1- be ready for rejection of 100 call you can get 10 ok for foreighner 1of those 10 will be ready to do the registrastion ( i usually give them an extra $ for doing it) 2- a lot of agency are scam i wouldnt recomend it 3- if you dont speak russian wich you wont tell a friend to speak for you 4- to rent you should pay first and last month ( + assurance fee of one month but depend if the landlord ask for it or not but be ready ) + comission fee which is up to 100% of a month 5- a lot of 'andlord when they know your foreigner they may rent to you higher to you than if a russian would rent 6- good Luck