How to Find an Apartment in NYC

New York City is well known as the city that never sleeps: eventually, everyone needs a space to rest their head.  If this includes you, you probably know how stressful it is to try and find an opening in the city.  Countless people are competing against you, and the left options are too incredibly expensive to consider.

Here are some of the top ways to find apartments for sale in NYC.

Look At Local Listings

Although this option seems obvious, it’s still important to do.  Manhattan real estate is expensive and gets snatched up quickly, so you must try to keep up to date on available listings and respond as promptly as possible. In addition, there are listing and agent fees that come with renting in NYC, so take your time to get to know the market before you bid on an apartment.  Many also turn to list the weekly rent, so if you find a two-bedroom advertisement at $2,000, don’t get too excited: check the small print and ensure you know how often the payment is due.

Seek Out People Looking for Roommates

Many people move out to NYC every day with dreams of starting a career and hitting it big in the big apple, but those dreams can quickly fail from bad luck or poor planning.  Luckily for people moving into the city, that means there are almost always people looking for roommates.  The more people in an apartment, the less expensive your payment will be, so don’t be shy about getting to know people in the city.

Try Word of Mouth

Because of how quickly apartments and houses get snatched up in NYC, the best way to ensure you get an early chance at an apartment is to find out via word of mouth.  Listen to what locals are saying, and see if any friends in the area know of anyone looking for a renter.  Although you should still research everyone and their property before you move in with them, you have a better chance at success this way.

Call Apartment Complexes

Many apartment complexes will try to direct you to their websites, but calling is far faster and has a better chance of up-to-date information.  Call any apartment complexes you’re interested in and ask if you can be put on their waitlist or if you can fill out an application preemptively.  Be careful, though, because most of these buildings charge for applications, so you should be aware of how much they’re going to try to charge you before you try to rent from them.

NYC is a city unlike anywhere else, with endless possibilities for living situations.  You’ll find something that suits you as long as you’re patient and thorough with what you want.  If you’re unsure of what you want, don’t be afraid to search through areas or sites you usually wouldn’t.  We can’t all afford to sweep into the city and buy a house, so take your time and choose an apartment that feels like a home.