How are you finding good tenants?

[Jordan Jaramillo]

I am having a difficult time finding quality tenants. I have had more turnover in the last six months and I ever have. Is there any tips, strategies, or marketing platforms that I could utilize that may be better than typical Facebook market, Craig’s list and Zillow ?

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Jordan Jaramillo:

I am having a difficult time finding quality tenants. I have had more turnover in the last six months and I ever have. Is there any tips, strategies, or marketing platforms that I could utilize that may be better than typical Facebook market, Craig’s list and Zillow ?

Craigslist is one of the worst places to market. Facebook is a close second. The bar of entry is very low, so you'll get low-quality renters.

I use software that pushes my rentals out to many websites like apartment.com, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, hotpads, etc. You can use software like TenantCloud for free up to 75 units and get pushed out to 4-5 sites. 

I recommend you include some of your key qualification criteria in the advertisement. For example, I mention that every adult must pay a $30 application fee and pass my credit/criminal background, they must make a combined income of 3x the rent, and whether or not the property accepts pets. Use the top three or four discriminators so applicants can kind of screen themselves.

Then you need to have clear screening criteria yourself. What's the lowest credit score you will allow? Do you check Landlord references? Do you verify their income? Do you know how to read the credit/criminal background? What if they have collections or judgments? 

Here's a detailed guide on how to screen applicants: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...