How to Get More People to Complete Application

Question

I've been getting GREAT results from my property marketing lately, but one thing that's been weird is the people who ask us to email them an application are typically not filling it out.

We do tell them it's $35 for the app, and tell them where it's coming from. Most of these people are requesting the application themselves, but some we ask if they'd like one.

Maybe 1 in 8 applications get filled out. I don't think that's a great ratio for people who request them. We do have follow up tasks automatically set 1 day out to see if they did the application and if not, contact them. But besides that, I'm stumped?

What can I do to get more people to take the next step and complete their application?

Matthew Olszak · Answer

@Austin Hughes Make sure its not going to their spam folder. Otherwise, its just a matter of selling your unit harder and better pre-screening those who view the unit. An lead filling out the app is them saying, "Yes, I'm sold, I want this". Many people don't know how to say no when you are 'selling' to them, so they just say, "Sure, send me the app, we love it!" because they feel that is the only way to get out of the situation.

If you want to improve your ratio, reduce the number of people you show the unit to by prescreening them better before doing so. Go over all of the requirements, describe the unit, investigate what they are looking for, etc. Then those who do show up will be a good match, so sell them hard that this is a great unit for them and email them the app right then in person.

Paul Ronto · Answer

I think there are a few easy things you can do to get more online applications for your property.

1. Put more photos on your listing: people forget what places look like that they have seen, or are very hesitant to apply and spend the money without a good idea of what every part of the house looks like. Make sure to post pics of the outside front and back, kitchen, living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms and any patio area. Guys like photos of the garage as well. If you have time snapshots of the rest of the house, but if not, make sure to get at lease great photos of those areas.

2. Respond to leads quickly: Renters are calling multiple properties, so respond ASAP or you may loose their interest.

3. Market Online: This should seem obvious, but if not, make sure you are marketing online and allowing people to apply online. No one likes to fill out paper apps anymore or find a printer to print them out.

4. Post To Craigslist: Post to all the big listing sites, but also post to Craigslist. Almost 50% of local renters are still looking there.

5. Make it easy to apply: Invite your prospects to apply by sending them the direct link to your app when they inquire, don't make them search for it.

Hope this helps! Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions, happy to help.

Austin Hughes · Answer

We verbally pre-screen them to make sure they don't have evictions or sex offenses or too low of income. The application that we have references on we check second, because frankly we don't want to check a bunch of references and spend all our time calling them unless they are serious, which is shown by then paying the $35 for the screening report which includes their background check.

Austin Hughes · Answer

They can electronically fill out and sign the applications. They don't have to print anything out period it comes from different websites than us but it says Thunder Sun homes invited you via... Insert website name.

Rick S. · Answer

@Austin Hughes are you requiring the $35.00 with the application or do you only require the $35.00 if you run a background check?  Maybe you could accept the application without the fee and only request the $35.00 if you decide to run a background check on them if they meet your criteria after you review the application.  I assume the $35.00 is to cover the cost of the background check.

Jeff Gates · Answer

Are you emailing an application as a attachment? That is asking for a low response rate. Do all these people have a scanner, I doubt it.

How to Get More People to Complete Application

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