First, you have to be realistic so I suggest you write down a list of your must-haves, which should be based on needs, not wants. Consider where you could save money and where it might get wiped away...like you could live within walking distance from work, but it'll be more expensive than living a little farther away and riding the metro. Also, could you consider living just outside DC? Rent prices can be a lot less.

Consider how much space you want or will compromise for, and the average price of that. Sometimes a hundred square feet less means a significant drop in price.

I'm not in DC, but I find that most landlords do not make very good use of craigslist or other on-line classifieds. Sometimes you have to drive around/pound the pavement.

I would suggest looking into companies that do the legwork for you. I know that Apartment Detectives in DC is good, and I think the investment is worth it in terms of your time and sanity. Give them the areas you want, the amount you can afford, and they will tell you if it is possible. Or give you the reality and suggest something else.

I agree with babyfishmouth, I've found that, in the past, it is easier to drive around and look for signs. That's how I've found all of my past apartments- they weren't listed anywhere!

OH MY GOD! I'm dealing with the SAME THING in LA right now (Venice more specifically). I apply for apartments and I don't even get replies back. So they take my money, ding my credit score, and that's it!? Come on I am so over it...What it really ends up being is a big credit score competition.

Ugh, I totally understand what you're going through. I've in DC for three years, going on four. I've moved three times (sigh...) while in the city and am about to move to an apartment in Arlington in a few weeks.

I hounded landlords of CraigsList for weeks. The deal with DC is this -- if you want a managed building, look about 2 months in advance. Tenants typically have to give 60 days notice and buildings will post as soon as they know what's available. If you're looking at rentals from private landlords, they seem to be more "ASAP" listings.

Honestly, I've tried it all - working with realtors, using services like Urban Igloo, etc. I still think it comes down to luck.

Best of luck on the hunt!

I suggest making a really good candidate profile of yourself to email. When I was hunting online, I even included pictures of my currently immaculately-maintained rental unit, to show just how good of a renter I am.
at the end of the day, a landlord is looking to fill the vacancy quickly and with the best tenant possible. If you can show that via pictures and godo information aout yourself that you're likely to have to provide for the application anyway, you might stand out from the rest.

A friend of mine also got the best deal by not huting online at all, but by walking in the neighborhood and dialing the phone numbers listed in a For Rent sign while standing outside the unit, even when she didn't know if the price was prohibitive. She found a place for $300/less than the unit next door, all because it hadn't been posted on Craiglist at all.

I was there a year ago. My suggestion is to look for english basements or house apt. units - they're cheaper, you'll know your landlords, and usually they're taken better care of b/c they're in someones house.

Also if you're looking to live with a roommate it's best to find the apartment and then the roommate. This is what held up my search. I went to several "open houses" where 30 people would show up. Once I found my apt. I had the power to choose who I wanted to live with.

But in the end be patient - it took me three months to find the right place and in a good neighborhood. In the end it was totally worth it though.

Are you open to renting a room in a group house? It's still a very competitive process but a good option if you have a small budget. I lived in a group house in Columbia Heights for 1 1/2 years and loved it.

I've also done my fair share of apartment hunting in DC and have been pretty successful. My strategy: jump on craigslist ads quickly, be super friendly to the landlord, bring a credit report and tasty baked goods to the walk-through, and be willing to put down a security deposit immediately. Stay away from open houses unless you are in love with the place and are willing to awkwardly fight it out with lots of other people desperate for housing.

Good luck!

Yeah, it's good to keep in mind that everyone else in the world is reading Craigslist as well.

When we were looking for an apartment within a very small one mile radius, my husband and I walked around the streets and called any building that posted their number outside, regardless of if there was a sign for a vacancy or not. Usually only take a few minutes to check and see if they have anything available.

Also, be careful of giving money to businesses that claim they will find housing for you - there's a lot of scam companies out there that will take your money claiming they will get results, and then end up giving you a glorified list of Craiglist rentals. Look up reviews before you give anyone like this any money.

I live in DC, and I feel your pain- rent is very high here, and keeps getting worse. A couple tips:

1) Look in the city paper, both print and online. Often, people who are not craigslist-savvy will post in here, and they tend to rent at lower prices because they aren't aware how much rents have increased in just the past 5 years

2)Look at neighborhoods beyond your comfort zone. DC is gentrifying so fast, you can't trust reviews of neighborhoods that are even just a year or two old. Also, most (though not all) violent crime is gang or drug related, so, if you aren't involved in that, the crime statistics for a neighborhood might be lower for you.

Hi Maggie, I rent in DC and just moved last May, so I know exactly what you're going through. Here are a few insights I gleaned from my experience.

1. Getting responses from craigslist can be tough. Try contact property or building managers directly. The Washington Post real estate section has an apartment finder tool that leaves a lot to be desired, but you can identify buildings in the neighborhoods you're interested in and contact the managers directly. There are a couple of real estate/property managers that you can contact directly including Investor's Management, Beonthehill(at)gmail(dot)com, and Yarmouth. You also might want to check out Hotpads, but I'm not sure it's any better than craigslist. Oh! and you could also try posting a housing wanted ad - some property management companies may contact you directly.

2. Open Houses are another obstacle. Do whatever you can to try to see the apartment before the open house (e.g., tell the contact person that you're out of town that day or volunteering or have to work). If you do go to an open house, be the first person there, and if you like it, fill out the application immediately. It seems like a racket, but my experience has been that most managers do operate on a first come basis.

3. If you really want to stack the deck in your favor, be prepared. When you visit a property, have copies of your last two paychecks, your checking and savings acount numbers, two references (living in DC if possible), a copy of a recent credit report, and a blank check or two. If you are willing, do let the manager know upfront that you're willing to sign a lease longer than 12 months.

I hope this is helpful. Best of luck.
Kelly

Whenever possible, call and try to talk to a manager or owner. A little schmoozing goes a long way. And if you can make it to open houses, show up early, have a completed application ready (and a copy of a recent credit report if they will accept it). Finally, be assertive (that was the hardest part for me!). I found it borderline aggressive and SO not my personality but I was tired to losing out to other open house attendees!

Welcome to DC! I just went through the process of searching for an apartment in the area and you are correct, it is a competitive sport! Proximity to the metro line is a great feature, especially if you will be using public transit to get to work. If you live further away from a line your rent may be less expensive but the bus/ metro fare can add up quickly to wipe out any savings you may have from the distant location. Something else to keep in mind, if you have a car, is parking in DC is a premium price. Garages are not common and on-street parking can be a hassle. If you have a vehicle and want to keep it, definitely look into areas like Silver Spring or Arlington for apartments with parking included. As others have noted, I definitely suggest walking around your desired neighborhoods to look for "for rent" signs. If you look at apartments in a high rise, let them know you aren't particular about the view. Trust me, being able to see the tip of the Washington monument can result in an additional $100-150 of rent and it's not worth it!

@annieh - In general, I agree, though I would never live in a place where violent crime or assaults could be commonplace. Money isn't more important than safety. Where there is violent crime, where is usually also property crime as well.

@Eureekay - haha, especially now that the Washington Monument has a 4-foot crack in it from the earthquake :)

What neighborhoods are you looking at? And what is your budget? Are you looking for a place of your own, or are you willing to share?
Check out Formant and Yarmouth -- the represent a lot of apartments on the Hill, but the hill can be expensive, especially close in. DC neighborhoods are odd -- they can change from block to block so you definitely want to hunt around on foot. You can post flyers at cool coffee shops advertising yourself -- I've seen that yield some results. Columbia Heights is really fun and young with lots of independent businesses. Eastern market, where I live, is by far (in my opinion) the best neighborhood, but hews towards family and pets... why dont you shoot me a note in comments over at howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com and I can give you more specific help.
pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Great timing! We are actually having an open house for our 1 BD/1BA top floor apartment this weekend in Takoma Park (right on the DC border and on the metro line). Since we live down stairs, we're meeting EVERY applicant to find a good personality match, so you'll definitely get a response from us! If you're interested here's more information:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/apa/2575696821.html

Oh, and since you mention open-house scams: we don't collect application fees until we've found "the one". And it's only a $10 credit check fee (subsidized by the Takoma Park Landlord/Tenant relations office).

Padmapper! That's how we found our cheap but beautiful apartment in Toronto. Check it hourly!

If you looking for a basement apt. and have a target neighborhood, try to get on the local listserv - at least in my neighborhood, people renting out their basement or garage apartment will often post them on the listserv before going to craigslist, etc. Posting yourself with a description of what you're seeking (and how great of a tenant you would be!) might also garner some replies.

If you post your budget, those of us in the DC area could probably weigh in on some good areas for you to look.

If given the option, always call instead of email - it makes a big difference in terms of response time. If you have to email, make sure your email address is professional (no, hotmomma93... etc.) Be polite, straight forward, and as flexible as possible.

Landed in my dream apartment in DC nearly a year ago. My advice is: program Google alerts for DC craiglist ("dupont 1br site:http://washingtondc.craigslist.org" etc.) so that they arrive immediately, and then immediately get in touch with the landlord about seeing the places you like. With this system, you can hit the landlord with an email ASAP after they post their ad.

Suck up once you get to the place; if the landlord's not the one showing it, call and express your "very strong interest" literally as you're walking out the door. Say you're ready to fill out an application and will send a check for the application fee that day or the next. Express the same willingness to move ahead with the security deposit "should this work out."

Then email the current resident (you got their email at the showing, right?) to thank them for their time, and ask candidly how to work the landlord to get the place. Chances are -- if the resident likes you, they'll recommend you, which can make a big difference in smaller buildings. If you didn't meet the current resident, ask the landlord for their email, and be prepared with questions.

If anybody stalls on a showing, or tells you to come to an open house, stop by the building and try to catch the manager/landlord, or even the current resident (if possible) at random. "I was just in the neighborhood, and I know it's a huge bother but I was wondering if I might see the unit. Thank you so much; that is so kind of you. What a gorgeous building. How long have you worked/lived here?" Any kind of personal connection/experience matters.

These tips would probably work best for smaller buildings/townhouses, etc., but also helped get me into a mid-size building. All about speed/seriousness -- be ready to jump! Good luck!

Apartment searching in DC truly is a sport. I was going through this in February/March of this year.

When I searched, I had a price range based on what I could reasonably afford without having to live on bread & water. Also, I wanted to live on my own. I made 2 different lists: 1) list of needs & wants & 2) a list of questions to ask a landlord about the unit I would be renting?

I initially looked on craigslist but without much success, having many of the same problems that you are experiencing. So I changed tactics & searched for apartment buildings online based on the neighborhoods where I was willing to live & even some neighborhoods that weren't my first choice. Then, I went out on foot to survey the neighborhood & buildings, & I set up appointments with landlords/building managers/leasing agents.

How I succeeded: In addition to the above, I let all of my friends & co-workers know that I was looking for a new place in DC. After looking at a ton of places (which became like a second job), a friend telephoned me to inform me that there were 2 1-bedroom units opening in her building.

The apartment was an older building but 2 blocks from the metro & at the max of my price range & a 700 square foot 1 bedroom in a safe neighborhood. The added benefit of a friend referral - I was also able to ask her about the managment - did they timely respond to service requests? what happened to any packages I had delivered? what were her average cost of utilities per month? what were her least favorite things about where she lived? And she put in a great word for me to the management company.

So success is achievable. Best of luck!

I've lived in this area for over 15 years. If you don't have to live in the city, I suggest Arlington. Not the north part along the orange line. That's pricey. Try South Arlington. Metro & buses. Affordable apartments in great neighborhoods. Fantastic location - 5 to 15 mins to just about everything in DC. And you don't have to deal with DC government, a pain for every resident.

Haha, well this is oddly timed! I'm the original question-asker and I just got word that my application was accepted for a unit like an hour ago.

Ultimately, I wound up not finding a unit on Craiglist at all - I found a management company with multiple places in my neighborhood of choice (Capitol Hill) and obsessively checked their website for udpates. The place I am moving into was actually rented a few days ago but the lessee changed their mind, and I was just lucky enough to be available that afternoon to view it. So tons and tons of luck was involved. I had to sacrifice space and on-site laundry but the place is in my budget, will accept my cat, and is actually charming.

In the end I discovered that immediate availability to view the unit was the absolute key factor (and the biggest challenge I faced due to hunting from Baltimore). Also, for me, CL was a crapshoot. Of the places I emailed about, I think I got half a dozen legitimate responses. TONS of scams, though. TONS. I think a lot of that had to do with my very small budget.

In the end I'm extremely excited about my move and the place I'm going to be living. I will, however, be bookmarking this thread for future reference and to forward to friends who are having similar problems.

Here is a blog post from my co-worker who recently moved and wrote down all his high-tech tip for competitive apartment hunting.

http://baydin.com/blog/2011/07/3-tricks-for-apartment-hunting-on-craigslist

I never tried looking for an apartment in DC but he just moved to SF and man, SF apartment hunting is brutal. People show up with checkbooks and write a check within the first few minutes of showing.

RSS and Craiglist are your friend: http://seattlebubble.com/blog/2008/02/25/how-to-use-craigslist-rss-to-find-a-great-rental/

I found a great rental where the newbie landlord messed up the address so the listing smelled of scam. I emailed him, got the correct address and got a steal of a place. Good luck!

Arrive at your viewings prepared. Bring any documentation/information you might need, such as Equifax report/credit history, pay stub or other proof of income, resume, and list of references. Don't forget your cheque book and a pen.

I've found this to be very helpful in expediting the process of being shortlisted among potential candidates. My landlords seemed to appreciated my interest and commitment to the search process, as it suggests that I might likewise be an upstanding tenant.

I lived in Dallas Texas and never had a problem finding housing so all this is so wierd for me. Open houses for apartments Wow!

I live in DC too. Apartment prices have gotten crazy high. I really lucked out on my place. I found it on CL, the ad had no pictures, and it was posted on Valentine's Day. So glad I acted quickly (and didn't have a date).

One thing you might try are the neighborhood listservs. People sometimes post on there. And tell everyone you know in DC that you are looking for a place.

I know of a nice 1 BR above ground place coming available on Capitol Hill, but it's probably going to rent for around $1600-1700.

If you are considering Capitol Hill also check out http://yarmouthm.com/.

I see you found a place, but I wanted to comment anyway for other people asking the same question. Respond to ads using simple but good grammar & punctuation, include your (hopefully) stellar credit score, say that every place you've ever lived can give you a glowing reference, and that your employment is long term and verifiable. Basically, quickly and professionally get to the point and tell them what they want to know. Also, when you go to open houses, show up with a print out of your credit report, list of references and a blank check book and if you love a place, pull the agent/owner aside and offer them money on the spot. I know all of this sounds CRAZY, but I live in San Francisco and it's the only way to go if you want to find the good deals. Also, some owners are not super Craigslist savvy, so if an ad meets your minimum requirements (neighborhood & bedrooms) follow up on it. I found a fantastic place once that way. The ad was seriously a 2-liner with no pictures, but it was 2 bedrooms in my perfect neighborhood and I went to the open house and ended up writing a check. Good luck to everyone - it's a tough renters market right now!

Just dealt with the same thing in San Francisco and narrowly escaped homelessness. We were the first to view the apartment we just moved in to, and they claim that helped, but I know what really sealed the deal was the fact that we offered them more money than the asking rent...they gave us our application back with our rental packet and had that written in big bold letters on the top. It was only $50 extra a month, but it got us the place. On principle, I hate to start a bidding war, but that is apparently what it takes in the market right now...

Do you mind if i ask what management company you found luck with? I am hunting in the district as well. The application fee scam came as such a shock, as I have always lived in large complexes. Looking to move to SE within the next few months. Just set up my CL RSS . Thanks for the advice!

Agreed with annieh and Dominiquesr. Find the neighborhood you want and then talk to business owners. Where I live in OT (Old Town, Alexandria) shop owners were so helpful, many of them landlords, and all want nice people in the neighborhood to be regulars.

Be careful renting from Property Management companies, as they can tend to "pass the buck," and if renting in Virginia, get your hands on a copy of the VRLTA (or its MD/DC equivalent).

As a DC landlord with a small number of properties, I'm always frustrated by the response to adds: "I'd like to see your property." Try replying with credit score, or report w/in the last thirty days, written tenant references, proof of renter's insurance, why you want to rent the property. You will stand out like a rose! When the landlord provides an application, fill it out completely. I will let the property go vacant rather than accept the wrong tenant.

I have rented in 4 places in the last 6 years, mostly in the Mt. Rainier/Hyattsville area just outside NE DC. Although it's still a bit of a best-kept secret, it's more affordable that many other parts of town, and is a highly desirable location for a certain type of person (moderate income, environmental/progressive values, maybe interested in the arts community, etc.).

Therefore, if you want to rent at one of the group houses or basement apartments in the neighborhood, you have some serious competition.

Almost everyone I know with a good place has had an in - they had a friend living or working around here who posted to the neighborhood listserve saying, "Hey, I've got this friend who's looking for a place, he's moving from Portland to work for an international development nonprofit, plus he bakes great vegan brownies! Just let me know if there are any openings."

And of course, whenever anyone posts about an opening to the listserve, locals immediately tell their friends who have expressed interest in moving here.

So I would just encourage anyone looking for a place to work those connections! Alert your friends, coworkers, folks you volunteer or play softball with, etc. That's how you find out about places before they show up on Craigslist...and also how you get the landlords to call you back.

What about using a site that lists lots of different rental properties? I came across this one, which looks very detailed... Good luck with your search!

I've got the opposite question: how to get a good tenant/roommate out of Craigslist? I rent out the largest bedroom in my house, with full house privileges, but it can get sketchy sometimes. (This time around, I'll be doing a background check on possible tenants.) I'd be interested in hearing what tenant/roommates are looking for from me. Having been a room-renter myself in the past, I know that renting a room in someone else's house is different from renting an entire unit or having a roommate, but was wondering how others felt about the arrangement?

Maggie,

I'm a landlord in San Francisco - another competitive rental market like D.C. I pride myself on offering super insulated, squeaky clean, beautifully maintained properties. I do this less to command high rents than to attract good tenants.

Most people don't know how to be a good rental applicant. My advice is simple: show up prepared, be charming, be responsive, and gently persistent. Good landlords want renters who are solvent, clean, and will treat the property with respect. Make it clear from the get go that you offer all three.

I post my rentals via Craigslist and get a ridiculous number of inquiries. I respond to each e-mail personally, I attach a standard rental application form and ask people to print and fill out that form before they arrive at the property. I make it clear that if they see the place in person and aren't interested they don't have to give me a thing, but if they like the house they should have what they need in hand. I make it clear that a credit history will be required and that I use a web-based service where the prospective tenant pays the reporting service directly (not to me) so there is no hint that I am scamming application fees. Then I select tenants based on 1) credit-worthiness, 2) references from employers, past landlords, etc. 3) number of compromises involved such as pets, smokers, etc. 4) gut feelings.

The last time I rented a property (two months ago) I interviewed 73 people. The vast majority dragged their feet, weighed other options, didn't want to spend $24 on the credit report, had train wreck credit, couldn't verify legitimate employment, etc. A few people offered to have family members co-sign, but the family members wouldn't agree to credit reports or employment verification. Some people gave sob stories about imminent eviction. (Not a good strategy.) Some people said I'd have to do X, Y and Z to the property if they wanted me as renters. (Goodby Mr. and Mrs. granite counter tops.) Several people were clearly not real renters but other landlords looking at the competition. (Fine with me.)

Only ONE woman brought her printed application the first time we met. She also included a cover letter explaining why she and her boyfriend would be excellent renters based on verifiable facts and why this property was perfect for her needs, rather than a terrible compromise. She didn't have perfect credit (who does these days?) and she did have a cat, which I didn't particularly want, but she got the place over the other 72 people. She was charming, polite, professional, and was willing to answer all my questions and concerns promptly with hard evidence. Two months in, I love them and they seem very happy.

- John

Honolulu is the same way. Apartment hunting can be very competitive and there is a swift learning curve. I had two things against me coming over here, I didn't have a job and I wasn't a local. The "application fee scam" is alive and well here too. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Before long I had taken to promising the property manager 6 months rent up front and access to peek into my savings accounts. Not having a job when I first got here really made me look bad on the application. It was no matter that I had enough in my saving to let me live comfortably for five years if need be. They wanted to see that job!

I finally landed an apartment only because I practically begged the guy to give me a chance. I showed him my account statements and give him glowing reviews from my previous landlady. Whew! I'm kinda glad those other aprtments didn't work out because the one I did end up finding is really close to where I want to be!

Oh my goodness. All of you more reserved people? No apartment for you!

Seriously, why is "charming" at the top of the list for so many of these suggestions? My husband and I are nice, friendly, paying-on-time INTROVERTS. You shouldn't have to do a song and dance in order to make a landlord fall for you...as if that is a good tactic for finding renters.

We had the opportunity to move to the DC area for graduate school at GMU and the apartment costs were absolutely absurd (even the few and far between campus housing options were outrageously expensive). I honestly don't know where people who AREN'T politicians and CEOs live - we researched as much as we possibly could, but wound up turning down an otherwise wonderful opportunity because of the insanity of the DC apartment market.

Seriously, where do all the waitresses and secretaries and busboys and telemarketers live in DC? They HAVE to all be homeless - as a prospective HS teacher, I certainly would have been. I thought Chicago was expensive, but DC had me absolutely hornswoggled. Seemed like a city-wide housing racket.