GREAT prospect yesterday. They live about 2 hrs away currently and are college grads. They have rental experience as well (corporate rental, not mom and pop). I sold the place like nobody's biz, mentioned the local festival, farmer's market. etc. The neighborhood was blissfully quiet when they toured.

She is from a nearby town so unfortunately this particular town has a "low rent" reputation and even had a ne'er do well attempt a local bank heist recently. There is a sizable low performing tenant population with landlords who will rent to anyone with a pulse. There is also a narcotics population because said landlords will rent to those from the two cities that this town is sandwiched between.

We have a few bag people in town and some porch pirates. Never had any bad experiences on this particular block.

The apartment is HUGE, updated and very reasonable. They stated that they saw small, cramped units going for $1700. They mentioned they liked the many windows (all replacement yet bay windows, etc) and off street parking.. At the end of the tour she asked the million dollar question "is the area SAFE?"

I sent them the application link 24 hours ago and now *crickets.*

I have a quick, knee-jerk answer to this question "Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to comment on the area and ask every applicant to do their own research"

People won't rent in an area they deem unsafe. So if they did their due diligence and the results were not good, they are going to keep looking for a bit.

Maybe they will decide that the nice big apartment offsets the crime rate?

Be careful when talking about safety. If you say, I've never had a problem - but you know about the drugs and homeless, etc. - and then they DO they could sue you for withholding material facts.

Tell them there are all kinds of apps online to check out a neighborhood and you have to encourage them to do their own due diligence. Neighborhoods change, neighbors change. A convicted sex offender could have moved in next door two days ago and you didn't tell them (because you didn't know) and you are now liable for that...

WMH, exactly! Paper apps prolong the process if anything.

This is what you get when you web search "Is ____ a good town to live in?"

I hand them the paper app with instructions about how I pick it up at their place, along with the app fee, in cash, and do a quick visit in their home. I say "How you keep where you stay now is how you'll keep my place. " Have always gotten a positive reaction. Digital app doesn't need to be picked up, thus wouldn't get that in-home visit. Of course, I could still just schedule an in-home visit, I just prefer to use the application pick-up to do it. I have done a preliminary court case check before they view the property, so I have done some pre-screen before I enter their current home.

For a start, when they ask for an application, I hand it over and tell them I have plenty of time if they would like to fill it out right now. People who want the house will stand there and fill it out. My type of renter I want, is carrying all the information he needs with him to fill out applications.

People who take the application away, generally don't want to rent or else they have picked up on something that they know I will disqualify them for.

Since I live in the neighborhood of one property and can easily walk to the others, they already feel safe and don't ask that question.

I send the application online after vetting them through online sites, i.e. linked-in, facebook, court records and fastpeoplesearch records. Then ask them to fill our the app and bring it with them. If they like and want the place they can give me the appl on the spot. Saves me time, especially if I already know I want the prospect.

After reading BUSY's post, I am reconsidering. I like the idea of picking up the app at their home and do the inspection at that time.

I do like that approach Busy.

I hear you on paperless.

They fill out the application and send it to me before they see the place. Yes I am doing lockbox showings.

They like the place and check out on my side then I send them a link to the lease.

(At this point the plan is to do the in-house visit.)

We meet at the property. I walk them thru and explain anything that might not be common knowledge. How to use the HVAC, when trash day is, how to switch a breaker, etc.

If all goes well they fill out the lease, sign it and send it back. Usually right from the property.

I collect the funds owed and we are all happy. I give them the keys and tell them to verify with me the utility accounts when they get set up. Most times it is the next day, but never more than a week out.

If I have problems and need to evict I don't have to scan copies or anything. I go to their file and send the info directly to my attorney. He in turn sends it electronically to the court. Easy. Even though he charges me I think $5 for electronic filing.