Just Listed my apartment....bombarded with calls and emails!

[Robert P.]

So I just listed my very first apartment EVER! I posted on both Zillow and Craigslist and have received about 10 emails and 5 calls in the last 12 hours (posted at 10pm).

My approach right now is to have an "open house" style showing this coming weekend and have everyone come, instead of separate appointments. 

It's definitely a bit overwhelming. I was not expecting this much traffic right off the bat. Any tips? People are asking about pets, section 8, etc. My approach for this is have whoever apply and then pick who I want from the applications. Good approach?

Thanks BP, you always have my back on my first journey to "landlordship"!

[Jeff Rightmyer]

@Robert P. I do this every day of every week...and it does get overwhelming. Establish a system now, all incoming calls you can put into a separate contact folder on your phone so you know who is what. Get a paper application in hand, market that as a pre-screen contingent on final background check and credit check which can be done through transunion smart move if you are not using a property management. With the pre-screen application, you will be able to review their general info, income, pets, how many people etc and make a decision on who you want to move forward with, then send them the link to do their background and credit and get that back. Always keep at least 1-3 parties on the line in case something wild comes up (seriously, like a murderer from 1996 I had once). Be sure to keep deposit in an account thats public knowledge to the tenants, and always have an accurate and up to date ledger. If you need any help just PM me!