patrick.net

Hi The111,

I am a native of the Bay Area and feel the trend of people listing rentals privately (not via MLS). Though rentals still occur through MLS, I'm almost positive you will be better off using craigslist.

Just be sure that the person you would be paying rent to is really the owner of the house. Do this by checking county records.

Is there a particular reason why you want to go thru the MLS? Agents will take a cut of the rent and am most certain that it will drive the price higher for you.

Thanks for the quick reply, Vain.

Good points, and of course no there is no reason I'd want to use MLS. Funny thing is I hate the realtor system, I am just conditioned to use it by now.

In FL there was once a website that linked together every county's appraisal data/records. Does anything exist for CA, or do you just visit each county's website? (assuming the data is even online, which I would hope in this day and age it is for most counties)

Yup, the trend is craigslist around the bay.

In regards to your question about county records, it really depends on the county. I know the San Mateo county provides limited data online. Do a google search for it and let me know if you need any assistance.

It seems like you are interested in the Santa Clara county. I haven't had much experience with that county. But there is no state operated website that pulls all the counties together for your ease of use unfortunately.

Check cragislist. You might also have luck with local newspapers. Many of the little towns in the Bay Area have their own newspapers, and older landlords will sometimes list rentals in the newspaper rather than on craigslist. Sometimes you can find a better deal in a newspaper.