Tips to navigating Craigslist to find an apartment

Although Craigslist can undoubtedly be one the most useful tools in searching for a new living arrangement, it can be a bit daunting at times.

Understanding how you can best utilize Craiglist to your full advantage will make your housing search slightly less stressful.

  • Figure out your non-negotiables: Before you even open your Internet browser, make a note of the things you are not willing to compromise on your search to finding a new apartment. The longer this list, the more challenging it will be to find exactly what you are looking for — try and keep it as streamlined as possible. Some factors you might consider:
    • Price
    • Location
    • Length of lease
    • Living arrangement: who your roommates are, how many there are, etc.
    • Access to public transit or availability of parking
    • Landlord’s expectations: limitations on pets, visitors, noise levels, etc.
  • Know where to look: Although the different categories under the housing section of Craigslist are intended to make your life easier, they can also get a little confusing. It is important to know what each group of postings is intended for in order to make sure you are looking in the right place.
    • Apts/housings: Listings for apartments or houses that are available for rent. You are more likely to find entire apartments, rather than just rooms for rent, in this section.
    • Rooms/shares: Where you would look if you are trying to find a room for rent in a house that already has people living in it or in any other kind of shared housing situation
    • Sublets & temporary: If you’re looking for a short-term lease or sublet, this group of listings will probably be your best bet. Even if you’re looking for a six-month lease, it’s worth your time to look in this section.
    • Housing wanted: Where you can post an ad about yourself and what you are looking for in a new apartment for people who have housing or rooms available to respond to
  • Be wary of scams: If you familiarize yourself with what a scam looks like, you are less likely to fall victim to one. Here are a few tell-tale signs that you are dealing with someone less-than-legitimate. The person who posted the ad…
    • Says he or she is out of the country or not available to meet in person
    • Asks you to wire money
    • Says that any transactions you make or money you pay is guaranteed by Craigslist
    • Asks you to provide financial information like your bank account number or social security number over the Internet
    • Asks you to drive by the apartment or house rather than meeting you to show you the interior
    • Asks for a background check or credit check without meeting in person first
  • Browse listings by city or region: Narrowing your search to listings in a specific area will help you find what you are looking for faster. Selecting the ā€œSan Franciscoā€ tab will help you narrow your search to apartments located within city limits. Apartments or houses with ā€œSF Bay Areaā€ listed as the neighborhood are oftentimes fake or scams, so be careful.
  • If it looks too good to be true, it probably is: Apartments or houses that are seriously underpriced for what they offer are usually scams. Ā Generally speaking, you are not going to find a garden cottage in downtown San Francisco with a yard and a picket fence for $700 dollars a month.