Paid Apartment Finding Services (El Segundo: apartments, rentals, credit report)

[pizzicato66]

hi - I'm getting closer to an offer on a job in El Segundo and if all goes well, I'll be looking to find a nice place for myself and my big friendly labradoodle by Spring!

So, given my situation (relocating from the Midwest, large dog, great income but iffy credit), is it worthwhile for me to pay for access to a site like Westside rentals or Apartment Hunters? If so, which would you recommend (one of these two or another entirely)?

OR, would it be worth looking for a more hands-on relocation service to get help finding a place? Or, should I just go it on my own and hope I find something quickly?

I need to find a place that will accept me and the pooch under $2000 a month (preferably $1500 or less). I see a lot of places available, but I'm worried I won't have enough time while out for my final interview to get a place arranged.

Thanks!

[pizzicato66]

I was really hoping to get some information here - has anyone used these services, and are they worth it?

[robatore]

I joined Westside Rentals when I was looking, but ended up finding my place on craigslist. Westside is ok, but they lie when they say that stuff is listed exclusively on there. Most of the places are on craigslist too. Also, most of the places have ****ty photo selections and nobody accepts their applications/credit reports. You're still going to have to fill those out for each individual apartment. Westside Rentals does give you a 60 dollar rebate toward Time Warner cable, so it's not a total loss. I do know people who've found apartments that way, but for me craigslist and/or walking around the neighborhood you want to live in is just as good.

[marilyn220]

Originally Posted by robatore

I joined Westside Rentals when I was looking, but ended up finding my place on craigslist. Westside is ok, but they lie when they say that stuff is listed exclusively on there. Most of the places are on craigslist too. Also, most of the places have ****ty photo selections and nobody accepts their applications/credit reports. You're still going to have to fill those out for each individual apartment. Westside Rentals does give you a 60 dollar rebate toward Time Warner cable, so it's not a total loss. I do know people who've found apartments that way, but for me craigslist and/or walking around the neighborhood you want to live in is just as good.

I found my apartment on Craigslist too, but my landlord has used Westside Rentals to advertise recent availability. I also agree with walking/driving around too. I always see FOR RENT signs everywhere.

[desertsun41]

These agencys border on scam. They get their info from the same places as you and I. The difference is they call many "for rent" listings to verify availability and ask them if they can refer the client to them for no fee to them. Well of course the rentee says yes.

These agencys comb the newspapers, Craigslist, Angieslist, and even yard signs to create and compile their listings that they sell to you the renter.

So for $50 (last I heard it was) you can buy a list of rentals that were culled from the very places you already read.

Scam or legit business?

Seems perfectly legal to me. You are paying some one to do the digging for you. Ain't worth it.

[pizzicato66]

That's what I was thinking. The only value-add I can see is that I'm in Minnesota, so any apartment-hunting I can do is really limited (primarily to when I'm out for the interview). That's the only reason I'm even considering it.

I've been sending the interesting stuff to my sister who used to live in LB and she's helping out where she can.

Maybe I'll be lucky and the hiring company will hook me up with a relocation specialist. :-)