For the record, probably 99% of all apartments are "listed" privately. There is very little available on the MLS. Most real estate agents/brokers will only be able to tell you about rentals they have in-office. Real estate agents/brokers often don't list rentals on the MLS and non-agents/brokers don't really have access to the MLS. You are better off using craigslist, citypaper/philadelphia weekly, and driving around if you are looking for a rental.

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It sounds like what you really want is responsive landlord -- in that case, I recommend finding a private listing where the landlord actually lives in the building (some of the larger brownstones are set up like this.)

If there's a problem in the building, esp. stuff like vermin, flooding, etc. a live-in landlord is going to handle it ASAP because they don't want to live with it any more than you do.

I've done this for years, and have had virtually no complaints.

Ok: I feel a little stupid asking this, but hell, if I don't ask, I'll never learn....what exactly is a private listing? The past two people were talking about it, but I have no idea what might make this different than a listing on craigslist or in one of the papers.....i'm all for finding an owner-occupied building....the secret is finding out where all these tenant-less, landed people are.

Private is when you find it on your own and come to terms privately between yourself and the landlord.

Other scenario (public?) would be where there is a third party involved.

Meaning NOT a management company. A private owner. One that you would find in the paper or craigslist.

huzzah!

ever consider sharing a house?

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