New Landlord Seeking Advice on Potential New Tenant

[Matt Michaels]

Hi all,

I am a beginner real estate investor who two months ago purchased my first piece of real estate! It is a top/bottom duplex where I am househacking in the bottom unit and rent out the top. The lease for the tenants who live in the top unit is over at the end of September and I am currently in the process of finding new tenants for the top unit.

I have one potential new tenant (PNT) who is local and requesting to see the unit in person and a second PNT who is working in Seattle for the summer. The PNT who is in Seattle cannot meet in person to see the place and wants to discuss more information over the phone.

My main question for the BP community is how do I go about entertaining both of these tenants interests in the new place? If I show the one in person and call the other on the phone is that ok to avoid any legal ramifications in the tenant search process? Also, is it the first person who submits an application and passes the background/credit check who I move forward with as the tenant to fill the unit?

This is my first time going through this process and advice to ensure I make the search process as fair as possible is greatly appreciated!

MJM