Re: Need suggestions for getting a good tenant?

Re: Need suggestions for getting a good tenant? by Anna Mouse on March 1, 2012 @11:51

If you lower your rent you are more likely to get someone who qualifies. People who qualify are not interested in your property at that price.

Your other option is to add some ammenities which will make someone who qualifies want to rent your property. The people who you want renting, qualified 3X the income and a good credit score, are choosing another property why?

This maybe repeating what others said.

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Re: Need suggestions for getting a good tenant? by Jannie (IL) on March 1, 2012 @12:29	[ Reply ]

It shouldn't be that hard to find someone who makes $26,400 a year, but I guess it is. Last time I received sketchy incomplete applications, the person works for xyz company then I call find out it's a "temp" job there, just a whole different group of people applied. I think at the original time we listed it people were just curious - or wanting to "move up". The rent on this is similar to others. The sign in the yard has gotten applications for our other rentals. This home is a new rental for us. Small only 1100 sq. feet. Thanks for the prescreening advice & may try Craigslist. I have never tried any sort of "discount" or "gift card" or the like after 6 months renting - that might be an option.

Re: Screening by Anna Mouse on March 1, 2012 @13:19	[ Reply ]

So you are saying that your units rent is $750 per month? I don't think discounts are a good idea it seems to me it says the product or service you are providing is not selling and is now on the bargin rack. If you read about the gift card that discussion was regarding tenants who did qualify and after lease signing want upgrades. A gift card right off the bat puts things on a nice note. It also allows you to say no to future requests. Better yet lower the price all together. You may find a more qualified person if the rent was $700. I had a response of 350 people and then some and out of those 350 only 8 or so were invited to view the property. Again the other option is sprucing up what you have. New fixtures such as light switch covers, faucets, lights and paint can do a lot in appearance for little money. You need to use the prescreening card offered on this website and filter this through a email address. This will save you a load of time. Other option, when you get the email from the prospect saying they are interested respond with a letter asking the questions on the card. For the people who are calling on your sign when you return their call ask for their email address and send them a prescreen letter. Keep the conversations short and sweet and tell them you are looking forward to talking with them after you get some preliminary information. You say the rent is similar to others. You need to spend some time shopping your competition. Call all the places you think are similar and go and see what they are offering. What I did this last year is make a chart of all homes close to our area. This chart listed sq. ft., number of baths, garage, rating on their finishes in the bath and kitchen, if they allowed pets, did they provide lawn service and location. Location means where is it located in the city, where is it located in the neighborhood and where is it located on the street. For mine we are right downtown so I look at how close is it to downtown and the highways. This chart should be started now for the next time you are empty. By collecting this data on a regular basis over the next year or so you will see how long houses stayed on the market and for how much.

Re: Screening by jannie (IL) on March 1, 2012 @14:01	[ Reply ]

Thanks for the good idea... must have done the math wrong. The rent is $700. a month. Collecting the data will be helpful. Yes, I'm going to start using that prescreening card. And, I think Spring is a much better time to list; So I'm hopeful. Again thanks for the great ideas... It sounds like the discount is a no go. But, I believe the lawn care might attract some single person who likes the house, but doesn't want to mow.

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