I'm a huge fan of "All Calls go to Voicemail." My voicemail is through Google Voice, and I have a specific message for tenants and applicants. I expect them to be able to follow the simple direction given as part of my screening process.

Every once in awhile, I'll return a call... just to check myself and see that I'm not missing out following this process. And every time I do, I am reaffirmed in my decision to follow the ACGTV philosophy.

Case in point today: had a lady applicant call and say, "My husband filled out an application, please call me."

Ohhhhhhkay. Why not?

Now to be clear, our application says in big, BOLD letters that all occupants age 18 and older must fill out their own application. But of course she deserves special consideration. What the heck, it's Friday. I'll go ahead and call just for fun.

That starts a 15 minute conversation that includes all of the following:

1) Hubby had a sex charge from 30+ years ago.

2) Wife has passed bad checks. Apparently also had sex accusations with a minor... back in 1996!

3) They are in early fifties and "needing a place right away."

I hear the whole story. Their lengthy legal issues. Their moving issues. Their money issues. Their family issues. Ohhhh boy!

So anyway, I'm typing this while she's still talking in real time... I've twice thanked her for her "candid response, and looking forward to seeing your application", and she's STILL talking. In fact, I just learned that she and her current hubby split up but are now back together.... still married...they never divorced. She's had two boyfriends since they split.

Oh, and now "the landlord doesn't want to do any repairs" just came up.

And now I learn her step-daughter is pregnant... and they visit often from Texas. So the stairs in their current house are no good.

Ah, finally off the phone.

Folks... All Calls Go to Voicemail... but those that don't sure make good Friday funnies!

NEEEEEEEEEEEXT!

Sid, I know you probably did it for your amusement , but I would never let a conversation with an applicant go on over 5mins, much less 15mins.

I need to make the switch to a Google phone number. There are none available with my areas numbers since I am in a backwater spot.

Always feel better when the prospective tenant knows I am more local and not part of a complex way out of town, or state.

Making that jump seems like a lot right now. I can't get my phone to ignore all numbers not in my call list. It is all or nothing. I just look at the number and swipe ignore.

I almost missed ACGTV.

I like to keep hearing about as I try and fine tune the process.

I currently have my add set up to where when they respond it automatically sends them a response to fill out a prescreen form. Of course most don't do it, but I guess that is the point. I think they are just hitting buttons.

I have a voice message for the phone prompting them to an email that sends them an automatic response with a link to my prescreen form. Saves a lot of time.

I still do showings and want some form of human contact but I only have the one rental I do not have several rentals like a lot of you.