No Bites w/ Current Marketing

[Jason R.]

Hello all, 

I am curious if the market is slowing down or is it just a bad time of the year to market a home near the Denver area? 

I recently had marginal tenants move out of my Lakewood home and have spent just over a month fixing and cleaning things around the home. 

I know the best time to market a home is between spring and end of summer. However, I remember in the past people would blow up my inbox with requests to view the home. 

Now, its been on the market over a week with no views. 

I am currently using Turbotenant to market the home, which utilizes many websites (mostly free sites) however it does not post to Zillow. 

Would you recommend using Zillow? 

Thanks

[Jason Allen]

Quote from @Jason R.:

A positive update, I advertised on Zillow yesterday and now have 10 people scheduled for an open house. I'm a bit shocked that all of these sites generated zero interest. 

What are your thoughts on pre-screeners and applications? 

Of course youd want someone to fill out a pre-screener right away, however how do you approach them filling out an application? Do you wait until they have seen the home in person? Ive read some people do it prior to make sure they are serious. 

Also, how to answer when asked if you accept "vouchers" for section 8?

Zillow's background check is OK to use as a pre-screener (and only that), since it's cheap and can be used for multiple properties. Obviously use a real background check, like mysmartmove or rentprep, before you move forward on any applicant. I used to use an online screener, but in all honesty, very few applicants will actually end up filling them out.

I've found it's best, and actually quickest, to screen by phone. People, other than sociopaths and practiced liars, have a harder time lying to you verbally, at least compared to just "forgetting" a few evictions when filling out what is essentially an online survey. Especially if they aren't paying any money for it. If you run through a pre-screen by phone, you will get better at detecting when people aren't being completely honest and can either dig deeper or politely end the call and refer them to your "future" open house. 

Or if everything seemingly checks out, then schedule an actual showing right after, since they are already on the phone with you. Of course, it goes without saying that you need to verify everything from the pre-screen (so you don't actually end up renting to one of those smooth-talking sociopaths) and run a real BGC(not Zillow). 

As for Section 8, if it's not illegal in your state (this does vary by state, but you should already know if you are in a landlord-unfriendly state or not), just say, "we're unable to accept any vouchers at this time."