Best way to find housing?

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Best way to find housing?

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kahneman
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 2

I'm looking to move from South Slope to North Slope, Prospect Heights, or somewhere around those areas near the 2,3,4,5 trains. I haven't looked for housing in 2 years, and Craigslist is full of spam and mislabeled locations, so I'm wondering if you guys have any advice.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to the best way to find housing? Are any websites particularly helpful?

Do I have to use a broker? (I'd prefer not to).

How early should I expect to look for an apartment before I plan on moving in?

Thanks for any help you can share!

# Posted 1 yr ago
azharc
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 5

Unfortunately sifting through Craigslist is what worked best. After a while, one becomes an expert at dismissing fake titles, sorting through neighborhoods using the correct keywords etc. I used CraigsApp on my iPhone so I could scroll through pictures instead of capitalized blue links, which made it much easier (you can also save smart searches with parameters so you can check for new listings daily).

I also used RentHop (which has a far better search system) but most of it ended up at a broker.

You don't have to use a broker, sort of. Its a bit difficult to find owner-rented apartments but certainly not impossible. Just takes a while, some luck and determination (in the Park Slope, Prospect, Cobble, Boerum area)

As far as the timeline, it's hard to estimate. A lot of landlord-rented apartments are for immediate or within a month move-in. Given the good owner-rented apartments get a lot of attention they go pretty quick, so you should have your paperwork and deposit ready when you go to look at it (we signed our lease the next day).

Best of luck, I hope some of that helps. I'm sure others have had different experiences, so this may not reflect the true state of things.

-- http://www.youforgotmyname.com

# Posted 1 yr ago
landlord
above average
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 334

I am a park slope landlord. My tenants told me that around 1 in 10 posts on craigslist are accurate. Its incredible what some people consider park slope. One advertised church ave as park slope. Another common lie is the size of the apartment. Many park slope apartments have been chopped.
It takes a few months of going through the fake ads to find a good space....but they are out there. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer true park slope landlords post the ads on their own. They would rather hand the keys to a broker who will do the foot work. I remember the mobs that showed up at my building when I placed an ad under "by owner - no fee apartment". Not fun.

# Posted 1 yr ago
ParkerSloper1
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Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 3

I'm a Park Slope landlord as well. Agree with some of the advice already given. Craigslist is probably the best way to find a no fee apt. Search under no fee, by owner. Try to refine your search as much as practical to weed out the clutter, such as "park slope 1br".

I see that a lot of the Craigslist ads are fakes and/or brokers. But sometimes the brokers have no fee apts.

Personally, I like to find my tenants thru Craigslist, as the brokers ad more hassle than value, and never seem to bring me anyone I'm interested in.

# Posted 1 yr ago
kristin101
rookie newb
Joined: Jun '10
Posts: 30

Criagslist is tough because, as everyone has mentioned, too many innacurate ads. Also I have looked at apartments that were advertised on Craigslist as no fee by owner, and were actually a broker and a fee. If you really want direct access to owners without paying brokers fees, I suggest you pony up a couple dollars and join Rent Direct New York (RDNY) or No Fee Apartments (a google search will take you to their sites). Both are websites where you pay a small fee (if I remember correctly maybe $30) and you get contact information to contact landlords directly. The descriptions of the apartments on the site are very minimal, with no frills or pictures like brokers sites or craigslists ads do (generally just lists the price, # of bedrooms, location, and if they allow pets, and maybe one feature) so you may have to ask a lot more questions when you call the landlord, and/or go see a lot more places to find something you're looking for, but you are guaranteed not to pay a fee!

If you ARE willing to pay a broker fee, it is certainly more convenient to go with a broker, and really be able to tell someone EXACTLY what you're looking for and let they set up all the appointments and bring you around and show you a bunch of apartments in one shot. More money, but less of a headache. If you go the broker route, I recommend Ideal (on 7th and Garfield I believe). I rented through them after giving up on the no fee search and they were great. I would stay away from Rapid, I've heard terrible things about them. I saw a few apartments before through Corocran. I've never used them to rent through, but they seemed like a decent company. Good luck!

# Posted 1 yr ago
kristin101
rookie newb
Joined: Jun '10
Posts: 30

Also, generally about 2-3 weeks before you plan to move is a good time to look. Since generally apartments are only shown when they are vacant and ready for occupancy, more than a month before is too early unless you're able to start paying that early and have overlapping leases. And one week before you need to move is cutting it a bit close, as sometimes it takes a few days for everything to come through from the day you see the place until the day you get the keys (you have to apply, have your credit checked, ect).

# Posted 1 yr ago
missneedle
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 14

I started looking for my place about two months before my lease was up. I didn't want to settle in something I wasn't happy with for the fear of being homeless. Some brokers wouldn't work with me because they said it was too soon. But I did see quite a few places that would be available in two to three months. So I would start my search early.

I worked with a broker and combed craigslist like crazy. I really liked the broker (she was with Ideal) and would have been happy to pay her commission if we found something through her. Unfortunately she didn't show us anything we were interested in. My husband worked with another broker (different companies) and didn't find anything with her as well. Every spare moment I had I hit refresh (this was before I learned about the RSS feed). We were both super busy so the only day we were both available to see apartments was Sunday. But the good ones go really quickly (we already lost one because we moved too slowly). So one of us would see the apartment and videotape it for the other one to see. We spent all our spare time seeing a ton of places and being disappointed. Before work, after work, weekdays and weekends. We barely slept and had no life outside of work and searching for an apartment.

Craigslist was a mixed bag -- some were legit and some were scams. There was one ad where the broker refused to communicate by phone and only wanted to do everything by text. He texted us the address and time to meet. When we got there the broker wasn't there but there were some kids playing outside. We waited and waited. Eventually one of the kids asked us if we are looking to rent an apartment. When we said yes, he told us what apartment # it was. When we got there the apartment there was a couple fornicating. And the apartment was horrid.

I hit refresh one day at work and came across a craigslist ad by owner with no pictures. The ad had been posted for 15 minutes. Hmm... I was suspicious as there were no pics. But I decided to send an Email anyway as I didn't have anything to lose and I've already been disappointed countless times. What's one more disappointment? I visited the place the very next day early in the AM before work. Place was legit and accurate to posting description. I really liked it. I had to videotape it because my husband was out of town for work. The landlady had a list of 20 people wanting to see it. I was #1 on the list. Turned out that our landlady saw 20 people that day -- 18 wanted it. But because I was #1, I had first choice. My husband saw the video and eventually saw the place in person. We passed our background and credit check. Woo hoo! It was done!

Huge load off of my plate. I took a gamble by responding to an ad with no pics and it paid off. If I listened to other people telling me to look for a place 1 month before my lease is up I would have never gotten this apartment. The other apartment I was interested in was also listed 2 months prior to the move-in date. All the stars were aligned this time. I'm grateful we found a place that we're happy with and hope to stay here for a while.

Use whatever means you can to find a place. Tell everyone you know you're looking. Check craigslist whenever you can. Don't be dissuaded if there are no pics (though I'll bet that 99 times out of 100, it'll be a dump). If you have the means to hire a broker do so, especially if you'll be staying at the apartment for a while. The brokers fee spread out over several years isn't that bad, especially if it gains you access to apartments that you would normally not have in a no-fee situation. If you plan to only be there for a year, I'd probably try to get a no-fee place. Visit some buildings and ask to see the manager to see if there are any vacancies or impending vacancies. Whatever you do, best of luck and I hope you find something that makes you happy.

# Posted 1 yr ago
kahneman
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 2

Wow thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it. I'll keep checking craigslist. I'll also check with the owner of my current apartment to see if he has any other apartments in more desirable areas opening up since the management is reliable and since it might just be simpler staying with the same company.

# Posted 1 yr ago
tateinbk
above average
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 503

I really likes the site padmapper.com. It eliminated some of that location lie bullshit.

It is worth spending a while on Craigslist before you're actively looking in order to get a sense of what is really a good deal and what all the euphemisms mean. We all know that cozy means tiny, but I learned to be cautious of "charming" as well.

# Posted 1 yr ago
kristin101
rookie newb
Joined: Jun '10
Posts: 30

When I was last searching for a new place a few months ago, I decoded common Realtor/Craiglist listing taglines:
Studio with separate bedroom: there's a small odd shaped alcove area that could fit a bed.
Junior 1 bedroom: See Studio with Separate Bedroom
Cozy 1 BR: the tiniest thing you will ever see. The bedroom might fit a twin bed and a lamp if you arrange it just so
Modern 1 BR: kitchen appliances have been replaced since 1990, and it is the tiniest thing you will ever see
Unique 1 BR: At least one of the following will be true-- the kitchen will not have an oven, the bathroom will not have a sink, there will be no windows, the floors will be bright red linoleum throughout, it will be shaped like an octogon and there will be no way to arrange furniture without it being in the middle of the room
1 BR with eat in kitchen: the kitchenete will have a doorway, and will fit a chair. Maybe.
Great location!: Astronomically overpriced, and the tiniest thing you will ever see.
HUGE 1 BR: Slightly larger than a closet
A steal: Only moderately overpriced.
Perfect for a single professional: The tiniest thing you will ever see.
Lots of space: A dump. Or in the ghetto.

# Posted 1 yr ago
ParkerSloper1
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 3

This thread has been very helpful. As stated before, I'm a landlord of sorts - I have a brownstone in Park Slope and rent one floor, so finding tenants is not something I have to do very often, say ever 2-3 years. In the past Craigslist has been very effective. But, as some have pointed out, brokers with false advertising have flooded the "By Owner" section. I've also noticed many ads for "Park Slope" with no bearing on what I would Park Slope. Would you consider 23rd St & 4th Ave to be Park Slope? I don't.

How should I distinguish my ads from the fakes? And if Craigslist isn't all that anymore, where should I be advertising? Or should I just give up and list with a broker because these days, people expect to pay a fee?

# Posted 1 yr ago
missneedle
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 14

PS1, I was thankful that I didn't have to pay a fee for my apartment listing. I think that if you go through a broker, there would be a greater chance of tenants trying to negotiate on the rent because they had to pay a huge broker's fee.

I would put your approximate address (eg. 7th Street between 6th and 7th Ave) in the headline. The listing that I responded to had no pictures and no address but my landlady had 20 interviews set up the next day. Park Slope is in demand. People will come if the price is fair for what you're offering. And it's always good to have pics. What I've also been told by some owners is to offer a fair or slightly better price than the current market to attract good tenants who will stay longer and not bug you for every single damn thing. In the long run it will probably be more profitable and give you less of a headache.

# Posted 1 yr ago
The Grep
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 6

I also recommend not CAPITALIZING your ad. Those are almost always broker ads. Words/phrases like amazing, steal, hurry, will go fast, etc. are dead broker give always. It's also a good idea to state NO BROKERS in your add. I did the rental thing for a few months but gave it up because it's such a racket. I am actually looking for a studio myself right now and am thankful I know their side of the game so I am armed and ready to cut through the cra*.

ParkerSloper1 said:
This thread has been very helpful. As stated before, I'm a landlord of sorts - I have a brownstone in Park Slope and rent one floor, so finding tenants is not something I have to do very often, say ever 2-3 years. In the past Craigslist has been very effective. But, as some have pointed out, brokers with false advertising have flooded the "By Owner" section. I've also noticed many ads for "Park Slope" with no bearing on what I would Park Slope. Would you consider 23rd St & 4th Ave to be Park Slope? I don't.

How should I distinguish my ads from the fakes? And if Craigslist isn't all that anymore, where should I be advertising? Or should I just give up and list with a broker because these days, people expect to pay a fee?

# Posted 1 yr ago
ParkerSloper1
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '12
Posts: 3

Thanks for the replies to my question!

# Posted 1 yr ago
landlord
above average
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 334

So I decided to put an apartment for rent while at work using my cell phone. Because I did not have any pictures of the apartment on my phone...the ad did not generate much interest. As Kristin posted, some key words give you an idea of what the apartment looks like. However, the apartment I had available was truly large, with low rent, and in prime location. I stressed in the ad how large the apartment is and its prime locations.
3 parties emailed me asking to show them the place that day.
1st party - Single working girl. "I love love love this place.....just one problem....I'm section 8! Would you accept $1200 per month for the apartment?" ....NEXT!
2ed party - newly married couple who just arrived in NY from Taxes. "We love love love the apartment.....just one problem....neither of us has a job yet! However, we have a lot of money saved up and can pay a considerable amount up front"...I informed them that they will have pay a full year in advance to which they answered "we only have 2 months in advance rent we can pay".....NEXT!
3ed party - single guy moving in from manhattan. "I love place, really large. I have all my paper work. Here is a copy of my pay stub and ill have a credit check done tomorrow...".....GREAT! we signed a lease the next day.
If I posted pictures of the apartment (exposed brick, wide maple wood flooring, brand new modern bathroom, tin ceilings, beautiful brownstone)...I would have had a mad rush of responses and would have to go through at least 60 interested parties (that's 60 emails per day).
Oh....I forgot to mention that my ad was removed by the community 2 times because they thought it was too good to be true and therefor a scam.
Just thought I would give you a landlords prospective.

# Posted 1 yr ago
Mdiaz
To thine own self be true....
Joined: Dec '11
Posts: 3

I can help finding a no fee apartment but you should know the reason they are no fee is because the landlord has trouble renting it so they hire an agent like myself to do so. In Park slope it is rare to find a no fee apartment since it is such a prime area.

# Posted 1 yr ago
landlord
above average
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 334

"but you should know the reason they are no fee is because the landlord has trouble renting"

Not true. If I want to rent the apartment right away (within a day or 2), I list it myself...as a no fee landlord placed ad. If I want it to be in the market for a week or 2 then I would give it to a broker.
By the way....this is for prime park slope.

# Posted 1 yr ago
missneedle
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 14

I also have to disagree with the comment about something being wrong with the no fee apartments. The first apartment that I wanted to get (that I lost because I wasn't quick enough) was a no-fee apartment shown by a broker. There was another one I was considering that was also no-fee but had a nagging feeling about it because it was a sponsor-owned condo. Felt that they were going to refuse to renew our lease once the sales market rebounded and I would have to go through this apartment hunting nightmare again.

A lot of the fee apartments I have seen were much crappier than the no fee ones. And I think my apartment that I got through Craigslist from the owner section was the best one I've seen -- well, at least in my price range as I wasn't looking to spend $6000 a month.

I agree that no-fee apartments in Park Slope are rare. But they do occur every once in a while.

# Posted 1 yr ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,086

I've always perceived whether an apartment is "fee" or "no fee", as being largely the result of the preference of the landlord.

Some landlords feel their is a value to brokers screening potential tenants, and feel that a tenant that is willing to pay a fee may be than one who is not.

...other landlords are willing to do this work themselves.

As a result, I find it hard to argue that the mere preference of a landlord is related to the quality of the apartment being arrested.

Perhaps it is like wine? Some people buy an expensive bottle because they expect it to taste good. They then convince themselves it IS GOOD because they spent so much money.....

P.S. Obviously the $3.99 bottle of wine has a high probability of being bad, as does the $700 apartment in -say- East New York.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 1 yr ago