1) Will you hold this home for 3 months? My lease does not end for 3 months!
2) Will you repaint the home?
3) Will you re-carpet? I want to make sure it is clean.
4) Will you change the gas stove? I’m afraid of gas.
5) Can I repaint if I paint it BACK when I move?
6) Will you take the deposit next month when I get paid? I’ll sign the lease today.
7) Will you lower the rent for a longer term lease? I wrote an ENTIRE blog about this
8) Can I have my sister and her family stay temporarily while she looks for work?
9) Can I have my sister’s 3 pit bulls stay with me while she is on vacation?
10) Do you REALLY run credit checks?
These questions were ALL asked of me during my phone pre-screening after prospects had seen my listings on Craigslist. When properties have fenced yards, I feature that in my CL heading. I frequently have to re-direct callers directly to my website although there is a prominent LINK to my website from the CL listings.
My web site host * HomeRentals.net * offers a module to schedule property showings for me; however, I am a FIRM believer that pre-screening WORKS!!!!
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
Central Virginia
LandlordWhisperer
View our available Charlottesville, Albemarle and Lake Monticello rental homes online with photos and floor plans
"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous
Rentals do bring out some interesting questions to say the least, LOL. I have a few right now, and boy oh boy you just have to laugh....
The best was from an agent. I had put in the remarks on the MLS that a positive credit check was required, as well as checking the box for credit check. The agent asked me to define "positive credit check". I know him well, so I responded accordingly....
I help investors find tenants and have heard some of these questions.
Andrea * What is a POSITIVE Credit Check? I usually have applicants tell me they have a 800 credit score - when in truth they are in the high 600s or low 700s.
I've stopped listing rental properties in our local MLS rental section. I list on my website FIRST, then make a postlet ad to post on CL AND on my blog sidebar....I am finding that poorer quality applicants are dealing through real estate agents BECAUSE they have poor credit AND they think I have to deal with other agents which is their entre to my listings * NOT!!!
Gita * I don't think they are just asking me...I think they are asking all of the would-be landlords they talk to BECAUSE of the reactions they are getting!!!
Hmmm, those are pretty good.......glad you have a pre-screening process in place!
Yep- Heard 'em all. My favorites are the people who call me NOW and want to know what I will have in July.
I have my July available properties on my website; however, I am not going to show them now. They can e-lease directly from my website.
Wallace, interesting questions to say the least. I've listed several rental properties this year and was amazed at how often people were asking the very questions to which the answers were already stated. The best one was when someone called me on a "no pets" rental only to tell me they had three dogs.
Silvia * they think of their dogs as extended members of their family * they AREN'T pets, they are my CHILDREN is almost as good as they are outside dogs. My 2 ESS LIVE in my house and sleep with me....I don't WANT dogs outside barking disturbing neighbors!!!
Across the board - same questions are asked. Most of these are from first-time renters though, who really just don't understand after just being under their parents all their lives.
Diane * at first I thought that they were newbie tenants and NOW I think they can't read and follow directions which are NOT good indicators of their future success!!!
MY DOGS are so good, they pose for photos!!!!
I like your idea of not listing on the MLS. Might have to try that soon.
Tracy * agents RARELY have the information I would like to have about their client prospects * DO THEY HAVE PETS? HOW SOON DO THEY NEED TO MOVE? HOW MANY OCCUPANTS WILL BE IN THE HOUSE?
Absolutely NO agent has these 3 answers and they want to give me the information they DO HAVE which is not much.