Who Gives A Shit: Park Slope Real Estate-n-Bedbugs

Even though I've lived in the same apartment for all four years since I've been in Park Slope, I'm always looking for a new place. I don't know where the compulsion to move comes from - perhaps too many hours watching House Hunters and Property Virgins on HGTV. Whatever it is, I'm hooked.

I cannot walk past a real estate agency without stopping to view their listings. I'll search Craigslist for apartments at least three times a week. And if a friend is looking to move into the neighborhood, I'll insert myself into that search whether they like it or not. "Surprise! I'm coming to look at that place with you, and I'm probably going to dominate the conversation with the broker."

Throughout the years of handling my real estate neurosis, I've come to learn that the key things to look for in an apartment are: storage, signs of water damage, air flow, light, water pressure, etc. But obvs there are some things you can't learn by simply asking the landlord. Sure, they may tell you the building's quiet, but has there ever been any history of noise complaints? Any major reconstruction done recently? Is the landlord/superintendent responsive when it comes to fixing things? And what about my biggest fear: bedbugs.

Luckily, the internet was invented so that I can research all this shit.

My two favorite resources: HPD Building, Registration, and Violation and The Bedbug Registry. Simply put your address (or future address) into both of these sites and BOOM--it spits out alllll the good stuff. HPD shows you all the recorded 311 claims, violations, owner history, and any open litigation charges. The Bedbug Registry is just that--a record of bedbug infestations in or around your area. All is well at my current residence, but I can't say the same for some neighbors (i.e. I would stay the fuck away from 16th Street and Prospect Avenue in the future).

Any other online resources I should know when investigating potential rentals? What advice to you give friends when they're looking in the neighborhood?