Is it crazy to turn down a lottery apartment? (apartments, rent)
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I had never tried the housing lottery until a few months ago, because I had lived in the same building in Queens for years and wasn't looking to move. I decided last year I wanted a change and started putting in lottery applications alongside looking at listings, figuring the odds were really low. I put in for pretty much anything that looked nice, was in my price range, and was in a neighborhood that I wouldn't mind living in.
I recently got my number called for two different apartments, which surprised me. I'm definitely in the income range and have all the required documentation, so I'm not worried about being found ineligible. Both were in Brooklyn in places that would be fine places to live, but now I'm really having second thoughts about leaving Queens. I still have several applications in for buildings in LIC and Astoria and I'm wondering if I should hold out for those. Is it stupid to withdraw after you've been selected? Should you just take what you can get with these?
Location: Read the Marketing Handbook, and Income a Guide.
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I encourage you to pursue both buildings. You are obligated to move to anyplace you don’t like. Don’t reject them without knowing more, such as viewing a unit. You might love or hate them, but it’s good experience even if you reject both. It’s possible that in the future there will be a lottery building in Queens you love and your past experience with submitting paperwork and waiting for approvals will serve you well.
I am helping a friend who would never want to leave their building until they are a hundred years old, and would never have to. BUT, it’s four flights walk-up and slim chance of getting a ground floor unit. The only reason they enter lotteries is to move to an elevator building.
Your last sentence sums up the popular opinion I think. However, we all have different circumstances. If you're comfortable where you are and see no reason to move then don't. I don't know your financial situation but If you're like the thousands of others that struggle to keep up with rent prices in this city go for it. Also, don't hold out for anything that isn't a sure thing.. Unless your log #'s are really low that is.. Lol
Location: Read the Marketing Handbook, and Income a Guide.
2,011 posts, read 1,628,911 times
Reputation: 479
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildAboutHarry
I encourage you to pursue both buildings. You are obligated to move to anyplace you don’t like. Don’t reject them without knowing more, such as viewing a unit. You might love or hate them, but it’s good experience even if you reject both. It’s possible that in the future there will be a lottery building in Queens you love and your past experience with submitting paperwork and waiting for approvals will serve you well.
I am helping a friend who would never want to leave their building until they are a hundred years old, and would never have to. BUT, it’s four flights walk-up and slim chance of getting a ground floor unit. The only reason they enter lotteries is to move to an elevator building.
I meant to write, You are NOT obligated to move to anyplace you don’t like.
I had never tried the housing lottery until a few months ago, because I had lived in the same building in Queens for years and wasn't looking to move. I decided last year I wanted a change and started putting in lottery applications alongside looking at listings, figuring the odds were really low. I put in for pretty much anything that looked nice, was in my price range, and was in a neighborhood that I wouldn't mind living in.
I recently got my number called for two different apartments, which surprised me. I'm definitely in the income range and have all the required documentation, so I'm not worried about being found ineligible. Both were in Brooklyn in places that would be fine places to live, but now I'm really having second thoughts about leaving Queens. I still have several applications in for buildings in LIC and Astoria and I'm wondering if I should hold out for those. Is it stupid to withdraw after you've been selected? Should you just take what you can get with these?
If you feel like queens is your home and you wanna stay there, then stay put
Go through the process and then decide if you want the apartment after you get accepted and see the apartment. I know a lot of people that thought because they were called it was a sure thing, it isn't. If for no other reason, go through the process so you know the process. Make a decision after having all the information, tour the neighborhood see the difference in space between the apartment you have and the one you might have, etc etc. You can always say no later but at least give yourself that opportunity. AND if you do say no, and a lottery apartment becomes available close to the neighborhood you currently live in you will know the process and be able to go through it easy and stress free.
I would go through the process so you can learn about it and be prepared if/when an apartment in Queens comes up. You can always turn the apartment down - but you can't go back and say you're interested after saying no.
Also depends on what income bracket you are in. The higher it is, the easier it is to get an apartment. The lower it is, the harder.
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