Things to Know Before Negotiating For an NYC Apartment

With the scarcity and the prices of apartments in New York what they are, it's hardly surprising that rent is sky-high. But times are hard, and every little bit of scrimping and saving counts. If you find that the NYC apartment you're considering dents your wallet just a little too much, you may just be able to fix that with a little negotiation and a whole lot of people skills.

Should You Negotiate?

Yes, you should negotiate by all means possible. Although rents in the entire New York City area might seem too high and immovable, it's actually possible for you to negotiate rates with the broker. You won't lose anything by it, and many brokers are willing to talk about lowering rent or negotiating other fees just to make the deal.

NYC Apartment Negotiation 101

Do your homework before going out to meet the real estate broker. Know the average rent for different areas, for example. It's going to be a lot easier to negotiate and discuss terms when the broker sees that you know what you're talking about and that you mean business. The broker has to see that you're a serious client, and that you're the kind of person who might just give him or her a deal at the end of the day.

There are two types of listings on the New York real estate market - open and closed listings. An open listing means that several brokers are racing to close the deal for a certain place, while a closed one means that only that broker has the rights to deal that spot. Open listings will be a lot easier for you to negotiate because the broker is in a hurry to close the deal and thus get his or her commission.

In the same vein, you could possibly lower the rent or other fees by giving the broker a sense of urgency. For example, give a figure for the rent that you're willing to pay, and then offer to get the NYC apartment right then and there if the broker could give you that rate. It's take-it-or-leave-it-now offers like those that get a lot of New Yorkers their apartments for less than they originally planned.

Factors That Can Affect Negotiation

Brokers look at certain factors that might make one more willing or more reluctant to negotiate terms with you. Your credit rating and financial standing would obviously be the biggest factor. The condition of your finances is directly proportional to your worth as a buyer or tenant. If you happen to have a good credit rating and a healthy sum of money in the bank, consider it an advantage (and don't forget to point it out).

Having your paperwork ready could also make the broker more amenable to striking a deal. Ready paperwork and supporting documents means that the broker could process the deal quicker and thus get commission sooner. That's usually motivation enough for brokers to lower rent or other fees for ready and eager NYC Apartments seekers like you.

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