Apartment Hunting in Brooklyn

We currently live in Astoria and want to move to Brooklyn. We were wondering if anyone could recommend a non-fee broker or if anyone knows of any other forums for Brooklyn that we can begin looking in. We are planning on looking at this one thoroughly as well.

I know Astoria has Astorians.com, and WhyLeaveAstoria.com.... So, I am sure Brooklyn has several forums out there.

Please let us know if you know of anything that might help us in our search.

Thanks,
Kenn and Julia.

When were you looking to move in? Neighborhood? Budget? Pets?

I never met a non-fee broker. What would the incentive be?

There are brokers who get paid by the landlord instead of the tenant, so it has the appearance of no fee. These tend to be on the shady side though so I can't recommend any of them.

The last two tenants I have rented to were from Craigslist. The one before was from the local paper.

Not sure what other landlords do, but I do ask for credit checks as well as employment references (I do not charge back the fee).

I don't know of any such sites, and found all of our places through craigslist. Once you narrow down the area you're searching, come back here and get advice on interpreting the ads for that area and how to best search (ie, if you want PH, still search for Park Slope b/c they often list that way, stretching the borders).

Check Craigs List, for "direct from owner" (or whatever it's called, the non-broker route) listings. There are plenty of owners/landlords who post directly on Craigslist.

Do you have any idea what neighborhood you want to move to?

As a lifelong Brooklynite, my fave neighborhoods are:

1) Flatbush (AKA Ditmas Park/Beverly Square West)-- close to park but lots of big ol' Victorian houses with entire-floor apartments. A lot of youngish families seem to be moviing in.

2) Windsor Terrace- very quiet and beautiful, right near Prostpect Park and close enough to Park Slope if you want to go out to eat.

3) Brooklyn heights if you can afford it!