Items to Take Apartment Hunting

Like everything else, it is important to prepare before you go apartment hunting. San Francisco can be a whole different animal when it comes to apartment hunting, so we thought we’d give you a list of items we recommend taking with you when you go apartment hunting.

When viewing the apartment:

• Tape Measure: This will allow you to measure out the rooms to determine if your furniture will fit well in the apartment. Be sure to measure your biggest pieces of furniture before you set out apartment hunting, so you can get an idea of how it will all fit in the apartment.


• Digital Camera: If the property manager or owner allows you to take a few pictures, you can use photos to later evaluate each apartment after a long day of apartment hunting.


• List of Questions: We recommend preparing a few questions for the person showing the apartment. Identify what is most important to you in an apartment and develop questions around those points. Below are a few sample questions you can ask the property manager or owner:
  
  
  
  • Are heat, water and garbage included in the monthly rental price?
  
  
  • What is your pet policy?
  
  
  • If we become a resident, how do we submit service requests?
  
  
  • Do you have a 24/7 emergency phone number in case there is a flood or some other catastrophe?

If you decide to fill out an application: Below are a few items we recommend bringing along in case you decide to fill out an application. This is based on the information Lightner Property Group requires in order to consider an application completed. All apartment applications at Lightner Property Group are reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.

• Drivers License: You likely already carry around your driver’s license on a daily basis, but be sure to double check that you have it. This will allow property managers and owners to confirm your identity if you choose to fill out an application.


• Checkbook: If you decide you like an apartment and want to fill out an application on the spot, be sure to bring along your checkbook for the following items:
  
  
  
  • Background check (Lightner Property Group charges $35 for each adult applying for an apartment)
  
  
  • Application fee (If you decide to apply for an apartment, Lightner Property Group asks for 25% of the first month’s rent to hold the apartment for you while your application is processed. If the application is accepted, the 25% fee goes toward the first month’s rent, if the application is rejected, the person applying for the apartment will be reimbursed).


• Pen: This is pretty obvious, but definitely important! In case the owner or property manager does not have a pen on-hand, this will allow you to finish filling out the application in a timely manner. Additionally, you can use it to jot down notes about the apartments you view.


• Past Rental Information: In the Lightner Property Group residential application, we ask applicants to fill out information including the name, phone number, address, move-in/move-out dates and reason for moving. We recommend preparing this information ahead of time, so you can easily complete the application in a timely manner.


• Prep banking & Investment Information and Employment Information: Additional information that you will need to have on-hand are your banking and investment information to qualify for the apartment (you can check with the property manager or owner to understand how people typically qualify), as well as recent employment information in order to verify income.


• Car Information: If you have a car, be sure to have the make and model on-hand as well as the license number.

Let us know your thoughts! What do you bring when you go apartment hunting?

San Francisco Resident Manager of the Year: Ed Milestone

Lightner Property Group is very excited to announce that our very own, Ed Milestone, won the San Francisco Apartment Association's (SFAA) award for 2009 Resident Manager of the Year. Ed Milestone and the rest of Lightner Property Group's resident managers are headed up by Art Swanson, Chief of Operations, and last year's recipient of the SFAA's Property Manager of the Year.

Ed won this award for his exceptional work as a resident manager of 1935 Franklin Street and 1920 Pacific Avenue. In addition to being a resident manager, Ed is also one of our on-call staff, responding to emergencies at any of the Lightner Property Group-managed properties (LPG has a 24/7 on-call staff). Ed’s work philosophy includes remaining optimistic and tackling all issues with a positive mental attitude.

All of LPG's resident managers are trained extensively so they are empowered to take on more responsibility. This allows our resident managers to  respond well to all situations that arise at our properties.

As a San Francisco resident, having a resident manager who is well-trained can make a significant difference in your tenancy. In the case of an emergency, a well-trained resident manager can remain calm and know the necessary next steps. Additionally, for day-to-day matters, you receive a different level of customer service. If you are looking for an San Francisco apartment, and are interested in living in a property that is taken care of by one of LPG's well-trained resident managers, we encourage you to take a look at all of our currently available apartments for rent.

SFAA 2009 Resident Manager of the Year Certificate

Top 10 iPhone Apps for the San Francisco Renter

Since many of our residents are toting iPhones these days, we thought it would be useful to put together our list of the top 10 iPhone apps for the San Francisco renter. These applications will be helpful for those of you who are just moving in, learning about a new neighborhood, apartment hunting, or just balancing work and life in this fast-paced city.

• Epicurious: Many of us are constantly on the go, which means that poring over cookbooks to plan elaborate meals is not an every-day occurrence. This iPhone app is great for the apartment dweller who needs to stop by the market on the way home from work. Download this app for free and instantly get recipes and grocery lists on-the-go. Cost: FREE


• Dual Level: If you are hanging a bunch of pictures in your apartment you will find this application very handy. This is a free application that has two level vials that you can use horizontally, vertically and face-up. After you press calibrate, the application will instantly tell you if your picture is straight. Cost: $.99


• imeem: Having a shindig at your apartment and want to have the perfect playlist? Imeem is a fantastic free music service that allows you to search and play thousands of different music genres. For the less savvy music listener, it also puts together lists like the top 100 songs that week so your friends will think you are in the know about the hippest music at the moment. Cost: FREE


• Home Sizer: Just moved into a new place and on the hunt for some new furniture? Use this application to enter the name and sizes of each of your rooms and let this application determine the amount of usable space. Cost: $2.99


• Yelp: If you live in San Francisco then you may be one of the many people who use Yelp for just about everything including finding a dentist, identifying a good restaurant, or locating a new gym. This application is very useful if you’ve just moved into a new neighborhood. Type in your address and instantly find restaurants and businesses near your apartment.  Cost: FREE


• WeatherBug: Many of us San Franciscans have mastered the art of layering due to San Francisco’s ever-changing weather. WeatherBug is a great free app that gives you live local weather conditions and forecasts (7 day and hourly), so you can be prepared before you leave your apartment. Cost: FREE


• Pennies: Many people are setting budgets these days to ensure they can pay rent on time, cover all their bills, start saving and still have some money left over to have fun. This application helps you track your budget and even has a nifty fuel-like gauge to see how well you are doing with your budget. Cost: $2.99

iPhone applications that are great for Apartment Hunting:

• Apartment Guide: If you are out and about searching for new apartments, you will want to see listings on the go. This application lets you browse apartments for rent and has many user-friendly features. Cost: FREE


• Craigsphone: This application brings Craigslist to your iPhone. You can use this app to sort through dozens of listings to find your perfect new apartment. Cost: FREE


• Apartments.com: You can search thousands of apartments nationwide using this iPhone app. It also delivers Google maps so you can easily find the apartment you would like to view. Contacting the property manager is simple and you can easily set up an appointment. Cost: FREE

Bonus: Free Podcasts:

• Take a Walk: If you are exploring the city you will love these podcasts. It gives you free walking tours of various cities around the country. For San Francisco, you can listen to walking tours of museums like the SFMOMA. Cost: FREE

June Rent Free!

530 Stockton Street - San Francisco Apartment for RentLightner Property Group is offering June rent free to the first qualified and accepted application for the Nob Hill studio apartment located at 530 Stockton Street.

Details:
RENT: $1,195/month
LOCATION: 530 Stockton Street #206 (Bush & Pine)

Features:

• Studio apartment in a classic 1920’s building.


• On the second floor of a six story building.


• The building is on the "Tunnel Top" just two blocks away from Union Square.


• Overlooks the backyard and has a city view.


• Unit has a good layout with a spacious living area.


• Living area has both East and South facing windows.


• Large walk-in closet with built in vanity.


• Kitchen has original glass cabinets, new linoleum, gas stove, and full sized refrigerator.


• Separate dinette area that can fit a table and chairs.


• Bathroom has a tub over shower combination.


• Gorgeous refinished hardwood floors throughout.


• New mini-blinds.


• Bicycle storage room in building.


• Backyard.


• Elevator building.


• Steam heat.


• Laundry in the building.


• Dry cleaning and wash and fold service available.


• Tandem parking available for $250.

Once a lease is signed with a July 1st start date you can move in. June rent free!!

Contact: mc@lightnergroup.com for more details!

Animoto Videos

Thanks @jackierulesall !!

Have YOU checked out our Animoto videos yet? Get a feel for the apartment before you even tour it!