too much of a good thing!

[Kenneth Preston]

My wife and I have fixed up a foreclosure home to rent. Higher end finishes, at a moderate price, to attract the best renters. We posted to craigslist, at 9pm. By 4:30 am, we had 10 responses. OK, it's craigslist, so I figured my "weed out" form email explaining that I want a 650 FICO and 50k income would weed out 9 out of 10 of them.We are at 31 hours since the ad went up. I have 40 replies, 10 think my conditions are fine, and want to meet me tonight or tomorrow, in a narrow time frame, I set up.

how do you handle the logistics of all these eager folks wanting in, at the same time? Even if it is only 5 folks who want it, how do you decide who should apply, and what if several of them pass screening? How do I avoid legal ramifications? Do I have to return screening fees? Are there other complications I haven't thought of, yet?

[Jon Holdman]

I base in on the first qualified applicant to submit an application.  Applications matter, not calls.   Mark a date and time on the application when you receive it, evaluate them in the order you receive them.  Have a set of written criteria for acceptance.  First qualified applicant that agrees to and signs a lease and hands over the full first month and full deposit in cash or equivalent gets it.