Whats the best way to find an apt or condo to rent?

[chiwawa626]

Whats the best way to find an apt or condo to rent? I don't want to bullshit with sales people all day and be put on waiting/mailing lists...I want to see a place and decide on the spot if the price is right and sign a contract - is that possible?

 

[KLin]

local newspaper, craigslist, rent.com, apartments.com, apartment guide from grocery store, word of mouth, etc. etc.

 

[Orsorum]

KLin hit it. It's a process, and the one I am in now took me a full week to find (that is, of looking at apartments, driving around, checking listings, etc.). IF you were doing it in the evenings and on the weekends (full time job, etc.), then I'd say it would take a solid month to find a place that fits all your requirements.

 

[olds]

Walk out of parent's basement.
Get into car.
Drive to various apartment buildings in the area you want to live.
Get out of car.
Walk up to manager's office.
Ask manager if they have any apartments available.
If they answer in the affirmative, ask to see them.
If you find one you like, fill out application.
If you qualify, move in and regret the fact that you have neighboors so close and their cockroaches are coming to visit you.

 

[JinLien]

ATOT is not the place.

 

[ultimatebob]

When I lived in the Silicon Valley area, I didn't find the newspaper to be much of a help. I used Bay Rentals instead, and it worked out great. They e-mailed me new listings every day, and made it really easy.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Walk out of parent's basement.
Get into car.
Drive to various apartment buildings in the area you want to live.
Get out of car.
Walk up to manager's office.
Ask manager if they have any apartments available.
If they answer in the affirmative, ask to see them.
If you find one you like, fill out application.
If you qualify, move in and regret the fact that you have neighboors so close and their cockroaches are coming to visit you.

 

[imported_LoKe]

sudo apt-get

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Walk out of parent's basement.
Get into car.
Drive to various apartment buildings in the area you want to live.
Get out of car.
Walk up to manager's office.
Ask manager if they have any apartments available.
If they answer in the affirmative, ask to see them.
If you find one you like, fill out application.
If you qualify, move in and regret the fact that you have neighboors so close and their cockroaches are coming to visit you.

I was going to say that too, until I saw that he was looking for apartments in the Silicon Valley. Maybe it's easier now, but finding a decent cheap apartment was a bitch during the dot-com boom.

 

[chiwawa626]

Actually looking in the La Jolla, CA area...Currently in a 3br condo, roomates are gone, so its up to me to find a 2 bedroom condo for next year. I work 5 days a week so I don't have all the time in the world to spend. I was just wondering if there was something I could say to get through the bullshit of salespeople. Should I say I am only in town for 2 days and need to get this done asap?

 

[conehead433]

The internet apartment finder services are pretty nice since they usually list all the ammenities and have pictures, location as well.

 

[MajinWade]

Sometimes the free apartment locaters are good if you don't have a lot of time, but you will have to bullshit. Of the 5 times I've gone to a locater, 1 has been useful, 3 have been jerks, and 1 wasn't helpful but saved me about $300 when I listed him as my agent.

I think the best way is to drive around where you want to live, and whenever you see an apartment, have someone write it down or voice record it. Later look them up and call for information. Use the process of elimination, and visit the best choices. There are also some websites that allow users to rate apartments but I don't remember what they are.

When visiting an apartment and they are bullshiting you, just ask for a copy of the lease and/or application and tell them you need to compare some more. If they are telling you the line about the "look and lease" discount, run away. It's usually a trap.

 

[Ameesh]

i own a condo in la jolla 2bd/2ba (dual master setup) 1100 sqft, comes with two secure parking spots, close to UCSD. when are you interested in renting and how much are you looking to spend a month?

 

[Shimmishim]

nice. i was looking for a place in SD area as well before i decided to take a job elsewhere.

rent.com was really useful to me.