How to easily find an apartment in L.A. Just kidding!

The most popular person in Los Feliz is Joan, the owner of a soon-to–be-vacant prewar apartment on Avocado Street. “I just lost a place to someone who paid an entire year’s rent up front.” Inside, the apartment is gorgeous. “My landlord is the new attorney general and she’s happy to provide a reference,” the ball cap woman tells Joan, loud enough for everyone to hear. The unit, which was advertised using Zillow’s two most-favored descriptors — “charming” and “sun-drenched” — turned out to be neither. Two days after I saw Joan’s apartment, she sent me a text: “Thank you for your interest,” she wrote, “but the Avocado Street unit has been rented.” I hope that the ball cap woman enjoys her place and that all her furniture fits.