For example, I mention that every adult must pay a $30 application fee, pass my credit/criminal background, make a combined income of 3x the rent, and whether or not the property accepts pets.

An official background check and personal referrals can help you identify red flags unrelated to finances, such as poor tenant behavior or previous criminal activity.

Anyone with some background in this?

And back ground on the principals probably would have shown lack of experience. ???

After posting on the zillow, do I show the property to only those tenants whose credit/criminal and other background checks out?

We have 6 units so far, and I manage all of them from application and background check through rental payments on Apartments.com.

I find that when I allow pets, I get more and higher quality applicants who earn more, have better credit, and have fewer background problems.

Your background in physics and economics, coupled with your leadership role in the Commercial Real Estate Club, provides a solid foundation for success in this industry.

Everything else is just background noise.And one more point: residential real estate prices are "downward sticky".

It's awesome to see someone with your investment background diving into the local real estate scene.