COVID-19 + NYC Real Estate

COVID-19 and Real Estate: Tips for Safe Home Searching

By Erika Riley February 17, 2022

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.

Table of Contents

Hamilton Heights

620 West 143rd Street

$2,995 No Fee

1 |

1

Hamilton Heights

620 West 143rd Street

$2,598 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

2270 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

2074 F Douglas Boulevard

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

125 East 71st Street

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Washington Heights

715 West 172nd Street

$2,908 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

112 West 138th Street

$2,200 No Fee

2 |

1

East Village

309 East 9th Street

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Sutton Place

1047 Second Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

Studio |

1

Fort George

9 Thayer Street

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

1

Inwood

5008 Broadway

$3,000 No Fee

2 |

1

East Village

512 East 12th Street

$2,500 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 Heights

226 Henry Street

$3,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

809 Park Place

$3,000 No Fee

3 |

1

Sunset Park

535 45th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

930 De Kalb Avenue

$2,875 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

178 East 32nd Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1652 East 14th Street

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

145 Rockaway Avenue

$2,450 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1277 E 14th Street

$2,773 No Fee

1 |

1

Park Slope

374 Seventh Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Greenwood

208 18th Street

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

181 Hawthorne Street

$2,367 No Fee

1 |

1

Park Slope

208 Saint John’s Place

$2,800 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.

Astoria

30-61 38th Street

$2,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kew Gardens

83-80 118th Street

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Kew Gardens

83-15 116th Street

$1,875 No Fee

1 |

1

Jackson Heights

35-50 82nd Street

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Astoria

23-07 31st Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Richmond Hill

87-60 113rd Street

$2,100 No Fee

1 |

1

Forest Hills

111-50 76 Road

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Forest Hills

71-59 Austin Street

$2,525 No Fee

1 |

1

Flushing

45-23 Parsons Boulevard

$1,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Astoria

25-21 23rd Street

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Flushing

45-21 Parsons Boulevard

$2,300 No Fee

2 |

1

Flushing

45-25 Parsons Boulevard

$1,990 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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