Statements That Potential Renter's say that make you nervous too?

[Jenny Milu]

I'm new at this, so please be kind! 

This is my first MTR and only rental at this time, I had one set of traveling nurses who were awesome and I just got a call from a second potential renter, yay! The unit has been vacant for almost two weeks now and of course I'm getting nervous and feeling all sorts of inadequate with no leads in sight! On the phone, the renters wife made a comment like "It's not like we've had a history of not paying rent before so you don't need to be worried" and I wasn't worried... until that comment made me second guess. 

I have what I feel like all the proper precautions in place of background / credit /  employer and previous landlord checks in place... and I'm waiting to get the information from the potential tenant to start the verification process... Does anyone else struggle with similar feelings? Does it just take time? Any suggestions, comments, and encouragement is welcomed!

[Liam Naughton]

Hi Jenny,

You got this!

I like having face-to-face meetings with potential tenants if possible. Otherwise, it's a lot of phone calls to previous landlords and employers to get a grip on what kind of person they are.

That being said, trust your gut! If you feel something is seriously off, it's better to wait another month for a good tenant than to get stuck with a bad one.

Another thing that we've done in the past is to ask the tenants who are leaving to recommend us to anyone who might be in their network. (for traveling nurses that might be as simple as posting on an internal chat that their lease is ending) That tends to lead to good quality tenants that are trustworthy and friendly. 

Hope that helps and best of luck!