For those of you not familiar with the "2 minute in home inspection" this is a strategy I've been using about the past 4 years as the final step before approving a lease applicant. It has saved me several time from turning over keys to someone who screened well on paper, but who were house wreckers waiting to destroy my properties.

Generally, I haven't had any problems when I tell someone I need to drop by to have them sign a form and/or to take a picture of their pets, but this past Friday I had a gal who pushed back in a way that made me think she was legitimately worried it was some kind of scam. She said, "I've never had anyone ask me to stop by before!"

The method I used to help diffuse her anxiety was to simply send her pictures I had taken from a a move out a few years ago along with an explanation. "See this dog poop all over the floors from a recent move-out from a different property? This is something we can't check for any other way."

"Oh!" she says in surprise. "That makes sense. Come on by!"

Easy cheesy.

I think sometimes when we find a new strategy and it gets pushback, we tend to cave and give up thinking it's weird, pushy, or intrusive instead of asking what it is that causes them concern, listening, and then finding a solution to help resolve it. The person who has a wrecked home won't ever let you come by, so when they utterly refuse even after being offered a reasonable explanation then we've dodged that bullet. Likewise, a thoughtful, decent person will see the purpose and be 100% onboard and COOPERATIVE, which is one of my key screening tools.

How did this specific story end? I went by, met her dog (who was a big sweetie), and I looked, smelled, and listened. Zero concerns. Even getting ready to move, her house was kept neat, dog was reasonably well-mannered, and no signs of damages or "friends" living on the couch. She got utilities switched for tomorrow and already paid the $400 holding fee, and the balance paid tomorrow. I feel very confident this will work out well!

Anyway, if you haven't tried it yet because it feels weird, pushy, or intrusive, I recommend giving it another go.

P.S. Don't send trashy pics from the property they're moving into! No one wants to see where the dog poop used to be in their soon-to-be house. Borrow one from a buddy if you have to!

She sounds like a keeper.

Careful and reluctant of danger or possible scam.

I’m glad you pointed out not to send pictures of the unit they’re moving into being trashed.

Thank you for sharing your experience with that and your solution.

Sid,

Good explanation. Good people are cautious.

If anyone is nervous about scams we give them the number for the LL Registration at City Hall, Police, and Code Enforcement. They all know us.

Good idea with the photo history.

I have often wished to photograph or video a cleanup or flip but I don’t want potential customers seeing the ugly stinky BEFORE images.

I’ve only had one pushback out of hundreds - he was living with parents and the parents wanted no part of a visit. So I did a drive by, (big expensive house, acreage, expensive cars...) verified property records, and settled for photos from the applicant - a single guy, no animals, for a small cheap apt.

I think the parents were not happy with their son and thus non-cooperative.

Our 2 Minute In Home Visit has saved us THOUSAND$$$ and STRESS!

BRAD

How do you handle appilcants from a distance away?