Is there an ART to showing Rental Properties & Not Wasting Time?

[Jon S.]

I'm showing my triplex and have one unit rented as of May 1, but the other two units seem to be getting viewed by less serious people. It has only been one week since I started listing in publications like Zillow, Trulia, Apartments, Hot Pads, etc. I'm just not used to people seeing the apartment, saying they like it, then not doing follow up. I'm not sending them an application unless they are really serious. The first ones that came were so serious, they followed up immediately, they paid for their application fee in person, they filled out the applications online right away, did th eback ground checks online, and got their cosigners background checks done, and got the leased signed within about 5 days total. So I'm guessing that is unusual, since the next 5 people to see it did no follow up. Just wondering, is their an art to doing this, should I be getting them to fill out certain information before I show it to them, should I be screening them over the phone before agreeing to show the apartments? Or am i doing the right thing, by showing it to anyone that shows interest, and then getting their info if they show serious intention to rent it? Thanks

[Jim Shepard]

I don't normally do appointments anymore. I got tired of prospects not showing up. I now do an open house for 1 hour on Wednesday night and 1 hour on Sunday afternoon. If you can have an extra person there in case you get busy. You have to learn quicly to size up prospects (tire kickers) so you can get to the next prospect. I've been doing it this way for more than 6 or 7 years. It also creates a lot of excitement and competition to rent the unit. The prospects are thinking when there are 2 or 3 other people looking "I better grab this now"! Works for me.