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Checking apartments for this city seems to be unlike anything else. Not just apartments but roommate situations as well.
1. For instance, 90% of the Craigslist listings seem to be scams. I notice this more of the ones who only ask you to email. The ones with a phone number are more likely to be a broker (even if the apt was listed under "by owner") or it's the actual owner. When you do email, you invariably get the Nigerian scam email, stating they are overseas, but will ask a million questions.
2. The other issue: made up neighborhoods or claiming the apt is in one area when really it's not. I love when they claim it's in Williamsburg, but it's really in Bed Stuy. Or say it's in Harlem, but it's really more Washington Heights. Or even worse when they just make areas that don't even exist like "State Gardens" which was really East NY.
3. Another gripe with the Craigslist listings, are the brokers post everywhere regardless of what category it is. I flag them every chance I get. Or the roommate seekers who also post under "Apts by Owner". You're renting, you're not the owner and you're offering a room, not an apartment.
4. People who will rent out anything to make extra money. I'm not talking the standard bedroom to rent, that's normal. I'm talking when they decide the make the living room into rental space. A lot of people are doing this. A telltale sign of this is when you see "kitchen and bathroom shared", that means someone is sleeping in the living room. Or even worse when they convert what used to be a walk in closet, or maybe a small room barely big enough for a bed to rent. Attic and basement apartments fall into this category as well.
5. Apartment listings that refuse to show pictures of the bedroom or the living room, or even worse, only post a picture of the outside or kitchen or bathroom. If you are avoiding showing these things, it makes me wonder what kind of wreck it is that you're not posting a picture.
6. On that note, people that post pictures where it shows a mess. Maybe the current tenant is a slob, but if that's the case, at least ask them to clean up before taking photos. No one wants to see dirty underwear on the couch and bags all over the bed.
7. Anyone not willing to take a check or put something in writing. If you can't even give me a receipt for a deposit, or want to sign anything, I am going to automatically assume you are shady and will not want to do business with you.
8. Bait and switch. They advertise what seems to be the perfect apartment, but when you get there, it has mysteriously "just been rented out" and you are asked if you are willing to see a different place, usually much smaller, and less attractive.
Feel free to add to the list. I've been searching for someone, and some of it came to mind when I was looking a while back.
Last edited by Miss J 74; 03-21-2012 at 09:00 PM..
I hate it when the ad has a picture of a cute girl as the broker.. and when you show up thinking you'll be meeting her, it's some cheeseball in a cheap suit and beat up penny loafers.
I hate it when the ad has a picture of a cute girl as the broker.. and when you show up thinking you'll be meeting her, it's some cheeseball in a cheap suit and beat up penny loafers.
spacious studio apartment (http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/abo/2909214564.html - broken link)
I didn't know East NY is a "quiet and convenient neighborhood" Also isn't the street parking available everywhere? Why put it like it's a special perk
That ad looks like it was placed by the owner looking to rent out the space. If I was a broker/agent, I'd use my real name and not the annonyomous craigslist email.
Good list. I agree that Craigslist is borderline useless these days since it's so cluttered with useless relistings of the same apartments and broker ads. NakedApartments is an aggregator site that seems to do a good job of sifting through the bogus listings. It's definitely worth checking out for those who are apartment hunting.
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