Do realtors in the bay area help renters find homes/condos to rent? (real estate)

[syborg]

I know this service is common in other areas, but not sure if realtors in the bay area offer this service for free (to the renter)

[mayorhaggar]

To buy, yes, same as anywhere else, but to rent, not really, maybe for higher-end apartments. Generally you just go on craigslist and find landlords directly. And it's not like NYC where you pay like $30,000 in unrefundable "key money" to an "agent" before you can move into a place.

[Ultrarunner]

My first property management job I became acquainted with a local Realtor that specialized in apartment buildings...

Sometimes she would call to ask what was available because she was selling a building where the residents would have to move so renovations could be done.

Most property management companies have Realtors on staff and I know a few that only charge a one time application fee for credit check and it is good for 60 or 90 days on anything they manage...

[mayorhaggar]

The only time I've deal with some sort of agent was when I looked at an apt rented by Citiapartments, which is a big company that owns and rents out a lot of apartments. They have a reputation for neglecting some of their buildings like a slumlord, but the place I looked at was fine.

[syborg]

Thanks folks, finally making the move in a month, so will be scouting the area next weekend. Looks like its just me and the internet!

[LeftyTrav]

Unfortunately Craigslist is about your only real option. You just have to wade through all the spam.

[fizbin]

We recently rented a very nice place that was offered through a real estate agency. No fees. We knew where we wanted to live and worked Craigslist and two local agencies until we found the right place.

[SFBayBoomer]

Take a look at hotpads.com.