Landlord dilemma - prioritizing applications

[Mike Pederson]

Hey experienced landlords, I am looking for some advice.  I just listed my new property for rent and have gotten an overwhelming response, which is great.  I thought I was already pricing at top of market.  

I started telling people that I would consider applications in the order they were received.  Based on the number of of applications I am expecting to receive at the open house Saturday, I am questioning whether "first in/first consider" is the correct way to go.  I have now e-mailed the application to several people who I believe will come prepared with completed application, application fee, and even payroll stub copies.  

Ethically, am I now obligated to stand by "first in/first consider" or is there a way I can re-position to have more flexibility on which application I consider first.  I also do not want to open myself up to any issues on discrimination etc.  

Advice would be greatly appreciated.  

[Steve Vaughan]

@Mike Pederson.  Good question and position I find myself in often as well.  I consider all applications received on the same date to be 'first'.  What I mean is, I go to the tiebreakers listed on my 'general qualifications sheet' and briefly peruse all the apps I received at the same time, looking for move-in timeframe, (they may not want to move for 2 months), term they want, #of people (are they pressing occupancy limits), if they smoke, if they have pets, does their income pencil out, special requests (did they ask to paint or do things to the place?).  I can at least discard the outliers before I get into it too far.  

That said, I am not a fan of the open house in a tight rental market.  I will spend a week responding to and dealing with the let-down applicants here. Sounds like there, too.  I prefer to place an ad on craigslist.  After the description of the unit or property, I ask 3 or 4 questions. ("Is this place far from your work?" Do you smoke?" Do you have pets?" How soon would you like to move?"etc.) If the responder does not answer, they get filed.  If they do answer and sound promising, we begin corresponding via the cl e-mail.  A little further, they get my number and we talk on the phone.  This way I only show or ask my tenant to show once or twice.  Hope this helps!