All Forum Posts by: Angie W.

@Bill S. thanks for the info, that really helps me to script my original response. My rental is in a lower middle class neighborhood and sometimes the conversations are not too pleasant and sometimes downright rude when they don't like my requirements. I've tried typing up bullet points which help me to cover the basics but always stumbled about how to start. I just need to practice I guess. I do use a Google Voice # and have a detailed greeting asking to leave a message if interested because I did have a yard sign for a short stint. I like it also because I can deactivate it later and not be bothered once it is rented.

@Colleen F. This rental doesn't have a basement or much storage either. I try to work that in somewhere in the beginning - esp. the no basement as some think that they can live with 2 BR and use the basement.

@Michael Seeker Unfortunately, the area this rental serves doesn't do well when using online only. Although, I am currently taking a few days to re-evaluate my application and advertising strategy and am thinking of trying it again. The last time I didn't allow emails and only included a phone # to call. I may try the email approach and see how that works.

While I know the information I want to know when someone calls about my property, I always stumble when first answering a call.

Me: Hello, How may I help you?

Caller: Yes, I'm calling about the house for rent?

At this point I sometimes state the # of bedrooms/bathrooms, monthly rent and deposit. Other times I may ask what I can tell them about it. If they are still interested it seems I get into a series of me asking questions or making statements about requirements. It feels like an interrogation.

How do you lead into the conversation after the initial "I'm calling about the house for rent?"

@Account Closed I know you didn't mean to lie to them about vacancy being filled...I was just clarifying for other responses to the thread.

I have a written criteria and one of them is residential history for the last 5 years. They are the most persistent couple I have ever had fill out an application. They have each left a voice message (2 hours apart), so I will be calling them today to tell them they were not accepted. I know they will ask why and I am going to tell them due to lack of residential/rental history.

I am currently working on revamping my application and tweaking my screening process to make this less stressful. It's all a learning experience.

Thanks for all of the replies. I haven't even got as far as checking credit.

The girl is 25 and the guy is 31. I ask for the last five years of residential history and both only listed the current place they have rented for about the last year. When I told them that I needed their previous addresses the response was "this is the only place we've had together" which I told them would be a problem. Unless they were living under a bridge they had to live SOMEWHERE during the last 5 years.

I pressed the guy to provide previous addresses and he didn't even know where he had lived. I think he was hiding something from the girlfriend. I've decided to pass and not even contact them as I never charged them an app fee. I told them they could contact me.

I would never say a vacancy is filled unless it truly was. This particular couple actually lived about 3 doors down and would know I was lying. I like the idea of contacting people by mail. Most people who are lying about something would expect you to deny anyway.

@Christina R. Here is a link to a form here on BiggerPockets that lists interview questions for a property mananger. Maybe this will help you.

http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/biggerpo/file/74-property-manager-interview-worksheet

Here in Columbus I use an independent agent for all my insurance. I was with Cincinnati, and am currently with Safeco. I feel both offer reasonable rates.

I am currently looking into this also because of time constraints at the moment.

I really like @Mark Ferguson idea. I recently asked a PM to email me a sample contract as well as a sample lease that they use so that I may look over it and address anything that I may not agree with. It also gave me a good idea of ALL of the charges.

I would like to find one that has a little skin in the game, to find and retain a quality tenant who takes care of the place and pays on time.

I have an unmarried couple that has applied to rent my SFR. While the female of the couple seems to be on the up and up, the male is throwing up red flags everywhere.

I have been dealing with the female and feel that I need to deny them based on all the info that does not add up on her boyfriend. She does not have enough income or rental history to qualify on her own.

What am I allowed to disclose to the girlfriend when I call to deny? Anyone familiar with privacy laws?

I wouldn't think so. My philosophy is the first approved person to put money in my hand and sign the lease is the one who gets to rent.

I take and screen applications until someone signs a lease and pays all deposits and first months rent. Until that happens I feel I am not obligated to anyone.

Did you agree to a Nov. 1st move in date as a condition of the lower rent for the first applicant? Are both applicants equally qualified?

IMO until you get a commitment from any applicant (signed lease, deposit,rent) you are free to continue to market the property and screen potential tenants. Otherwise you're wasting time waiting on someone who may just walk away.

@Sam Leon That's exactly what I would be looking for right now. Maybe I should start by contacting the realtor I have used for several years for looking at/selling/buying properties. I know she doesn't do it but maybe she would know someone who does.

Right now we just have a lot going on and don't have time/patience to deal with this process. Thanks for the tip!