You just got the call: your new role in Midtown West starts soon, and the clock is ticking. You want a smooth landing, not a scramble for keys the week before you start. In this guide, you’ll get a clear, realistic 60-day plan designed for Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West, with practical steps for rentals, condos, and co-ops. You’ll also see what to expect from building policies, financing, and move-day logistics. Let’s dive in.
Midtown West at a glance
Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West sit beside major business hubs and transit, including Penn Station, Port Authority, Times Square, and Hudson Yards. That convenience brings demand and faster-moving inventory. Furnished short-term units often come at a premium, especially close to transit and office clusters.
Most buildings have specific move windows, elevator reservations, and insurance requirements for movers. It pays to reserve early and confirm building rules before you commit to a date. With rentals and purchases moving quickly, you should be ready to act within days of touring.
Your 60-day plan
This timeline assumes Day 0 is when you receive your transfer notice. Adjust based on your start date and any family or scheduling needs.
Week 0: Immediate kickoff (Days 0–3)
- HR or relocation partner: share policy, budget, temporary housing options, and key contacts.
- You: gather financial documents for mortgage pre-approval. Include recent pay stubs, W-2s, last two years of tax returns, bank and investment statements, and ID.
- Decide buy versus rent. If you plan to purchase but need to be in town quickly, book corporate housing for the first 30 to 60 days.
Week 1: Financing and agent (Days 4–10)
- Secure a strong lender pre-approval. Same-day to one week is common if your documents are complete.
- Hire a buyer’s agent with Midtown West expertise and co-op board experience.
- HR or relocation partner: book temporary housing now if you will be touring in person. If your company offers a lump-sum allowance, confirm what it covers for short-term stays.
Week 2: Shortlist and tours (Days 11–17)
- Create a focused shortlist of 5 to 10 properties. Include condos, co-ops, and rentals to keep options open.
- Prioritize commute time, building move policies, elevator logistics, and furnished availability for immediate occupancy.
- If you may buy a co-op, start collecting board package items now. Get employer letters, authorizations, and financials organized early.
Week 3: Offers and contingencies (Days 18–24)
- Make offers quickly on your top choices. For purchases, have your attorney ready to review contracts as soon as your offer is accepted.
- For co-ops, expect to assemble and submit a full board package immediately after an accepted offer. Interviews are scheduled separately.
- In a multiple-offer scenario, consider price strategy, earnest money strength, and a preferred closing date that aligns with the seller’s timing.
Week 4: Underwriting and inspections (Days 25–31)
- If financing a purchase, your lender orders the appraisal. Schedule your inspection and negotiate any repairs or credits.
- For co-ops, submit the complete board package to the managing agent. Begin coordinating your board interview timing.
- For rentals, finalize the lease and move-in logistics. Prepare funds for security deposit and first month’s rent, and confirm any guarantor requirements.
Week 5: Board and lender processes (Days 32–38)
- Track underwriting and appraisal results and respond to document requests right away.
- Attend your co-op interview if scheduled and supply any follow-up items quickly.
- HR or relocation partner: confirm building move-in windows and start date with building management.
Weeks 6–8: Close and move (Days 39–60)
- Condos often close between 30 and 60 days from contract, depending on lender and title clearance.
- Co-op approvals commonly extend into this window but can exceed 60 days. Many co-ops close between 60 and 90 days.
- Reserve movers, elevators, and any needed building deposits. Set up utilities and internet, and schedule your final walk-through.
- If your purchase will not close within 60 days, extend corporate housing or secure a short-term sublet to bridge the gap.
Condo vs co-op speed
- Speed: Condos generally close faster. Expect about 30 to 60 days for financed condo purchases if everything is straightforward. Co-ops often take 45 to 90 days or longer due to board approvals.
- Documentation: Condos typically require standard purchase and mortgage documents. Co-ops require a full board package that includes financials, employment letters, tax returns, reference letters, and a board interview.
- Bottlenecks: Incomplete board packages, delayed interviews, lender questions, and appraisal issues can add days or weeks. Title or building financial concerns can also slow attorney review.
- Practical takeaway: If you must be in residence within 60 days, it is often smarter to target a condo or secure temporary housing while you work through a co-op purchase.
Temporary housing options
- Extended-stay hotels or serviced apartments: fastest occupancy, sometimes same day.
- Corporate housing or furnished short-term apartments: typically available within days. Good for 30 to 60 day stays while you shop.
- Sublets and month-to-month furnished units: can be quick to arrange. Confirm lease legality and landlord consent.
- Short-term rental platforms: verify building rules since many doorman buildings restrict short stays.
- Expect premiums for furnished units in Midtown West. Many employers negotiate preferred rates through corporate providers.
Move logistics in Manhattan
- Reserve move dates early. Buildings often have strict move windows and require elevator reservations.
- Movers may need to provide a certificate of insurance and a refundable elevator or damage deposit. Confirm requirements with building staff.
- For street loading, coordinate with building management about any temporary parking or no-standing needs. Scheduling mid-week and mid-month can help you avoid peak congestion.
- Set up electricity, internet, and cable before you arrive. Some providers need appointments that take several days.
Checklists to move faster
Transferee: first-week checklist
- Gather financial documents for mortgage pre-approval.
- Decide buy versus rent based on your timing and flexibility.
- Book temporary housing for at least 30 days.
- Hire a buyer’s agent who knows Midtown West and co-ops.
HR or relocation partner: first-week checklist
- Provide the relocation budget and approved vendor list for housing and movers.
- Authorize short-term housing and moving logistics.
- Share reimbursement rules and a local point person for onboarding.
Co-op board documents: start early
- Two years of tax returns and W-2s.
- Recent pay stubs and an employment letter.
- Bank and investment statements.
- Photo ID and completed application forms.
- Professional and personal reference letters.
- Credit authorization or a copy of your credit report, as required.
Risks and how to avoid them
- Co-op board delays: Mitigate by preparing a complete, organized board package and submitting promptly.
- Lender or appraisal delays: Get a hard pre-approval and respond to lender requests the same day. Discuss appraisal risk and strategy with your agent.
- Building move constraints: Reserve move-in windows and elevators as soon as you sign. Confirm insurance and deposits your movers must provide.
- Temporary housing gaps: Book corporate housing immediately after your transfer notice and have a backup plan if closing extends beyond 60 days.
How we help
You deserve a calm, efficient process even on a compressed timeline. The Shapot Team brings founder-led guidance, a legal perspective, and proven systems to coordinate the moving parts. You get clear expectations, board-savvy preparation, and steady communication with your lender, attorney, and HR partner.
- Board expertise: We help you assemble a strong co-op package and prepare for interviews.
- Speed with certainty: We create a tight viewing plan, sharpen your offer terms, and coordinate contract and lender steps so you close as fast as the building and financing allow.
- HR partnership: We align your housing plan with your company’s relocation policy, budget, and start date.
If you are relocating to Hell’s Kitchen or Midtown West, a smart plan makes day one feel easy. Let’s map your 60-day path and choose the right mix of rental or purchase, temporary housing, and move logistics.
Ready to relocate with less stress and fewer surprises? Connect with The Shapot Team to start your plan today.
FAQs
Can I close on a Midtown West co-op in 60 days?
- It is possible but challenging. Co-op board reviews and interviews often push closings beyond 60 days. If you must occupy within 60 days, target a condo or use temporary housing.
How fast can I get mortgage approval for a condo purchase?
- Pre-approval can arrive the same day to one week if your documents are ready. Full underwriting and appraisal typically take 3 to 6 weeks.
What should HR provide to speed a Midtown West relocation?
- A clear budget, approved vendor list, temporary housing authorization, and a local point person. Flexible start dates or extended temporary housing also help on tight timelines.
What documents slow down co-op approvals in Hell’s Kitchen?
- Missing tax returns, incomplete bank or investment statements, delayed reference letters, and unexplained deposits are common causes of board package delays.
How do building move rules affect timing in Midtown West?
- Elevator reservations, limited move windows, and mover insurance requirements can delay moves by days. Reserve early and confirm all building requirements in writing.
