All Forum Posts by: Shawn Stiteler

I recently just rented my first unit. I put some pictures in a FB post with our number and qualification standards. I also used Zillow. Zillow was by far the best. We had over 100 inquires with in 1 week and multiple applications. We allowed Zillow to let people apply directly through Zillow which was AMAZING! Because by doing this the applicant was able to pay the $29 and you got the credit report, back ground check and criminal history check. Zillow also managed a messenger feed for all the inquiries. So we kept all of our communications on one spot. I think they also pushed the advertisement to a few other popular sites. It was also free! However, they allowed us to put like 25 pictures in the profile, but only showed 10. I never did figure out how to fix that or why that was. 

As far as finding rent amounts, its the same answer. We also used Zillow to show all the available listings in the same zip code. It really made things easy for us on our first one. We ended up having multiple high quality applicants to choose from. The best part is that we only had to show the unit a few times because we were able to see if they were qualified right up front. 

Hey, I'm sorry I can not help with referring a software. However, I just finished my first property (a brrrr deal) and I am sad to say I did not do a great job keeping track of expenses. I had most of the major expenses organized. It was the random trips to Home Depot/Lowes that really messed us up. I am now having a hard time remembering why I bought things and for what purposes. We tracked everything in a simple excel sheet on the laptop. We got accurate numbers from it, but still ended up a bit of a mess. So my 2 cents is write on every receipt (maybe the back of them) really what they were for (plywood for leveling dining room floor, etc.). Best of luck with your adventure! 

Hey everyone, 

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate all the feedback!

I recently just signed a lease on my first rental property. This property was listed as no pets. We did find a very good qualified individual to rent to. However at the date of the lease signing he asked if fish or caged birds were ok. I told him I would have to get back to him. Having never owned fish tanks or birds of any kind, I really don't if its even a thing to worry about possible damage or lasting smells. 

So the question is, Do you allow fish or birds in houses with no pet policy? If so, Is there anything to be concerned about or that I should be aware of as possible future issues? 

Would love to know your thoughts BP community! Thanks!

@Chris Herrera

That’s a great suggestion. I didn’t think about going through my realtor or working with one that speaks Spanish. I appreciate the help!

@Joe Splitrock

Hey, thanks for the help with both topics. I was unaware of a fair housing class, but will definitely check it out.

The translation app is a good idea.

Thanks again!

@Anna Sagatelova

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the clean answer!

What are your thoughts on Michelle’s response offering them the choice between a pet policy or a form to prove the service/support animal?

It sounds like a fair option, but wanted to make sure I understood it more.

@Michele Fischer

Thanks for the reply. So if I’m understanding correctly from your reply and the other 2 reply’s. You can’t charge a fee for a service animal at all, but you can require them to either fill out the proper verifications to prove the service/suppor animal or have them just pay the standard pet fee? As long as you offer the option to do the verification and they don’t take it and instead decide to pay the pet fee it’s on them? Want to make sure I am understanding that correctly.

Thanks again for the help!

Ok, this is my first forum post (on any platform) so hopefully this comes out clear.

I just advertised my first rental and we have been getting calls and I have come across 2 things I was not prepared for.

1. We have a no pet policy, but I should have had the service animal exception figured out earlier. If we are to accept service animals what is a good policy to have (one time fee plus monthly fee?). It’s a 3/2, completely renovated and appraised around $160,000 if that helps determining cost, rent is $1,500 a month.

2. The home is located in an area with a lot of Spanish speaking people. We have been getting calls from prospective tenants that speak no English. I don’t want to discriminate, but I also don’t have the ability to always have a Spanish speaking person to translate. So how does some one handle this? Is it the tenants responsibility to have everything translated and explained to them?

Thanks for any advice.

Shawn Stiteler