timbs4339 wrote:legalmindedfella wrote:presh wrote:timbs4339 wrote:I'm in the same boat as a clerk looking for apartments in Manhattan. Making the rent isn't a big deal, it's the bureaucratic nightmare that is getting the apartment, the 6-10K upfront outlay, having to deal with brokers because I don't have time to look another way, moving, and maybe not even getting approved because I don't make 40X the rent (not to mention I don't start in September!) and my parents don't make enough to co-sign even if I asked them. I keep thinking the draconian requirements are broker flame that just exist for them to bargain away and claim they are worth the 15% fee. The entire rental market must be driven by junior finance people, biglawyers, and trust fund babies.
Anyone have any tips?
Have you tried Craigslist/Padmapper? There is some bullshit on there, but some of it is legit. Also, if you are okay with roommates, that is an easy way to skip over the broker fee. It sounds like most people here aren't though, which I totally understand as I love not having roommates.
Padmapper has always been my favorite since it allows you to pick price range, neighborhood, etc., but I haven't had to use it in NY.
This. You don't need to upfront anywhere near that amount of money. Avoid brokers and find non-crazy people who want to sublet.
Do you mean the type of situation where I sublet until the end of the lease term and hope to just renew the lease?
Padmapper looks like it is mostly good stuff, although broker fee. CL seems like mostly scams.
I thought about roommates but decided against it for personal reasons. I'm fine with overpaying on rent for the size of the apartment, but getting approved might be a problem.
If you're against roommates then you're going to be looking somewhere a broker controls and for the most part the pricing advice doesn't apply, since you'll have a fair amount out of pocket (though month-to-month the rent is likely less than reports might make you think). I don't know how you would sublet without someone else holding the lease; if it's someone who's heading out of town and wanting to help you out, tough to know who would do that for a year-long gig.
CL may be mostly scams, but this doesn't really matter; in a city of millions of people, if you are able to show good judgment in what you look at/believe there's going to be something in your range.
Anyways, if not having roommates is that important, then sure, $2k/month is reasonable, and you can definitely swing something; no need to consult the crowd w/r/t details, someone will accommodate.
