Virginia K. Smith

Coveted as park-front nabes may be, Prospect Lefferts Gardens is still far cheaper than those other Brooklyn spots that border Prospect Park (think Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Windsor Terrace). But if this two-bedroom, two-bathroom going for $2,400 a month is any indication, landlords are betting that Brooklynites will pay up for this location too.

In spite of a recent downturn in bidding wars for NYC apartments, it's still common for sellers to ask would-be buyers for their "best and final" offers in today's ever-competitive market. Thus, your (and your broker's) knowledge of how much a place is worth, as well as how much you're willing to pay, is crucial to submitting a solid bid. 

Beloved though they are, pets can be a point of contention in any building, and it's always wise to have a policy in place regarding four-legged residents before you end up in a bizarre "no paws on the floor" dispute. So where to begin if your board is starting from (ahem) scratch?

Research your landlord's rep and more ways to avoid classic rental-hunt missteps (My First Apartment)

Your search for a home: eerily similar to your search for a soulmate? (Apartment Therapy)