Property Tales
Regardless of whether I need a place at the moment or not, I ask people if they know of an empty apartment or of anyone who's moving. If they do, I follow up. I've found apartments for myself, and for 10 other people that way. Just by asking the question. Ask at parties. If you're polite and casual about it, people are willing to share whatever they know. If you're rude or pushy, they blow you off. Avoid brokers-they're too expensive for bad attitude and little else.
architect's business manager
WHILE MOST PEOPLE find NYC apartment hunting a struggle, Michael Scully has been fortunate-and smart-enough to amble into a series of appealing living situations without much effort.
"I can't say I've apartment hunted," says Scully. "I'm presented with opportunities too good to pass up."
Scully's run of luck began in 1996, when he returned to the New York area from college.
"That summer, I stayed with my parents in New Jersey and commuted into Manhattan when I got a job. I was saving to move into the city. I didn't think I could afford my own place, so asked everyone I met if they knew anybody looking for a roommate. Someone introduced me to a woman who wanted to share an apartment she knew of. We met, decided we could get along. Next day, we saw the apartment and took it.
"It was in Park Slope-big living room, three bedrooms-one for each of us, and a guest room. High tin ceilings, 800 square feet. No broker's fee. We each paid $600 per month. The landlords were my roommate's cousins, so they were nice to us."
That lasted 11 months.
"I felt that my roommate was invading my social life. She assumed she was invited everywhere I went. We were living together as roommates-I didn't want to spend every waking moment with her."
So he moved back with his parents, and again began asking friends for leads.
He and two pals almost took a nice three-bedroom in Windsor Terrace, but one friend backed out. Good luck for Scully. As it turned out, the other friend's current roommate moved, leaving a spot for Scully in a terrific three-bedroom in Brooklyn Heights. For $600 per month, Scully shared the 1200-square-foot apartment. He had a huge bedroom with private porch.
Then, a friend asked him to apartment sit his East Village condo for a year, while paying the $975 mortgage payments.
"It was 800 square feet, high ceilings, huge living room and bedroom-all to myself. The market rent would be $3000. I couldn't say no," says Scully. "But my Brooklyn Heights situation was too good to relinquish, so I sublet my spot-which worked well because I was careful about collecting rent, then paying it myself. I didn't charge extra rent because it wouldn't be fair."
In September 2001, Scully moved back with his roommates in Brooklyn Heights.
"After living alone for two years, the roommate scene was rough. When a friend moved in with his girlfriend, I took over his $900-per-month two-bedroom in Cobble Hill. The place was charming but annoying. The roof slanted. The floors were so warped, my bookcase stood at a 45 degree angle until I propped it up. The windows didn't close. It was small. But it was mine."
Then a friend with a rent-stabilized apartment in Chelsea went to London for two years, and offered Scully a sublet.
"It was $800 for a one-bedroom in a great location. I couldn't turn it down. The downside of sublets is they're for a limited duration. But I got lucky. When my friend returned from London, he moved to San Francisco. So, I got to sign the lease on this apartment, and it's mine for as long as I want it. The rent is $1200-it goes up four percent annually. It's a great deal. It's perfect for one person, too small for two. There's something wrong with every New York apartment in this price range, but it's nicely set up. For the money, I've really lucked out."