Neither my FH nor I have ever looked for an apartment. We both went away to college, lived on campus, and moved back home after graduation. Now, we need to find a place to live and are relatively clueless. Anyone have any tips? We are thinking about looking in the Forest Hills/Rego Park/ Kew Gardens areas of Queens. I want to have a place by May 15th, so we have almost a month and a half to paint, get stuff moved in, etc. When should we start looking? I'm so nervous about this!
usuk2004
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
You should start looking the beginning of April. Try craigslist.com--they have some great deals.
palebride
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
also look on MLSLI.com......
ThongLori
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
if you are going thru a realtor, they will rarely shw you anything more than 1 month from the move-in date. Typical fees range from 12-17%...
Definitely bring your checkbook with you, depending on the demand you might have to snatch the place up right away! It maybe be a good idea to also bring a recent bank statement and paystub to begin any paperwork if you have to do it quickly. When i rented my first apartment in the east village, i had to decide ON THE SPOT! We had all paperwork done and lease signed in less than 24 hours. it was VERY STRESSFUL. I think real estate is a lot less cut-throat than it used to be, especially if it is not Manhattan.
Craigslist or no-fee apartment websites are also good to try... but be careful with those, there are a lot of scammers as well!
When you are looking at apartments -- flush the toilet, turn on the shower, open the closet doors... sounds like silly things but these are the most telling things about the place! You'll know right away if the water pressure stinks, or if they are hiding any skeletons in the closet
these are the basics...
good luck!!!
Sassyz75
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
I would try craigslist now. We used craigslist and saved ourselves a $1400 fee!
Lorena
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
I agree with the post about realtors' showing apartments that are available within the next month or two. If you can avoid realtors altogether you will save $$$$ (they usually charge at least a month's rent). It's hard to do that in Forest Hills though (where I rent) because most listings are through realtors and the ones that aren't go FAST. I agree about Craigslist as a good resource. Also check out http://www.foresthillsny.com/. Another idea, which I wish I had done), is to go to buildings in the area. Most buildings have the management company information posted somewhere in the entranceway. You can get the number, call, and find out if there are any vacancies. That way you eliminate the middleman. As for the actual apartment viewing, look for water damage (stained walls), bug traps, and amount of closet space.
Good luck!
SReidy
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
I live in Forest Hills!!! We got our apartment thru a family friend so I really can't help you as far as questions and what not but I think you should both check your credit before you start looking to see where you stand
cocoa
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Re: Apartment hunting advice?
sign up with rent.com i have been looking on this and although i can't afford an outhouse right now let alone anything more, it has apartments all over the country so that if you decide to move, you can check everything out before you have to crive there. it also shows you floor plans, which are so cool, the amenities, pets/no pets, etc. good luck b/c this is the biggest pain in the bum. as for looking, ask yourself, is there enough closet space? we found a great place but it only had 1 closet, in the bedroom. also, is it near a biker bar??? or the railroad??? you don't need the roar of either at 1 am EVERY night!
