Best approach to finding an apartment

[Chi-turtle]

Originally Posted by s0nginmyheart

Probably a better chance in Winter rather than Spring/Summer. Last thing Landlord's want to do is let a unit sit empty during Winter when there isn't a lot of move in/out activity.

From my experience is that Summer is the time most landlords try to term their leases. That's when there's much more move in/out activity. Not during the winter.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Chi-turtle

I see some for just above my price range: Would it be worth it to offer a bid for lower than asking rent price?

In some neighborhoods, it might work. It worked for me in Bridgeport...in December.

But, if you try haggle in hotter neigborhoods in prime rental season, you'll be laughed at and told to GTFO.

[Chicago76]

This thread makes me feel old.

When I was a young whipper snapper, we had to look in the back of the Reader as soon as it hit the shelf. None of this internet business. Either that or we had to bike around neighborhoods jotting down numbers...or discover a place that was going back onto the market through friends or at a house party. Then we had to walk uphill, both ways, to meet a landlord with a thick Polish or Spanish accent at the local Vienna Beef joint before walking over to see the place.

Seriously though, if you can find a local Polish/Mexican landlord who owns a few buildings, works construction, and puts sweat equity into their places, those guys are the golden ticket. If you pay on time, don't tear a place up, and don't mind dropping by with a 6 pack when they're updating units in your building, those guys will love you for life, and you will feel the same.

I had one of those guys, and I ended up wanting a bigger place. His response: No problem, I just bought a place 3 blocks over. I'm updating it now. Come by tomorrow and tell me what you think and maybe we can make it how you want it (which he did). By the way, my [insanely hot Colombian] wife is bringing over empanadas tomorrow. You want I should ask her to bring you some too?

When my ex-gf moved out, she wanted a place in Ukranian Village. No problem. His brother owned 4 buildings over there and needs good tenants. It took her a while to scrape together money, but once she did, she was out in 2 days.

Admittedly, there can be a slumlord component to that ownership niche too, but if you're good at sniffing slumlords out, you've got yourself a hassle free rental.

None of this is too helpful. Just feeling nostalgic.

[MannheimMadman]

That's awesome. I wish I had:

1. A landlord like that.
2. An insanely hot Columbian wife
3. Empanadas

Sadly, I have none. (Hope my wife doesn't see this.)

Originally Posted by Chicago76

This thread makes me feel old.

When I was a young whipper snapper, we had to look in the back of the Reader as soon as it hit the shelf. None of this internet business. Either that or we had to bike around neighborhoods jotting down numbers...or discover a place that was going back onto the market through friends or at a house party. Then we had to walk uphill, both ways, to meet a landlord with a thick Polish or Spanish accent at the local Vienna Beef joint before walking over to see the place.

Seriously though, if you can find a local Polish/Mexican landlord who owns a few buildings, works construction, and puts sweat equity into their places, those guys are the golden ticket. If you pay on time, don't tear a place up, and don't mind dropping by with a 6 pack when they're updating units in your building, those guys will love you for life, and you will feel the same.

I had one of those guys, and I ended up wanting a bigger place. His response: No problem, I just bought a place 3 blocks over. I'm updating it now. Come by tomorrow and tell me what you think and maybe we can make it how you want it (which he did). By the way, my [insanely hot Colombian] wife is bringing over empanadas tomorrow. You want I should ask her to bring you some too?

When my ex-gf moved out, she wanted a place in Ukranian Village. No problem. His brother owned 4 buildings over there and needs good tenants. It took her a while to scrape together money, but once she did, she was out in 2 days.

Admittedly, there can be a slumlord component to that ownership niche too, but if you're good at sniffing slumlords out, you've got yourself a hassle free rental.

None of this is too helpful. Just feeling nostalgic.

[Chicago76]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

That's awesome. I wish I had:

1. A landlord like that.
2. An insanely hot Columbian wife
3. Empanadas

Sadly, I have none. (Hope my wife doesn't see this.)

I got two out of three and at least got to see #2. I couldn't complain. That guy was one of the luckiest (and nicest) guys I've ever met. Gorgeous wife. Good living. Maybe a dozen buildings he primarily bought in the 80s. Doing what he loved. He looked like a cross between Juan Valdez and the Dos Equis Man too.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by Chi-turtle

So I've lived in Chicago 6 years now, had 4 different apartments, and I'd like to live on my own. Usually I've moved during the summer, but I'm trying to move out of my current place this spring. I don't have a lease at my current residence so I have a window of 1-3 months to move out.

I'm trying to get a 1 bedroom in the $800-1000 range. Nothing huge, but living room big enough for couch, TV, and a small desk for days when I work from home. I'm a guy so I don't need a huge bedroom either or massive closet space. Only thing about me is I don't have a car, rely on public trans, and have bad knees so I need to be within 6 blocks of an El train stop.

I really want a place along the blue line (Wicker Park/Bucktown/Logan Square) as it works best for my commute. I had found a place in bucktown for 850 that was huge but the owners gave the apt to a personal friend eventhough I was first in line, filed all the paperwork, and paid them app fee and sec deposit. I was pretty upset when they screwed me but I'm back to looking again.

I've been using padmapper which helps, but it seems like there's few 1 bedroom apts in those areas. I've used an Apartment Finder before but they increase the price and they try to tell me "oh there's no apts in those areas for that price range". They're wrong, I find those apts all the time, they just get taken too quick, usually right before I get a chance to view it. What are some other approaches to getting a head start on finding a 1 bedroom apartment instead of racing the rest of Chicago to view it and apply?

I see some for just above my price range: Would it be worth it to offer a bid for lower than asking rent price?

I don't have any advice for best strategy, but have you tried looking in Irving Park? My friend used to have a one bed in a courtyard building and I believe he paid $900 for it? It was right near Irving and Pulaski, i.e. right on the blue line.

[andrew61]

I second the advice to consider Irving Park. You'd still be near the Blue Line and have 24/7 access to Wicker Park/Bucktown whenever you want to go there, and you'd also probably have better luck finding something suitable in your price range that isn't snatched up before you can get to it.

[Chi-turtle]

I'm familiar with Irving Park and I'm not interested.

I guess I'll just bike around bucktown/wicker park to look for postings. Padmapper is barren and the good ones I've found have been snagged too quickly. I'll see what I can find this weekend on foot.