While the lease isn’t signed yet, it looks like I found a rental that I’m pleased with, and the landlord is sending me the lease to review today! This was all outside of SF proper. I probably looked at 12-14 places. The first 2 that I applied for and really wanted, I didn’t get. In one case, I asked the agent what the deciding factor was, and she said my electric car (there was no outlet outside, so I’d have to run a cord inside or have an electrician add an outlet.) After that, I stopped mentioning my electric car, when it was clear I could make it work one way or another, and would be paying for the electricity.
2 landlords offered to rent to me, but the first I had to let go because it wasn’t ideally located for my kid. I do think it was helpful to list out all my income and assets (the income from which I listed as part of the income.) Neither of the landlords who offered to rent requested to see documentation of that - I think my clean background check, credit check, and what can be found out about me online made me look trustworthy (which I am.)
It was notable how wide a range of places were available in the same cost range. Some were downright depressing - at least one I almost fled. The ones I liked best were typically priced a little below the market, and had a lot of interested tenants. I think it helped that I saw them as soon as they came available - I was the first prospective tenant in each case, and was able to chat with the actual owner during the showing (there was no listing agent in either case.)
Thanks for your help! (Fingers crossed that I didn’t speak too soon! Excited to move on.)