How to find and secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn

Moving to NYC is a dream of many people around the world. It’s one of the most sought-after destinations for people from all walks of life. Brooklyn is one of the most popular parts of NYC so it’s no wonder why so many people hunt for apartments right there. The competition is high but there are many apartments available on the market. Whatever your budget is, you can probably find something that fits you and your needs. In this article, as one of the most reliable moving and storage Brooklyn companies, we will share with you our best tips and tricks on how to find and secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn.

Learn about Brooklyn before the move

Brooklyn is the most populous borough of NYC, with over 2.5 million residents. It is a melting pot of diverse cultures and people from all sides of the world. It is no surprise that so many young people are moving to Brooklyn to be a part of that amazing community. Living in Brooklyn can allow you to enjoy everything a big city like NYC has to offer. There are so many things to do and see.

The music and art scene there is unmatched, the bars and restaurants are located on every corner of the neighborhood, and there are many nightclubs where you can head out and party. Also, it is close to Manhattan and other parts of NYC, so if you’re looking for a job you’ll have no trouble finding the right one. The same thing goes for finding and securing your dream apartment in Brooklyn.

What’s the cost of living in Brooklyn?

While NYC isn’t the cheapest city, Brooklyn is one of the more affordable neighborhoods. If you wish to live in NYC, then in Brooklyn you can find and secure your dream apartment more easily than in other parts of the city. For example, the average rent in Brooklyn revolves around $2,500, while in Manhattan the rent is around $4,000! The difference here is pretty significant.

If you wish to buy a home, the median home price in Brooklyn is around $880,000 and in Manhattan, an apartment of the same size would cost you $1.4 million dollars! When it comes to the cost of living index, Brooklyn is right there with most other boroughs when it comes to utilities, groceries, and transportation. So let’s see now how to locate and book your ideal home in Brooklyn, NYC. 

Determine your budget first

This is the first and most important step of the plan. You can’t really find and secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn or anywhere else if you don’t have a budget plan laid out. We’ve written in the paragraph above what is the average rent and home value, so that should be your starting point. But that’s just the beginning! If you decide to rent, make sure to set aside enough funds for your first two deposits, bills for the first month, and groceries.

If you already have a job lined up in Brooklyn that it will be a bit easier for you, but if you don’t it’s important to have enough money on hand until you find it. There are other things that you should budget for. The most important ones are affordable movers in Brooklyn, repairs in the apartment, and unexpected expenses.

Choose your preferred neighborhood 

Brooklyn is a large borough, so you should know that it has a lot of great neighborhoods to choose from. They all differ in what they have to offer, but they are all worth checking out. It’s the best way you can make the right decision. The last thing you want to happen is to find out you could have lived in a nicer part of Brooklyn for the same rent! We’ll sort the best parts of Brooklyn into three categories below:

• Best neighborhoods to raise a family: Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Greenwood
• Best neighborhoods for young professionals: Clinton Hill, Bushwick, Crown Heights 
• Best neighborhoods for enjoying the nightlife: Gowanus, Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn 

So choose based on your criteria and wishes. If you do that, you’ll have no issues finding and securing your dream apartment in Brooklyn!

Start your search 

Once you’ve made a shortlist of neighborhoods, it’s time to start looking for available apartments. There are many online resources you can use, so take your time. You should know that there are over one million housing units in Brooklyn alone! Of course, not all of them are for sale or rent, but a lot of them are. That’s why it’s important to do a deep dive into the housing market so you can really find and secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn.

If you are in a time-sensitive situation, then focus on the most popular websites for finding apartments and filter them by the rent or sale cost. All in all, do your due diligence in order to move into the apartment of your dreams! 

Use a real estate agent to help you find and secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn

Another great resource you should use is real estate agencies. They know their way around town and their job is to know everything about the real estate market. There are numerous benefits of using a real estate agent to help you find and secure your dream Brooklyn apartment.

First of all, you would give them a list of things your apartment has to have, as well as all possible locations that come into play. With all of the relevant information, your real estate agent will present to you a shortlist of apartments that fit your budget. After that, all that is left to do is to head out and check them out if you can. If you live in another state or city, that might be a bit tricky but it’s definitely doable!

Schedule apartment viewings 

Checking the apartments in person is a step you should definitely take. That’s the only way to really understand the condition of the apartment you plan on renting. A lot of online ads and pictures can look good, but you can’t really know their state until you see them for yourself. A lot of times there are some things that may require additional repairs, which can be an expensive ordeal. Of course, that’s something you should discuss with your potential landlord, but don’t leave anything to chance.

Another benefit of looking at apartments in person is that you can get a sense of what your daily life would look like. You should pay attention not just to the apartment, but to the building and neighborhood as well. You can also determine how difficult it would be for your residential movers in Brooklyn to park and unload your items. 

Visit the neighborhood before you commit to a lease 

This goes hand in hand with the previous entry. Visiting the actual neighborhoods and getting a sense of what life is like there is crucial. You should check out all the relevant places and spots for your daily life. We mean things like grocery stores, shopping malls, post offices, police stations, DMV, etc. If you already have a new job lined up in Brooklyn, test the commute. See how much time you would spend driving or using public transportation to your new office so you can get prepared for your new daily routine.

If you determine that a particular location isn’t a great fit, that’s great! That means you won’t make the mistake of leasing an apartment that doesn’t provide you with a convenient lifestyle. And in a fast-paced city like NYC, convenience is something you should definitely seek. Cross those apartments and neighborhoods from your list and continue searching. 

Submit your application

After finding an apartment in Brooklyn you’re happy with, the next step is to submit the application to the landlord or property manager. The first thing you should do is carefully review the application requirements and gather all the necessary documentation. You need to present your credit report, proof of income, references from previous landlords if you have them, etc. Make sure you’ve completed all fields accurately and truthfully! Once that is done, make sure to submit the application as soon as possible.

Many apartments in Brooklyn can receive multiple applications within hours of being listed! After you’ve done your part, be patient and wait for a response. If the application is accepted, congratulations! You’ve just found and secured your dream apartment in Brooklyn. But if it gets rejected, don’t lose hope! The perfect opportunity is right around the corner.

Sign the lease and finally secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn! 

After your application gets accepted, the final step is to sign the lease. This is a crucial step, as it sets the terms and conditions for your tenancy. Carefully review all the terms and conditions before signing the lease! Pay attention to details such as the rental amount, leave term, security deposit, and any fees or penalties you may face if you’re behind on paying your rent or if you want to terminate your lease before the agreed time period.

Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or raise any concerns during this phase! It’s imperative to have a clear understanding of the lease before signing. If everything checks out, it’s time to sign your name on the dotted line and make your payments. All that would be left after that is to get ready and find the best long distance movers NYC has to offer, to ensure a smooth relocation! 

Add additional security measures to your dream Brooklyn apartment

Once your NYC full service packing providers have left your apartment, it would be wise to secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn with additional security measures. Your safety and security should be your number one priority. The first thing you should do is change the locks on all doors and windows. This will prevent anyone who may have had access to the previous keys from entering your apartment.

Consider installing a peephole on your front door to be able to see who is at the door before opening it. You can also install a deadbolt for additional security. If possible, you can try installing a basic alarm system, or a more advanced one if you have the budget for it. We mean things like cameras and monitoring services. This will help you deter potential intruders and provide evidence if a break-in occurs.

We hope you find and book your ideal home in Brooklyn as fast as possible! 

So there you have it! We’ve laid out the blueprint for you on how to find and secure your dream apartment in Brooklyn. After that start your search and don’t give up. Apartments in Brooklyn usually spend a very short time on the market, so it’s important to know this and be ready for some level of stress. However, do not get discouraged! New apartments pop up just as fast as the other ones that get leased. There is no reason to think you won’t find one that fits you like a glove. Follow all the steps, do your due diligence, and be patient. Once you’ve found your new home, contact the most reputable movers! You can get free moving quotes Brooklyn offers and start your NYC move on the right foot.