Searching for an Apartment

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been searching for a new apartment for when my current sublet ends on July 31st. I've been using primarily Craigslist, and it's been working out decently. Here are several lessons that I've learned about the apartment search process that may be helpful to others: Some are obvious and intuitive, but until now, I didn't think about them or realize how important they were. (Note that my search has been in the city of Chicago, in really popular neighborhoods like Lakeview and Lincoln Park, during the summertime)

1. Check the listings in the morning. And continually through the afternoon, if really searching. A lot of people, especially management agents, make new Craigslist posts in the morning. From the morning to the afternoon, folks will see the posts, and make appointments to see the apartments during the evening of the same day. If you wait until you get off of work (like I did for a while) to check the listings, you'll have to wait until the next day or later to see the apartment. By that time, it may (and for the locations/prices that I was searching for, definitely will) already be taken.
   
2. Always call when possible. It's really easy to spam a bunch of emails out to renters, but there could be delays in when they check their email and when they respond. A caller always takes priority over an emailer. Get that direct contact and set up an appointment immediately.
3. Don't get discouraged. If you like the location/price/description of an apartment, always go see it and apply for it. I saw a listing for a 2br place in a nice area of Lincoln Park going for $995, and thought it too good to be true. Some 30-40 people (we were all cc'ed in an email informing us of the competition) ended up inquiring for it, and the landlord set up an open house to accommodate the crowd. So many people inquired that the landlord actually updated the listing with more candid "cons" of the place. When I ended up going to see the apartment, only 5-6 people showed up, and only 2 of us ended up applying for it. I'm liking my chances.
   
4. Show up early to your appointment. Efficient agents will set up many appointments for the same time. Sometimes they tell you that you have competition, but sometimes they don't. Agents may arrive at the apartment early to open up the place or to make it look neat, and may be able to show it to you a little early. If you're ready, you'll have first dibs. Which leads to the next point-
5. Bring your checkbook. I arrived at an apartment at exactly the time of my appointment, but someone else showed up 5 minutes earlier. They saw the place and wrote a check immediately. If you really like the location/price/description of a place, definitely be ready to whip out your checkbook once you see it. (It varies from place to place, e.g. some require credit checks and other processes that take time, but I've already been beaten twice by folks who immediately wrote a check before I even arrived)
6. Make a good impression. If you're looking to rent directly from the landlord, know that every detail matters. Especially if you're competing for the place with many other folks that will all have qualifying incomes and credits. In the end, the landlord will have to make a decision based on how much he likes you, and how well he thinks that you'll take care of the place, etc. A little smooth talk goes a long way. (Not as relevant for renting from agents of larger management groups)
   
7. Research many places. This kind of conflicts with #4. In popular neighborhoods, you're on the losing end; the system is well-optimized for the management groups and landlords. You might be able to find a nicer place for the same price, or an equivalent place for cheaper. If you take the time to search. But if you hesitate, someone else may snatch up the apartment before you. Explore and research enough places to be aware of good value, and know when to explore further, or when to rent immediately. I saw two places within several houses of each other that were near identical units, priced $100 apart. Watch out for the greedy folks trying to take advantage of renter urgency and competition.

I hope these tips will prove to be useful.