UConn alumna educates students on how to move to New York City
By Alex Sferrazza
The Daily Campus (UConn student newpaper)
March 4, 2013
Manhattan Apartments start at $1,299 for a studio apartment in the Washington Heights district. That’s the cheapest rate you’ll get in Manhattan and it only goes up from there. This information came courtesy of a Manhattan Residential Rental Market Report provided by “Citi Habitats,” a New York real estate firm. This was provided to students in a complimentary packet during a presentation discussing the factors involved for students wishing to move to New York City either after graduation, or for an internship at the UConn Alumni center on Tuesday evening.
The presentation was hosted by UConn alumna and NYC residential real estate expert Caroline Bass, a graduate of UConn’s Class of 2004 with a degree in Fine Arts. Bass is Senior Vice President and Associate Broker for Citi Habitats, where she was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2012 and was also included in Business Insider’s list of 21 Unstoppable Real Estate Hot Shots in 2013. Notably, Bass sold an apartment to Tim Gunn of “Project Runway” fame. She is also a founder member of the UConn Alumni Chapter in New York City.
The presentation covered useful basics for first time apartment renters. For instance, first-time renters should start searching for an apartment 35-40 days before expecting to sign a lease. Most renters expect a lease to be signed within two weeks of an apartment tour. The process of co signing a lease with a guarantor wherein another person assumes the renters debt should they fail to pay their rent. Unless you have a steady job or high credit rating, this is an almost mandatory requirement for recent grads.
Kalyn Johnson, a 4th-semester Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) student at UConn’s Greater Hartford campus attended the seminar hoping to see if there were any discounts or opportunities afforded for teachers.
Indeed, a discount for UConn students in general was mentioned during the presentation. A notable aspect was the presentation was the mention of a “Finder’s Fee.” This is a typical surcharge a realtor charges you if you find your apartment through them. According to Bass, 15 percent (of the total sum of your first years’ rent) is the typical charge in New York City. However, Bass offers a discount to either 12 percent or 13.5 percent depending on the circumstances for UConn students.
Other UConn students also told us their personal reasons for heading into the Big Apple.
Kristen Tripp, an 8th-semester actuarial science major, plans to move to the city following graduation this spring.
“I have a job in Armonk, New York and a lot of people who are in the program up there live in the city so its something I wanted to look into.”
Daniel Beardsley, an 8th-semester finance major attended the event also looking for housing. “I’ve got a job lined up in Manhattan trading stocks after I graduate, so I’ve started looking for housing now.
For more information check out http://www.citi-habitats.com/ or send an email to Caroline Bass at cbass@citihabitats.com.
Read the article on The Daily Campus’ website here:
http://www.dailycampus.com/uconn-alumna-educates-students-on-how-to-move-to-new-york-city-1.3004122#.UTaHodaccYo
