By Daisy Hernandez

If you have searched for an apartment in San Francisco recently, you understand how quickly the process can become overwhelming. Listings move fast, rents vary widely between neighborhoods and scheduling tours can be very time consuming. Many renters are unsure of where to even begin. 

After seeing firsthand the challenges that renters face during their search, I co-founded The Apartment Plug (TAP). It is an apartment search platform that helps renters discover available homes through video listings. We created it to make apartment hunting feel more intuitive, organized and transparent. 

Video walkthroughs give renters a clearer representation of an apartment before they schedule a tour. To help prevent scams, TAP verifies the identity of leasing professionals before they are able to list. Our automated booking system also allows renters to schedule available tour times directly, without having to wait for a response. 

In this column, I will share local rental market updates and practical advice for apartment seekers each month. To begin, let’s look at what current rent prices look like and what renters can expect during their search. 

It is no secret that the A.I. boom has become one of the main forces impacting the rental market in San Francisco. As A.I. companies continue to grow, they hire more employees, bringing more tech workers into the City. This growth has been contributing to the increased demand for housing to the City’s already limited supply, which naturally can cause rents to increase. 

Recent reports have validated how fast the market has been changing and how much rent prices are increasing. According to Zillow, the average asking rent for a 1 bedroom apartment was $4,386 as of August. That is $1,191 higher compared to last year’s reported average. Rent prices aren’t the only thing increasing. Apartment seekers are also now competing for a more limited number of rentals available. 

What this means for renters is that the market can move extremely quickly. Well priced apartments are often receiving an abundance of interest the same day that it is listed on the market and leased within just a few days, if not immediately. 

Before beginning your search, spend some time identifying what is important to you in a home and what your nonnegotiables are. You should also decide where you are willing to be flexible, whether that be location, parking situation or price. Investing time to figure out your preferences out before your search can help you respond confidently and quickly to listings without making rushed decisions or wasting time. 

Preparation and moving with urgency are extremely important to make the process feel less overwhelming. When you do discover an apartment you’d like to see, try to schedule a tour as soon as possible,  based on the leasing professional’s earliest availability. Checking your preferred platforms daily is also important to stay up to date with new listings. It is also helpful to turn on notifications. 

In the columns ahead, I will dive deeper into topics like: when you should begin your search, recognizing rental scams, questions every renter should ask and more. Choosing your home is such an intimate and significant life decision. My ultimate goal is to help renters navigate life’s biggest move. I look forward to exploring different parts of the apartment search process, sharing information and resources and giving updates on my journey building the future of renting. 

Find the latest TAP market report regarding renting in the west side.

Daisy Hernandez, MBA, is the co-founder and CEO of The Apartment Plug. Landlords can list apartments on the app and connect with renters at no cost. Daisy is building in public, so follow along on the journey @TheApartmentPlugSF. For inquiries contact her at daisy@theapartmentplug.com.