All Forum Posts by: Bemnet Merha

@Tiffani T. did you find a good CPA? I am looking for someone in WA that is investor friendly.  Can you post recommendations you gathered?

I just got my first rental property and finished the rehab (yaay) and am about to list it. I was advised to have written tenant screening criteria. I compiled one as below and would love your feedback. Also as per WA state law landlords must list screening criteria. https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.257. Do you normally include detailed criteria (as below) or keep the listing criteria generic?  I ask because I don't see many listings online that don't include much detail...and wondering if I should.

• All 18+ applicants must complete the application and pay the application fee.
• Credit score of 700+, No bills in collection.
• Steady employment or other acceptable source of regular income for 3+ years.
• Gross monthly income at least 3.5 times the monthly rental rate.
• Monthly payment Debt-to-gross-income ratio no higher than 40%.
• Positive landlord references
• No evictions
• Cash available for security deposit and first month’s rent
• No Pets allowed
• Sublease and sharing, airbnb not allowed,
• Reusable tenant screening not allowed
• Evidence of responsible character … i.e. reference letters, follows instructions, no lying, shows up on time, no major criminal record.

Appreciate your feedback!

Quote from @Ray Weaver:

I've been trying to use RentRedi for the past few months.  Not a fan... Couldn't batch import my units (address, description, etc),  cumbersome user-interface for example. Help bot is responsive, but only has simple FAQ type answers. Same for their live help desk.  Often their instructions don't match the options on RentRedi (I assume the help cut&paste was from an older version) Good effort, but very frustrating when your spending so much time on something that is supposed to save you time.

Then issues with actual screening process. Prospective tenants won't use the pre-qualification process as it wants to to install an ap on their phone. Yes, you can create a way around this, but it defaults to implying they have to install an ap. The RentRedi emails to tenants don't prepopulate with the tenant names. RR insists that my SFH have a unit # in addition to the address which is confusing for all. So I found a tenant that passed my prequalification (done within RR) and I want to send them an application from within RR... have to re-enter their name and email to invite them to apply. Lots of simple things that should be automated are not. I'm not sure I think RR will be worthwhile - even the basic things are a hassle.

Hopefully RentRedi spends some money on making a great product rather than a half-baked product that will just get a bad rep and fail.  I know you get what you pay for sometimes, but it can't be that hard to improve some simple things.

Can any recommend a comparably priced PM? 

How about the actual screening process. I understand they use TransUnion and tenants pay? Is the report you get back detailed enough? Do they cover things like former employer, former Landloard, etc? My state (WA) has a landlord association that does screening but it’s not streamlined, you have to email them tenant application manually, pay yourself, etc. I wonder if should use this or not.  https://walandlord.org/tenant-screening-info/

Hi am planning to switch from a property manager company for long term tenants to RentRedi.

Can you share some tips if you have done this before?

1. How did you handle things like moving the lease over? Did have the tenants sign a new lease with your or keept the one from the PM company?

2. rentRedi provides maintenance addon for 15-25$ per month. Have you used this service? Do you recommend it.? 

Any tips or suggestions appreciated!

Thank you

Bemnet 

I had the same question and got few leads. See https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/517/topics/1148671-refe...

I am building my booth on the ground team and I am starting with real estate agents/PM. 

If you are an agent yourself or know someone you worked with tag them here. 

I am looking for someone who is: 

- investing themself in MF in the region. 

- has experience working with out-of-state investors

- do property management themself. (optional)

- has experience in managing/overseeing a rehab. (optional)

Thank you for your referral. 

PS: I am aware of the find an agent feature in BP, but it can't filter based on these ^^ criteria. 

Hi Danny,

I am in the same boat as you. I am looking to expand my out of state investment in Columbus, OH. I recently got connected to @joshjanus following his interview on the BP podcast. https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/joshjanus

He already sent me lots of useful info. Reach out to him if interested.