All Forum Posts by: Denise B.

I only do open houses due to the sheer volume of inquiries.  With the unit I just filled, I had 233 email inquiries and 17 phone calls.  I responded to all with a canned response that included the open house date/time and my application and documentation requirements (most were already in the listing).  27 parties showed up at the open house and 5 submitted completed applications.  The open house was definitely a time saver for me!

Thanks for the responses! I appreciate your feedback and best practices.  I don't mark up the application fees - I just pass the cost along to the applicant - so accepting applications is not a money making thing for me. With so many responses, I'm purposefully not talking to people ahead of the open houses - just sending my criteria and leaving it to them to opt out on their own, if they know they obviously won't qualify.  I'll plan to be transparent about the number of applications and if they choose to submit, that's on them.  I want to keep accepting apps until a lease has been signed and I have a deposit in hand.  Thanks again! 

I listed a townhome for rent in my very tight rental market on Monday and I've received well over 100 inquiries.  I've been responding via email/text with a link to my application and application requirements and the times for my open houses this coming weekend.  I'm getting a little concerned about the number of people that may show up.  In the past, I've received 20-50 inquiries and maybe 10 parties show up at the open house with 3-4 actually submitting an application.  I have no expectation that everyone will come but I do think there's potential for more than 5-10 applications to be submitted.  I have written requirements about income, credit score, etc so the applicants should be able to determine if they meet the base requirements on their own.  How many apps do you normally accept on a unit?  If you are running an open house, do you accept all applications offered during that open house or do you pause acceptance at some point to process the apps already received?

I second the recommendation for Capital One 360!  

Hi all,

I’m looking for recommendations for a good attorney to handle an eviction in the Lehigh Valley area of PA.  The property is located in Palmer Township, Northampton County.  Thanks in advance for your help!

My understanding is that only the property taxes that you deduct on your personal home would be impacted.  The property taxes related to your rental properties are a business expense on Schedule E and not itemized deductions.   I'm not an accountant but that's how I'm reading it. 

@Mindy Jensen and @Marian Smith - thanks for your responses!

It definitely is weird.   I think you're right Marian - that she was trying to figure out if they would approve her for electric service.  I asked the electric company to flag my address to notify me of any attempted name changes.

I'm in the process of trying to fill an open unit.  One prospective applicant seemed great in person - very friendly, polite, punctual, gainfully employed, etc.  She said she had 'average' credit.  When I ran her credit, it was a disaster.  Low score, accounts in collection and a recently repossessed car.  I sent her a denial letter.  Well, I just received a letter addressed to her at the rental unit's address from the electric utility.  She applied for service at that address and was declined an account (she owed them over $6K).  Why would she apply for electric service when I denied her application?  I'm worried there's a scam in the making here.  Any thoughts?

If my offer was fair, my response often is 'That was my best offer'.  

My husband bought a rental property in his name only and we now have an approved applicant ready to sign a lease. I did the tenant screening and will be the main point of contact for the tenant i.e. serve as the property manager. Should my name be on the lease or should the lease list my husband as the landlord even though he intends to have little to no contact with the tenant? If he goes on the lease as the landlord, I'm concerned it will undermine my position with tenants.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Denise