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
Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Greenwich Village
12 Fifth Avenue
$2,700No Fee
Studio |
1
Carnegie Hill
1654 Third Avenue
$2,800No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
241 Central Park North
$2,650No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
65 Rivington Street
$2,995No Fee
2 |
1
Yorkville
449 East 84th Street
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
Hamilton Heights
367 Edgecomb Avenue
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Hamilton Heights
367 Edgecomb Avenue
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
1465 Fifth Avenue
$2,050No Fee
Studio |
1
Carnegie Hill
121 East 97th Street
$2,040No Fee
Studio |
1
Turtle Bay
307 East 44th Street
$2,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Turtle Bay
310 East 44th Street
$2,900No Fee
Studio |
1
East Harlem
330 East 119th Street
$2,769No 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 StreetEasyArticle continues below
Bushwick
123 Melrose Street
$2,683No Fee
Studio |
1
Brownsville
507 Thatford Avenue
$2,500No Fee
4 |
1
East Flatbush
995 East 52nd Street
$2,900No Fee
3 |
2
Dyker Heights
627 90th Street
$2,300No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
560 Prospect Place
$2,899No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
19 Jefferson Avenue
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
1640 Nostrand Avenue
$2,750No Fee
2 |
1.5
Fort Greene
15 Greene Avenue
$2,950No Fee
1 |
1
Brighton Beach
363 Neptune Avenue
$2,750No Fee
2 |
2
Flatbush
1640 Nostrand Avenue
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
698 Eastern Parkway
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Flatbush
179 Martense Street
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
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
Astoria
31-28 46th Street
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
Sunnyside
43-22 45th Street
$1,918No Fee
1 |
1
Flushing
140-21 32nd Avenue
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Sunnyside
41-06 50th Street
$1,862No Fee
1 |
1
Jamaica
153-10 88th Avenue
$2,314No Fee
1 |
1
Forest Hills
75-46 113rd Street
$1,985No Fee
1 |
1
Jamaica
153-10 88th Avenue
$2,699No Fee
Studio |
1
Jamaica
153-10 88th Avenue
$2,313No Fee
1 |
1
Ridgewood
2203 Harman Street
$2,575No Fee
1 |
1
Ridgewood
17-11 Hancock Street
$2,888No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
34-22 Crescent Street
$2,799No Fee
2 |
1
Ridgewood
17-11 Hancock Street
$2,999No 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!