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Old 08-07-2013, 12:07 PM
 
Location: Texas
31 posts, read 58,876 times
Reputation: 41

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So I read an article in a blog about someone looking for an apartment and how competetive it is in SF. Is this the norm? He said at open houses about a hundred people show up, and you have to have your credit report, checkbook, references and an application with you if you even want to get any attention. Also, some law about the landlord having to accept the first qualified person.

Now, I can understand this happening if it is a prime location, prime apartment, great price, etc...but is this the norm for everything? I have seen ads on CL where they are having an open house "this Sunday!" and am thinking omg it's real!!! lol

Yet, I also see ads that are over a month old...so...

I think I'll be looking at in-law suites in homes around Sunset or Richmond. I cannot imagine a 400sf studio being part of the so-called competitive atmosphere of apartment hunting, is this correct?

Thanks!
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Old 08-07-2013, 12:16 PM
 
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area
23,527 posts, read 24,011,889 times
Reputation: 23956
The situation is very competitive in SF and the Bay Area for housing, especially the prime locations. The units that are not moving would be a "red flag" in my book (severely overpriced, etc). The tech employment market here is strong.

The trick is to be persistent, make some compromises and you should find something.
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Old 08-07-2013, 12:28 PM
 
13,711 posts, read 9,230,680 times
Reputation: 9845
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmypug55 View Post

I think I'll be looking at in-law suites in homes around Sunset or Richmond. I cannot imagine a 400sf studio being part of the so-called competitive atmosphere of apartment hunting, is this correct?

Thanks!

Depends on which part of Richmond/Sunset. I looked at the Inner and Central Richmond a few years ago and still see tens of people at a 15 min open house. Many with application/credit report/pay stubs copies ready to hand over.

However, there was an in-law around 44th Ave in the Outer Sunset that was virtually begging for me to rent it. Basically, the further out west you go, the less competitive it is.

And yes, the stories in those blogs are not exaggerations.

mod cut

Last edited by Sam I Am; 08-08-2013 at 12:17 AM.. Reason: possible copyright violation
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:53 PM
 
Location: South Korea
5,242 posts, read 13,076,984 times
Reputation: 2958
It's ALWAYS been competitive in SF, even 10 years ago. It's more competitive now but getting a place in 2005 or 2007 was pretty tough for me. Open houses are the norm and you'll go to a place and there's like 50 people trying to sell themselves to the landlord.

Studios are really competitive since every college student and new young resident is trying to get one. Looking for roommates is really competitive too (since the current roommates looking for a new roommate can pick from 200 people) so that's not really a great alternative either. Probably any rental situation under $3500 or so is competitive.
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Old 08-08-2013, 02:54 AM
 
24,396 posts, read 26,946,756 times
Reputation: 19972
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmypug55 View Post
So I read an article in a blog about someone looking for an apartment and how competetive it is in SF. Is this the norm? He said at open houses about a hundred people show up, and you have to have your credit report, checkbook, references and an application with you if you even want to get any attention. Also, some law about the landlord having to accept the first qualified person.

Now, I can understand this happening if it is a prime location, prime apartment, great price, etc...but is this the norm for everything? I have seen ads on CL where they are having an open house "this Sunday!" and am thinking omg it's real!!! lol

Yet, I also see ads that are over a month old...so...

I think I'll be looking at in-law suites in homes around Sunset or Richmond. I cannot imagine a 400sf studio being part of the so-called competitive atmosphere of apartment hunting, is this correct?

Thanks!
It depends on your price range and whether it is in a "hot" area. You shouldn't have a hard time finding a place in Sunset or Richmond if you have good credit, income etc.
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Old 08-08-2013, 10:02 AM
 
Location: Texas
31 posts, read 58,876 times
Reputation: 41
Wow, thanks everyone! Very interesting and very new to me lol..


Quote:
Originally Posted by beb0p View Post
Depends on which part of Richmond/Sunset. I looked at the Inner and Central Richmond a few years ago and still see tens of people at a 15 min open house. Many with application/credit report/pay stubs copies ready to hand over.

However, there was an in-law around 44th Ave in the Outer Sunset that was virtually begging for me to rent it. Basically, the further out west you go, the less competitive it is.

And yes, the stories in those blogs are not exaggerations.

mod cut
^This is good because I want to be close to the ocean!

I'm really hoping to find something under $1500, that's why I initially ruled out the city completely until I found these studios...but I agree that yes, probably students and new singles like myself are going to be wanting these little in-laws as well.

Wow, I'm so glad I started my research early!
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Old 08-09-2013, 07:16 PM
 
2 posts, read 29,703 times
Reputation: 12
I just moved to San Francisco about two months ago. It was extremely frustrating finding a place. I finally stumbled on a complex where a tenant turned in his 30 day notice the day before I visited. I signed the lease that day. The apartment was never advertised on the market. My recommendation, talk to as many people as you can. If you call a leasing agent or complex, and the apartment is gone, ask them if they are representing other units. Most of the times they either know of upcoming units or have a few other listings. IMO anything you see on Craigslist is going to be gone within a few hours to a day or so (depending on the price). If you see something lingering on CL, it's a big red flag.
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Old 08-09-2013, 10:28 PM
 
1,650 posts, read 3,518,533 times
Reputation: 1142
LOL! When I moved here I walked around 2 Blocks in my preferred area and saw bunch of for rent signs... Saw a few of them and signed a lease. Took me 3 hours to find an apartment after a out of state move-
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Old 08-09-2013, 10:32 PM
 
Location: SW King County, WA
6,416 posts, read 8,276,539 times
Reputation: 6595
Yet you complain 24/7 about the weather. Perhaps you should have done some research and figured out where might be a more pleasant place to live?
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Old 08-09-2013, 10:34 PM
 
1,650 posts, read 3,518,533 times
Reputation: 1142
Quote:
Originally Posted by 04kL4nD View Post
Yet you complain 24/7 about the weather. Perhaps you should have done some research and figured out where might be a more pleasant place to live?
Well I moved here from a civilized place that have more than enough moden housing for everyone. So I will never bend over backwards for stupid rental market for SF.
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