All Forum Posts by: Aly W.

@Kimberly H., I'm sure we could start a new thread about real estate agents in regards to rentals!

@Kimberly H., true that's not how math works, but hey, take that $2550! :)

It's so easy when they disqualify themselves :)

And today's prize winning applicant:

Calls and is polite and friendly. I ask the usual questions, since she (like nearly all of the callers) has not read the requirements for renting. Credit score is ok, has a decent job.

Me: Do you have any evictions, judgments or criminal history? We check.

Caller: No, nothing like that. I have a rental history, and right now my daughter and I are renting from a family member (1st red flag). 

Me: Ok, I always ask, because people will tell me they have no issues and then I find out differently.

Caller, laughing: No problem, I understand. 

Me: Ok, let me check with my current tenant about seeing it today and I'll text you back.

I should have typed her name in the county courthouse web site while I still had her on the phone, because there it was - an eviction filing 2 years ago. It was settled, but I called her to ask her about it and she said it was all a misunderstanding, the apartment leasing office thought it was someone else involved, blah blah. She didn't sound at all upset that I found it, and that she didn't think it was important enough to mention. I wished her luck in her search. 

And today's "most interesting" exchange so far from FB Marketplace.

Yesterday, a woman had been messaging me with questions about the rental, for her boyfriend, until I finally told her to have him call me.

He called this morning, says he's a freelance dance instructor, and makes between $20K and $30K a year, it fluctuates. I told him that isn't enough to pay $1365 in rent. 

This afternoon, I decided to reduce it to $1335. So his girlfriend messages me immediately, saying he made a mistake, that he really makes between $40K and $45K a year and has the bank deposits to prove it.

I don't think she understands that bank deposits could be from anything. They are not pay stubs or W2's. And if he didn't realize he made nearly twice as much as he first thought, how good is he with finances? And why is she still the one messaging me? Yes, I could ask for tax returns, but it doesn't seem worth it. 

Thanks Patricia, I just tried that :) And I found the checkbox to "not show address" in the listing. I deleted my original one and reposted it with the unit number, but it still just shows it as either Activated (but declined), or Deactivated. Trying to re-activate it simply posts the original again.

I don't see a way to permanently delete the listing to start fresh. 

I know this is an old thread, but I'm having this problem now. Our rental is listed in a complex with a single street address. I don't want to add the unit number, as I don't want random people disturbing our current tenant. But this address is already listed on Zillow/Trulia/Hotpads by another owner and I can't claim it. That listing does not have a unit number, either, nor do several others at that address. 

I can't see how to contact the site to "claim" my own listing, since it's declined. Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks!

@Account Closed, I'll pass them on to you! :)

Again from Facebook Marketplace, via the Messenger.

Bianca: Yes, my sister and I both have high enough credit scores (625 is required)

Me: Great, what is your income?

Bianca: Umm.....I think mine is $3000.

Me: A month? Are you sure? How long have you been at your job and what do you do?

Bianca: 4 months, so I'm not really sure how much it is.

Me: You're not sure? How much does your sister make?

Bianca: $6000 a month.

Me: Really? Combined, you make over $100,000 a year?

Bianca: Well, I'm not really sure.

Me: If you make $3K a month and she makes $6K a month, that's over $100,000 a year. Is that accurate?

Bianca: Umm...no, I'm sure about mine but not about hers.

Me: Where are you two living now? Do you have a rental history?

Bianca: We live with our parents.

Me: Unfortunately, this won't work out.

I just posted it on another BP thread, Tenant Applicants Say The Dumbest Things. I would rephrase that to be, Facebook Marketplace applicants say the dumbest things!

Example 1:

(And yes, the address and name of the complex are in the listing)

Robin: I don't see a unit number in the listing. I want to do some research and send it to my realtor.

Me: "I don't post the unit number until I have pre-qualified a tenant to go see it. I'm the owner and don't work with realtors."

Robin: That's unfortunate. I'm relocating to that area and know nothing about it other than I work there.

Me, thinking: Hmmmm, this might end up on Bigger Pockets; let's see where it goes.

Robin: My best friend Mother's a realtor. I would like to scout the areas for us, including past history of the apartments. They're just looking out for us, but without a unit number they wouldn't be able to look it up. I have to say, the idea of working with a landlord who refuses to work with a realtor is off-putting to say the least. Can I ask why you decided not to?

Me, thinking: Yup, definitely a good post for this thread! Let's continue. "I've never needed a realtor to rent a condo. What past history are you looking for?"

Robin: There are only four units on the MLS and none of them are yours oh, so you definitely haven't posted it. To be honest, I'm looking for background on whoever the landlord or management company is. The last two places I rented had terrible landlords that weren't even located in South Florida so anytime we needed something it would take days to get a response let alone a solution. Also, to find out what kind of History the unit itself has. If there was ever a flood, fire, crime reported there in, etc etc. I have a 5 year old son I need to worry about silly things like mold in the walls, having them do all that background for me lets me ask the right questions.

Me, thinking: I'm done responding, but this is definitely going on BP!

Robin: Not that it matters, we really like yours because you would allow dogs and for his birthday this year we're planning on getting him his first dog, but to be honest this is already more trouble than it's worth considering their other units. I can appreciate you taking the time to speak to me, but I'm sure you won't I have a problem finding tenants, the photos you posted are lovely. If we decide Dragon passed by the community and look at units without my realtor I'll reach out to you, but like I said I live in West Kendall and won't be driving an hour north to just wander neighborhoods blindly.

Me, thinking: How much trouble did it take for him to type all this, plus it's probably not worth mentioning the unit's multiple murder/flood/fire/mold issue (just kidding) in a town he works in but knows nothing about. And I have no idea what he meant by Dragon.