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

South Harlem

5 East 115th Street

$2,250 No Fee

2 |

1

South Harlem

1786 Madison Avenue

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Yorkville

423 East 83rd Street

$2,450 No Fee

Studio |

1

Yorkville

500 East 89th Street

$2,175 No Fee

1 |

1

Hamilton Heights

94 Hamilton Place

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,550 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

200 West 145th Street

$2,595 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,050 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

11 Avenue D

$2,875 No Fee

2 |

1

Yorkville

233 East 89th Street

$2,695 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

510 East 13th Street

$2,712 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

304 West 151st Street

$2,425 No Fee

2 |

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

Bedford-Stuyvesant

837 Bedford Avenue

$2,375 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

1001 Bushwick Avenue

$2,833 No Fee

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1

Weeksville

1591 Sterling Place

$2,700 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

486 East 28th Street

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

803 Wyckoff Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

825 Monroe Street

$2,750 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

13 Marcus Garvey Avenue

$2,692 No Fee

2 |

1

Bay Ridge

205 71st Street

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

1

Greenwood

346 21st Street

$2,699 No Fee

2 |

1

Gravesend

2402 85th Street

$3,000 No Fee

4 |

1.5

Bushwick

2038 Eastern Parkway

$2,700 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

205 Himrod Street

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

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

Astoria

30-95 29th Street

$2,190 No Fee

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1

Astoria

35-58 Crescent Street

$2,950 No Fee

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1

Astoria

24-35 Steinway Street

$2,449 No Fee

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1

Astoria

25-19 34th Street

$2,250 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

28-44 47th Street

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Ditmars-Steinway

25-09 24th Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Jackson Heights

34-01 92nd Street

$2,000 No Fee

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1

Astoria

31-60 29th Street

$1,700 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kew Gardens

118-65 Metropolitan Avenue

$1,950 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ditmars-Steinway

23-88 29th Street

$1,780 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ditmars-Steinway

19-43 77th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Flushing

142-27 Horace Harding Expressway

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

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.