{"id":14729,"date":"2021-10-27T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/content-manager\/?p=14729"},"modified":"2023-07-22T11:36:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T15:36:34","slug":"8-things-to-pay-attention-to-during-your-nyc-apartment-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/8-things-to-pay-attention-to-during-your-nyc-apartment-hunt\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Things to Pay Attention to During Your NYC Apartment Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Searching for your next home in the big city is both an exciting and stress-inducing prospect. While you may think deciding on that \u201cperfect fit\u201d NYC neighborhood and figuring out a budget are the most important items on your house hunting to-do list, it\u2019s really only the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The real work to find your dream apartment actually starts on viewing day! It\u2019s the first time you get a little glimpse into the possibilities for your new corner of New York City so it\u2019s important to go in with your eyes wide open. After all, it can be the difference between your dream home or a big city nightmare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In certain circumstances, the time of day you get that first peek at your potential future apartment matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, if you work from home and natural light is important to you, you may want to request a viewing during peak daylight hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, if you\u2019re sensitive to noise<\/a> and looking in neighborhoods with more nightlife like Hell\u2019s Kitchen<\/a>, East Village<\/a>, or the Lower East Side, an evening viewing might make sense. This strategy will give you insight into how well the apartment is protected against outside noise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If possible, you may even want to check out the area at different times of day to get a sense of how the vibes shift from daytime to nighttime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a city full of charming brownstones, historic walk-ups, and converted warehouses, elevators are a luxury, not a guarantee. These types of properties are pretty standard in some of NYC\u2019s most desirable neighborhoods like SoHo, West Village<\/a>, and the Upper East Side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While you might initially consider the positives of a top-floor apartment like more light, a better view, or rock-hard hamstrings, you also need to consider your lifestyle. If the apartment doesn\u2019t have a washer and dryer, your laundry will need to go both up and down those flights of stairs a few times a month. And if you prefer to buy weeks’ worth of groceries at a time, you may quickly begin to feel like an urban pack mule in a six-floor walk-up. Also, don\u2019t forget you may have to carry your trash\/recycling up and down the stairs if the building doesn\u2019t have a built-in trash chute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve likely heard all the stories. Maybe you\u2019ve even had your own \u201cpizza rat<\/a>\u201d experience. Most big cities come with some furry and creepy crawly residents. And we\u2019re here to tell you that NYC is definitely no different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When viewing apartments, keep a close eye on bathtubs, corners, and under cabinets where little visitors like to hang out. If they\u2019re there during a viewing, it\u2019s likely a problem that management hasn\u2019t been able to solve. If you\u2019re extra weirded out by unwanted roommates, stay away from basement and ground floor apartments as they\u2019re more accessible to street creatures. You may also want to check the NY Department of Building\u2019s website to see if the building has had any rodent complaints filed against it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After a long day in the mean streets of the city, the last thing you want is to come home to lukewarm water trickling out of your shower head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In older buildings, it\u2019s quite common to have issues with water temperature regulation and pressure. Take a few extra minutes to check the showers and faucets in your potential new apartment before signing on the dotted line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a metropolitan city as big as New York you\u2019d think that cell phone service would be stellar everywhere, but unfortunately, that\u2019s just not always the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Large steel buildings like the ones in Midtown or FiDi<\/a>, and the brick walk-ups sandwiched together from Chelsea<\/a> to Murray Hill can sometimes block a strong signal. A quick glance down at the bars on your cell phone during an apartment viewing can give you an idea if getting clear service will be an issue come moving day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve lived in the city for a while, you know how important your super is to the overall enjoyment of your apartment. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask your broker or potential landlord about the super of your prospective new building. Do they live on-site? Do they only service buildings in the area? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The closer your super is to the apartment and the fewer buildings they service, the more likely they are to be available when you need them. When your radiator blows during the dead of winter you\u2019ll be patting yourself on the back for looking into your super situation. And the first thing you\u2019ll want to do when you move in is to make friends with your super because he will likely make or break your NYC living experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are the most important elements of an awesome NYC city block? If you haven\u2019t yet figured that out for yourself, you soon will. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you prefer to be able to pop down to a bodega for late-night snacks? Are you a light sleeper who prefers a block with no late-night restaurants or bars? Maybe you have to wear suits to work and need a convenient dry cleaner. While you might be focused on the actual apartment, make sure to also scope out your potential new block before you commit to your next place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In NYC your building\u2019s management company or landlord will be your main point of contact for the duration of your lease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to check up on their legitimacy and reviews to be sure you\u2019re working with a reputable manager. It can also help to build a good relationship with your management in the event of any issues in the building and come lease renewal time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Part of vetting your property management company also includes being wary of fraud and scams that happen in competitive markets like NYC. Never send money to brokers or landlords before viewing an actual property and signing a lease. Some scammers will provide fake pictures and ask for deposits to hold properties in markets like NYC where properties move quickly, but this is unlawful and dangerous. Large fees or deposits are also a red flag that something isn\u2019t quite right. Be sure that you see apartments safely in person and thoroughly review any lease agreements before signing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding your next apartment shouldn\u2019t be a complicated process, even in a wild market like NYC. Don\u2019t forget these important considerations in the apartment hunt that aren\u2019t prioritized as often as things like updated appliances or proximity to the subway. Because when you actually move into your new pad, these things will be critical to your day-to-day apartment peace in the big city. Happy hunting!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Searching for your next home in the big city is both an exciting and stress-inducing prospect. While you may think deciding on that \u201cperfect fit\u201d NYC neighborhood and figuring out a budget are the most important items on your house hunting to-do list, it\u2019s really only the beginning. The real work to find your dream […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":14831,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[150],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14729","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-apartment-hunting"},"yoast_head":"\n2. Consider the climb to the top.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Keep an eye out for creepy crawlies.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Don\u2019t be afraid to check water temperature and pressure.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Check your cell service.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Ask about your superintendent.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Check out the other spots on the block.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Don\u2019t forget to research your management company.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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