Credit history, criminal history, work history, all of it and yet I still feel like there is a barrier to joining the investors.

In fact, that's essentially what the banks do when they wrongly foreclose on people's houses...and maybe I'm in the minority, but I still count on the government to protect me from both individual criminals as well as corporate criminals who are trying to infringe upon my Constitutional rights.

no offense, but you seem a little up tight about this. #1, you mention their age a couple times. it appears that you are discriminating on age. as far as the 'quiet residential neighborhood', i live in an INCREDIBLY conservative, quiet, deed restricted neighborhood (and am even a member of the HOA board) and our neighbors throw some really great (rowdy!)

We're going to find all of the criminal activity.

My concern is that this may just be advertising a vacant property and act as motivation for would be criminals.

From a criminal liability view it does matter, but for civil damages for property damaged it is irrelevant.

Have you checked for open civil and criminal cases?

As one is working and one not, you are basically stuck with the one that is working as your primary funder.If they pass the credit history and criminal check, and there are no other candidates,and you feel pressured to get a tenant, I would make both parties sign the lease, and collect full first, last, and security deposits.

Signs can be tricky and offensive to people in your target neighborhoods so make sure their placed high enough not to get ripped down and also that you don't over-saturate the neighborhood to the point of being obnoxious.

Other items to screen on:- Credit score- Job or some kind of provable income- Past rental history, call previous landlords- Criminal HistoryFor your first time, look into companies that perform the screening for $30 - $50.