Many feel that searching for the right apartment is one of the most tedious and complicated tasks ever. Well, to be honest, if you do not have a plan of action or a set approach, apartment hunting can become a tiring and exhausting experience. In fairness, it doesn’t have to be.
If you are someone looking for your first apartment to rent, everything can seem a bit overwhelming. Especially, if you are moving to a city like New York, where the vacancy rates hover at the 3% mark and prices are always shooting through the roof.
When it comes to choosing an apartment, there are several important factors you need to consider. In this resource article on apartment hunting, we list down seven things that you need to pay attention to when choosing a new place.
List of 7 Things to Consider during Apartment Hunting in New York City
- Price-
First and foremost, you should go for an apartment that you will be able to afford. Most of us make the mistake of starting with other considerations like location, quality and amenities. This is a wrong approach. Make sure that you are comparing the prices in the neighbourhood even before you make a move. If the rent is too good to be true, it should be interpreted as a red flag!
- No Fee Apartments-
If you are sensitive in terms of the prices that are on offer, you need to look at and explore Heritage NYC no fee apartments. This is a simple process where you are not required to pay the broker’s fee or commissions. When you add it all up, you end up paying an equivalent of one month’s rent to the broker. With a no fee set up, you stand to save money on the deal.
- Quality-
Most of us tend to focus on the cosmetic problems when we get to see the apartments in person. This is a mistake. Cosmetic problems like the paint coming off or broken window panes can be easily repaired. Look for deeper and more serious problems like a rodent infestation, clogged drainage, non-functioning HVAC systems among others. This should influence your decision.
- Neighbourhood-
Paying attention to the neighbourhood is important when apartment hunting. Look for convenience stores, access to public transportation, subways, and bus terminals. If you are moving in with your family, you need to check out local markets, schools and malls in the area as well. Pay attention to the crime rates and get a sense of how safe the neighbourhood is.
- Landlord-
In situations where renters have had a bad experience, it has mostly been the landlord that is to be blamed. A bad landlord can convert your experience into a bad one in a short span if they do not have a sense of boundaries. You need to get a sense of how the landlord is and keep meeting him or her to get a better idea. You can also discuss with other renters in the building.
- Roommates-
If you are checking into an apartment individually, or with your family, then you need to check out how the neighbours are. On the other hand, if you are renting out a room in a 3BHK apartment, you need to assess how your other roommates are. This ensures finding out who they are and what are their routines like. If the same does not match, you need to bail. Don’t take chances with bad roommates and use a NYC roommate finder to find one that is suitable for you.
- Regulations-
Before you sigh on the agreement, have a clear idea about the building rules and regulations. Also check with the landlord and ask them whether they have any specific orders that you need to adhere to. This will help shed better light on how comfortable you will be after you move in. If you have a pet, you might want to look at pet-friendly apartment options in NYC.
The Bottom Line
There is a lot that needs to be done during the apartment hunting stage. If you are careful, follow through with the above-mentioned points, you are more likely to get an apartment where you will be comfortable. While there are too many things that need to be paid attention to, ignoring them can compromise or hurt you financially, socially, as well as personally. If you have any questions on apartment hunting in NYC that we could help with, please share them with us in the comments below. We will try to answer as many of them as possible.
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