Everyone knows how hard it can be to find a good apartment in New York. This can be especially true in desirable areas like the Chelsea neighborhood. How do you find something close enough to work or school that you can afford? The following list is of tips that will help make your apartment hunting journey in Chelsea a successful one!
1.) Learn the Market
As they say, knowledge is power! When renting in Chelsea, it is important to realize that rent can be quite high. There are many luxury buildings that have rent at quite high price points. That being said, a diligent (and sometimes lucky) renter may be able to find a more affordable walk-up. Post-war walk-ups are often on the smaller side but offer some of the lowest rent prices. By knowing what areas and buildings are in your price range, you will be starting your apartment hunt with an advantage.
2.) Be Realistic
Almost everyone wants to live in New York, and with good reason! The Chelsea neighborhood is particularly desirable thanks to its nightlife, restaurants, and art galleries. In order to get the perks of living in this great city, you may have to drop some things off of your “dream-list.”
One example of this would be your commute time. It is unrealistic to expect to have to travel less than 15-20 minutes to work in the city. In fact, the average commute in New York City is 36 minutes. You may also need to be prepared to relax your requirements on bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor space.
3.) Beware of Scammers
There will be a lot of people willing to help you find an apartment in Chelsea. Unfortunately, many of them will not have your best interests in mind. One common tactic of shady brokers is to show tenants rundown apartments to try to pressure them into increasing their budget. Make sure to do your own research into prices as well as read reviews online before working with any agents or brokers.
4.) Utilize Loftey
Unlike agents who are out for a commission, Loftey is an online site that helps put people in apartments without taking money out of their pocket. Loftey is a great way to find Chelsea apartments and also save some money. In fact, the company reduces your rent anywhere from $25 to $200.
So what is Loftey? This is a program that makes its money off of referral fees. They work with brokers and buildings to negotiate on rent rates that are lower than market. When you rent through them, you will get a break on your rent. This is available as either a monthly rent reduction or given to you as an upfront payment. Both options would be great for someone starting out in Chelsea!
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