Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$39.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

User Stats

91
Posts
16
Votes
Dave Chow
  • Investor
  • CA
16
Votes |
91
Posts

Family group with one eviction

Dave Chow
  • Investor
  • CA
Posted

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?

User Stats

6,241
Posts
3,562
Votes
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,562
Votes |
6,241
Posts
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?


 Of course, HOWEVER you neeed to hire a PM co or it will not end well. Clevelanad is a tough market, I have 10 years and 100s and 100s and 100s of move in and outs, DO NOT try and go it alone

Did you get the lead inspection ?

BTW you found income of 9k a month in cleveland ??? HMM 

User Stats

91
Posts
16
Votes
Dave Chow
  • Investor
  • CA
16
Votes |
91
Posts
Dave Chow
  • Investor
  • CA
Replied
Quote from @Bob Stevens:
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?


 Of course, HOWEVER you neeed to hire a PM co or it will not end well. Clevelanad is a tough market, I have 10 years and 100s and 100s and 100s of move in and outs, DO NOT try and go it alone

Did you get the lead inspection ?

BTW you found income of 9k a month in cleveland ??? HMM 


Yes they work from home and have remote 3rd income. 
Our concern is that the mom had one eviction. This would be the first time that we have applicant with eviction shown in the application. 
All 3 has full applications. 
What do you mean "Did you get the lead inspection "? 
BiggerPockets logo
PassivePockets is here!
|
BiggerPockets
Find sponsors, evaluate deals, and learn how to invest with confidence.
Account Closed
  • Columbus, OH
254
Votes |
427
Posts
Account Closed
  • Columbus, OH
Replied

Not sure what the price of rent is, but $9,000/mo household income in Cleveland is pretty strong.

User Stats

6,241
Posts
3,562
Votes
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,562
Votes |
6,241
Posts
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:
Quote from @Bob Stevens:
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?


 Of course, HOWEVER you neeed to hire a PM co or it will not end well. Clevelanad is a tough market, I have 10 years and 100s and 100s and 100s of move in and outs, DO NOT try and go it alone

Did you get the lead inspection ?

BTW you found income of 9k a month in cleveland ??? HMM 


Yes they work from home and have remote 3rd income. 
Our concern is that the mom had one eviction. This would be the first time that we have applicant with eviction shown in the application. 
All 3 has full applications. 
What do you mean "Did you get the lead inspection "? 

 EXACTLY why you better hire a PM co,,,,,,,ALL properties must pass lead inspection, 

Again hire a PM before you lose your shirt,    I am happy to recommend, I know them all, 

AGAIN, 9k income from a Cleveland tenant, VERY UNcommon, 

User Stats

337
Posts
210
Votes
Vadim F.
  • Investor
210
Votes |
337
Posts
Vadim F.
  • Investor
Replied

9k monthly income is just about what you will get CA not Cleveland. Are these w2 jobs, or are they 1099?

User Stats

1,386
Posts
1,535
Votes
Adam Martin
  • Rental Property Investor
1,535
Votes |
1,386
Posts
Adam Martin
  • Rental Property Investor
Replied

I don't know anything about Cleveland however if anyone in the group has an eviction it is an automatic pass.  I also ask before they even apply and if they say they have been evicted or had one filed I won't even show.  If they lie they wasted their application fee.  I'm also concerned with how much money they make but how low their scores are.  What is bringing them down and how recent are the negatives.  How much you make is only part of the equation but the credit score tells how responsible they are with it.  

User Stats

14,192
Posts
10,896
Votes
Theresa Harris
Pro Member
#2 Managing Your Property Contributor
10,896
Votes |
14,192
Posts
Theresa Harris
Pro Member
#2 Managing Your Property Contributor
Replied

If there was one eviction 9 years ago, I wouldn't worry about it.  Ask her about it. 

User Stats

6,241
Posts
3,562
Votes
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,562
Votes |
6,241
Posts
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Account Closed:

Not sure what the price of rent is, but $9,000/mo household income in Cleveland is pretty strong.

Pretty strong, its Nonexistent, I do not believe this post, I have done about 2k move in and outs, NEVER had a renter with 9k income, why would they rent? In 2 months, they can save enough for a DP, makes zero sense to me . 

User Stats

6,241
Posts
3,562
Votes
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,562
Votes |
6,241
Posts
Bob Stevens
Pro Member
#3 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Adam Martin:

I don't know anything about Cleveland however if anyone in the group has an eviction it is an automatic pass.  I also ask before they even apply and if they say they have been evicted or had one filed I won't even show.  If they lie they wasted their application fee.  I'm also concerned with how much money they make but how low their scores are.  What is bringing them down and how recent are the negatives.  How much you make is only part of the equation but the credit score tells how responsible they are with it.  


 The post makes no sense, 

User Stats

268
Posts
249
Votes
Chris B.
  • Chandler, AZ
249
Votes |
268
Posts
Chris B.
  • Chandler, AZ
Replied

I'm not in the Cleveland market, and none of us know the exact home you are renting and at what rate but with that disclaimer that I know nothing about your market and am full of ideas, here we go...  

$9k income.  Is this a $3k / month property you are renting?  Otherwise if they are trying to rent a $1.5k property with that "claimed" income, its a red flag.  Working from home means nothing.  Check with their employer that they are employed there and have been so for a while.  Ask what title the person holds.  Pretty easy to look up average rates (if the employer won't say the pay) in any market for a position online.  What those above me are getting at is that the reported income is highly suspicious.  I've seen fake paystubs.  Applicants dish them out in every market.  Check the past few months of deposits into their bank account.  Ask them to pull it up on their phone right in front of you and show you a few recent statements with this paychecks deposited into their account.  It should be regular and every week or two.  It should be fairly consistent in amount also.  Last, it should add up to what they claim minus reasonable withholdings.  They can't easily fake this check.

If they are self employed, also check several months of bank deposits and look at the last 2 years of tax returns.  Don't feel bad asking as self-employed people are used to this request.

650 and 600 aren't horrible credit scores, but they are FAR from great.  Why do they have such low credit scores with such good income?  Ask for an explanation.  Do a background check with credit and criminal history yourself and verify their information.  Don't accept a credit check an applicant provides to you.

I normally deny all eviction applicants.  In this case, the mom has declared no income and its been a long time so I'd ask about it, but likely allow her.  I ask applicants a lot of questions in person casually while showing the property.  A lot are full of BS.  I can never tell who is telling the truth but I can get a gut feeling.  On the other hand, applicant say and do lots of stupid things that I will disqualify them for.  For example, I ask if they smoke or vape.  Answer is no and then after the viewing I see them though a window talking out by their car while vaping.  Denied.  Not only is that against my rules, but they also lied to me.  This kind of stuff happens frequently.

Overall, there are a lot of hints that something is wrong here.  Don't trust anything you are told or shown.  Verify everything.

User Stats

218
Posts
117
Votes
Laura Stayton
  • Property Manager
  • Delaware
117
Votes |
218
Posts
Laura Stayton
  • Property Manager
  • Delaware
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?


 Risky in my opinion.   Do they have good recent rental references? 

User Stats

1,311
Posts
890
Votes
Henry T.
Pro Member
890
Votes |
1,311
Posts
Henry T.
Pro Member
Replied

I personally would not accept those credit scores. Maybe for Cleveland its good, I dont know. Income needs one or two year verification. I always ask myself, if things went south, how easy would it be to garnish their wages.

BiggerPockets logo
Network With Property Managers
|
BiggerPockets
Partnering with a property manager before you buy will boost your bottom line. Match and mingle with top property managers now!

User Stats

849
Posts
824
Votes
Simon Ashbaugh
  • Realtor
  • Columbus Ohio, Cleveland Ohio
824
Votes |
849
Posts
Simon Ashbaugh
  • Realtor
  • Columbus Ohio, Cleveland Ohio
Replied

Ask for past landlord referrals and call them

User Stats

2,879
Posts
2,980
Votes
Corby Goade
Property Manager
Agent
  • Investor
  • Boise, ID
2,980
Votes |
2,879
Posts
Corby Goade
Property Manager
Agent
  • Investor
  • Boise, ID
Replied

Nope. Evictions are a deal breaker. What other information do you need- they don't pay their bills and they got kicked out of a place already. You don't want that headache. 

Surely there are other tenants in your market who pay rent. 

User Stats

1,059
Posts
698
Votes
Ray Hage
  • Investor
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
698
Votes |
1,059
Posts
Ray Hage
  • Investor
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
Replied

A 9 year old eviction wouldn't deter me but I would want to be 100% sure that the income is real, you could ask for bank statements to see if that income is really going or if they are just self-reporting it. Hopefully it is for real. If they work a W-2 job, ask for the paystubs as well.

Of course, check with at least two of the previous landlords. Always be careful with that as well. On the most recent property I rented out, a lady gave me a fake landlord. Being a landlord myself, I could tell it was bs. If you can't listen and read people, you'll want a great PM to handle this.

User Stats

27,357
Posts
18,581
Votes
James Wise#1 Ask About A Real Estate Company Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH
18,581
Votes |
27,357
Posts
James Wise#1 Ask About A Real Estate Company Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?

 $9k/mo in income but they have an eviction and want to put 3 adults and 1 child into a duplex that's prolly like $800/mo? Lol, they're taking you for a ride my man. Deny.

User Stats

26,758
Posts
39,477
Votes
Nathan Gesner
Agent
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
39,477
Votes |
26,758
Posts
Nathan Gesner
Agent
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
ModeratorReplied

I'm concerned that you don't really know how to screen. They claim high income working from home, but they have crap credit scores? How did you verify their income?

Personally, they sound high risk and I would be digging deep before I even considered them.

  • Property Manager Wyoming (#12599)

American West Realty & Management Logo

User Stats

3,908
Posts
5,049
Votes
James Hamling
Agent
#3 Real Estate News & Current Events Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Minneapolis, MN
5,049
Votes |
3,908
Posts
James Hamling
Agent
#3 Real Estate News & Current Events Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Minneapolis, MN
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:
Quote from @Bob Stevens:
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?


 Of course, HOWEVER you neeed to hire a PM co or it will not end well. Clevelanad is a tough market, I have 10 years and 100s and 100s and 100s of move in and outs, DO NOT try and go it alone

Did you get the lead inspection ?

BTW you found income of 9k a month in cleveland ??? HMM 


Yes they work from home and have remote 3rd income. 
Our concern is that the mom had one eviction. This would be the first time that we have applicant with eviction shown in the application. 
All 3 has full applications. 
What do you mean "Did you get the lead inspection "? 

Did you actually verify their incomes, or are you just going off what they stated as income? 

A tenant can easily create a fake paystub, I see it all the time. This just feels off to me, the scores and incomes don't mesh, especially for OH. Doesn't pass my sniff-test. Dig deeper, verify. 

User Stats

1,149
Posts
765
Votes
Alan Asriants
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Philadelphia, PA
765
Votes |
1,149
Posts
Alan Asriants
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Philadelphia, PA
Replied

Ask her about the eviction. See if she gives you a straight answer or if she beats around the bush.
Call all previous landlords - including the one who filed for eviction
Income is strong, and credit is decent.

9 years ago is a long time

You never know, maybe the old landlord was a complete jerk

Trust but verify

  • Real Estate Agent New Jersey (#2323863) and Pennsylvania (#RS3399189)

  • 267-767-0111
  • [email protected]
Alan Asriants - New Century Real Estate  Logo

User Stats

2,323
Posts
1,577
Votes
Richard F.#1 Tenant Screening Contributor
  • Property Manager
  • Honolulu, HI
1,577
Votes |
2,323
Posts
Richard F.#1 Tenant Screening Contributor
  • Property Manager
  • Honolulu, HI
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?

Aloha,

There are a number of issues that need further evaluation:

1) Income. What exactly is this from? If they are "working from home" what does this entail? INCOME does not equal Spendable Cash. For example, if they are selling goods online, and receiving 9K in "payments", they still must have a significant "cost of goods" sold, like any business...raw materials or products they are adding value to or simply repackaging. Their spendable cash will be a fraction of the income. They can show deposits on their bank statement to "prove" the income, but you need to dig deeper to see what they are selling/doing, and what is the cost for them to do so. They should provide complete tax returns, prepared by legit third party for the past year or two. These will show you their true income.

2) Husband and Wife's credit scores. Not great...I NEVER pass judgment based on the "Score" alone. I pull the full Credit report to see what every account is, history, age of account, type of account, balance (or past due balance), current and prior addresses and employment, and more. The score alone is nearly meaningless, as I have had high scoring Tenants that trashed a place and stopped paying rent; I have also had low scoring tenants that were fantastic. You need to see what goes into making that score. ALSO, for "Mom", Nothing unusual here, IF the Husband and Wife ACTUALLY have verifiable income and other issues checked out ok, they will be the primary parties and are likely helping out an elderly parent that perhaps lost a husband to divorce or death and is not able to support herself at this stage of life. I would be cautious to ensure they will ALL be moving in...you do not want to end up with them just helping to get Mom into a place alone. Do they OWN a home? If not, why not?

3) A nine year old eviction ALONE would have little effect on an approve/deny decision, especially with QUALIFIED co-applicants. People make mistakes, and life happens. What I am looking for is a PATTERN of mistakes, poor decisions, and irresponsible behavior, in all areas...financial, employment, legal, character.

Study the details, ask the "why's", see if all of the provided and verified info "fits" together and makes sense.

Lastly, here is a little more insight to your credit scores:

User Stats

91
Posts
16
Votes
Dave Chow
  • Investor
  • CA
16
Votes |
91
Posts
Dave Chow
  • Investor
  • CA
Replied
Quote from @Richard F.:
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?

Aloha,

There are a number of issues that need further evaluation:

1) Income. What exactly is this from? If they are "working from home" what does this entail? INCOME does not equal Spendable Cash. For example, if they are selling goods online, and receiving 9K in "payments", they still must have a significant "cost of goods" sold, like any business...raw materials or products they are adding value to or simply repackaging. Their spendable cash will be a fraction of the income. They can show deposits on their bank statement to "prove" the income, but you need to dig deeper to see what they are selling/doing, and what is the cost for them to do so. They should provide complete tax returns, prepared by legit third party for the past year or two. These will show you their true income.

2) Husband and Wife's credit scores. Not great...I NEVER pass judgment based on the "Score" alone. I pull the full Credit report to see what every account is, history, age of account, type of account, balance (or past due balance), current and prior addresses and employment, and more. The score alone is nearly meaningless, as I have had high scoring Tenants that trashed a place and stopped paying rent; I have also had low scoring tenants that were fantastic. You need to see what goes into making that score. ALSO, for "Mom", Nothing unusual here, IF the Husband and Wife ACTUALLY have verifiable income and other issues checked out ok, they will be the primary parties and are likely helping out an elderly parent that perhaps lost a husband to divorce or death and is not able to support herself at this stage of life. I would be cautious to ensure they will ALL be moving in...you do not want to end up with them just helping to get Mom into a place alone. Do they OWN a home? If not, why not?

3) A nine year old eviction ALONE would have little effect on an approve/deny decision, especially with QUALIFIED co-applicants. People make mistakes, and life happens. What I am looking for is a PATTERN of mistakes, poor decisions, and irresponsible behavior, in all areas...financial, employment, legal, character.

Study the details, ask the "why's", see if all of the provided and verified info "fits" together and makes sense.

Lastly, here is a little more insight to your credit scores:


There would be no income issue.

Have the husband/wife sign the lease as the lessee , while the mother just as residence on the lease. Would that be a bit better and reduce the risk, compared to all as lessee?

User Stats

337
Posts
210
Votes
Vadim F.
  • Investor
210
Votes |
337
Posts
Vadim F.
  • Investor
Replied
Quote from @Dave Chow:
Quote from @Richard F.:
Quote from @Dave Chow:

We are having a duplex to rent received an application group.

I would like to know if we should accept this application group.

Husband: credit score 650, income $5000/MO, 

Wife: credit score 600, income $3800/MO,

Husband's Mom: credit score 570, income 0(retired). But has ONE eviction history. 

Son: 12 years old. 


All of them have criminal -free background. 

One big concern is that the Mom had an eviction about 9 years ago.

Should we accept this?

Aloha,

There are a number of issues that need further evaluation:

1) Income. What exactly is this from? If they are "working from home" what does this entail? INCOME does not equal Spendable Cash. For example, if they are selling goods online, and receiving 9K in "payments", they still must have a significant "cost of goods" sold, like any business...raw materials or products they are adding value to or simply repackaging. Their spendable cash will be a fraction of the income. They can show deposits on their bank statement to "prove" the income, but you need to dig deeper to see what they are selling/doing, and what is the cost for them to do so. They should provide complete tax returns, prepared by legit third party for the past year or two. These will show you their true income.

2) Husband and Wife's credit scores. Not great...I NEVER pass judgment based on the "Score" alone. I pull the full Credit report to see what every account is, history, age of account, type of account, balance (or past due balance), current and prior addresses and employment, and more. The score alone is nearly meaningless, as I have had high scoring Tenants that trashed a place and stopped paying rent; I have also had low scoring tenants that were fantastic. You need to see what goes into making that score. ALSO, for "Mom", Nothing unusual here, IF the Husband and Wife ACTUALLY have verifiable income and other issues checked out ok, they will be the primary parties and are likely helping out an elderly parent that perhaps lost a husband to divorce or death and is not able to support herself at this stage of life. I would be cautious to ensure they will ALL be moving in...you do not want to end up with them just helping to get Mom into a place alone. Do they OWN a home? If not, why not?

3) A nine year old eviction ALONE would have little effect on an approve/deny decision, especially with QUALIFIED co-applicants. People make mistakes, and life happens. What I am looking for is a PATTERN of mistakes, poor decisions, and irresponsible behavior, in all areas...financial, employment, legal, character.

Study the details, ask the "why's", see if all of the provided and verified info "fits" together and makes sense.

Lastly, here is a little more insight to your credit scores:


There would be no income issue.

Have the husband/wife sign the lease as the lessee , while the mother just as residence on the lease. Would that be a bit better and reduce the risk, compared to all as lessee?


 Ask yourself the question, how does it make sense for them to have $9k income and want to rent at $900/mo unit? Something doesn't add up at all here....

BiggerPockets logo
BiggerPockets
|
Sponsored
Find an investor-friendly agent in your market TODAY Get matched with our network of trusted, local, investor friendly agents in under 2 minutes