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

Lenox Hill

406 East 64th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Lenox Hill

226 East 74th Street

$2,750 No Fee

Studio |

1

Inwood

121 Sherman Avenue

$3,000 No Fee

3 |

1.5

East Village

416 East Ninth Street

$3,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Upper West Side

2109 Broadway

$2,900 No Fee

Studio |

1

West Village

42 Morton Street

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

515 East 5th Street

$2,595 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

48 West 138th Street

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Sutton Place

339 East 58th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Yorkville

1555 Second Avenue

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Upper West Side

335 West 84th Street

$2,375 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

412 East 116th Street

$2,800 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

279 Kosciusko Street

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

340 Evergreen Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

401 Macon Street

$2,550 No Fee

1 |

1

Bergen Beach

1253 East 69th Street

$2,900 No Fee

3 |

1.5

Sunset Park

762 41st Street

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

2

Kensington

540 Ocean Parkway

$2,299 No Fee

2 |

1

East New York

19 Malta Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1.5

Brooklyn Heights

49 Willow Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ocean Hill

202 Hull Street

$2,750 No Fee

3 |

1

Flatbush

124 Erasmus Street

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

1498 Nostrand Avenue

$2,550 No Fee

1 |

1.5

Flatbush

1498 Nostrand Avenue

$2,650 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

Forest Hills

10232 65th Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

Astoria

25-55 43rd Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

23-16 Broadway

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Astoria

26-28 29th Street

$2,295 No Fee

1 |

1

Astoria

30-02 Broadway

$2,495 No Fee

1 |

1

Briarwood

139-21 85 Drive

$2,200 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

34-46 Vernon Boulevard

$2,177 No Fee

Studio |

1

Forest Hills

75-20 113rd Street

$2,145 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jackson Heights

79-17 32nd Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Woodside

32-36 54th Street

$2,700 No Fee

2 |

1

Astoria

42-04 30th Avenue

$3,000 No Fee

3 |

1

Jackson Heights

33-25 76th Street

$1,650 No Fee

Studio |

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.