Tag: nycapartments

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Should I rent or buy an apartment in New York City?

So it’s been a most unusual spring in New York City. The timeline for renters has been turned on its ear. In the past starting a search for a “straight rental” 7 weeks early would have ended in frustration. I used to beg people to search 3.5 weeks before their move date, when they would have the most options and leverage.

Now any good apartment has applications within 48 hours of being listed. Even less sometimes. And on May 6 we are already seeing listings on StreetEasy for JULY!

As a listing agent I don’t think that is the most effective time, you want something to hit the market at at the time the most and best qualified renters are looking, but perhaps I will be singing a different tune soon. I just took an application for an off market listing for July 16.

Buying in Manhattan and inner Brooklyn and Queens is different in so many ways from the rest of the US. But with the rental market almost absurd, more relocation clients are starting to wonder, ‘Should I buy?”

While the rental market is out of control, the sales market still offers some deals. The rest of the US is in a sales frenzy, but a number of factors make Manhattan different.

The market was soft before the pandemic, the pandemic hit harder and longer here, and finally– the investment market here is different than the rest of the country, where investors will offer competitive cash for almost anything and do the deal in warp speed.

A few things to know.

If you are browsing I suggest using a NYC-centric search tool. Line City is good, StreetEasy is popular, you can also use almost any REBNY agency site. Try to avoid Zillow, which is the same data as StreetEasy but can be confusing.

The cheapest deals you see probably have a big asterisk. They are income-restricted, or occupied units with a tenant that is rent regulated, or cash-only.

Then you need to think about co-op versus condos.

If you are looking in the lowest price ranges most apartments will be co-ops not condos. To make this post efficient I linked an article that explains that. Many of the least expensive co-ops may have policies that make them less flexible as an investment property, which is another major difference with NYC. Condos are simpler to qualify for and to rent out, but they tend to be more expensive. Another key factor is the monthly building charges. Those have more to do with the co-ops finances than the size of the apartment or the amenities.

Even with all of that– there are appealing studios in the 300K range…check out this sweet sunny studio. Parents who are buying for an adult child or people wanting a second home in the city should discuss those plans with an agent.

So while buying still requires a down payment and a vision of your future, if you are moving to NYC it may actually be the more sensible and rewarding option.

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Occupied vs Vacant: why the timeline for renting has changed

So many things you need to know for renting an apartment are pretty consistent.

One thing has really changed this year.

How apartments are shown and how far in advance you should start looking for a straight rental. (Renting a co-op or condo is different.)

Back in 2019 I used to beg people to wait until about 3 and a half weeks before they moved, and not a day sooner.

We were primarily visiting VACANT apartments, and landlords want vacant apartments rented ASAP. People who looked to early found few options for their move date. Showing empty apartments is easier.

BUT. Few apartments are vacant these days. It also used to be by waiting until 2 weeks before your lease start you could gobble up some concessions. The short time line was power.

So now there are are two options. If you are looking at occupies exclusive listings, in hot neighborhoods, you may be looking at things that are coming vacant in 5,6, weeks or more. 3 weeks used to be an ideal time table, now its cutting it a little close.

CONVERSELY, if you are looking at a VACANT apartment, that landlord expects someone to start paying rent in the next 2 weeks. If you are working with an agent representing you, make that clear. Nothing is more frustrating than taking someone to the right apartment but having it slip away because they want to wait too long to start a lease. I really do think the key to this market is being flexible on move dates.

Again if you are renting a co-op or condo the time table is much more driven by that buildings approval process. Again a different sort of flexibility is key. Happy hunting! Suzanne

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Virtual showings of NYC Apartments

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Yep. It will really be interesting to see how the coronavirus crisis changes NYC apartment rentals long term.

Right now instead of hunting for keys we are hunting for videos.

It’s a big change.

In the past we would go see listed apartments, sometimes, many times, without seeing pictures first. This is part of the craft of being a NYC real estate agent. You have a hunch, a super gives you a tip, you know your landlords, and then you and the client go see some places. You gauge their reaction, see what they respond well to, adjust, get a cup of coffee, admire the dog park, it’s a process and if a client trusts it, it works.

But now due to the pandemic, we are trading in video. Yes it’s a good tool, but I am not sure it is satisfying. Yes, so many people were willing to take 110 Greene Street from a short video, it was a once in a lifetime deal on a SoHo loft. Yes about 1 out of 10 apartments are rented without people seeing them.

But I find the time spent emailing and clicking is less productive, it’s nice to see a video of an apartment, but it is very different from experiencing it. It also it is my job to read your mind, to figure out what you want BEFORE you do. So many people get here and admit, what they thought they wanted changed when they started viewing.

It is ok, it is expected, you are not ordering a Big Mac and a side of fries, I know you may decide having a place that feels bright and roomy is more important than laundry in unit. Just like a shrink our job is to guide you.

Don’t get me wrong, a video is a great storytelling tool, especially in sales, but it just doesn’t replace the real thing. Cue Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

If you want to work with Suzanne email sgoldklang@corcoran.com. I promise someday will climb stairs, sip iced coffee, talk about life and see apartments soon.

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How will the Coronavirus crisis impact renting an apartment in NYC?

So this is a question I get a lot and of course I have no crystal ball.

Renting an apartment in Manhattan is VERY seasonal.

Busy season typically starts around Easter as students move out of dorms due to graduation or a desire to live off campus. The prices increase, concessions increase as we move through the summer. In August all hell breaks loose, as people start looking for places for September 1, the start of school and new jobs. The first few weeks of September are busy too. Then in October prices drop, concessions are added, by November we start to see deals. December is a mixed bag, low inventory, good discounts, January is similar.

So already we have missed that first wave of students leaving dorms. The short term market is on fire with thousands of health care people looking for temporary housing which is always tricky. There are good deals out there if you are comfortable renting remotely.

I think if NYU and Columbia and the New School start classes on time, we will see the market return to normal in August. I am guessing we will actually see a bump in professionals looking for places when work restrictions end.

There is one thing you can do it is start getting smart about finding and apartment in NYC. Go ahead and start learning about qualifying for an apartment, what documents you will need, what the costs are, whether you will need a guarantor, what fees you are comfortable with, and so forth. Adrianna Darling and I are always happy to help you start planning.

Stay safe and good luck! We are here to serve.

To work with NYC real estate agent Suzanne Goldklang email sgoldklang@corcoran.com.