Hiring an NYC broker: A short guide

You have decided to move to NYC. This is a big place with a fast-paced life. If you are certain that it is the right place for you, great, but there are still decisions to be made. From deciding on a neighborhood you would like to live in, allocating your budget, finding the right moving company, to finding the right home for you. You need to decide whether to do all the necessary research yourself or whether hiring an NYC broker to help you is better for you.

Hiring an NYC broker

If you don’t have time to look for an apartment yourself or you just want to leave that to professionals you should hire a broker. A broker is there to help you find the perfect home, so when you hire a broker make sure to list all of your demands. This is especially important if you plan to move to NYC with your children. The more detailed the list you give to the broker the more likely he will find a place that is great for you.

How to find a good broker

For starters, you will need to spend some time searching for the right broker for you.

• Ask around, ask your friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors whether they know a good broker that they can recommend.
• A good idea is hiring an NYC broker from the neighborhood where you would like to live. Knowing the neighborhood that you like will help them choose the best place for you. If you still don’t know what the best neighborhood in NYC is for you, look here for ideas.
• You should look up your broker on the internet. Check out their listings and whether they have any. You can get an idea of how professional they are via their activity and profile. If your broker is associated with major brokerage firms there is a larger chance that he/she is legitimate. You should check their brokerage activity and credibility.

Things to look for in a broker

If you want to find out which broker is good for you, consider the following:

• If the broker that you want to hire is showing you apartments in your price range. He needs to be able to determine what your priorities are.
• Is communication between your broker and you good and open?
• Your broker might try a bait-and-switch. There are a lot more moving scams that you should look out for.
• If the broker gives you something to sign you need to think it through. Don’t sign an exclusive deal with one broker as it can limit your options for finding the right apartment for you.
• A good broker will go through your paperwork and help you with financial information.
• You should find a broker in NYC that will schedule your appointments, accompany you to see apartments, and help you with applying to an apartment owner.

Brokers fee

Brokers in NYC usually charge between 8.5% and 17%. In popular neighborhoods, the fee doesn’t drop below 15%. Some brokers can offer you a no-fee apartment. This will get your attention but, in the end, it is you who will pay the fee through your rent.

Hiring a broker in NYC is not essential but it is very helpful. Brokers can get more listings than you could ever get yourself, they will help you do your paperwork faster and they get access to keys more readily. Hiring an NYC broker will ensure you have more time for yourself.