HOW TO WIN YOUR APARTMENT SEARCH

(Article published in HWW February 2010)

TIPS FROM THE BROKERS

HWW asked real estate brokers in our area what advice they would give families who are looking for their new home. Here’s what they say:

First impressions are important

Ely Colon of Colon Realty Corp.: “Landlords are being very careful. They want tenants who will treat their property as though it were their own. So when you go to see an apartment, go as though you were being interviewed for a job. Dress and behave at your best.”

Mitlend Smith of P.K Realty Services: “The most important thing for families looking for apartments is their presentation. Landlords judge you by the way you carry yourself and present yourself. They figure the way you take care of yourself is the same way you would take care of your apartment.”

Femih Falebita of Ebita Realty: “Attitude goes a long way. If the broker or landlord is late, be patient. Dress appropriately. If you bring the kids along, be sure they behave. If they don’t behave, leave them at home.”

Landlords want good tenants

Catalina Hernandez of Malabar Realty: “If you’re working it helps, because it shows a bit of responsibility. But if you don’t have a regular job, talk about what you do to contribute to your community. And watch out if a broker or landlord asks for money up front. Some homeowners will try to get you to give money before the apartment has been inspected and promise to give it back to you once the city pays them. Don’t do it.”

Leonard Gordon of McKoy Real Estate: “One of the biggest problems we have is families bringing along too many children.”

Royston Meredith of Apple Real Estate Enterprise: “There are two things we want from families who rent apartments through us. You should pay your share of the rent on time and you should keep the apartment in as good condition as it was when it passed inspection. If you can do that, we can get more people more housing because landlords will come to us with more apartments to rent or they’ll recommend us to friends and family who have apartments to rent. In other words, make us look good so we can move more families into their own homes.”

Put your energy into your housing search

Patricia Wilson of Century 21/Unique Homes: “Be flexible in your housing search, especially in location. Some people want to be in just one area and it limits their options.”

Norman Dodd of Dominic DAD: “What’s important is to call as many brokers as you can and don’t forget to do footwork on your own. Go look at large buildings because large buildings are under rent stabilization and they’re your best chance of finding an apartment at the right price.”

Hardley G. Blake, of Blake Realty: “Research the background of the realtor you are about to do business with. Ask to see their license. Go to the Department of State of New York web site and look them up. Don’t give cash to any broker until you have received service and then pay with a money order. And if you are in a subsidy program, you are not required to pay any money to the broker.”

TIPS FROM HOUSING SPECIALISTS

by Tanya Squirewell,

Housing Specialist, St. John’s Place Family Center

If you’re in the shelter system and apartment hunting, the first thing to remember is that you are looking for a permanent home – BUT NOT NECESSARILY YOUR DREAM HOUSE. Once you’re settled in a permanent home of your own, then that’s the time to think about that dream house.

When you look at an apartment, take your housing specialist with you if that’s possible. If not, see if you can find a friend who knows what to look for.

You can’t take the apartment until it’s inspected but some landlords will put a mask on defects. So be careful to be sure all the windows open and close. Be sure there are window guards. Look for signs of leaks such as stains and peeling paint. Be sure the floors feel stable.

We want to help you find permanent housing – so that we can help other families in the system find their homes.

If you are in the Advantage program you have a subsidy for one or two years at most. I tell my clients that even after they move they should continue to look for “affordable housing” that doesn’t require a voucher – either NYCHA or HPD. You can find the listings on line, or go to the library if you don’t have other access to a computer or look in the New York Amsterdam newspaper which runs listings every Thursday. Apartments are rented by lottery and you have a chance to win one in the year or two of your Advantage subsidy. Anyway you can’t win it if you’re not in it.

by Tracy Rivera, Housing Specialist, Concourse House

If the apartment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If the broker states that if you give a deposit you’re guaranteed the apartment, that’s a red flag. He’ll take your money and run. You ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT.

Some brokers may show you an apartment before it’s inspected and ready to be shown. The apartment is in shambles. Wait until the inspector has checked it out before you decide.

Always ask your Housing Specialist to go with you when you see an apartment. But if they aren’t able to go with you, be sure to follow up with them when you get back from seeing the apartment

First impressions are lasting impressions. If you have face piercing – lips or eyebrows -- take them off before you go.

Dress appropriately. No tank tops. No short shorts. No revealing clothes.

If you’re a woman looking for an apartment, don’t talk about your personal life.

Don’t bring friends or extra family members with you. If you’re not sure your children can behave and you can arrange child care, it's better to leave them behind.