New member from Fayetteville AR

[Susan H.]

Hi everyone,

I'm a writer and professor by trade with a single-residence rental that had been my own home for years after retiring from military service. My property is located a mile from a fast-growing university and an interstate with easy access to shopping, restaurants, etc.  I'm very fortunate to have had professionals rent the house (she's an MD, he's a chef) for the past three years and will be sorry to see them leave in late July. 

I did some things right with that first rental (scheduling an open house instead of individual appointments, for example, and screening applicants) but there's definitely room for improvement. I used a paper application that first time, collected personal checks for the credit check and ran that myself, and didn't have a process in place for applicants who were college students with parents willing to pay the rent. 

I'd love to hear from folks using online apps and having applicants pay for credit/criminal checks themselves. I'm sure there's much more to think about; fortunately I have a bit of time since my tenants kindly gave me plenty of notice!

~Susan