Google Voice alternatives

[Justin Knighten]

Greetings,

I've recently listed my first property for rent and have found some trouble getting it filled.  One of the issues I've had is receiving tons of phone calls (at all hours...) and I'm not always available to answer.  I have a full time job and can't always get to the phone.  I'm also not crazy about having my personal number out there either. 

It seems like Google Voice is a reasonable answer, but their customer service sucks and apparently my number has been used before so I can't set up an account from my phone.  Is there a cheap/free alternative to GV?  I'm looking for something that has a separate number, that I can set a voicemail up for that can be property specific, that I can answer from my current phone.  I know there are paid services and such, however, we're just getting started, will probably be at 2 properties for a while, and I'd rather not spend a few hundred a year on this.

Thanks,

Justin