Realtor vs. No Realtor (Roosevelt: apartment, rent, co-op)

[Lilly2008]

I've been living in NYC for three years now. I used a realtor to get my apartment in the city. Now I'm making the move to Queens this fall, I'm looking into Sunnyside, Woodside, Flushing, Jackson Heights. I've heard that a realtor isn't necessary, that most times you can go to any apartment building and ask for management and try to make a deal. Any thoughts? Queens apartment hunting, realtor or not?

Thanks!

[BXGEAR]

Originally Posted by Lilly2008

I've been living in NYC for three years now. I used a realtor to get my apartment in the city. Now I'm making the move to Queens this fall, I'm looking into Sunnyside, Woodside, Flushing, Jackson Heights. I've heard that a realtor isn't necessary, that most times you can go to any apartment building and ask for management and try to make a deal. Any thoughts? Queens apartment hunting, realtor or not?

Thanks!

It sounds like you're trying to move somewhere thats cheap but safe. Realtors are never a necessity, unless you're in Manhattan.

If you want to make the most out of you're NYC experience, look into Astoria.

But if you're not able to afford it, Sunnyside would be better than Woodside and Flushing. Jackson Heights/ Elmhurst is cool for young people too.

Walk around the neighborhood and ask each super if there is a new room available. He/she will say yes or no and show you it. But you must go in the day time

[Andysocks]

I wouldn't group Flushing in with the other neighborhoods. The small urban downtown centered around Roosevelt and Main is a fairly insular Asian immigrant community, while the rest of Flushing (which is enormous) is pretty standard eastern Queens fare, more similar to Fresh Meadows or Whitestone.

[znycgirl]

You don't really need a realtor in those areas....that being said...it's easier with one.

Look in local supermarkets and the newspapers if you want apts in 2-3 family houses. Esp Woodside/Sunnyside/Jackson Heights.

Realistically... many ppl who rent out an apt are not that computer savvy and you may be able to find an apt for less than you expect.

I don't know about walking into any apt building...some advertise on the side...rental office, ect. It can't hurt to try.

[Fred314X]

Realtors are a nice convenience, but not absolutely necessary. I found my previous co-op on Ocean Parkway without a realtor. It's mainly a question of how much legwork you want to do on your own.