Searching for an apartment, especially in a competitive city like New York, can be a tedious task; one which, if not carefully undertaken, can result in bad decisions. There are countless choices at your disposal and, consequently, decisions to make, ranging from house types to locations, among others.

But first thing first, make sure to have all of the common documents handy so that the process can go as smoothly as possible. While a lot of us keep our important documents in place, there is one document we often neglect, i.e. our pay stubs. That can create issues in your process of finding your dream home. If you need to create pay stubs to convince your landlord for the apartment rent, be sure to check out the pay stub generator. 

Feeling overwhelmed or finding it hard to decide where to stay? In this post, we’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to help you choose the best property when searching through the New York rental listings, so read on!

Step 1: Set a budget

As with anything, you need to have a budget before you start house hunting. This will affect all other areas of your search.

According to financial experts, housing costs should not exceed 30% of a person’s salary. This allocation will include your rent, move-in fee, amenities such as parking, household expenses, and utilities such as water.

Regardless of how you feel about the 30% rule, some landlords may dictate the percentage of your income to be allocated to your rent, which in some cases should not exceed 30%. That aside, set a budget to guide your search and make sure it is affordable.

Step 2: Pick a location

Once you’ve planned your budget, proceed to map out areas within that budget. The idea here is to narrow down your search to specifics and reduce time wasted on unnecessary house-hunting.

When searching for ideal locations, analyze the surroundings too. Look at what’s around, including public services such as hospitals, grocery stores, malls, etc. If the location is too far off from these, you might have to cover other costs, such as transportation.

Also, ensure the location is easily accessible, with ample day and night lighting, and safe. You can add these to your checklist and use them to cross-check and cut out areas that don’t fit the bill.

Step 3: Mind the season

Seasonality is essential while looking for an apartment in NYC. In summer, prices are at their peak, while they are at their lowest in winter. This is because school is not in session over the summer, making it convenient for students and families to relocate.

In winter, in addition to the harsh weather, holidays get costlier, which means fewer people relocate.

Late spring and summer are typically the most popular months to relocate. During certain seasons, though, you’ll pay the highest fees and face the most competition for the best flats.

Step 4: Consider your preferences

Besides the size of the apartment, there will be other essential features you are likely to consider. This could include basics such as parking spaces and internet services.

Also, include your nice-to-haves to add a personal taste to your search. This will include features such as what appliances will be available in the kitchen as in the case of a furnished rental.

Also, consider whether you want a fully equipped apartment to reduce the cost of buying new appliances or want an open space that you can style to meet your needs. Ideally, a furnished apartment will suit a short-term renter, while an open space might be better for a long-term rental period.

Step 5: Scan and compare different apartments

Once you have all the above in place, you can begin looking for apartments. As you do this, be sure to list what each apartment has to offer and later compare them.

We also advise you to read through different renters’ reviews from each preferred apartment. Regardless of how beautiful an apartment might look from the outside, it may have skeletons in the closet in the form of poor maintenance services, poor management, or lack of safety, among others.

Step 6: Conduct an in-person inspection and ask questions

Don’t always fall for what you see online; cheats are everywhere. Once you have reviewed and shortlisted your ideal apartments, it is time to make an in-person inspection. This is intended to authenticate the validity of all the information posted online.

While at it, ensure you thoroughly check everything, including all the power sockets, to confirm that they’re working. Also, check that all doors and windows are fully functioning.

In terms of lighting, you want to check that there’s no obstruction to natural lighting.

Also, ask questions such as what happens with shared amenities, what utilities are covered in the rental agreement, rent prices and if the deposit is refundable.

Step 7: Read the rental agreement

Once you’ve found that apartment that fits all the above, it’s time to read through that rental agreement. Do not rush; take your time to ensure that you understand everything. When searching for apartments, online platforms like Rentberry.com can be helpful and valuable, providing a wide range of options and features to make the process more manageable.

In some cases, it might also help to have a legal adviser walk you through the entire agreement to help you understand what you’re signing. Some agreements might be contrary to what is discussed online, so be on the lookout for this.

At this point, we’re convinced that you’re well-equipped with everything you need to know about finding a NYC apartment that suits you. We wish you good luck!