Finding an apartment in Austin... please help!!! (Alto: real estate, apartment complexes)

[Maxinator05]

Thank you so much for taking the time to view this! I'm thinking about moving to Austin, and I have been browsing Craigslist for apartments, is this a smart way to go about it? I see many of the ads saying things like "easy on credit" and such... what EXACTLY do they mean by that? Like actual credit score? I mean whenever I've applied for an apartment in my hometown of Minneapolis they just ask for your SSN, income, place of employment and then they do a background check. Do they do something more in Austin I'm not aware of?

I have no clue what my credit score is (I'm 21 so that may explain it) but my renter's history is just fine.

Is craigslist really the best way to find apartments in Austin?

If anyone could help me clear this up it would be so much appreciated.

Thanks again!

[Alexis_Jones]

I would recommend using an apartment locator AND looking on Craigslist. A locator works with the larger apartment complexes and craigslist is good for smaller complexes. If you want to rent a condo, duplex or house use a Realtor. Both apartment locators and Realtors are paid by the landlord, so are free to you.

[patrick farrell]

Moderator cut: advertising a realtorI used an apartment locater when my roommate and I moved here from Michigan and we were way up North and didn't enjoy it at all. The place was nice but is wasn't at all what we were looking for. Plus we were promised a $150.00 for using him and never saw it....I won't use one again.

[america_dude]

Craigslist is a good place to find an apartment, if you want to do it on your own. Thing is, if you go with an apartment locator, they have access to listings on the MLS that you would not be able to find. If you get a good one, they'll drive you around to a bunch of apartments in one afternoon and you'll get a really good idea of what's out there.

Moderator cut: advertising an agent

You should not have to pay the locator one cent. They are paid by the property owner.

Just be careful with apartment locators. Some can be real jerks.

As far as credit is concerned, that's what landlords are checking when they ask for your SSN. They use that and your name to check your credit. They do that in every city I've lived. If you have horrible credit they won't rent to you. Generally places that are "easy on credit" are probably sketchy apartments that will rent to anyone. I don't have a lot of experience in this, but my instinct would tell me to avoid those places.

[TexasHorseLady]

For the record, a REALTOR® is a real estate agent who is a member of NAR (National Association of REALTORS®.

[orngkat]

Some of the larger complexes also run criminal background checks. A relative of mine who had a shoplifting charge from when she was 17 (8 years prior) was declined due to her criminal record. Even though she had a very good job, excellent credit score and an advanced degree.