Help, can't get it rented, what am I doing wrong?

[Cali Skier]

All, We have honed the art of scaring off potentially good tenants...Help!   We have a very nice property, has been listed for 7 weeks, we have shown it ~25 times, we believe it is priced right. (we think it is, and others tell us it is.)  We have had a handful of tenants come through, act very interested, tell us they are coming back with spouse or whatever...

I go through this same process every time... and every time after the email goes out (step 3)... communication stops.  Note:  These are people that are texting or calling back after they have seen it, there is real interest, after step 3 it goes away.

Step 1:  Tenant Calls we set up showing

Step 2:  They see it, like it, want to start paper work

Step 3:  I send something like the following in an email

--- Begin Email---

Nice to meet you today, the following is a summary of what we discussed:

Rent: $1295

Deposit $975

Pet: $100 non refundable, $400 Deposit

The following is what I need to process your application:

Copy of each lessee's photo id

Copy of each lessee's most recent pay check stub

$35 application fee from each ($50 for married couple)

$975 holding fee - This holds the property and will become your deposit once you lease the property. This will need to be in the form of a money order or cashiers check so you will want to go to the bank tomorrow

The included files are:

004 and 005 I gave you in person, that's the criteria and application

007 Lease

009 Pet Addendum

010 Tenancy Guidelines

---End Email ---

I have my suspicion of what the problem is, but I don't want to taint your answers.

Thanks for any help, enjoy your day.

[Rob Gillespie]

Hi Cali,

I am not sure how your personality is, but the emails look very corporate. 

In my experience, PEOPLE do business with PEOPLE. Especially people they know, like and trust. 

When I rent out places, I try to be EXTREMELY cool with them. I will ask for docs, but I do it in steps. 

I found when you ask for too much up front it is overwhelming. Think of going on a first date and telling her all that you hope to accomplish with her in the next 12 months. (hopefully not too offensive. LOL) It would scare her off in my opinion. 

So perhaps try starting with handing an application. then as they are filling it out ask them if they are paying the fee with check, cash or card. 

tell them that you will review with partner and call them in 24 hours. (be cool)

When calling them back, let them know that you think you can work with them and ask if they would prefer to meet tomorrow morning or this afternoon to get the deposit and sign the lease. 

When you get there then start going over all of the other details. 

Some may argue this, but it works. If done correctly, you will fill units much quicker.

Good luck!

P.S. be careful running the same ad for 7 weeks. it will look stale and may not get as much attention. It will look like you are too picky or the place has issues. Change it up a bit with different profile pics.