When you manage a property yourself, how do you screen tenants?

Question

This question is about screening tenants and also how one goes about showing them the property.

I've typically had a property manager, but am looking at my first more turn key property in a GREAT area that I'm excited to get locked down.

For other rentals that I own, I've had my property manager find the tenant for which they charge me half of the first month's rent.

I'm also seeing in the area that I'm looking to add this turnkey property, the cost is closer to one FULL MONTH's rent.

Given that, and that I'm going to be managing this newer, turn key property myself, would y'all recommend a different approach or is the value so great in having realtors be able to show the property that I should just eat the cost and have them do it?

Account Closed · Answer

My realtor finds me houses. They do not find me tenants. I cannot recall ever having a problem with finding enough people who are interested in my homes. I have had a single home that we rent for $1800 have an issue with people putting in an application, but we were patient and it is now occupied with a great couple. The majority of my properties rent for under 1k and we get people begging us to let them live there.

Steve Lee · Answer

Hey @Steve S. ,I just recently used the

One from Bigger pockets. It was really great. https://biggerpockets.mysmartmove.com/

Also I rented out in a really nice neighborhood and the tenants were nice. I was renting out my own home so I had to do something fast and it was.

I didn't even think about other methods and if in the future I am renting out a lower income home. I would probably also check the sex registry as well.

Steve S. · Answer

So I assume you don't typically pay 1 month's rent to a realtor / etc to find your tenants?

@Mark Poulton @Kenneth Garrett

Steve S. · Answer

So I assume you don't typically pay 1 month's rent to a realtor / etc to find your tenants?

Account Closed · Answer

Sex offender registry.

Count, city and state arrest lookup.

Inmate search.

County civil record search.

Several other websites that search for infractions.

Google.

If they have an address in another state, city, etc, I check there for criminal activity as well.

I talk to their last/current landlord and check tax and registrar of deeds to make sure I am talking to the right person.

That is all before I even think of running their credit. I use Mr land lord for that.

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Steve S.

I use Zillow Rental Manager to advertise my rentals. I usually have a tenant in 10 days. Its been a great resource for me. Screening tenants I use National Tenant Network (NTN). I have them perform credit checks and background checks which includes criminal and past evictions. Tenant pays for the screening its $41.00. I do not add any charges other then what I am charged. The screening I can enter myself and have the report within 24 hours.

I've heard about TransUnion but I have not used it myself.

Good Luck.

Russell Brazil · Answer

I use Transunion MySmartMove to screen tenants. https://biggerpockets.mysmartmove.com/

When you manage a property yourself, how do you screen tenants?

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