NYC Rental Perks

AM New York has a nice piece about how renters are getting deals lately. For the most part it's accurate. Large landlords and new buildings are giving perks like making apartments no fee and offering free rent. They do this to fill up the building. And it's true -- small landlords are less likely to offer incentives, msotly because they have no need to.

One beef that I have with this piece is that they use the example of the people who got a great deal at The Chesapeake for $3,300. It's a new building, and it's on 94th Street and First Avenue, which isn't exactly the hottest part of the Upper East Side, which is why they're have a hard time filling it up. (I live on 94th and 2nd for several years and know the area well.)Perhaps a little disclosure about that would have been helpful.

But I did like that they recommended using a broker, because as anyone who's tried to go the Craigslist route knows, sometimes it's easier using someone who knows the terrain and can actucally get you into places.

Open House Today: 1 Bedroom Riverside Drive: $3600

Need a one bedroom in a quiet area? I'm having an open house from 2:00 to 3:30 today for a one bedroom on Riverside Boulevard on the west side. Be the first to live in it!

• High floor
• Hudson River views
• Washer/Dryer
• New kitchen
• Marble baths
• Cherrywood floors
• Doorman/Elevator/Full service
  
• Building has gym, theater and billiards room

Drop me a line if you'd like to come by or see it another time.

Live In A West Village 1840s Townhouse -- $15,000/Month

Here's an amazing find in the heart of the West Village: Three floors of an 1840s towhouse, plus a separate studio apartment, that is available for $15,000 a month. It's gut renovated with a huge livig area, new kitchen, marble baths and an elevator. Three large bedrooms. There is also a backyard. The basement is refurbished as well with a sauna for two as well as a washer dryer.

Contact me if you would like to schedule a viewing.

Large living area


Wood burning fireplace


Master Bedroom


One of two marble baths


New kitchen with granite counters, lots of storage


Backyard with optional fish pond

A Truly Amazing Place To Live: $8500 20th Floor Park Avenue South

Yesterday I stumbled across this enormous two bedroom, two bath on Park Avenue South, literally just steps from Union Square. It's drenched in sunlight and has some amazing city views, including of the Flatiron Building.

The bedrooms are enormous and there is a master suite. Lots of closets. Central air. New kitchen, full service building. Pre-war marble lobby. Building has roofdeck, pool, jacuzzi and gym. $8500 firm.

Master bedroom, 12 x 21.


One of two new bathrooms. All have showers. Master bath has a tub and and a shower.


New kitchen


View from the living room and kitchen

How Much Is....?

Below is a chart of the average market rate for apartments in different Manhattan neighborhoods for June 2008.

An Amazing Place To Live On Union Square -- $6200 A month

Living in Union Square means being in the middle of everything. Subways, nightlife, action, it's all on 14th Street.

This is an enormous two bedroom on the 8th Floor of a high rise right on 14th and Fourth Avenue. It has two large, sunny bathrooms, two new marble baths, a new kitchen and an enormous living room (about 550 square feet) which also has a dining area. $6200 a month. Doorman, elevator, laundry, etc. It's one of the largest apartments I've seen in a long time, and for its size and location it's quite a deal.

New Kitchen


One of two new marble baths


One of two very large and sunny bedrooms that overlook Union Square.


Another view of the living room


Dining alcove