After almost two years of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, home shopping has regained a semblance of normalcy. New Yorkers may now visit prospective homes in person again and even attend open houses, as long as everyone follows the appropriate protocols. In the midst of the Omicron variant, that also means making sure to bring your mask! Here are some essential tips for safe home searching and COVID-19 guidance for real estate in NYC.

Note: This guide is intended for general information purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and is not a comprehensive list of the state’s guidance.

Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Murray Hill

5 Tudor City Place

$2,700 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

443 West 56th Street

$2,995 No Fee

1 |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

Upper West Side

2534 Broadway

$1,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Village

89 East Second Street

$3,000 No Fee

2 |

1

Lenox Hill

1482 York Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midtown

43 West 55th Street

$3,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Hamilton Heights

468 West 148th Street

$2,095 No Fee

1 |

1

Upper West Side

350 West 85th Street

$2,995 No Fee

1 |

1

Upper West Side

350 West 85th Street

$1,975 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

353 West 44th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Gramercy Park

338 East 15th Street

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Can I Shop for Homes in Person in NYC?

Yes! Visiting homes in person has been permitted since NYC entered Phase 2 reopening in June 2020. However, home shopping isn’t exactly like it was before.

For example, walkthrough videos and virtual tours are much more common now than pre-pandemic. It’s wise to watch them carefully before deciding to visit in person. 

Do I Need To Wear a Mask or Be Vaccinated To View a Home In Person?

In December 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that all indoor businesses must mandate masks for guests unless they institute a vaccine requirement. These businesses include indoor dining, fitness centers, and movie theaters. While the state’s announcements didn’t specifically mention real estate, you should still be ready to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination when viewing a unit. As of February 2022, some mask requirements were rolled back. However, the city recommends wearing a mask indoors — and many types of establishments and buildings still require it.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Bensonhurst

1404 West Fourth Street

$2,180 No Fee

1 |

1

East New York

538 Georgia Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

160 Clarkson Avenue

$2,669 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

160 Clarkson Avenue

$2,542 No Fee

Studio |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

554A Quincy Street

$3,000 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

474 Lafayette Avenue

$2,999 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

2809 Snyder Avenue

$2,931 No Fee

2 |

1

Weeksville

12 Ford Street

$3,000 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

88 Linden Boulevard

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

1483 Gates Avenue

$2,900 No Fee

2 |

1

Park Slope

669 10th Street

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

398 Decatur Street

$2,895 No Fee

2 |

1

COVID-19 Guidance for Real Estate: Dos and Don’ts

Keep these handy tips in mind when you’re apartment hunting in NYC:

Do Take a Virtual Tour First

In this time of extensive health precautions, virtual tours save a lot of time and trouble for everyone — including you. Check out prospective homes through a screen first, and only visit in person if you think the place might really be the right one. This can not only save you time, but prevent coming in contact with more people than necessary. 

Do Schedule an Appointment

Traditional open houses, where you drop by within a given period and tour a home with others doing the same, are allowed once more, but less common than they once were. Archived state guidelines — meaning no longer in effect, but still permissible for individual businesses to enforce — discourage open houses. Try to book a specific time slot with the agent when you can view the home unaccompanied if you can.

Do Wear a Mask, and Leave Nonessential People at Home

As with any other indoor setting in NYC, you’re required to cover your face when viewing an apartment. During the Omicron surge, New York City mandated face masks once more. They’re especially important when you’re unable to fully social distance, such as in a small apartment. 

And try to leave children, friends, parents, or other non-decision makers behind when you go to view a unit. The fewer people inside, the better.

Queens Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Ridgewood

1732 Norman Street

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

Flushing

142-27 Horace Harding Expressway

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

30-94 Crescent Street

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

455 Onderdonk Avenue

$2,150 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Elmhurst

22-15 98th Street

$2,900 No Fee

2 |

1.5

Astoria

32-82 34th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

33-78 11th Street

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

678 Woodward Avenue

$2,495 No Fee

1 |

1

Rego Park

65-20 Booth Street

$2,295 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica Hills

164-20 Highland Avenue

$2,599 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

23-31 31 Drive

$2,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Sunnyside

45-14 39 Place

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

Don’t Go Inside While Others Are in There

The archived state guidance encourages that only one “party” should be in a home at a given time for everyone’s safety. A party is you and your partner, or you and your roommates. It’s no longer mandatory to wait, but your real estate agent might still ask you to. And you’re more than welcome to decide to wait until the last party clears out before going in. 

Don’t Touch Anything You Don’t Need To

It’s just common sense, especially these days. But you’d be surprised how often people absent-mindedly run their fingers along a kitchen counter or drape their jacket or bag over a chair. It’s certainly OK to use handrails and doorknobs or to check handles and faucets if you need to. But don’t touch anything inessential, and don’t let your stuff touch it, either. And remember to bring lots of hand sanitizer! 

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Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.