Paying $20 each visit to DoorDash gig workers. More than they make delivering food.

One was fine. We mixed up the appointment dates and arrived on the wrong day, while they were having dinner. They were OK - "Might as well come in since you are here" so it was like a surprise visit. 2 big friendly dogs, no odor, no damage. Approved.

Next visit, the cat urine odor was obvious on the front porch before even opening the door. Electric air scent running full blast. Stains on the carpet. Applicant showed a vet's receipt for putting down one dog YESTERDAY and said it was the "old sick dog that wee wee'd on the carpet. Carpet cleaner coming tomorrow."

What a shame - their app was great and the house was clean...other than the extreme odor.

#3 Single man on SSI, no pets, non-smoker, wants a tiny studio apt. Clean and neat but not a place that attracts folks with good jobs. Lives an hour away. Moving closer to family. Don't shoot me but I was busy and willing to take a chance. No more chance than when we did not do In Home Visits. We had him send in pics of his apt.

We'll see.

I think Brad uses the same Dash folks. That's the way I understand it. He gets something delivered and starts vetting the one or two people.

He was having them do lock swaps and walk thrus on empty places.

The only Dasher that I know of personally is a tenant of mine. We use an alias when we seldom order and I do not answer the door so she doesn't know where I live. I could use her, but I do not trust her judgement.

I'd think a real estate agent would do a better job of it, although I doubt that you could get one to do it for $20.

I'd worry that if the place looked cleaner than where the door dash driver lived, he'd think it was plenty clean enough.

I was leaning in the direction of what Ken first said. The DoorDash person is more likely a tenant themselves and would be more on a tenants side.

Not all DoorDashers are scuzzy. This gal is super sharp, ambitious, and hustles. She does gig work to supplement her job income for her goal to pay off debt and is making it happen, $20 at a time. She can make $100 a night in a few hours with regular DD.

The average DD delivery pays $4.64 plus maybe a $2 tip.

She says she gets bigger tips because she dresses nicely and wears makeup, hands the delivery over personally, not just setting it by the door.

Another Dasher makes $1000 a week. Not a slacker.

I gave her training in Fair Housing - what to say and not say. It's simple "Sam sent me to get a picture of your dog and some shots of your home. If you have questions just text the office. Thanks! Bye!"

She tells me the truth because she does not care if they pass or not - she gets paid to report back.

Not all Dashers are alike. When doing an In Home Visit at a big apt complex about 4 Dashers we making deliveries at the same time. I watched them - the difference was obvious. One person had trouble walking, the other looked dirty and desperate. I talked briefly with 2 and exchanged numbers. One responded when I called.

BRAD

I have never done an in-home visit for new applicants. Do you do it after you approve most of the application, run the background checks, like this would be the last pending item? What typically is your rent range? I have only asked for photos of their homes, I am little concerned about going to people's homes by myself. What reason do you give them when they fail the in-home visit? smelly? messy home? or something else?

Lisa,

Pictures don't give you the smell. Odor is the hardest problem for us to fix when folks move out.

We do this for EVERY new lease, all prices.

Our process: Screen the app, if looking good we give them lockbox code to self tour, follow up text, if interested call to talk money/amenities, if all green lights THEN we do the In Home Visit for that last ready applicant.

This step has saved us THOUSAND$$$ in giant capital letters.

Not doing it is foolish - handing the keys to a total stranger just because they have good income. Credit score means NOTHING about their ability to care for my $150,000 investment.

Lisa,

Another thought...

Those photos might not be of THEIR home.

I was scammed by a couple who gave me their father's apt address to visit. OF course it was nice because THEY were slobs once they moved in.

Thank you Brad! Yes you are right!

Thank you Brad! Yes you are right!