Any tips to prevent no shows?

Question

I am new to the rental world.  Currently I have 4 rentals, I have gotten my easer 2 rented the two I am left with are both completly redone and very nice houses, they each have some crappy neghibors but are still in good areas.

I keep getting stood up for showings.  I use to wait around for 20 mins before I would call it a no show and now I have a 5 min pollicy.  Im getting fed up with this.

How you do your show your houses? I place ads on craigslist and then set up times via email I would say I get stood up half the time if not more.  Any tips on how you do it or questions you ask would be ver ymuch appericated
Thanks

Jon Holdman · Answer

I prefer e-mail, too, but this is a phone intensive business.  I've completely given up on craigslist e-mails.  I put in a phone number and tell them to call.  If they e-mail, I tell them to call.

I absolutely do a "pre questionnaire".  Specifically, I list my qualifications - income, employment, rental history, criminal background.  I tell them I do verify the info, and will be making calls. I ask flat out "any of that going to be a problem?"

I don't do an open house per se.  I just tell them all the same time.  As Ryan says, I tell them to call 30 minutes before the scheduled time, and I tell them if they don't call, I won't be there.  I do not call them.  I only show once a week.  I try to get at least four showings arranged.  That rarely means I have zero show up.  Usually two, occasionally one or three.  Never four.  If its getting close to the end of the month, and I don't have a tenant lined up, I might do an extra showing.

I also ask if they've seen the house.  Only a problem for Craigslist, and I get the bulk of my calls from a yard sign.  If they haven't seen it, I tell them to drive by and call me back if they want to see the inside.  That way I know they know what they're getting.

Mitch Kronowit · Answer

Two words: "Open house"

I don't schedule private showings. I simply announce when the property will be available for viewing and bring pens and applications for those interested enough to show up.

Ryan B. · Answer

A suggestion I learned from another BP member (Jon Holdman), if it takes you 20 minutes to get to the house, tell the people to call you 30 minutes before the scheduled showing.  If they don't call, don't go.

Aly W. · Answer

As Jon and others have said, they need to call 30 minutes (or whatever time) before the appointment. I tell them if they don't confirm, it won't be shown. That's after I do the pre-qual on the phone.

I schedule as many showings on the same day as possible and at the same time. That way I, or my contractor, isn't wasting time running back and forth and tenants see that others are interested. I also mention that since I'm paying my contractor for his time, he won't wait more than 10 minutes...if they're late or lost, they have to call. I never call a tenant to confirm. I learned that if I call them to ask if they're coming, they'll always say yes and not show up.

No shows have dropped to practically zero. As for the craigslist ads, I've gotten nearly all my tenants from there. If they email asking me to call, I reply that they can call me. I'm going to do what Carlos suggested though, and hide the email in the next ad.

Mitch Sheean · Answer

I always use the phone and get their phone number. It's good to ask those pre-qualifying questions to make sure they know if it's a good fit. If so I usually tell them I am doing showings on a particular day and that I will be showing it to others around the same time. I try to make appointments in 15 minute intervals. This allows me to show to one person at a time but this usually overlaps. When they see others it creates an urgency for all involved. If they don't show you don't have too long to wait for the next person.

I always get their number and call them the day before to confirm and then an hour or two before to confirm so that they know I expect them to come. If they don't answer I don't show unless I have others coming to look.

Jon Holdman · Answer

Yeah, I know.  But once in a great while there is a real e-mail.  The vast majority of them are doctors living in the UK and moving to the US with their daughter.  So weird that's such a common occurrence :-).

Carlos Flores · Answer

Jon - You can force CL not to display the email link at the top of the ad.  When creating the posting, click the Hide radio button.

George P. · Answer

Ask to call 30 min prior to confirm, If they don't call, don't bother driving there.

Joel Owens · Answer

Yeah I had that too.Tenant called off of Craigs list ad.Once they drove by it didn't meet their expectations.They wanted granite and all that stuff for 875 a month when for that area you will have to pay 1,250 to 1,300 to get 2 bed 2 bath like that.

Also get tenants transferring from out of state.I tell them if you get down here and take a look and they are still available then I will show you the inside.

I also ask when a call comes in where did they hear from us?? If it's Craigslist I know I need to ask if they have driven by??

If it's off the yard sign they have already seen the exterior and want to see inside.

Qualifying tenants just as you do with buyers and others things will save you time.

Ryan Scritchlow · Answer

I will start using the phone more I prefer emails over phone calls as my phone rings enough during the day and emails let me get back to people in blocks when it works for me, Has any one ever done a pre questionare before you show a property?

I have done the open house set up twice and didnt have very good results but will keep trying

Great advice thanks

Any tips to prevent no shows?

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