If you’re hunting for a comfortable and at the same time affordable house or apartment in New York, you might benefit from some tried-and-tested tips, which can help you make this process smoother and less time-consuming.
As a rule of thumb, you should learn all the necessary details about your new apartment at the decision-making stage. For this, you would be well-advised to prepare the list of questions you want to ask your landlord before and during touring your future home. You need to make sure that your preferred housing option fits your budget and that it won’t drastically affect your commuting times.
And undoubtedly, your newly rented apartment should be comfortable, cozy, and welcoming enough to become your second home. But that’s not all! To find the best possible housing in New York City, you need to keep a bunch of useful tips in mind. You can check out some of them right now.
Know Your Budget
At the beginning of your rental journey, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the number of offers on the market. What’s more, you can get excited about certain deals and be willing to pay more than you can possibly afford.
Not to find yourself in a rental predicament, take care to define the price range your rental property should be within. Review your budget carefully to see if you’ll be able to afford that beautiful studio overlooking the park. Factor in not only the rent but also utilities, parking charges, Internet, groceries, and other expenses you might need to cover.
As a rule of thumb, you don’t want your monthly rent to exceed 30 percent of your monthly income. This way you’ll ensure your rent doesn’t get in the way of your other household expenses and your quality of life.
Bigger Doesn’t Necessarily Means Better
It’s a rare person who doesn’t dream about a spacious apartment with huge panoramic windows. At the same time, spaciousness often comes with a higher price tag. So, if you want to rent accommodation at a pocket-friendly cost, you might need to sacrifice some space.
After all, there are lots of great small apartments out there for all tastes. Not only will this help you save a bundle on your rent but also pay fewer utility bills.
Don’t Plan Your Move in the Summer
It’s not a secret that summer is the peak season for moving. Lots of people find it more to move to their new homes when it’s warm outside and there are more daylight hours. Both moving companies and property owners are aware of that tendency and don’t want to miss the chance to capitalize on it. Hence, higher renting and move-in fees.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a more cost-effective option, consider moving during the last fall or winter when rent prices are lower and you’re more likely to score a great deal. If cold seasons aren’t a viable option for you due to some reasons, plan your move for the late spring or the first decade of June, when the prices are not exorbitant yet.
Inspect Thoroughly
The onus is on you to ensure your preferred apartment is in good condition and meets your overall expectations. For this, you need to make the most of your viewing. When touring your apartment, ask your guide about the previous tenants (only general information) and the period of time the property has been on the market. It also would be a wise idea to ask your landlord or agent about all the applicable fees, facilities and utilities included in the rent payment, etc.
Undoubtedly, all owners try to focus their prospective tenants’ attention on the strong points of their property. But major minuses are also not to be overlooked.
Sometimes, casting a critical eye on your chosen apartment might not be enough to spot the problem. So, you definitely want to inquire about any potential issues or flaws your future home might have. Something as small as a lack of storage space or not having a bath can put off a potential tenant, let alone more serious problems like lousy plumbing, damp, outdated electrical wiring, and the like.
Read Reviews
Forewarned means forearmed. That’s why you want to familiarize yourself with the reviews and ratings of other tenants who previously rented any property from your agency. Google the company whose services you’re planning to use and look for any negative feedback or other red flags that could make you want to ditch the deal and go look for other options.
Hopefully, your preferred agency will have an excelling rating and you’ll soon find your dream home in the Big Apple.
