How to Find the Best Rental House in San Francisco

Written By Clara

I’ve been living in San Francisco for almost 15 years now and I’ve moved more than 10 times. Every single place I lived was a rental. Different neighborhoods, different vibes, and very different landlords.

And as we all know, with the new OpenAI and Anthropic liquidity events this year, the housing market has gone completely wild. 2025 summer has been one of the most competitive rental seasons I’ve ever seen people are literally increasing their budgets overnight, and overall prices are up by at least 20% compared to last year. That’s what we’ve been seeing across the city, and it’s been a dramatic shift. So, I wanted to share a few of the best ways to find a good rental in San Francisco, even in this kind of crazy market.

Over time, I’ve learned that finding a good rental in SF is both an art and a strategy. So here’s everything I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and a few tricks to help you get ahead of everyone else.

1. Start with Zillow, but use it smartly

Everyone knows Zillow, but very few people use it well.

When you’re looking for housing in San Francisco:

  • Use filters, always. Filter by price, bedrooms, and especially by area so you don’t waste time scrolling through everything.

  • Save searches if you’re okay with specific locations, create a saved search for each one. For example, “Mission Dolores 2BR under $4,000.”

  • Turn on notifications! Zillow can email you every time a new listing appears in your chosen area. It’s one of the easiest ways to catch listings before others do.

  • Remove the boundary filter sometimes Zillow’s map draws hard lines and hides nearby gems.

Pro tip: Some landlords don’t mark their exact location on the map, so don’t rely on the map view only. Scroll through the list view too — you’ll sometimes find hidden listings others miss.

2. Be personal when reaching out

When you contact a landlord or property manager, don’t just say “I’d love to schedule a tour.”
Everyone says that. Instead, say something like:

“Hi, I work in tech and I’m looking for a long-term home with my husband and 2 kids. Your place looks great, could I stop by for a quick tour this week, how is your availability look like?”

People in SF are more likely to respond when they can imagine you as a real person. Mention something short about yourself; your job, if you have a pet, how long you plan to stay. It builds trust right away.

3. Move fast

If you love a place, book the tour immediately. I know everyone’s schedule is crazy, but timing is everything in SF. If you can, try to be the first person who tours the house.

And if there are multiple people interested, ask how they’ll handle applications; some take first-come, first-served, while others choose based on credit or vibe.

4. Be ready to apply

If you really like a place, be ready to submit your application right after the tour. You don’t always need to, but being ready (with proof of income, credit report, etc.) shows that you’re serious.

It’s a small psychological edge that can win you a place when competition is high.

5. Craigslist; definitely worth it (with caution)

Now let’s talk about Craigslist, where things get… interesting. Yes, there are scams. Yes, it’s messy. But I think it’s still one of the best places to find real deals.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

  • You’ll often see Zillow houses reposted on Craigslist, ignore duplicates.

  • But you’ll also find exclusive Craigslist-only listings because:

    • Some owners are old-school.

    • Some don’t want Zillow tracking their data.

    • Some have tax or privacy reasons for staying off mainstream sites.

So don’t skip Craigslist, just stay sharp.

Tips for using Craigslist safely:

  • Never apply before seeing the house. If someone asks for an application or deposit before a tour, that’s a red flag.

  • Create a short intro message template about yourself. Something easy to read in one paragraph, we’ll share examples soon.

  • Use filters wisely. I usually filter for listings under $4,000 (even if your budget is higher) to avoid junk and scams.

6. Airbnb for mid-term stays

If you’re between moves or need something for 1–3 months, Airbnb can actually be a great option. I’ve found a few hidden gems there and lately, I’ve seen more monthly-rental listings that are surprisingly affordable, especially in off-seasons. Sometimes you can even negotiate directly with the host for a better monthly rate.

7. The easiest way: Join Orry Club

This is where I have to mention what we’ve built — because this is literally the problem we’re solving. If you know you’ll be leaving your house in 3 to 6 months, or if you just want to find great off-market rentals before they hit Zillow, join Orry Club.

We connect people before listings go public kind of like a behind-the-scenes rental network. You share when your place is becoming available, and others do the same. It’s personal, verified, and 100% focused on finding good homes faster.

After living in SF for 15 years, I can tell you, the rental market moves fast, and half the battle is just knowing where to look and how to talk to people. Zillow helps you organize. Craigslist gives you hidden finds. Airbnb helps with temporary stays. And Orry connects you to people like you, renters who actually know what’s coming next. If you’re hunting for your next home, I hope this helps you skip the chaos and find your favorite corner of San Francisco.

With Love,

Clara

Clara