I met a lovely lady at a showing today. We had a great conversation, had a great job with a pharmaceutical company, etc. We must have talked 20 minutes. I was 95% sure this was a done deal.

While I was sitting in my office, a different lady walks in with her application and barely speaks. I don't even remember showing her the unit. I tell her I'll get on it and let her know in a few days. I see she works as manager at a local restaurant. She is young. Unimpressive on paper. I run her credit score - almost 800. I run the math on her income. She qualifies.

The same day, the yappy lady gets me her application. Sub 600 credit score.

I am beginning to think that the talkers are the ones that are likely to have poor credit scores and the quiet ones are the ones that have good credit scores.

Excellent observation.

I had one trying to explain that child endangerment charge (that she plead guilty to) was a small misunderstanding associated with some previous gang involvement.

"Great" was my answer, "I'll send you a link to apply - we follow fair housing laws and encourage everyone to apply." is all that I said.

The link has them pay the $45 to find out if they will qualify, if they are willing to do so.

Bonanza, convert that office into a rental.

But it does remind me of the saying "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

Ratt song: Slip of the lip

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vSwyFLdrFs

Once they make it through the initial screening, I call back with my questions. "Tell me about your bankruptcy...I see you've moved three times in the last five years?...why are you moving?" etc. Then I follow Ray's advice: shut up and listen.

It's amazing what people will tell you if you just respond with "really? Wow. Then what?" I've heard some amazing stories that are not reflected in the court records, and they're not good ones.