings.
Whether you want to rent or buy your new home in The City, NewYorkApartmentsGo.com is the best option to find it.
We have been in Real Estate business in New York City for more than 15 years. Not only is our offer the most complete in the area, but our staff’s knowledge of the market is top notch. The moment you establish conversation with one of our agents, you’ll realize you have are working with a real professional. Our staff has received the best training available in both costumer service and real estate. Our experience in the area is second to none, and our costumer testimonials speak for themselves. We are simply the experts when it comes to apartments in The City.
Contact one of our representatives today.