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<\/p>\nMost people value their time\u2014I\u2019m sure you do, and I\u2019m sure your prospective tenant does as well. Because of this, it\u2019s in your best interest to do a little investigative work to determine whether the home is a good fit for both parties before taking the time and effort to show the property. You can accomplish this with a short conversation.<\/p>\n
During your first contacts with the prospective tenant, make sure you have a list of standard information you go over and ask of them, like the following four tips. Never show a property blindly not knowing that the person you\u2019re showing it to is a legitimate option\u2014unless of course you\u2019ve got a lot of time on your hands.<\/p>\n
Before scheduling a showing, do the following.<\/p>\n
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This is always the first question we ask a tenant when they call.<\/p>\n
Usually the answer is met with a few seconds of silence or stuttering, as the tenant is not used to being asked questions. However, we think this is a valuable question, as it will help you gauge what\u2019s important to them and give you the first glimpse into the kind of tenant they\u2019ll become.<\/p>\n
This includes items such as rent, deposit, lease terms, pet policy, and what utilities are and are not included, as well as the general description of the home, including amenities. During this part of the conversation, you might find out they are looking for a short lease term that you can\u2019t accommodate, or they are looking for a home with a dishwasher, which yours doesn\u2019t have. Both examples result in the same outcome\u2014they aren\u2019t going to work out. By getting that out of the way early on, you\u2019ve saved yourself a trip to the property.<\/p>\n Usually prospective tenants are fairly open during this part of the conversation, which gives the landlord a heads up of whether or not they are worth pursuing further. If they don\u2019t meet any one of your standards, they will usually (though, not always) tell you. For example, if you tell them you have an income requirement of $2,500 per month for a particular rental and they tell you they only make $1,500, you can easily let them know that in order to qualify for the home, they must meet the income requirement. Once again, you\u2019ve saved yourself a trip.<\/p>\n
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\nRelated:<\/strong> 12 Tips I\u2019ve Learned From Screening Close to 500 Prospective Tenants<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n3. Make sure they are fully aware of the qualification standards for the home.<\/h3>\n
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