I do phone prescreen and I ask this question verbatim "We have a minimum credit score requirement of 720 for at least one adult. Would that be a problem?" If yes, then they fail prescreen. I have been doing this for a full year now and most people seem relieved they don't have to waste their time and app fees.

I've gotten two applications on the same house and both times when I get to the credit report step, they appear surprised about my credit score requirement. They are all native english speakers and the sound quality of the calls are excellent. Thus I've been questioning if the wording of the question is too clunky.

Sometimes by having a high requirement right off the bat you may turn away a possible good candidate. 720 is the score I look for in a single family house rental. But if I allow the person to submit an application, I can read it over before running their credit and see "hope".

For example I have rented to people that:

a) lost a life partner (spouse)

b) lost a home due to foreclosure

c) lost a job and found a new one, a least 1 year on the new job

d) had a medical setback and had to cover the deductible, like $20,000 and went into collections.

In this case I see that the applicant has never before had a financial problem. And they may have a retirement account of $250,000, untouchable to creditors. If everything checks out, then they will be grateful being my tenant. I then ask for first plus 2 months security....

I ask the exact same pre-screening question about credit score (and income), in the same way you do. It hasn't been a problem. Like you, it saves both sides time.

I think the two applicants you assumed would pass your qualifications easily surprised you when they did not, and that's caused you to doubt yourself.

How about this instead of the somewhat hard "we require": We **like to see/hope to see/generally require** a minimum credit score of 720 for at least one adult. Would that be a problem?

I don't like the word "expect" and would likely not ask any applicant what I can expect, about anything. How about this: **Can we look forward to seeing that/Do you think we would see that/Is that what we are likely to see** on your application?

I also require a credit score of 720, by the way, so I don't think it's too high, either.

In only 1 of my homes does someone have an over 700 credit score. Most of the reasons for a low credit score are the reason they are renters and not buyers.

While I think the credit score is important, I would think taking a more holistic approach would yield more applicants.

720---------- is that 700 and twenty------- SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY???? No way!!!!!!!

720 that may take 3 of my applicants-- one with no score and two that total 700.

I'm being perfectly honest-- I have not seen a 720 or 700 for that matter in 15 years maybe 20 here. I did recently have a 680 I think. That one 680 not a boat load. ONE out of 20 apps.

You people don't know how good you have it. If I waited on 700 I'd have 63 empty SFH's-- well not me--- the bank cause they would own them now.

This is why we've had to get so good at collecting. We're taking the least risky with 500 scores but of course we get whooper deposits. Even with big deposits though they still owe.

I noticed my credit recently went from 825 to 809, then to 790. I paid off my only mortgage about 5 years ago. It is no longer showing, and I had one inquiry, after 60 years I got a BofA card! Took a 35 point hit.

If I got like 3 more cards and it knocked another 60 pts I would barely meet your criteria just due to inquiries. But I could probably buy your rental from petty cash. Be careful you aren't restricting your pool by being too stringent.

I don't look at credit scores. Income and stability and no history of evictions are more important. I do a credit screening through. My screener is excellent at making recommendations based on what he learns.

My screening states that "we do screen for credit and we don't expect perfection but the applicant must show a history of generally responsible financial management."

For a non lockbox showings operation in this age of Zillow FB marketplace, you need to be able to quickly cull those who clearly don’t qualify.

I would try text or email responses to test whether the prospects truly can not understand your statement or if they are feigning outrage at their being rejected.