All Forum Posts by: John Woodhouse

Hey John, I'm a local Cedar Rapids investor as well and have several single family houses we rent out. Between my experience and in talking with other local investors, the rental market seems to be softening for reasons no one knows. This may be some of what is attributing to your low inquiries. What I've noticed is most ~80% don't read the requirements before they reach out. The 3 big things that get more traction are: 1) good pictures 2) good pictures and 3) competitive rent. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! If I message you the address would you critique the pictures and price for me?

0 Votes

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Quote from @Saq Hussain:

Totally depends on your market, if I provide my phone number on the listing in my market, my phone would ring non-stop all day.. and they all want to see the space and swear they can afford it.. truth is, if someone is in the market to rent, they will submit the application; besides, Zillow applicants can submit unlimited applications within 30 days of paying a one-time $35 fee

I just discovered this about being able to send the same application multiple times. Makes a big difference in my thinking.

0 Votes

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Quote from @Charles Carillo:

@John Woodhouse

Putting the requirements for tenancy in your listing is a good idea (hopefully people will read them). The issue I see is you are requiring that potential tenants complete an application prior to seeing the property. I have never done this (as a landlord or as a tenant). If I was a tenant, I am not going to apply before looking at the property.

If it was my property, I am going to list the requirements, speak to the potential tenants on the phone, and then have them verbally confirm that they meet the requirements. Once they confirm, and if they sound somewhat professional on the phone (you get a good feeling); I would then schedule a showing. If you don't get a good feeling; tell them your property manager will be in touch to set up a showing within the next 48 hours.

Good point! I thought it might be a waist of time to show a property before getting an application because if they don’t meet the requirements then they can’t get a lease anyway. If I show it then they might be more sold to follow through with application and signing.

1 Vote

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hello,

I am trying to fill a vacancy. This is my second year with this property and both years I used Zillow to advertise it. I’m curious if you guys think this is a good customer dialogue to go with.

Generally on Zillow, the first question, the customer would ask is “is this property available for a showing at this time?” After that I just cut and paste from my notes this response:

Hello, before we continue do you meet these requirements?

1. Combined gross income for all tenants must be greater than $4000 (I will require three paystubs for verification)

2. Security deposit equal to one month of rent.

3. No animals.

4. Good renting references for past three years of renting history.

5. No felonies

6. No smoking

7. Must have $2,700 at time of lease signing for first months rent and deposit.

If you do, please send in an application through Zillow (one application per adult). If your application comes back clear, then we can schedule a showing of the property and sign a lease.

I’ve only gotten about 1 out of 10 queries to respond after I send that. Is that okay? Am I doing something wrong? I figured the reason they don’t respond is because they don’t meet the requirements.

Please let me know how you do it.

Thanks!

1 Vote

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

All Forum Posts by: John Woodhouse

John Woodhouse has started 2 posts and replied 5 times.

Post: Proper way to send notice to pay or quit

Post: No Response On Zillow!

Post: No Response On Zillow!

Post: No Response On Zillow!

Post: No Response On Zillow!