Response to for-rent post (by Elly [MI]) Jul 8, 2019 4:26 PM
Response to for-rent post (by razorback_tim [AR]) Jul 8, 2019 4:43 PM
Response to for-rent post (by bet [MA]) Jul 8, 2019 5:24 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Drew [CO]) Jul 8, 2019 5:25 PM
Response to for-rent post (by AllyM [NJ]) Jul 8, 2019 5:25 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Deanna [TX]) Jul 8, 2019 5:58 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Frank [NJ]) Jul 8, 2019 6:35 PM
Response to for-rent post (by ned [AL]) Jul 8, 2019 7:55 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Vee [OH]) Jul 8, 2019 8:26 PM
Response to for-rent post (by LindaJ [NY]) Jul 8, 2019 8:48 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Johnny B. [MA]) Jul 8, 2019 9:16 PM
Response to for-rent post (by CGB [MI]) Jul 8, 2019 9:19 PM
Response to for-rent post (by elly [MI]) Jul 9, 2019 8:29 AM
Response to for-rent post (by elly [MI]) Jul 9, 2019 8:29 AM
Response to for-rent post (by elly [MI]) Jul 9, 2019 8:29 AM
Response to for-rent post (by pg [SC]) Jul 10, 2019 8:52 AM
Response to for-rent post (by pg [SC]) Jul 10, 2019 9:13 AM
Response to for-rent post (by David [MI]) Jul 10, 2019 10:41 AM
Response to for-rent post (by marlene [WI]) Jul 13, 2019 9:50 AM
Response to for-rent post (by April [KS]) Jul 13, 2019 11:24 AM
Response to for-rent post (by dan [OR]) Jul 13, 2019 4:34 PM
Response to for-rent post (by mike [CA]) Jul 13, 2019 4:51 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Tris1968 [OH]) Jul 13, 2019 5:16 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Andrea Schekolin [FL]) Jul 13, 2019 9:13 PM
Response to for-rent post (by karen [CA]) Jul 14, 2019 7:41 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Mel M [IL]) Aug 6, 2019 2:28 PM
Response to for-rent post (by Elly [MI]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 4:26 PM Message:
I have posted a rental on multiple sites. The response from the sites has been very good.
I have replied to every inquiry, using either text, email or both. This is what I wrote :
""Thank you very much for your interest in our home for rent at xxxxx in City USA.
Please call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx. I will provide you with all the information you need and set up a showing"".
The response from the sites is generic. Everyone claims to want to schedule a showing. It is not realistic to schedule a showing without talking to the prospect.
I am getting very few responses to either my text or email.
Seemingly good response from internet sites but at the same minimal response to my reaching out.
What am I doing wrong? --76.231.xx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by razorback_tim [AR]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 4:43 PM Message:
Most people who indicate interest through Zillow, Trulia, Facebook, etc. do just that - indicate interest and nothing else. You're not doing anything different than what I would do. --70.178.x.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by bet [MA]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 5:24 PM Message:
Same here, market place, zillow apartment.com craiglist. They all want it easy, no work, no answering the phone, or completing applications. WE email, text, call and get 1% response, but what are the options? Show the apt to every person that contacts , no. --73.227.xxx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by Drew [CO]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 5:25 PM Message:
Elly, I've noticed a similar pattern as you've describe (and razorback_tim). I thought perhaps my number wasn't easily visible on my ad as EVERYONE, it seemed clicked the button to send automated email to "get more info" or "schedule tour." Most times when I call someone back from one of these emails, they are caught off guard. Surprised. The exceptions are if someone has written a personal note to me with their situation or if they call. They tend to be serious. And 9 times out of 10, these are the ones I want anyway. --172.58.xx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 5:25 PM Message:
A lot of people are on vacation this week and last week. Give it a few days and see what happens. Maybe don't mention the exact address? How does it look? Are they doing drive bys and not liking it? --173.61.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 5:58 PM Message:
Why not pick three (six?) of your most important screening criteria and use them to start a real conversation?
I tried that technique for my last vacancy, through Zillow.
Mine went--
Hello! Thank you for asking about [address].
A few questions-- Where do you currently live, and how much do you currently pay in rent?
What kind of work do you do, and what kind of house would suit your needs?
How many people would be living with you, and how many animals do you have?
Thank you!
-etc.
In this particular case, the house was a very... nichey... kind of house. It looks good in the YouTube video I posted, but it's a very... inflexible... kind of house, and doesn't actually suit everyone's real life. So obviously, you might not be able to ask "What kind of work do you do?" in a state where source-of-income is a protected class, but I saw my prospect was from a town 100+ miles away, and I wanted to check and see if he had a job that gave him mobility; if he was coming in for a new job; or if he had accidentally applied for something outside his geography, just based on price. (As it turned out, he had a job where he travels throughout TX/OK/KS, so his home base doesn't make a whole lot of difference.) --96.46.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by Frank [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 6:35 PM Message:
on our last turn, the results that the OP relates were just the same as ours.
Our "unicorn" came from the yard sign.
They had just received their non renewal notice a week earlier --74.105.xxx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by ned [AL]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 7:55 PM Message:
I have reasonable luck sorting through the internet responses by replying with cut and paste email-
"Thanks for your interest. Here's a link to our pre-showing form. It's just a handful of questions. [hyperlink to our form which populates a google spreadsheet]
--70.92.xx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 8:26 PM Message:
Why not create a -canned- message giving some detail about schools and library you are close to, distance to airport and grocery? This gives them a reason to avoid or visit your place. --76.188.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by LindaJ [NY]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 8:48 PM Message:
However they contact you, contact them back the same way with some questions and answers. The three bedroom house was recently updated, is a second floor etc. When are you looking to move? Are you from this area and familiar with xxx town/ neighborhood etc. Don't just ask them to call, they probably won't (unless your number is in the ad and no email)
I personally hate to talk on the phone. Especially when it is 2 cell phones and reception is not great (my area) so I would rather send emails. Certainly I will talk to them at some point before or during a showing, but you can get a lot of information from emailing and you want to get them engaged in whatever medium they are comfortable with. --108.4.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by Johnny B. [MA]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 9:16 PM Message:
On my most recent vacancy I setup a google questionnaire. Got the idea from someone on this board. I had six screening questions in the questionnaire. When I got the general inquiries through Zillow, hotpads, and trulia, I sent an email to each person with a brief message and a link to my questionnaire. The percentage of people who actually answered the questionnaire was significantly more than I expected — probably around 60% of inquiries answered the screening questions. However, their answers enabled me to save a ton of time weeding the undesirables out immediately and then spending some extra time to look into the remaining pool before I reached out via phone (I like to talk with all successfully pre-screened prospects). I would highly recommend using a pre-screening questionnaire. My experience was very positive. --24.147.xx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by CGB [MI]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2019 9:19 PM Message:
To send that email that you have been receiving takes a single click on a button on Zillow. When I get that email, I take charge immediately, respond quickly and offer a showing at the time of my choice. I pick a 2 hour window on a Saturday am and schedule 2 people every 15 minutes. "Thank you for your interest. I have a 930 am and a 1045 am appointment openings for this Saturday for a showing. Let me know if you can make it." It does several things. It eliminates the tire kickers and demands a response. It begins selecting cooperative tenants. 20% of people respond reserving a time and 50% of those show up. It has worked for me so far. --67.149.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by elly [MI]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2019 8:29 AM Message:
Thank you very much to all.
Certainly a number of good ideas have been presented.
I will start trying a new approach and will relate my new experience.
Thank you again.
--76.231.xx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by elly [MI]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2019 8:29 AM Message:
Thank you very much to all.
Certainly a number of good ideas have been presented.
I will start trying a new approach and will relate my new experience.
Thank you again.
--76.231.xx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by elly [MI]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2019 8:29 AM Message:
Thank you very much to all.
Certainly a number of good ideas have been presented.
I will start trying a new approach and will relate my new experience.
Thank you again.
--76.231.xx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by pg [SC]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2019 8:52 AM Message:
I have used the following process for about 4 years works good - takes about 3 or 4 minutes per inquiry.
Goes Like this - set up rental add to Zillow - Trulia - Hotpads and Craiglist. When I receive the response from a potential tenant - I reply - with a copy/paste of the following questioner. Then I use a simple excel spreadsheet to track results.
HELLO –
To complete the processing of your application and ENSURE I have the correct information please provide answers to the following questions with a simple Yes, No or a brief explanation.
Do you rent now and what would your current land lord say about you?
Is your credit score greater than 600? Yes or No
Is your monthly Net income at least $2475? Yes or No
Have you Ever had a judgment placed against you? Yes or No
Have you Ever filed for bankruptcy? Yes or No
Were you EVER evicted or asked to move out of a house you were renting? Yes or No
If I did a criminal background check on you what would I find? Do not include minor traffic tickets.
How many will be living in the house?
Could you have someone relative or a supervisor provide a letter of reference about your character? Yes or No
Are you new to the area? Yes or No
Required move in date?
Would you commit to keeping the house CLEAN? Yes or No
After I receive your response I will review your information and follow up as required.
This eliminates about 90% of the tire kickers and those with screening issues. I may also add these are nice rentals in good neighborhoods. --72.173.xxx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by pg [SC]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2019 9:13 AM Message:
oops in my 7/10/19 8:52 am post
Net income of 2475 was a 825 rent.
Basically the 3 times rule is what I should have put. --72.173.xxx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by David [MI]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2019 10:41 AM Message:
Don't wait around for them to call you. Pick up the phone and call THEM. If they didn't include a phone number, respond and ask for one.
I call twice, every 2-4 hours. I can get 95-97% of the people who email me on the phone. --144.250.xx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by marlene [WI]) Posted on: Jul 13, 2019 9:50 AM Message:
I send my application online to those asking to look at the rental. I state that only those with completed applications will be shown the rental. I ANSWER every application with either a showing time or a message that says, because you do not qualify (I list because of pets, work history, wages etc) it saves us both time for you to look for a different place to live. I do not charge to submit an application. --184.97.xx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by April [KS]) Posted on: Jul 13, 2019 11:24 AM Message:
I email everyone a copy/past reply that includes the date of the open house (usually a weekend within a 2-3 window), a link to the application and in all caps APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED IN THE ORDER RECEIVED and APPLICATIONS COMPLETED AT THE OPEN HOUSE REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL $10 PROCESSING FEE. I usually get several applications before the open house. I show up to the open house with paper applications and when people arrive seeing everyone else there around the same time you can tell some get competitive. Some just sneak out and those are usually folks who think they won't qualify. Great - saves me time. I make a point of spending one-on-one time with everyone so I can use my landlord radar. Plus I always ask them point blank "have you filled out an application?" Meanwhile, I usually have applications before the open house and another group to review after the open house. 2 hours of my time at the open house and then the fun of selecting the next applicant by scanning applications for the first rule - income. Second rule - employment history. Third rule - rental history. I can narrow that down pretty quickly and then it's time to verify and order screening reports. --24.111.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by dan [OR]) Posted on: Jul 13, 2019 4:34 PM Message:
Elly,
I have learned over the last 40 years that you really do need to be able to be ready to screen those people who contact you.
I myself for years have not wasted my time, I do have about 10 questions that I ask of them, these are screening questions. Some people don't like them, those people may go away and they may become disenchanted occasionally, they become pushy.
The market where I met is very very competitive.
I always have a virtual video walk-through tour of the property and the yard and surrounding neighborhood. So right away. They understand what you're looking at and even if they're too lazy, they considered their chair and use their telephone, and see that this is not an ordinary property. It's extraordinary!
Where you moving from your current location? How long have you been at your current location? What date are you looking to move in?
How long do you intend to stay?
Do you have local rental references?
You have any pets?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
(This can make a difference depending on the property. That they are renting from you, could you and would you is the owner be potentially liable to someone else for their miss actions? )
How long do you intend to stay?
I tell them that I'm looking for a tenant of at least 10 years !!
Those people that like to move every year or every 6 months, well, they're not my desired renter.
My average occupant is about 8 years. One of my current residents have been with me for 18 years.
The fact is they were in the property when I bought the property. Not one day of vacancy during my ownership.
It could be a no-no to ask them about their credit score ??
I myself ask them if they know their credit score, this is a question and they are not bound to answer.
I simply follow with well if you don't know you can find out by going to www.creditkarma.com ,, this can help you understand what everyone might be seeing when they're checking your references, especially your credit.
About that time I get the number of people who thanked me.
I typically take control of the call, and I'm never afraid to ask them if they have any questions that we've not covered?
Or if they call, I'm not afraid to ask them if they watched my YouTube video? Quite often those who have no the property know just how nice it is and they like what they see.
For that reason, I have found this to be a system for me that works very well, I don't want to waste their time and I do not want to allow them to waste mine.
Always do your showings at a convenient time early in the morning on the weekends is very good 9 AM? 10 AM?
I generally say of give you a call ahead of time if you viewed the video driven by the property and/or would like to see inside and obtain an application.
I do not put applications online. Mine are not generic, and if they do not complete the application and return the application I might have spent $.10, but those who do apply usually understand that I'm serious and that there is no game that they can play.
Be patient, be persistent, and your screening, remember it is your best tool.
I am insistent to see local rental reference so that I understand what my property will look like in 6 months or a year!
Hope this helps you,
Dan --75.164.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by mike [CA]) Posted on: Jul 13, 2019 4:51 PM Message:
the ad response from any prospective tenant is their "audition". if they cannot reply as you ask/direct they have done you a great service. they are too stupid to read and behave accordingly or they simply insist on doing things their way. either way they blew the audition.
my ads ask them for their preferred move in date, the number of folks in their group or family, the names of their dogs/cats and:
FULL NAME
PHONE NUMBER
REAL EMAIL ADDRESS
if they omit ANY of these i move their response to a dumdum file so i know who can't read --76.176.xxx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by Tris1968 [OH]) Posted on: Jul 13, 2019 5:16 PM Message:
I reply to all responses to my advertising this way:
"Thank you for your interest in our rental property located at... The first step in our process, it to have you review our Lease Requirements form. If you feel you meet these requirements, please contact us back to schedule a time to view this great home."
This is sent out via email or texting. I prefer not to talk to people on the phone, so this works great for me.
Weeds out 90-95% of the people, so I only show the home to 1-3 prospects, most of which do qualify.
--76.188.xxx.xx |
Response to for-rent post (by Andrea Schekolin [FL]) Posted on: Jul 13, 2019 9:13 PM Message:
I type a nice answer, the address, driving directions and the time of the Open House and simply invite everyone to come. Relax, out of 10 people who hit this button on Zillow / Realtor etc. only 1 will show up. The more people come, the more competition tenants have, the better my position. And I only need to change the name in my pre-typed answer. I do use their first name. I used to mention the date of the Open House on the Internet but found out that people get confused ("Was it Saturday? Or Sunday?) and if I want to change it, I have difficulties to update that info on certain websites. --184.88.xxx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by karen [CA]) Posted on: Jul 14, 2019 7:41 PM Message:
Figured out that zillow, Trulia and hotpads are all the same company. Then you have apts.com, forrent.com, apartmnetfinder and apartmnenthomeliving... that are all the same comapany. They each duplicate your ad posting on their many sites. I delete an ad on apts.com or zillow and often find it still active on other sites a day or so .... not happy about that duplicate info on so many sites generating contacts after the rental is leased. I find here in NorCal we get less than 50% who show when they contact to preview on these sites. At least 80% reply to my posts on Craigslist come to do a preview. --71.202.xx.xxx |
Response to for-rent post (by Mel M [IL]) Posted on: Aug 6, 2019 2:28 PM Message:
Like LindaJ [NY], I hate the phone for rental inquiries. Callers ask the same questions and I have a hard time being patient.
So I try to do all the preliminary work by email. I create a screening package; the first page is a self-screener where (by answering a few questions) they can rule themselves in or out.
So with every inquiry, I email the following boilerplate (Gmail canned response):
[SUBJECT: 16 Echo Ct. Unit 5 - FOR RENT
Thank you for your inquiry.
Before investing your time and ours, we want to give you more information about the property, owner expectations, and terms and conditions for renting.
Please review the attached document to decide if the home appeals to you, and that you will meet the owner's requirements for acceptance.
SHOWING TIMES ARE RESTRICTED TO 9 AM TO 6 PM WITH MINIMUM 24 HOUR NOTICE.
Then let me know what day and time works for you so we can meet up.
Mel Metts]
This approach tends to screen out a lot of people.
If you'd like an example of the Information Pkg I include with the email, send a request to melmetts@gmail.com and I'll provide. --73.51.xxx.xx |
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