March 2017

15 Mar 2017

Leaving Home For the First Time

Leaving home for the first time is no easy feat. People deal with everything from homesickness and financial stress to uncertainty about how to deal with new situations. It is an exciting time but can also cause all of these common feelings. That’s why you want to put some time and thought into how you can make this change as smooth as possible. Check out these tips to help you transition into your new life while maintaining a happy and healthy relationship with your parents.

Secure a place to live

One of the biggest keys to making leaving easier on yourself is to find a place that you like living in. NY apartments are great because there is such variety – whether you are looking for apartments in Chelsea, Greenwich Village or somewhere else entirely. You’ll have a great selection and you can find a happy, cozy home you will love coming back to every day. Plus, your parents will rest easy knowing you are in comfortable digs in the city. Added bonus is if you can find a great no-fee rental and save both you and your parents a lot of cash!

Finances

Before leaving, establish a financial budget with your parents. Are you going to work and pay your own rent and living expenses? Are your parents paying rent but expecting you to cover bills and stuff like food and clothing? Having a clear understanding of what your financial obligations are can help you plan appropriately and make sure you won’t be stressed about cash.

Boundaries with parents

It’s sad to say goodbye to your family, but nobody wants Mom and Dad showing up at the door every other day. Make sure you set up boundaries with your parents so that they understand how often you would like to get together. It’s also good to agree upon advance notice of when they want to come over. This goes both ways, too – they might not want you showing up at the house every few days! It doesn’t mean they don’t love you, it’s just a sign of growing up and showing mutual respect for each other.

When to call home

Inevitably, you’ll have to deal with some bumps in the road. These problems will range from big to small, and it’s good to get into the habit of taking care of the trivial ones yourself. No need to call in help for a broken light bulb or a dead bug in the shower. However, if the issue is a big one that you’re not sure how to handle, it’s okay to call your parents for help or advice. Since they might be guarantors or co-signers on your lease, they will have your best interest and that of the property in mind.

Leaving home for the first time is a big adventure. As long as you put a little time and thought into how the move and your new life will look and feel, you should be in for a comfortable transition. And don’t forget to enjoy it! You’ll look back on these years fondly for the rest of your life. Now, get out there and find the perfect apartment! Your search begins HERE.

8 Mar 2017

Dealing with Obnoxious Neighbors

Pretty much all apartments in New York City for rent have one thing in common: you have lots of neighbors. In a city of over 8 million people, it’s no surprise that apartments are built to house a lot of people and that means you might be in pretty close proximity to others in your building. This has its ups and downs. It’s a great way to meet new people and make friends – and you’ll always have people to ask for help, pet-sit, water your plants or check your mail if you’re away! But what if you have to deal with the dreaded obnoxious neighbors? Here are some tips to help you navigate nasty neighbors in NYC rental apartments.

Noisy Neighbors

Sometimes people have problems with their neighbors being super noisy. This can be a nuisance for plenty of reasons. It’s annoying to hear other people’s voices all the time, but it can be especially terrible if they are loud or play music when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. Try to talk to them face to face at first. They might not realize they are being so loud and politely asking them to keep it down could do the trick. If that doesn’t work, file a complaint with your landlord – he or she can warn them to keep the noise levels down, at least at night. It can also help to use a fan or white noise machine to drown out some of the volume.

Sensitive Neighbors

Maybe you have the opposite problem and your neighbors complain that you are the one making too much noise. If you are, try to be considerate during hours when they might be sleeping or need their house to be quiet. If they’re just being overly sensitive, you can still try to find ways of muffling the noise in your apartment. Listening to music and television at lower volumes might be all they need. You can also get area rugs for your floors to absorb some of the noise you’re making. Check out this guide to reducing the volume coming out of your apartment.

Nosy Neighbors

Is your neighbor constantly knocking on your door or stopping you on your way in or out of the apartment to chat and ask questions? Do they snoop through your mail or invite themselves over when they’re not wanted? Some people just don’t get the hint that your home is your private getaway and you might not always want visitors around. If they’re crossing boundaries, you have a right to ask them to give you a little more space and not to come knocking on the door whenever they feel like it. They might get their feelings hurt at first but anyone should understand your wishes and respect your personal space. Check out these three tips for dealing with nosy neighbors.

Forgetful Neighbors

Another problem can be neighbors who borrow something from you and then don’t return it. This is a little awkward because you might need the item back but don’t know how to ask for it. Try to come up with a reason why you have to use the item – you are hanging a painting and need your hammer back, for example. Or just be direct and polite and remind them that you loaned them something a little while back and you were wondering if they were done using it. There’s a chance they just forgot and will return it right away!

Obnoxious neighbors certainly aren’t ideal, but don’t let them ruin your experience in your New York apartment rental! It could be adding up to great material for a sitcom, after all.

And, while we can’t help you find the perfect neighbors, we can help you find the perfect apartment. Browse our website or contact us today.

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1 Mar 2017

On Your Own or All Alone? Adjusting to Your New Apartment

Congratulations! Finding an apartment in New York City isn’t easy, but at last you have a place to call home. Here’s a few quick tips to help you make a smooth transition to apartment life.

1. Face Time

Living alone for the first time is an exciting milestone in anyone’s life. It’s a chance to become more self-reliant, make your own rules, and explore your personal style. It’s also a little scary; you might be spending more time alone than you ever have before.

Create a routine that includes getting out and about regularly. Frequent local shops and cafes, introduce yourself to the neighbors, and join local community events. Invite your friends over — a lot. Make the most of this experience to develop your social skills, face to face to face.

2. Roommates

Sharing your apartment can be just as much fun as it looks on those classic television shows, if you find the right roommate. But don’t rush into this new relationship. Compatibility is important, and so is dependability; an error in judgment or a misunderstanding about commitment could mean more expenses for you.

Find out up front what might be deal breakers for each of you, and don’t let small annoyances simmer. Choose your “compromise zones” — usually shared spaces, such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room — and reach a mutual understanding about decorating and maintaining them.

3. Keeping House

You don’t need to break the bank to turn your apartment into home, sweet home. Throw pillows or an area rug are inexpensive ways to personalize the space, while lamps and accent lights in key places help create a warm atmosphere. If you’re sharing the apartment, go shopping together to find items you can agree on, especially for those compromise zones.

Keeping the apartment and appliances clean saves problems in the long run, and it’s essential for healthy living, both physically and mentally. Don’t let the chores build up — find a system that works for you, turn on some music and get down to it.

4. Storage

A New York City apartment probably means adjusting to a living in a more compact scale than you might be accustomed to. At first it seems like you have much more stuff than space, but assessing storage possibilities will soon be second nature to you. Take advantage of the move to cull dead weight, and aim for charming instead of cramped when you decorate.

Use design techniques that make the space seem larger, such as limiting the color palette and placing mirrors strategically to reflect light. Clutter-free surfaces help create the illusion of space, too. Some furniture items can double as storage or be hidden away when not in use. Maximize vertical storage solutions to keep floor space clear — hooks and shelving are practical and can also be visually striking features.

5. That Safety Habit

No matter how safe the neighborhood is, it’s wise to cultivate a habit of safety. If it locks, lock it; always lock your door and windows — and yes, that goes for apartments above the first floor, too. You should know all the potential routes around the apartment and where the emergency exits are from any point inside the building.

You don’t have to be nosy, but be aware of the general habits of your neighbors so that you’ll recognize when any activity is out of the ordinary. If you have a roommate, you should discuss a safety plan with him or her, including locking the door, not giving away keys and being careful about who enters your home.

Whether you’re a lone wolf in search of the perfect studio or pairing up with a pal in flexible one bedroom or larger apartment, we have exactly what you’re looking for in NYC’s hottest neighborhoods. Take a look HERE or give us a call and let a leasing specialist help.

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