How to Find an Apartment in NYC Without a Broker?
Finding Apartments for Rent Directly From the Owner
You’ve probably read all around that it’s nearly impossible to find an apartment for rent in NYC without a broker. On the other hand, giving it a shot on your own could potentially save you thousands of dollars. It’s already hard enough to actually find a reputable broker.
Finding an apartment without a broker is not impossible, but it takes a lot of research and knowledge; you have to basically work for yourself. Here’s how you can learn to choose what’s best for you and how to save money when on an apartment hunt in NYC.
Research
First things first, you have to take your research online. Taking a look at all your options through various sites is the safest step. That way, you’ll get a decent image on how the real estate market works, and see what it offers. To make sure you understand the lingo – have in mind that a lot of the real estate terminology used everywhere doesn’t apply to New York City. In essence, when people are looking for a new place to live, they usually search for “apartments for rent by owner,” or “how to find apartments without a realtor.” However, realtor is not a commonly used word in NYC – it’s broker. With this in mind, we can assume that no fee apartments in NYC are mostly apartments for rent by the owner. Therefore, to find an apartment for rent by owner, you should look for the person who owns or controls the real estate. To become a tenant, you should go straight to the source, or in other words, find the landlord or the owner of the apartment. There are three types of landlords you can find:
- Professional property managers – these landlords usually own multiple apartment buildings.
- Small property managers – these landlords own one or a few buildings.
- Individual owners of apartment units which are part of condominiums and coops.
To get to larger property managers, all you have to do is look online. They usually have websites that have all the buildings listed. In this situation, there is no broker involved. To do that, you’d have to post a listing on a platform. Narrowing it down even further, simply do the advanced search of “rent by owner.” The “no fee” disclaimer can be misrepresenting. If you don’t have a broker, that doesn’t mean there won’t be one at the other end, representing the owner.
Organizing Apartment Hunting Without a Broker
Although a broker provides assistance all throughout your search for an apartment in NYC, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it yourself. You’ll have the upper hand if you’ve lived in New York City, as well. Here’s what you have to focus on when looking for an apartment yourself.
Set Your Own Appointments
If you’re looking without a broker, you’ll have to schedule appointments to see the apartment by yourself. This is one of the more manageable tasks, especially in this digital age. Most owners feature open house times on the websites. If there aren’t open-house hours, try to contact them by email or call their number to find out. That’s all there is to find a no-fee apartment in NYC.
Gather all the Documentation
You can find most leasing applications online and fill them in. You need to have all the documentation required for the rental leasing application as well. Again, property managers all around are taking their businesses online. They are more accessible than ever, so applying doesn’t take long, and it can be all done online.
Don’t Make Decisions Immediately
Without a broker, you won’t have a counselor who can guide you through an apartment and let you know if it’s the right thing. Finding an apartment without a broker means you’ll spend more time visiting various apartments and looking for that perfect one. The best strategies in apartment hunting are the ones that take a bit more time and thought. Finding the best property in NYC is hard, but learn to trust your intuition after a while.
Conclusion
If you think you have what it takes to find an apartment in NYC without the help of a broker, then, by all means, do so. As one of the top real estate agencies in Midtown Manhattan, AA Real Estate is still here to help anyone that needs to find an apartment for rent. Sharing advice and news in the real estate market is what it takes to make it thrive, no matter what route you choose. There are thousands of apartments for rent directly by the owner that you can find with ease. If you happen to stumble across any issues, feel free to contact your NYC real estate agency nearby for help. At AA Real Estate you can find hundreds of listings around all New York City boroughs, from affordable studio apartments for rent, to the most luxurious apartments for sale in Midtown Manhattan.