Couple of questions about Queens (apartments, to rent, broker)

[ethanatlarge]

Could anyone recommend a good broker that specializes in Western Queens? We are looking for a studio or one-bedroom in Astoria, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, or Woodside and can afford up to $1200. We are both students so Astoria might be the best "fit" but I worry that $1200 might be a little tight for that particular neighborhood. Please direct message me any broker recommendations you might have. Thank you!

Moderator addition: Please send ANY recommendation to the OP by Direct Message and NOT in a post in this thread.

[Biskit]

You can get something for 1200, but most landlords prefer 1 person at that price, so preference will go to them. 2 bedrooms usually go for about 1500 - 1700 in Astoria. Just go to any of the brokers in the neighborhood, they're all pretty much the same.

[colwri23]

Originally Posted by Biskit

most landlords prefer 1 person at that price, so preference will go to them.

What do you mean by that? What about couples and stuff

[Biskit]

Originally Posted by colwri23

What do you mean by that? What about couples and stuff

Landlords will give preference to single people for 1 bedrooms and couples without kids for 2 bedrooms for pretty obvious reasons. If your sharing an apartment with a roommate you'll have to get a 2 bedroom apartment which will be well over $1200, closer to $1700.

[DonnaReed]

These days apartments aren't so easy for landlords to rent.

I can see how/why preference would go to one person for studio.

But if it's a "couple" as opposed to roomates, why would they give preference to one?

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by Biskit

Landlords will give preference to single people for 1 bedrooms and couples without kids for 2 bedrooms for pretty obvious reasons. If your sharing an apartment with a roommate you'll have to get a 2 bedroom apartment which will be well over $1200, closer to $1700.

How is this obvious? If you're moving in with your partner.. aren't you sleeping in the same bedroom anyway?

[Biskit]

I didn't mean to imply a difference between couples and roommates, surely it's the same thing to the landlord, my bad. I meant if you're single and competing against a couple or a pair of roommates you'll most likely win the apartment. If you're a couple without kids or roommates competing against a couple with kids, you'll most likely beat them. This is pretty much stating the obvious though and naturally it depends on how much the landlord perceives you as a reliable tenant.