Your Guide to the NTNY Marketplace: Buy, Sell, Swap & Stay

Written By Abigail Greystoke

Welcome to the NTNY Marketplace — a trusted corner of our community where you can buy and sell everything from furniture and baby gear to clothes, homewares, and even nights in your apartment. It’s also a place to find somewhere to stay when friends or family visit, or when you want a little home-from-home while you travel.

Think of it as a neighborhood bulletin board, but with friendlier people, vetted members, and far fewer weird scams than the wider internet.

Marketplace Guidelines: Keep It Simple, Safe & Community-Minded

A few quick ground rules to help everything run smoothly:

  • Keep it local, respectful, and real.
    No scams, spam, or questionable listings.

  • Be clear and fair.
    Include photos, accurate descriptions, pricing, and pickup/delivery details.

  • Follow through.
    If you commit to buy or sell, communicate promptly and complete the exchange. Mark things as sold once they’re gone.

  • No holds without agreement.
    We’re all busy — keep things moving and courteous.

  • Stay safe.
    Meet in public when exchanging items, and be thoughtful about sharing private information.

This group works best when everyone participates with honesty, clarity, and neighborly vibes.

Apartment & Home Swapping in NTNY

One of the best parts of our Marketplace is apartment swapping and short stays.

New York is expensive — especially for visiting family and friends — and Airbnb options have become even more limited due to the city’s 30-day short-let restrictions. That’s why swapping within a trusted community is such a game changer.

NTNY swaps are:

  • More affordable than Airbnb

  • More homely than a hotel

  • More flexible, personal, and community-minded

And because we all understand these are homes, not hotels, the expectations are refreshingly realistic.

Typical Pricing

Most people list their homes for $50–$200 per night + cleaning, or simply do a straight swap — sometimes including pet-sitting or plant-sitting if that helps both sides.

It’s also worth remembering: What you offer now often comes back around when you need a place later.

House Rules & Recommendations for Swaps

To keep exchanges smooth and respectful, we recommend:

  • Treat the home like your own.
    Clean, considerate, and gentle.

  • Don’t snoop.
    No poking through drawers or cupboards — treat it like you’re at your grandma’s house.

  • Communicate clearly before the stay.
    Discuss:

    • How to manage trash & recycling

    • Any building rules

    • Wi-Fi details

    • Access instructions

    • What will/won’t be available (linens, toiletries, pantry basics, etc.)

  • Do a quick video call beforehand.
    It helps you build trust, ask questions, and confirm that everything feels right.

  • Use our house-guide template.
    If you’re hosting, it makes sharing instructions simple and stress-free.

  • Payments:
    Most people use Venmo or Zelle, typically with:

    • 50% deposit to confirm / 50% upon arrival

  • Say thank you.
    Leaving a small note, local treat, or tiny gift goes a long way.

Why the Marketplace Works So Well

Because NTNY members are vetted, kind, globally minded, and here to build community — not take advantage.

Whether you’re clearing out a closet, finding furniture for your new place, or hosting someone’s in-laws for a weekend, you’re doing it within a trusted circle that genuinely wants to support each other.

Welcome to the Marketplace — we’re so glad you’re here.
Buy, sell, give, swap… and make New York feel a little bit more like home.

Abigail Greystoke
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