Why so many bad applicant
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Why so many bad applicant (by RentsDue [MA]) Mar 14, 2024 1:12 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Ken [NY]) Mar 14, 2024 1:24 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Sisco [MO]) Mar 14, 2024 1:30 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Mar 14, 2024 1:38 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Jason [VA]) Mar 14, 2024 1:43 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Ken [NY]) Mar 14, 2024 2:03 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Peacegarden [ND]) Mar 14, 2024 2:18 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by jonny [NY]) Mar 14, 2024 2:27 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Robin [WI]) Mar 14, 2024 2:52 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Mar 14, 2024 3:00 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Mar 14, 2024 3:17 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by S i d [MO]) Mar 14, 2024 3:34 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by RB [TN]) Mar 14, 2024 3:49 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by NE [PA]) Mar 14, 2024 3:57 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Gene [OH]) Mar 14, 2024 4:12 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Richard [MI]) Mar 14, 2024 4:17 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by NE [PA]) Mar 14, 2024 4:24 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Mar 14, 2024 4:28 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by RB [TN]) Mar 14, 2024 4:44 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Gene [OH]) Mar 14, 2024 5:38 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by WMH [NC]) Mar 14, 2024 5:57 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by mapleaf18 [NY]) Mar 14, 2024 6:35 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by RB [TN]) Mar 14, 2024 7:21 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by 6x6 [TN]) Mar 14, 2024 9:06 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Mar 14, 2024 9:35 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Allym [NJ]) Mar 14, 2024 9:45 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Small potatoes [NY]) Mar 14, 2024 11:58 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Jim [CA]) Mar 15, 2024 12:14 AM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Mapleaf18 [NY]) Mar 15, 2024 6:55 AM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Sisco [MO]) Mar 15, 2024 11:41 AM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Robert J [CA]) Mar 15, 2024 3:03 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Small potatoes [NY]) Mar 15, 2024 10:39 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Phil [OR]) Mar 16, 2024 7:58 AM
       Why so many bad applicant (by tryan [MA]) Mar 16, 2024 10:24 AM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Sisco [MO]) Mar 16, 2024 1:43 PM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Mar 18, 2024 6:58 AM
       Why so many bad applicant (by Small potatoes [NY]) Mar 18, 2024 11:09 AM


Why so many bad applicant (by RentsDue [MA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 1:12 PM
Message:

I’m not the brightest bulb, but I’m not understanding the disconnect here. I understand that my screening standards are very high so my vacancies sit for longer than my competitors. I’m ok with that. But this market is ridiculous. Everybody’s rentals are sitting for months and months. Yet the news is constantly talking about the houses shortage. Even more confusing, the bigger complexes have extended vacancies and they are cleaning house. Court logs show they are booting out people every month even with vacancies. Not just for non payment. Cause and no cause as well. We can all read between the lines with that but I’m still confused. The bad applicants are out in force and the good applicants seem to have disappeared. I’ve tried raising the ad price, lowering the ad price, turning a BR into an “ office”, etc. What is going on? I’m on all the legit rental sites ( no Facebook or Craigslist). I can’t just go into all the local top employers break rooms anymore because they lock all the doors now. Except for Costco, if I hit that right tomorrow I’ll even get free pizza.

--68.191.xx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 1:24 PM
Message:

I think all the good ones bought houses --74.77.xx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by Sisco [MO]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 1:30 PM
Message:

Rents due, the abundance of bad applicants isn’t surprising. They are always in need of housing, their behavior results in them moving often….I don’t think about them.

The shortage of qualified applicants is worth your time and effort. I would say that your marketing needs an overhaul. What you have been doing quit working, so try other methods. I believe that I and other regular contributors to this forum are way too reliant on Zillow and other platforms.

We should control our own content. --149.76.xxx.x




Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 1:38 PM
Message:

In one of my local FB groups, someone posted an article about low vacancy rates and the difficulty tenants have in finding a place. Yet here I set at 80 days and I've had maybe 5 showings. There's no shortage for solid tenants as we all are chasing them. It's the marginal tenants who have a problem. There's a shortage of decent tenants.

Maybe Sisco is correct and we're way too reliant on these platforms. I'm thinking that I need to dust off my FB page and maybe pay for some ads and target them. --209.122.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Jason [VA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 1:43 PM
Message:

Rents are high right now so the majority of people that are moving are doing so because they’re being forced out. --172.58.xxx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 2:03 PM
Message:

GKARL- In my area there are facebook groups dedicated to landlords and tenants getting together, I would assume your area would have them also --74.77.xx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by Peacegarden [ND]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 2:18 PM
Message:

Same story where I'm at. I have got burned by not screening hard enough so I let mine sit empty rather than get destroyed. I advertise on fb and a sign in the yard. And have only had class d applicants

Everyone talks about a housing shortage which is partially true. I believe it is also the low quality tenants squeaking the loudest because no one will rent to them with the 5 esa animals evictions and collections on their credit. --174.229.xxx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by jonny [NY]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 2:27 PM
Message:

Same here... I take them down for a few days, rearrange the pictures and/or take "new" ones at different angles, change the wording on the ads but it's the same people that are inquiring.

I'm on month 5 for a few (of course, the problem also is the timing... October/November vacancies are NOT good where I am) so I am REALLY HOPING that March and April will bring out some good ones... but I'm not holding my breath - because the inquiries are very low and it's not the ones I want still. --69.201.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 2:52 PM
Message:

I agree that advertising methods need to change with the times. For the last six years, I've used Zillow to advertise my open houses. One or two open houses was enough to get a qualified applicant. Last November, it only produced TWO people that came to the open house!

I then advertised it on FB Marketplace. I've never had so many people at an open house! I had four different applicants get approved. (One DQ'd herself by refusing the in-home visit, which made my life a lot easier!) So if your current place of advertising isn't working, try something else! --104.230.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 3:00 PM
Message:

Ken,

I specifically avoid those groups mainly because they're full of people I'd never rent to. Most of the time, they complaining and/or criticizing the posts by LL's claiming they're asking too much and etc. I'm figuring if I advertise on FB, I'll get interested parties anyway. --209.122.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 3:17 PM
Message:

Another point. I know full well that everyone in my area is dealing with the same pool of applicants but I read one LL claim that he's not empty for more than a week. That would be the case with me as well if I decided to take just anyone who can fog a mirror. The issue is that even at half the rent, I still wouldn't take most of these folks. It's unclear to me even at drastically reduced rent you could attract decent value conscious applicants.

The short of this is that I think this is more evidence of how much real estate prices have gotten ahead of where they should be. How many folks figured longer vacancies when they bought? Imagine a newbie who bought at peak either losing money due to longer vacancy or lowering standards simply to get the place rented and the tenant causing $ 20K of damages. I just see a bunch of people who recently got into the game souring on real estate and getting out. --209.122.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 3:34 PM
Message:

Keep in mind how we got here. It explains much of what we see.

For almost 3 years in some areas, the Govt basically said, "You don't have to pay rent or leave you house, and we will protect you legally from anything the landlord tries to do." Sure, supposedly you were still on the hook to pay, but there was no enforcement mechanism, so many people stopped paying, accrued a huge debt, then left the landlords' holding the bag because there was no way they would ever catch up.

Others received stimulus payments from the Govt and used that to pay their rent while spending what would have been their rent money on increased lifestyle discretionary items. Then when the money train stopped, they never cut their lifestyle, having grown accustomed to it.

Now here we are today with record levels of eviction filings that have some courts back up 6-12 months. Many more tenants will eventually get booted out and have evictions and money judgments on their records.

What does all this mean? It's going to take 5 - 7 years to "reset" and get people back in the mindset that yes, they do have to pay their rent and no, it's not the Govt's or landlord's responsibility to make up the difference when you fall short. I think it's going to get worse before it gets better, and that's assuming the Govt doesn't inject itself into the housing market yet again with silliness like a national tenant's bill of rights.

That's the shortage no one is talking about: we have a dearth of qualified renters. Continued Govt interference just makes it harder to find people who are truly a good risk.

Max out your security deposits and screen like your livelihood depends on it, because it does.

--184.4.xx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by RB [TN]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 3:49 PM
Message:

Animal attitudes.

Peace got it right, with the 5- ESA evictions,

and Scammer mentalities.

Ya could be a scammer if ya (fill in the blank)

--69.130.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 3:57 PM
Message:

Enjoy the app fees folks. --24.152.xxx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by Gene [OH]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 4:12 PM
Message:

We're seeing the same issue with prospective tenants. Some good ones just can't pay the higher rents. My nicest and most expensive house has set empty way too long. We signed the papers with the real estate agent to sell the property since it is a hot market and we will be the only house that is for sale in the entire sub-division. We had a good run with that house since I bought it in 2009 for an extremely low price and fixed it up. However, the lack of great tenants, has convinced us it was time to sell this particular house and enjoy some of the fruits of our labor. --99.165.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Richard [MI]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 4:17 PM
Message:

I predict that it will get worse. Also, I'd bet that some landlords will drop advertised prices to get many more applicants, charge these applicants $50+ app fees and then disqualify them. It only takes 40 applicants at $50 each to get $200 a month. Leave the place empty and get their monthly net through app fees. --172.58.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 4:24 PM
Message:

Not only doesn’t seem that there are less qualified prospective tenants out there, they certainly appear to be dumber as well --24.152.xxx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 4:28 PM
Message:

"My nicest and most expensive house has set empty way too long."

I typically don't do SFH and I had one last year that was my former business office that I renovated and attempted to rent without success. I decided to sell it about this time last year and had it sold in a weekend. I was asking for rent north of $ 2000 and there were no takers. I didn't have a single showing.

Rooming houses are viewed as the armpit of real estate investing, but this is by far my best investment. Easy to fill, easy to turn, low turnover and the prospects are better----yes I said BETTER, than most of the applicants I get for apartments. Generally, the smaller the unit, the easier it is to rent. --209.122.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by RB [TN]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 4:44 PM
Message:

Gene, welcome to the Sellers Club. --69.130.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Gene [OH]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 5:38 PM
Message:

RB, the first rental that I ever sold was back in 1999 and this is only the second rental that I will have sold. I hate to sell a rental, but sometimes it is just necessary as neighborhoods, political and economical environments change. --99.165.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 5:57 PM
Message:

I am admin of a local housing group on FB and I am very quick to kick and ban the complainers and jerks and I get a lot of thank yous from both LLs and Prospects.

Lots of formerly long-term rentals turned short-term rentals turning BACK to long-term rentals right now. Super nice but super expensive for what local people can afford.

Saw a guy post the other day they are a family of 13...adults, kids, grandparents...looking for a big house they can all share. Two dogs too. Can you imagine?

Actually with that many adults to clean up after the kids, the house might actually stay in better shape than a smaller family. --173.28.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by mapleaf18 [NY]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 6:35 PM
Message:

I gave FB a few shots. Each time was worse than the last so that's a NOPE for me. With "good cause" looming here, I'm dumping my marginal tenants. Thankfully at this time there is only one unit with marginal tenants right now.

What SID said! I blame this whole fiaso on the extended moratoriums, especially in BLUE states/areas. Tenants became emboldened thinking "see it IS possible to live rent free...wheeeeeeee!" They are also great friends with "ambulance chaser" attorneys who want to make a case out of mold, slip 'n' fall, lead paint, you name it.

I had one inquirer who was bemoaning his having to move (probably being evicted) and couldn't find a place to rent on social media. Sure enough he though my prequal was "too thorough" and he "wasn't comfortable" answering the questions. It's my prequal so I'm not asking for DL or SS info. I responded "Ok thanks anyway" --64.246.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by RB [TN]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 7:21 PM
Message:

"Two Dogs to".

Simply amazing ! --69.130.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 9:06 PM
Message:

Maybe we are renting to the wrong living creatures? --76.129.xxx.xx




Why so many bad applicant (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 9:35 PM
Message:

Having most of utilities separated out screens out a lot of problem tenants where unpaid utilities and unpaid rent go hand in hand together. A lower rent without utilities is the future. As evictions ramp up a lot of tenants who were in rent arrears spent the rent money where now the reality hits. In the province of Ontario it is seven hundred and above ore you keep looking. The population has increased where the supply of all types of housing has not. For tenants that means housing first where no illegal drugs, gambling or alcohol. During the pandemic the programs lasted too long where now that must come to a end. --207.236.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Allym [NJ]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 9:45 PM
Message:

Economy bad. Prices of food etc high. People are frightened in their neighborhoods and that paralyzes everything. I pet proofed my rentals and I take small dogs and cats. --173.61.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Mar 14, 2024 11:58 PM
Message:

Ken I'm going to disagree about them getting houses as there has been pressure on housing since 2020. First covid pushed new people further out where they have more space and cheaper prices. They pushed up prices and then inflation made the dream of ownership unattainable to those who stayed put during covid. In the meantime anyone decent realized they would be a fool to move as most ll raised rents to the new market rate. All that's left are the covid rejects.

Sisco, I have my own website but if I put the energy in making it SEO like zillow, I'd be in the same spot. CL is a hard no and FB is dregs central. I pay for top spot on zillow so my ad doesn't age out and disappear. Short term nurses have fizzled too. I've also tried chatting up factories if they are near my unit to see if they want housing for newcomers, no dice if I even get someone to talk to. I haven't advertised in a newspaper for a loping time, lol. Or out a sign in the window.

Rents due I feel your pain. I have unit I just delisted on zillow it had hundreds of hits (which are meaningless) and over 200 messages since Nov. 31 filled out a prescreen, 7 got an email from me, showed to 1 and I declined their application when they applied. This is a 2 br. I took it down to list a 1 br and hope I can fill it plus draw a prospect to the other unit. I mentioned in one of Brad's posts, if he's starting to see what we see things are no headed back up.

--172.59.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Jim [CA]) Posted on: Mar 15, 2024 12:14 AM
Message:

The quality tenants didn’t buy big screen TVs with their Covid funds. They paid their rent and maintained good credit and some probably bought their first house. Just saying. On my last vacancy, I had probably five out of 10 who had good rental history And the other five very questionable. --23.162.xx.x




Why so many bad applicant (by Mapleaf18 [NY]) Posted on: Mar 15, 2024 6:55 AM
Message:

Small potatoes, let's just face it, the productive people in NY are fleeing in droves to saner states (Blue to Red). MA, NY, WA, OR, VT, CT, ME, WI, IL, MI, MN (and now PA, possibly GA) are filled with miscreants and bums.

CA, CO, HI's only saving grace is the entertainment/tourism industry.

DC (and VA, MD) are subsisting on government jobs which we know produce nothing (but problems).

Other states such as NH, OH are hanging on by a thread. --64.246.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Sisco [MO]) Posted on: Mar 15, 2024 11:41 AM
Message:

Small, whenever a school district hires a new teacher to replace the teacher who retired, or same scenario a nurse, or tech at hospital, a new owner of a plumbing supply store, or r whatever of a thousand possibilities that causes someone to need housing in your town, I believe that a g ogle search is how it starts.

I agree that catering to renters moving from one house to another may have limited upside, but good tenants are always on the move too.

It is our business to make our housing options known to them. --149.76.xxx.x




Why so many bad applicant (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Mar 15, 2024 3:03 PM
Message:

Starting July 01, 2024, landlords in Los Angeles can no longer use "credit" as a reason to turn down an applicant. So last month I had an open house. I turned down 7 applicants and two reported me to "Housing". But the funny things was I sent these "bad apples" to three new buildings withing walking distance.

These properties were sponsored by the City. Owned by members on the City Counsel, paid for and construed with tax dollars. They have to rent around 25% to low income tenants. So my rejects applied and also got turned down by the City Housing Authority. Why?

1) Criminal back ground

2) Lack of constant employment

3) Owed back taxes

4) Etc.

So at a Housing meeting I said, "But you guys also turned down the same bunch", and I presented my evidence. Case against me was dismissed. If I had to pay a fine, well so did the city! --47.155.xx.x




Why so many bad applicant (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Mar 15, 2024 10:39 PM
Message:

Sisco, those prospects are not in my market. I'm in C territory. The poverty rate is 28%ish. I aim for solid working class. Warehouse work is the upper rung locally.I have to say though that I did snag the warehouse executive who moved locally for a 2 year stint. Anyone better who considers my area wants to be close to work because of winter driving. Now winter is in decline. Young couples used to be a niche, getting starter apartments and then moving up. Now they are uncoupled, have no work ethic and perhaps a baby on the way. I have a B rental in a different market and it does well. Tempting to ditch the C properties but they cash flow well. It is becoming time to pivot though. --172.59.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Phil [OR]) Posted on: Mar 16, 2024 7:58 AM
Message:

I have one unit that has been empty since March 1. Put up ad on Zillow and craigslist mid February. Lots of "I want to set up a time to view" from Zillow listing. Most did not read the Minimum credit score & 3X rent requirement.

Fewer response from craigslist, but better overall applicants.

used to rent in days... --76.138.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: Mar 16, 2024 10:24 AM
Message:

ALOT of the good ones became bad when they drank the "free stuff" Koolaid during the pandemic.

Glad I got out of the hood. --198.168.xx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Sisco [MO]) Posted on: Mar 16, 2024 1:43 PM
Message:

Small, do I understand correctly that you have no guv school teachers,cops, firemen?

I am on the raged edge of the grid here in the Ozarks and there are good tenants…. I do have to advertise correctly for them to find me as they prefer to use property management companies. --149.76.xxx.x




Why so many bad applicant (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Mar 18, 2024 6:58 AM
Message:

I consider this largely lumped into L/T fraud. Any surprise that this niche is following the general fraud trend? The government, in the name of social justice, taught many in society that tenant history doesn't matter.

As long as we consider it important, it does matter. --24.101.xxx.xxx




Why so many bad applicant (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Mar 18, 2024 11:09 AM
Message:

Sisco I am in a small city and the Township surrounds it and then other more rural conclaves. So the majority of city workers (there are not many) rent anywhere else or own a home. I did have a public works guy who partnered up w previous tenant. I set them up in their first apt together. They stayed 2 yrs and moved rural when baby was on the way. --172.59.xxx.xx





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