I use text all day long with my Tenants and workers and I am happy. I text late rent messages to all(never many) who haven't paid by the 2nd. But, if the situation warrants it, I call for a direct talk. Leaks, heating troubles and others all require good communication.

But I have a problem with texters and for rent ads. I give two phone numbers to call and one is message only. The other I like to interview on. I do not release the location until I at least get a name and run an online check which I do while talking. Texters always say send more details and an address. Not much in the range of hello or an introduction. I responded today with some more details on a place and just stated I would love to talk with them. I get back a long detailed list of all they need to know especially about pets and a statement that there will be no conversation until they have all the details they want and have had a look. OK

I know some of you are set up for texters. I am not. When I try to communicate back they act just like this creature. We are different generations. Thoughts on text only folks and how to deal with them? As far as I am concerned this texter and I just parted company.

Direct quote:

"I am not going to show a place to someone who may not meet my pre-qualifications. Understandable." :)

Lana,

For more info and applications go to www.LanaRents.com or our 24/7 hotline 123-456-7890.

We work from your completed free application.

Works for us!

BRAD

I text with current tenants and contractors since that is their preferred means of communication.

When it comes to prospective tenants I wouldn't consider it. On the other hand we use Zillow as our primary means of adv. and 99% respond via email.

For the past few years we only do open houses since it is the only manageable way to handle the number of responses. I respond to each one with a form email advising them of the date and time for the open house and repeat our list of requirement for them to self screen.

The only ones who call are those that having reading comprehension problems or who want to give me a long explanation why they won't qualify.

If I had to choose between FB and texting with interested parties, I would choose texts hands down.

just replay back with the letter

k

and then LET IT GO.

That is what I do. i don't get into a texting converstaion with them, Just acknowledge that the text was received.

Or perhaps you just text back: For more information phone/call XXX-XXX-XXXX

Or what Brad wrote about website.

THEM --- "I am not going to interview for a place if I don't like what I see, understandable."

"there will be no conversation until they have all the details they want and have had a look."

I would cut and paste the above, and add "In that case, there will be no conversation. Tks."

I have a different attitude when it comes to texting. I don't mind it and it's the way the younger generation communicates. That generation is who is renting now, so it's somewhat necessary. On the flip side, I do understand fully what you're saying about no texting with prospects. I can get behind that since you're trying to screen at the same time. It's very difficult to screen via text.

""I am not going to interview for a place if I don't like what I see, understandable.""

Try that in ontario and you will be in front of the ontaio human rights commission and presumed guilty. You will have to prove your innocence.

It might help if you gave more detailed information up-front, so that they could self-screen. For example-- if someone wants to be within a half-hour's commute of their workplace, it doesn't make a big difference in my teeny little town, but if you're in a metropolitan area, 5 miles can take 30 minutes to drive if you catch it at the wrong time of day.

Or, for example, when I lived in my old city, I was on a good block of a bad part of town... but there was a whole lot of "bad part of town" around where we lived. The location made a big difference in how safe we felt in a particular area.

I am the last person on earth who has never texted and never will. (I still rock a flip phone). Before doing this full time I worked as an IT contractor for oil companies. I am not a luddite.

I can barely keep up with e-mails. I can only imagine how many texts I would receive all day.

In my opinion we over-communicate and over-share, in general. Facebook is a prime example, which is why I quickly disabled my account after joining many moons ago.

Like Doogie said. It's a poor communicator of emotions. What looks terse is not always terse.

Plus people are dumb. They don't proofread or realize how their words will be received. And autocorrect can change words AFTER you press SEND!

I don't judge a text or read into it. Read it and reply as needed.

This is another reason we work from their application, not an interview.