Application or showing for rental first?

Question

Just listed my first property and have people already asking for showings.  Do you ask them to apply first or show them the house first?

Filipe Pereira · Answer

Always pre - screen @Kevin Means! If you are looking for a automated process to do this, check out this post: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

You should also stagger your showings to be most time efficient. Schedule 3 people for a 15 minute window. 1 won't show up, 1 will be 10 minutes late, and the other will be right on time....ask me how I know! LOL

Andrew Powers · Answer

Pre-screen, open house (couple hour time block), then applications.

If a potential tenant cannot make it to the open house and they're really interested, they'll message me to schedule another time.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

I would do pre-screening and then show them the house. Full application is kind of excessive and many people will push back on that. Just ask these questions:

1. Is monthly income is 2.5 (or 3) times rent?

2. Have you ever been evicted or asked to leave a property?

3. How long have you had your current job?

4. Do you have any animals, if so what type and how many?

5. When are you looking to move into a place?

You don't need proof of income at this point, but you just want to weed out people who don't make enough money. Of course edit the list of questions as you see fit to match your criteria. One other bit of advice. If you setup a showing, have them text you when they leave to go to the property. Tell them if they don't text you that you will not show up at the property. You will get lots of no-shows in this business so don't waste your time and don't worry about it.

Steven Foster Wilson · Answer

@Kevin Means I tell them my criteria (3x income of rent, 600+ credit score, no evictions, etc...)

Then I show them the place, if they like it, they apply, I always try to save people from spending $40 on an app fee until they know they are qualified and like the place.

Kevin Means · Answer

@Filipe Pereira that was another question I was thinking of is whether or not you can show a house to people at the same time or if they should be separate!

Kevin Means · Answer

Thats a good idea to pre screen. We just moved about 35 minutes from our old house (the one that will be the rental) and I dont want to waste my time if they arent qualified.

Application or showing for rental first?

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