How to Find Furnished Apartments in NYC

Finding a fully furnished apartment in New York City is like finding a needle in a haystack! New York is notoriously over-crowded so rental fees are the highest in the US. On top of that, most people want to move into NYC so a piece of property sells very fast, even at an exorbitant rate. But finding a fully-furnished apartment in the Big Apple is not impossible. In today’s post, we are listing down helpful tips that will land you a living space in one of the best cities in the world:

Determine How Much Rent You can Afford

Before finding a fully furnished apartment, you need to know how much money you can spare on rent. Rental rates in NYC will vary from different boroughs. For instance, a small apartment in Queens is cheaper than a similar-sized apartment in Manhattan. The price range should be about $5,000 to $15,000 a month. If you are working with a limited budget, expect several months’ worth of searching before landing an apartment.

Consider Short-Term Sublets

If your budget is limited and you need a short-term stay in an NYC apartment, consider signing up for short-term sublets on Craigslist or Airbnb. You need to leaf through listings after listings before finding an excellent apartment. Expect more struggle if you are looking for the best deals. Craigslist, in particular, has a specific section dedicated for temporary housing and sub-lets. However, watch out for scammers, spams, or supposed homeowners who require payment via Western Union.

Working with a Real Estate Agent

Short-term lease generally does not require a broker fee. However, some real estate agents may know someone who is looking for temporary tenants. You can connect with real estate agents in a number of ways, such as responding to an ad, via referrals, searching online and using social media connections.

Use Social Media Sites

If you cannot find a great deal via Airbnb or Craigslist, log on to your social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter, in particular) and start connecting to people that matters. You can start with friends who know someone to connect you to the right people. From there, you can start checking offers and deals to get the most value for your money. A quick search online is also a great way to land a nice pad. Of course, you have to give yourself enough time to leaf through every listing. Do not pounce on the first listing you see. You might miss out on better deals later in your search.

Ask For Referrals

If you have friends who are either staying in NYC or know someone who’s vacationing somewhere and is willing to rent out s/her pad for short-term, now’s the best time to ask for referrals. A short-term lease is very common during the summer season when artists go to places with cooler climates. That is the best time to hunt for deals.

Note that technically, it is illegal to rent out an apartment for less than 30 days but as long as the owner is present (such as renting a bedroom), you are not breaking any laws.