apartment finding agencies? (Glendale, Burbank: realty, apartment complex, travel)

[arnette]

I'm beginning apartment searches online for a move-in date of March 1st. Does anyone know of an apartment hunter agency I can use to sort the wheat from the chaff? Online browsing is limited at best.

Obviously, I'll check things out when I get there but I would like to close on an apartment within a week. I believe an apartment hunter would expedite the process. Thanks!

Oh, I know all about craigslist, westsiderentals, etc. Looking in the North Hollywood area

[katenik]

if you mean an agent who is going to do the leg-work for you, you'll need to be in the high-end rental market. this isn't new york, and realtors here don't generally deal in rentals. for those that do, the fee has to be worthwhile, so if you're looking for a typical apartment, the internet and the telephone are your best bets if you can't search in person.

on the upside: imagine trying to find an apartment long-distance WITHOUT the internet!

[arnette]

No joke! I remember the non-internet days oh too well.

I'm sure Apartment Finding agencies exist in L.A. It's a dying business, a la travel agencies thanks to the 'series of tubes' known as the internet but I would imagine one or two are left around. You can find them in Dallas, though I understand we are talking different markets.

These companies typically are paid by the apartment complexes themselves. Instead of paying for advertisements in booklets or websites, a complex can go to these apartment agencies.

It was a long shot. I know some realtors deal in rentals (private residences) but I'm having a hard time determining fair prices in particular areas. Thanks anyway.

[bhcompy]

if you can find a large property management co they will help you out in placement into one of their apts.. but thats the hard part. i dont know any in the area you're talking about(seems like LA city) so i cant help you, but if you want orange county or east long beach/los al i could give you a few names

[arnette]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

if you can find a large property management co they will help you out in placement into one of their apts.. but thats the hard part. i dont know any in the area you're talking about(seems like LA city) so i cant help you, but if you want orange county or east long beach/los al i could give you a few names

Thanks for the offer but I'm looking for SF Valley area (Burbank, NoHo). Seems to be a dying breed. Might have to let that idea go and focus on internet searching

Still, if you could pass those names along maybe I can network from there.

[pizzicato66]

Westside rentals does offer a for-fee service where they'll actually drive you around for a day to check places out. I think it's around $200 over and above their $60 basic membership (I might actually consider it if I don't have luck if/when I fly out for interviews). I have a few connections out there through my sister so I might see if they can do some drive-by reviews of properties I find interesting from the Web (or at least neighborhood reviews).

I'm moving with a large (63 lb) dog so I have a far more limited selection of places to go (people seem to think "pet friendly" is okay to list even though they limit the weight to 25 or 30 lbs). I think Bungee the Labradoodle is going to feel like a giant out there! LOL

Good luck!

[dereistic01]

just look on craigslist, thats what i did and i got a good apartment in west toluca lake/north hollywood. i just moved here, got here saturday morning at 9 am, started looking for apartments around noon, found one i liked, filled out the application and on monday morning i got the call saying i got the apartment. maybe im just extremely lucky, but it was surprisingly fast and easy.

[CESpeed]

I grew up in L.A. and have lived in several parts of the Valley. I would strongly recommend against North Hollywood unless you stay South of the 101. If you have to live in the Valley, Sherman Oaks is okay. The Valley is pretty pricey. If you want a decent, inexpensive area, try Glendale or Burbank.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by arnette

Thanks for the offer but I'm looking for SF Valley area (Burbank, NoHo). Seems to be a dying breed. Might have to let that idea go and focus on internet searching

Still, if you could pass those names along maybe I can network from there.

OC Property Management & Ray Roberts Realty

[dereistic01]

im right on the edge of north hollywood, my lease says west toluca lake. the area is pretty good, im right by the toyota of north hollywood, i havent had any problems so far, it's been pretty quiet.