Do You Need A Broker To Find A Rental?

June 10, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Do you need to use a broker to find a decent place to live? It may seem to many of our readers that if you use a broker to find an apartment, you’re wasting your money, or you’re spoiled and not a “real” apartment hunter. In fact, I felt that way, too – until I used…

Time Out’s Apt Issue Is Better Than Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa

October 26, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

You think I’m kidding? It’s true! For those looking for a mini low-down on NYC apartments right now the current issue of Time Out New York (TONY) is a virtual goldmine. Even better, they have more goodies online. If you’re looking to move to New York and want to see first hand what apartments really…

What You Need to Know About Rent Guarantors

September 14, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Guarantors. Who needs ’em! Well, you might if you want to get a NYC apartment and don’t make 40 times your monthly rent in annual salary. What do I mean? Well, say you’re looking to rent an apartment with friends for $2,000 (for the entire place). $2,000 x 40. . . that’s a slick $80k. Yowza!…

How I Ended Up Using a Broker

September 24, 2009 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Back when the economy wasn’t in shambles, I kinda understood why people used Brokers. Competition was fierce and landlords knew it. Consequently, any decent place was handed off to a Broker so he/she could screen applicants and send the cream of the crop to the landlord for a final review. It was a pretty hands-off…

Apartment Broker Confessions!

April 23, 2009 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Time Out New York did a huuuge profile on apartment living this month. Huge! One of my favorite sections, is the Broker Confessions Three of their more helpful suggestions to avoid skeezy brokers were: 1) Make sure the broker is not charging you AND the owner his standard commission. They can get in plenty of…