Only 1.4% of New York City’s rentals were available in 2023, the lowest portion since 1968. If you’ve ever apartment hunted in the city, this stat probably comes as no surprise. The demand for a semi-affordable NYC apartment has absolutely skyrocketed, as the vacancy rate of apartments that rent below $1,650 was less than 1% in 2023. Finding a New York City apartment is difficult. Finding one when you’re from out-of-state is even harder. However, this doesn’t need to be the case.
You don’t need to travel to the city to spend time in lines at open houses. In 2024, you can use Gander to tour apartments for you. In this article, we’ll break down how you can tour apartments virtually and why this may be in your best interest.
Let’s get touring!
In a highly demanded city like New York, virtual apartment tours offer several unique advantages. Here are just a few:
Different touring companies have different processes. However, at Gander, the process is simple. It goes like this:
1. Schedule a showing - Schedule an apartment showing with the listing agent or the management company of the apartment you are interested in touring.
2. Book a tour - On Gander website, click "Book a Tour" and submit a form including the time and place of the showing.
3. Receive Zoom link or request a video - Once the form has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link for streaming into the live tour. If you can’t make a live Zoom meeting you can also request a video.
4. Dial in or receive video - At the time of your scheduled tour, simply use the Zoom link to dial into the live tour. If you are not able to dial in at this time, Gander will record and send detailed videos straight to your email.
What’s the best part? You’ll also receive a “tour report” breaking down the details of the unit and the entire building. Gander asks real estate brokers questions you might not think to ask. This is also an advantage over AI-style virtual tours where you can’t see all the details. For example:
And so much more!
This is an easy process. But how do you make sure you’re getting the most out of your virtual apartment tour? Let’s break it down.
Essential tips for a virtual tour
Before your virtual apartment tour, it's essential to prepare by creating a list of your must-have features and desired amenities. If there’s something you specifically want to be shown in the tour, let your Gander tour guides know. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the apartment by reviewing floor plans and photos provided by the property management company. If you’re tuning in on Zoom, make sure you have a stable internet connection for the duration of the tour. Additionally, consider taking notes or screenshots during the tour to help you remember important details later.
Questions to ask during the virtual apartment tour
During the virtual apartment tour, it's important to ask questions that will help you make an informed decision about the property. Some questions to consider asking include:
By asking these questions and actively participating in the virtual tour, you can gain valuable insights into the property. This can help you determine if the apartment meets your needs and preferences before making a decision.
Have your paperwork ready to go
Once your tour goes well, and you decide to apply to a listing, everything happens very fast. In order to secure that apartment you need to have all your paperwork ready to go. To stay organized, keep a folder on your computer with PDFs of all your documents. While specific requirements may vary depending on the landlord or management company, common necessities include:
It's important that you carefully review the application requirements provided by the management company. Having these documents prepared in advance can help streamline the application process and increase the chances of securing the desired apartment.
Working with a service to tour NYC apartments remotely can save you time while providing you with the most information possible. Choosing where you’re going to live is a huge decision. From the neighborhood and amenities to your budget, there are a lot of decisions to be made. Let Gander take one off your plate by providing excellent touring services for your convenience. Book a tour here today to get started.
