All Forum Posts by: Kristi Beeksma

would you do a background and credit check on the guarantor?  I was thinking maybe just a credit check on the guarantor and the background check on the actual tenant?

I'm new too, and we're working on ours right now, but I created a canned response in an email that listed all of the qualifications and sent that to each prospect.  With over 30 inquiries in the first few days, we were able to weed some out with that letter.  If they met the qualifications, we offer them a showing.  We decided to do an open house format on Saturday since we still have about 7 good prospects, but this really helped narrow that down instead of showing the property 30 times.  Good luck!

Thanks everyone!  We've had over 30 responses in the last 2 days.  I sent out a standard email to each party re-iterating the criteria, and said they could follow up if they met these qualifications to set up a showing.  We have 6-8 prospects right now and decided to host an open house on Saturday instead of having appointments all day.  Can I refer them to cozy.co to our listing to fill out an application?  Also, should I be collecting any sort of deposit at the open house or after?   If someone offered higher than asking rent, is that unethical?  Sorry, again brand new to this whole thing, so your assistance is so appreciated.  This is such a great resource.  thank you again!

also, should I be charging an application fee?  How do I collect that since its free to do it via Cozy?

we listed our first SF rental on Sunday and received over 30 inquiries so far.  I followed up with an email or phone coversation listing the criteria we posted in our ads.  Amazing how many people didn't read the full ad....We have 6-8 qualified prospective tenants interested in seeing the house, based on the pre-screen.  I started scheduling appointments and we have now decided to host an open house on Saturday.   I've contacted all of these prospects to attend within the window and planning on using cozy for the application and background check/credit reports.  At the open house, should I give them the link to the cozy listing to apply online?    Should I give them a deadline - i.e 'we will be reviewing applications on Sunday'.  Are we able to make our decision based on the strongest applicant, or do we need to offer the next step to the first qualified applicant who applies?  Secondly, when should we collect a deposit?  thank you!

thank you all!

very basic question for all of you pros here, but I'm a newbie with our first SF rental about to hit the market.  I'm signed up with Cozy and it seems to be a very streamlined process for everything except the lease.  Questioning how and what order everyone is doing their tenant contact and screening.  My thoughts are the following steps:

1.  advertise listing with our contact info

2.  reply via email or phone conversation to potential tenants with rental criteria and link to the application and listing info on cozy page.

3.  set up a showing

4.  background and credit checks

5.  lease signing/collect first month rent and security deposit

any input?  Also, what is a good resource to obtain a lease?  I'm in Minnesota in case that makes a difference.

thank you!