A.C. Lawrence & Company- New York City Real Estate

Domestic Relocation

	Rental Guide
	Neighborhoods Guides
	Glossary
	Resources

International Relocation

	Rental Guide
	Neighborhoods Guides
	Glossary
	Resources

RENTAL GUIDE

Step 1: Planning your First Trip to Pound the Pavement.

It is important that you time this process correctly. It is advised that you do not begin your search any earlier than 4-6 weeks prior to your desired move in date. Leases usually expire on the 15th or last day of every month. If you begin your search any earlier than what is advised you can almost be certain that you will not be able to view any properties with your desired move in date. Depending on the type of apartment you choose to live in will determine when you should begin your search. You must factor in the time needed for the approval process. A co-op apartment usually takes 15-30 days for final approval, while a condominium can take 5- 30 days, and a typical rental building only 3-5 business days.

Step 2: Selecting your Criteria

For some, being in the trendiest area is most important. For others, being close to a gourmet market is a must. Still others have their hearts’ set on having outdoor space, a doorman, etc. It is important for you to communicate your specific needs to your ACL Relocation Specialist so as to make certain that your search is as targeted as possible. Additionally, if you have pets, please let your ACL Relocation Specialist know ahead of time as many landlords have different policies and pet acceptance guidelines.

Step 3: Scheduling your viewing appointments

Management companies usually have a Monday through Friday work week, but that does not mean properties are not shown over the weekend. However, properties that are available to be seen on Saturday and Sunday may have multiple applications submitted by Monday morning. Therefore, it is advised that you view these properties during the week, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. More often than not, apartments that are available to be shown during the week are yet to be in the application process, giving the first applicant the greatest chance of being selected.

Step 4: The Application Process

To avoid losing out on your ideal apartment due to timing, it is best to be prepared for your first appointment in the event that you wish to submit an application. Be aware that your income must be 40-50 times the monthly rent, assuming you have good American credit. For example if you are applying for an apartment that has a monthly rent of $2,000, your household income must be $80,000 - $100,000 ($2,000 * 40 - $2,000 * 50). However, for international residents, with no American credit, a landlord will likely require the payment of additional security up to the entire years’ rent upfront.

Application Fees

Once you find an apartment that you like, you will be asked to fill out an application. The application will require you to submit supporting documentation as indicated below (Please make certain to have this information readily available prior to your viewing appointments). Once you submit an application, you will also be required to pay an application fee which can vary by building and management company. The typical fee for a rental building can be anywhere between $0 - $100; Condo Building - $300 - $1,000 and Co-op Building - $600 - $1,500.

Supporting Documentation

Here is a checklist of the supporting documents that will be requested from you to be submitted in addition to your application.

Photo ID ( Driver License)

2 most recent paycheck stubs

A letter from your current employer stating position, social security number, length of employment and compensation package

Most recent bank statement

First and signature page of last years tax return

Landlord reference letter stating the length of your previous lease and that rent was paid on time

Landlords realize that rents are high and applicants may not qualify for the income requirements on their own. In these situations, a guarantor may be used. A guarantor assures that the rent will be paid if the tenant defaults on payment. In order to qualify as a guarantor, their income requirement must be 80-100 times the monthly rent, assuming they have good American credit. For example if you are applying for an apartment that has a monthly rent of $2,000, and you need to use a guarantor, he/she must earn $160,000 - $200,000 ($2,000 * 80 - $2,000 * 100). It is double the necessary income requirement for the tenants, because a guarantor must continue to pay their personal obligations as well as guarantee the tenants rent. If a guarantor is needed or requested, they must complete an application as well as submit all of their supporting documentation, as indicated above.

The Approval Process and Lease Signing

Once you get approved for the apartment you applied for, a lease signing will be set up. Typically, the lease signing is scheduled as soon as the approval is received. It is extremely important to understand that rent, security, and brokerage fees are due at lease signing in the form of certified funds. For this reason, funds need to be available in your bank account or in the form of cash. If you do not have a bank account or your bank does not have a branch in New York City, you must make other arrangements to have these funds available prior to the lease signing. In this situation, you can wire funds directly to AC Lawrence and we can provide you with certified funds. Domestic wires typically take at least one to two business days before they are available, and international wires typically take at least one week. AC Lawrence will also accept credit cards but keep in mind that it takes at least five business days before funds are available.

Once you sign the lease, you will need to schedule a move in date with the landlord, management company or superintendent (whichever is applicable). Often there are restrictions as to the time and days that move-ins are allowed. Typically, move-ins are limited to Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Your ACL Relocation Specialist will help you through this process and if necessary, arrange a mover.

Step 5- Enjoy your New Home

At A.C. Lawrence and Company, finding you the perfect home is only the beginning. We will ensure that your transition into the your new home is absolutely seamless.

We look forward to serving your real estate needs.

Return to menu

NEIGHBORHOODS GUIDES

Manhattan Neighborhoods Harlem

Upper West Side

Upper East Side

Midtown West

Midtown East

Roosevelt Island

Chelsea

Gramercy/Flatiron

Union Square

Greenwich Village

East Village

SoHo

NoHo/NoLIta

Chinatown

Lower East Side

Battery Park

Financial District

Return to menu

INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES

If arriving from a country for which the US requires a visa, each member of your family must have a valid visa for the duration of their stay. However, travelers from certain eligible countries may also be able to visit the U.S. without a visa, through the Visa Waiver Program. Check the US State Department website to see under which category your country falls.

After arriving in the US, attaining a social security card should be your next step. This will enable you to pay your taxes, apply for phone service and other utilities as well as open a bank account.

Visas

There are various categories of nonimmigrant workers visas:

B-1

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose, such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc, must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category.

E-1 Treaty Trader

The E-1 classification is authorized for a national of a country with which the United States has a commercial treaty, who is coming to the U.S. solely to engage in trade of a substantial nature principally between the United States and the person’s country of nationality. The trade involved must be international exchange (successfully negotiated contracts binding on all parties) of items of trade between the U.S. and a treaty country. Title to the trade item must pass from one treaty party to the other.

If inside the U.S., the I-129 is used to apply for a change of status, extension of stay, or change of employment. This classification does not require a petition for employment if the foreign national is outside of the U.S. If outside of the U.S., the person applies for an E-1 visa on his or her own behalf directly to a U.S. consular office abroad.

E-2 Treaty Investor

The E-2 classification is authorized for a national of a country with which the United States has a commercial treaty, who is coming to the United States solely to direct and develop the operations of an enterprise in which he or she has invested, or is actively involved in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital.

If the non-national is inside the U.S., the I-129 should be used to apply for a change of status, extension of stay, or change of employment. This category does not require a petition for employment if the person is outside of the U.S. In that case, they apply for this category on his/her own behalf directly to a U.S. consular office abroad.

Specialty Workers (H-1B)

The H-1B categories apply to aliens coming temporarily to perform services in a specialty occupation, or as a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability. The first step to hiring most H-1B workers from outside the U.S. is for the employer to file a labor condition application (LCA) with the Department of Labor (DOL). Then the employer is required to file the LCA approval notice with the I-129 petition. For specific procedures on filing, please visit the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

Dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age) of H-1B workers are entitled to H-4 status with the same restrictions as the principal. Dependents may not be employed under the H-4 classification.

H-1B1 Specialty Occupations

The H-1B1 category applies to a national coming temporarily to perform services in a specialty occupation which requires the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge requiring completion of a specific course of higher education.

H-1B2 Research and Development Project

The H-1B2 category applies to an alien coming temporarily to perform services of an exceptional nature relating to a cooperative research and development project administered by the Department of Defense.

H-1B3 Fashion Model

The H-1B3 category applies to a fashion model who is nationally or internationally recognized for achievements, to be employed in a position requiring someone of distinguished merit and ability.

Registered Nurses (H-1C's)

The H-1C category applies to an alien coming temporarily to perform services as a registered nurse in a health professional shortage area as determined by the United States Department of Labor.

Dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age) of H-1C workers are entitled to H-4 status with the same restrictions as the principal. Dependents may not be employed under the H-4 classification.

Alien Trainees (H-3)

The H-3 classification applies to aliens (beneficiaries) coming temporarily to the U.S. to participate in a training program. There are general H-3’s, and those coming for special education training.

Dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age) of H-3 principal trainees are entitled to H-4 status with the same restrictions as the principal. Dependents may not be employed under the H-4 status.

Intra-Company Transferees (L-1’s)

The L-1 category applies to aliens who work for a company with a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate in the U.S. These workers come to the U.S. as intracompany transferees who are coming temporarily to perform services either in a managerial or executive capacity (L-1A) or which entail specialized knowledge (L-1B) for a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the same employer that employed the professional abroad.

Dependents (i.e. spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age) of L-1 workers are entitled to L-2 status with the same restrictions as the principal. Dependents may be students in the U.S. while remaining in L-2 status. If it can be established that the spouse is accompanying or following to join the principal alien, the spouse may obtain an employment authorization under the L-2 classification. Minor children may not be employed under the L-2 classification.

M-1/F-1

People who wish to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies are usually admitted to the United States in one of two nonimmigrant categories. The M-1 category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training. The F-1 category includes academic students and students in language training programs.

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may come with you to the United States in M-2 nonimmigrant status. They should go with you to the U.S. embassy or consulate when you apply for your student (M-1) visa.

The above information was obtained from the US Citizens and Immigration Services website: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

Social Security Card

Soon after arriving in the US you should set about attaining a social security card. This card is used by employers and employees for the purpose of reporting on individual employee's earnings for tax purposes. To obtain a social security number, you are required by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to have either an offer of employment or a job from a company in the United States, and proof of identity. There are two offices in Manhattan:

237 W 48th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, 5th floor New York, NY 10036

755 2nd Ave, 3rd Fl at 41st, between 40th and 41st Street New York, NY 10017

Opening a bank account

The documentation needed to open a bank account will vary with different banks. However, all banks want to see proof you will be resident in the US. In detail, your ACL Relocation Specialist will go through with you all the items needed to ensure you have all of your documentation. These will include at least two (2) forms of identification, one a photo id; your address in the US, and in some cases, a social security card.

Getting a driver’s license (already licensed in US)

You can exchange an out-of-state driver license or Canadian driver license for a New York State (NYS) driver license if the driver license has your photograph, the driver license is not suspended or revoked and the driver license has been valid for at least 6 months, has expired in the past 12 months, or is a valid CDL and has been valid for any amount of time. The driver license that you exchange must show the date that your driver license was issued. The date is required to verify that the driver license was issued at least six months before you applied for a NYS driver license.

If your out-of-state photo driver license does not show the date of issue, get a driver license record or letter from the state that issued the driver license that indicates the date of issue. The letter or driver record must be an original and must be on the letterhead of the Department of Motor Vehicles of the other state. The letter or driver abstract cannot be a copy or a fax.

If your out-of-state driver license or Canadian driver license is suspended or revoked, you cannot apply for a NYS driver license. You must first remove the suspension or revocation and then apply.

We currently assist a multitude of international and domestic corporations, from Fortune 500 companies to boutique firms who are in need of our services. You'll want to benefit from the expertise of our ACL Relocation Specialists. We look forward to working with you.

Call ACL Relocation today to get started on your new life in New York City.

Return to menu

At A.C Lawrence, our approach to relocation is quite different than most. We do not have a one size fits all package. As a boutique agency, we have the ability to cater to each of our clients’ individual needs. We realize that every organization operates differently, communicates in a unique manner, has individual budget and time constraints, housing needs, etc. As such, we will work with you to design, implement and maintain the relocation benefits that are right for your particular organization. Additionally, we will enable you to provide the most cost effective relocation solutions possible.

At ACL Relocation, our mission is to ease your transition to New York City. Whether you are looking for a short or long term furnished rental, or an unfurnished rental or sale, we will work with you to design and implement a package tailor made to suite your organizations’ needs.

Some of the many services we offer include:

A complete relocation needs assessment

Area orientation tours

Short term Housing Solutions

Settling In Assistance

Complete Relocation Needs Assessment

There are many questions to be answered when making a move to any new city, but New York takes special navigation. From finding the right schools to locating the nearest dry cleaner, our ACL Relocation Specialists are there to satisfy your unique needs.

Excellently trained, ACL Relocation Specialists are the best in the industry, with unparallel insight into the nuances of the city’s real estate market. They will listen to all of your concerns and create an exclusive package for you to review prior to beginning your search. This will ensure that you are properly prepared and educated prior to actually searching various neighborhoods and apartments.

Your assigned ACL Relocation Specialist will -

Create a personalized Client Relocation Kit uniquely designed around your particular housing needs

Strategically help plan your move to your desired neighborhood

Return to menu

Area Orientation Tours

Based on the information you have provided, your ACL Relocation Specialist will design a tour of the neighborhood(s) you wish to live in. It is through these tours that you will be able to make knowledgeable decisions as to whether or not your desired neighborhood will attend to all your needs.

Is it close enough to your children’s school?

Is your commute to work reasonable?

Does the neighborhood fit into your lifestyle?

Your neighborhood tours with your ACL Relocation Specialist, will help you make an informed decision as you move closer towards getting your new home in New York City.

Return to menu

Short Term Housing Solutions

Depending upon your unique situation, short term furnished or unfurnished housing may be necessary. Should you have a temporary project which requires bringing in staff, a group of interns in need of summer housing, etc, we can help.

AC Lawrence has strategic relationships with a multitude of landlords in Manhattan who provide short term housing accommodations. After assessing your needs, one of our ACL Relocation Specialists will search our comprehensive database of short term rentals to find the apartment that is right for you.

Your assigned ACL Relocation Specialist will

Arrange for rental furniture (should you need it) to fit your taste.

Co-ordinate your move into and out of your short term unit and, if necessary, seamlessly transition you from a short term stay to a longer term stay

View our furnished listings

Return to menu

Settling In Assistance

Finding you the perfect home is only the start of our relationship. We will do everything possible to make your relocation experience as enjoyable as possible. We provide extensive settling in services for our clients including:

Facilitating the setup of cable and phone service, internet service and electrical service

Providing clients access to all of our pre-screened vendors including housekeeping, locksmiths, moving companies, maid service, temporary wall companies, dry cleaners, furnishing companies, interior designers, dog walkers, etc.

If you have any special requests, ask us! - We are here to help!

Return to menu