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.
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Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Fort George
618 West 182nd Street
$2,450No Fee
3 |
1
Kips Bay
221 East 33rd Street
$2,695No Fee
Studio |
1
NoMad
2 East 30th Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
East Village
628 East 11th Street
$2,975No Fee
1 |
1
Soho
125 Sullivan Street
$2,850No Fee
1 |
1.5
Soho
125 Sullivan Street
$2,895No Fee
1 |
1
Chelsea
328 Eighth Avenue
$2,995No Fee
1 |
1
Yorkville
409 East 88th Street
$2,075No Fee
Studio |
1
Lenox Hill
424 East 66th Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Washington Heights
715 West 170th Street
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
170 East 112th Street
$2,715No Fee
1 |
1
East Village
322 East Sixth Street
$2,700No Fee
Studio |
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 StreetEasyArticle continues below
Bensonhurst
1404 West Fourth Street
$2,180No Fee
1 |
1
East New York
538 Georgia Avenue
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
160 Clarkson Avenue
$2,669No Fee
1 |
1
Flatbush
160 Clarkson Avenue
$2,542No Fee
Studio |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
554A Quincy Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
474 Lafayette Avenue
$2,999No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
2809 Snyder Avenue
$2,931No Fee
2 |
1
Weeksville
12 Ford Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
88 Linden Boulevard
$2,450No Fee
1 |
1
Bushwick
1483 Gates Avenue
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
Park Slope
669 10th Street
$2,800No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
398 Decatur Street
$2,895No 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 StreetEasyArticle continues below
Ridgewood
1732 Norman Street
$2,600No Fee
2 |
1
Flushing
142-27 Horace Harding Expressway
$2,350No Fee
2 |
1
Astoria
30-94 Crescent Street
$2,850No Fee
1 |
1
Ridgewood
455 Onderdonk Avenue
$2,150No Fee
Studio |
1
East Elmhurst
22-15 98th Street
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1.5
Astoria
32-82 34th Street
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Astoria
33-78 11th Street
$2,350No Fee
2 |
1
Ridgewood
678 Woodward Avenue
$2,495No Fee
1 |
1
Rego Park
65-20 Booth Street
$2,295No Fee
1 |
1
Jamaica Hills
164-20 Highland Avenue
$2,599No Fee
2 |
1
Astoria
23-31 31 Drive
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
Sunnyside
45-14 39 Place
$2,350No 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!