New landlord.. Tenant Screening service? Rural area. Mentor

[Michael Beeman]

Hello BP, I'm Michael Beeman.

I recently purchased a large older home with a garage that I am turning into a 3 plex, and in May I'm closing on a 6 unit apartment.  I got some really great deals on these units.. But, as a First time landlord to be I have been listening to every podcast on landlording and reading but i still have a few questions....\

Tenant Screening.. There is a lot of good information on here about Tenant Screening .. What products have you had the best luck with for background checks?  What specialized questions should be on an apartment rental application? What have you had luck with accepting/not accepting when it comes to rental applications?

What land lording tips do you have?  I'm quite nervous about this area of the business, What little tidbits have you found that seem to work well. 

I live in a Rural area and I'm brand new to this so Josh and Brandon and the 100 or so older podcasts I've listend to have made them my de facto mentors that have never met me lol; I have searched bigger pockets and I can't find anyone from my SouthEast Rural Illinois area that is active in Bigger Pockets; Do you have any tips on finding someone that could Mentor or just help me along in this area?  From the few landlords (none are on BP) that I have found in my area.. I haven't talked to a single one that does any kind of background check, it's kind of a headache..

I know that I will have units to fill come mid April/early May. How soon do you start advertising locally for tenants to apply?  

I apologize, I know that there are a lot of questions here.. I am just new and have a lot of questions..

[Greg Barbre]

I use Transunion Smartmove... have the prospective tenet fill out the online application.  They pay the fee and you get credit and background check.  

Might I suggest you advertise right away. you want as little vacancy as possible.  Start with craigslist and see what kind of responses you get.