In addition, rents will vary with the type of building in which the apartment is located such as, whether or not the building has a doorman or an elevator. To find a roommate, first check with your Columbia school and find out if it keeps a list of people looking for apartment shares. Methods of Searching - Fee v. If you can afford to pay a broker's fee, searching with a broker is highly recommended for convenience and is the most common way of finding an apartment. Brokers often have access to good rental options, can guide you in your search, and make the paperwork easy for you.
Brokers charge a commission for their services.
The fee is payable only at the time of lease signing. OCHA maintains a list of real estate brokers, many of whom will give a discount on their fees to CU students and affiliates. The larger firms have Web sites where you can search their listings in advance of contacting them. You can also check their most updated listings in the classified ads in The Village Voice, The New York Times and LOOT . Don't forget to ask if a student or Columbia corporate discount is available.