All Forum Posts by: Jenifer Kynor

Congratulations! The thing I always emphasize the most is SCREEN, SCREEN, SCREEN. It is very important when searching to fill your vacancy that you invest your time in finding software that will help you as a landlord. There are great services out there that assist in marketing your property, creating online applications and screening your tenants for you. 

Some other things I would always recommend to do are:

1. Invest in having professional photos of your property taken.

2. Spend a little extra time to increase your curb appeal.

3. Always have a set of written criteria before you start searching for tenants.

4. Always run a full background check, credit check, and eviction report on any applicant above the age of 18. 

5. Call landlord and work references before making a decision. 

6. Utilize your resources; walk your landlords to their car following a showing or hand deliver a lease to the applicant to better understand the condition they leave their personal property in. 

7. Always, ALWAYS follow your gut instinct. 

Good luck and if you need any software recommendations, please reach out! 

Hi Tim, 

Another thought is just to consider pet interviews. Different breeds of dogs really do have completely different personalities and energy levels. If you're concerned about have an age policy, this could be an alternative. The apartment complex I lived at and used to work for would potentially allow any breed and any age dependent on its pet interview and how it got along with other dogs that were in the office. 

Always something to keep in mind! 

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Hi Jing, 

Are you looking for a new property manager or are you interested in managing the property yourself? There is a lot of great software out there that helps independent landlords manage their own property.

If you would like any software recommendations, please reach out! 

Hi Tony, 

I always recommend charging an application fee for screening a tenant. Without a fee, renters are most likely applying in multiple places and that could result in you wasting your time showing and screening a renter, who ultimately won't end up renting from you. Time is money, and I think requiring an application fee ensures you aren't wasting your time. 

My suggestion would be to reimburse your tenant the application fee once they move in (if most landlords in your area aren't charging an application fee). In addition, maybe your price point, qualifications, or security deposit could be what's concerning tenants? It's absolutely worth looking into. 

Good luck! 

Hi Aimeelene, 

My best recommendation to pre-screening renter leads is clarify for your requirements within your description. For example, write "Requires X credit score, must make X times the monthly rent" at the end,  so when you start receiving inquiries hopefully the renters are aware of that and understand your requirements. Another option is before you have your renter apply, pre-screen over the phone and be sure they meet your minimal requirements before you have them fill out the application. 

If you need any recommendations for online applications, please reach out! 

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HI Kyle,

I personally would be posting on all of the large listing sites; Zillow, Trulia, Hotpads, Craigslist, Rent.com, etc. There is software out there that will take care of most of the questions you're asking about. For example, you can search online for a software that will do all of your marketing for you by posting your property to all the listing sites so you do not have to. You can also find online applications and screening services as well on software .

If you need any suggestions, please reach out to me directly and I can help out with that! 

To answer some of your questions, yes, I would absolutely charge for an application. By requiring an application fee, only serious renters are going to apply. If not, the renters you'll be screening and showing your unit to most likely have applications turned in for multiple properties. 

To attract better quality tenants, it may be worth it to have professional photos of your unit taken, really focus on curb appeal, and make sure your unit is priced fairly. Finally, have high standards for your screening requirements. It is better to spend a little more time searching for the right tenant rather then getting the unit rented out quickly and potentially dealing with an eviction later on. 

Hi Shawn, 

It depends on what you are looking for in a property management service. For example, is your goal to fill our vacancies and market your property or if you're looking for something to help with your accounting. for example. There are some great free services out there that are really beneficial for growing landlords.

If you need any suggestions, please reach out to me directly. I am more than happy to help! 

"I never say "no" - I always give them an option of how to get it done!" That is great! I agree with everything on here and hope more landlords start doing this! Great advice.