Screening Showings for serious renters

[Derek Carroll]

I live an hour away from most of my SFRs and self manage.  When I have a vacancy I only want to show it to someone that is serious.  How do you screen out folks for showings who are just kicking tires or might not otherwise be interested?  I sometimes do group showings where everyone shows up at the same time.  Any other ideas?

[Bettina F.]

I advertise on Zillow Rentals which generates a TON of push button inquiries -- most who probably have not read the entire ad.  I follow up with detailed prewritten email where I spell out monthly income requirement (in $, not multiples of rent) and total move-in monies (again in $).  I also outline the app process and fees, and tell them what are disqualifiers.  This usually causes the grossly disqualified to self screen out.  I ask in this email "If you believe you are qualified and would like to see the property, please respond to this email."

Prospects who respond a second time are interested.  They are invited to an open house showing.  They are instructed to bring a paycheck stub and government issued photo ID to the showing.   We bring  a computer printer/copier, a card table, chairs and applications to the showing.  We show in teams.  Interested applicants can pay their app fee, complete their application, get their pay stub and ID copied right there.  My husband and I show in teams, both for safety and to handle the business when a crush of people arrive.  Usually one is doing the tour while one is assisting prospects complete applications.   If you do an on-line application, bring a laptop and let people apply right there. 

We used this process with our last vacancy.  Only needed two group showings and got multiple qualified applicants.  I refund the app fees to applicants if we end up not running their credit report.