If you are in a hard market (SF) I would highly recommend stalking. Get a list of buildings you truly like. In SF I had like 10 I would kill to get into. When your about 1-2 months from your lease expiring, start stalking hard: call the managers, talk to people walking into the building, talk to the mail man - anything. Nice SF places rarely have openings. "Oh Mrs. Baskin passed away - we have will have a new listing in about a month". On it, I have my cashiers check, no site needed, my credit report printed, 4 references in hand, I even help the apartment manager carry in her groceries - and I don't mind hearing her stories. There are also a few families that own 20 or so buildings - once you get on their "good list" - you are in.

The places you get are amazing. Clear views of the SF harbor, tucked away in PacHeights, full parking, cheaper rent etc. After doing this for 15 years I knew all the managers of those 10 buildings by name. My friends that "wing it" get sooo screwed. They go through listings, trying to piece if it is a nice place, always getting their initial deposit stolen, application fees swiped, going to open apartments 20 people deep, dealing with large corporate landlords, on and on. Make friends!