How accurate is Craigslist? (apartments, rental market, landlords)
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I've been watching Craigslist in preparation for my upcoming move to NYC, but I'm wondering if maybe it is misleading me about housing prices. I saw someone post here about how someone was "lucky" to find a studio on the Upper West Side for $1,800/mo. But on Craigslist I've been seeing plenty of 1 bedroom apartments there for between $1,600 and $1,800. I have read that Craigslist has some bait-and-switch scams on it, but is it that skewed? If Craigslist is skewed by scams, what is the real average price of a 1 BR on the UWS? Thanks!
In my experience with Craigslist, about 5% of posts are scams, 20% are inaccurate descriptions or unavailable apartments, and another 30% or so are exaggerations or misleading.
If you're seeing a lot of one-bedrooms for $1,600...my guess would be that they DO exist, but are tiny or are really studios or "junior" one-bedrooms. Or they're not really on the Upper West Side, but are at like 135th and Broadway. Or the broker, because he realizes he has a hot apartment, is making people pay a ridiculous broker's fee.
Anyway, 3/4 of that stuff gets sorted out when you call and just ask for some simple details about the apartment. Like "Does this one bedroom have a living room? Is there a door between the bedroom and the living room? Is the kitchen in the living room?" And if he answers, "The kitchen is not in the living room" be sure to ask "Is it in the bedroom?" If he says that the living room is 300 square feet, make sure you ask "Can you fit furniture in it? Is it 3 feet by 100 feet?"
Basically, realtors seem to push the envelope as far as they can without lying.
The answer is somewhere in between. There are a lot of misleading ads on Craigslist. Maybe even as much as half. But there are also a lot of honest ads especially in the outer boroughs. Direct ads from landlords, and these are often where you find the best deals. The Manhattan rent market is very much set in stone for the most part so if something sounds too good to be true, 9 times out of 10 it usually is.
Is there any online classifieds that you guys would say is more "accurate" of their postings? Something like NYTimes? Something people have to pay to post?
There are many realtors who actually post their listings on Craigslist. These apartments are usually the ones that aren't moving as fast as they had expected, but it's a free and easy way to advertise so many realtors use it.
But I know from professional experience that many of the descriptions are exaggerated. Still, it's a place to look.
Anyway, 3/4 of that stuff gets sorted out when you call and just ask for some simple details about the apartment. Like "Does this one bedroom have a living room? Is there a door between the bedroom and the living room? Is the kitchen in the living room?"
Or "Are there any internal non-closet doors-on-hinges at all"?
That at least excludes flimsy folding things that separate the alleged kitchen, so-called bedroom, and (possibly) bath from the supposed living room.
I think it also depends on your expectations. You have to keep an open mind and be realistic. I've seen a few apartments in my price range that were much nicer in person than they seemed to be on Craigslist...but I've also seen the opposite. I guess if you carry out your search expecting the worst and as a complete cynic, you will probably have an easier time finding something good on CL because you will be able to sort through the crap and find a gem. Also by contacting the poster or property manager, you can ask questions and they will lead you to a place more suitable.
I've gotten a lot out of NYBits. The site lists numerous no-fee property managers that you can contact directly.
I've been watching Craigslist in preparation for my upcoming move to NYC, but I'm wondering if maybe it is misleading me about housing prices. I saw someone post here about how someone was "lucky" to find a studio on the Upper West Side for $1,800/mo. But on Craigslist I've been seeing plenty of 1 bedroom apartments there for between $1,600 and $1,800. I have read that Craigslist has some bait-and-switch scams on it, but is it that skewed? If Craigslist is skewed by scams, what is the real average price of a 1 BR on the UWS? Thanks!
You have to note two things...Craigslist is advertising and "lucky" is an opinion not a fact.
You will usually call regarding that apt, and they'll say "Oh it's rented, but let me show you THIS one!" (This one will be pricier). Classic bait and switch, and yes - if it sounds too good to be true, it is!
Also, do not ever pay for listings. I fell for that at the young ol age of 19.
NY Times is generally pricy apts. I'd stick to craigslist, but take it with a grain of salt. And don't pay for the listings.
Keep in mind that the rental market is softer now than it once was. A friend looked a couple of years ago at 1-BRs in Manhattan around $2500 and said they were all pretty awful compared to where he was living. He looked again last month and saw more nice places for $2000 or $2200 than he'd seen in the $2500-$2700 range in 2006.
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