Congrats on getting your first property ready! Discussing with the PM how they screen and their criteria is definitely important, so do that first if you get help with getting tenants. @Trevor Schmitt's idea is a solid plan, especially for starting out :)
The article that @Nathan Gesner mentions that Brandon write is also great! I would say that because the article is old, I suggest looking for a higher credit score than 600. There was an adjustment to the way things were calculated several years ago: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/2...
I personally look for 650+. There is some flexibility depending on the overall picture of the credit. (Things like medical debt don't concern me as they likely didn't "choose" to get sick.) Also, on background, you'd want to make sure that your area allows judgment calls based on their criminal background. Some areas consider it discrimination.
If you do decide to start finding your own tenants, I highly recommend listing your criteria in the ad, list what utilitites they will be paying, and use a google doc to prescreen. I have a google questionnaire to collect basic info - many folks won't fill this out, and many will rule themselves out with it. https://docs.google.com/forms/...
So, when someone requests more info/showing, I sent a copy and pasted email back with a link to my Google form letting them know that this is the first step in the process. I only deviate with the c/p of the email if they asked a specific question that I want to address (so, just extra info put into the email).
This allows me to quickly see who meets the criteria. I then copy and paste the same email to each person that qualifies to line up a showing and let them know the next steps in the process.
I suggest as much copy/paste correspondence as possible to minimize the possibility of perceived discrimination.
Good luck with your first rental!! :)
