Allow rental applications without seeing the home?

[Tyler Stephenson]

I have my rental listed with zillow and I receive a lot of application requests without seeing the home.  I typically do not allow applications without a tour first.  Some people are out of state, but I feel you should always see it first to make sure the neighborhood and home is a perfect fit.  

What situations would you allow applications without seeing the home in person?

[Gail K.]

What situations would you allow applications without seeing the home in person?

None (but I am a small time landlord).  Well, let me put it this way; I don't rent to folks who haven't seen the property first.  Learned my lesson years ago; had a young military couple moving from across the country.  All excited about having a place when they hit town.  Sent tons of pictures to them.  Once they showed up the husband liked the house; the wife suddenly decided nope; not new enough, didn't like the neighborhood although they had been there all of 1/2 hour (and it was actually a pretty quiet neighborhood with easy travel to the Fort he would be stationed at).  I just showed them the door and told them good luck.

Now if someone is coming from out of state and can't view the property in person I suggest they find a friend or relative who lives local to do the walk through for them.  This isn't too hard with military folks.

Eyeballing potential tenants goes both ways.  They get to see the property; I get to view them.

Gail