Real Estate Agent · Mineral Wells, TX · Member since 2011 · 58 posts · 5 votes
Everyone that calls a out my rental. Tells me they've
walked around The house and want me to show it to them
now. How do you all handle that.
My question is...What questions do you ask the caller to
screen them before you show the property?
Also I'm getting a lot of Hispanic calls which I'm having a
HARD time understanding. When I ask their name they say it
so fast there's NO way I can understand much less write it
down. It's like they really don't want to give their name...
but so do many others.
Do you set up one showing at a time or multiple persons?
Thaks for answering.
Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
DG,
These are the questions I ask over the phone before I schedule a showing:
-So, when are you looking to move?
-Who else will be living in this rental besides you?
-Why are you moving?â€
-Where are you renting now?
-When I contact your previous landlords, what kind of references will they give you?
-What kind of work do you do?
-What kind of pets do you have? (I word the question this way because tenants are more likely to answer honestly if the question is phrased this way than they will if asked “Do you have pets?â€)
-How many in the group are smokers?
-We run a credit check and criminal background check on every applicant age 18 and over. Will I see any issues come up?
I ask these questions on phone before I schedule a showing. Also, I schedule my showing 15 mins apart and call them a few hours before I head over to show the place. I try to schedule at least 5-7 showings in a day unless I am going to be in the area, because half of them end up being no show.
As far as not understanding the names is concerned, just ask them to repeat their names.
Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
DG,
These are the questions I ask over the phone before I schedule a showing:
-So, when are you looking to move?
-Who else will be living in this rental besides you?
-Why are you moving?â€
-Where are you renting now?
-When I contact your previous landlords, what kind of references will they give you?
-What kind of work do you do?
-What kind of pets do you have? (I word the question this way because tenants are more likely to answer honestly if the question is phrased this way than they will if asked “Do you have pets?â€)
-How many in the group are smokers?
-We run a credit check and criminal background check on every applicant age 18 and over. Will I see any issues come up?
I ask these questions on phone before I schedule a showing. Also, I schedule my showing 15 mins apart and call them a few hours before I head over to show the place. I try to schedule at least 5-7 showings in a day unless I am going to be in the area, because half of them end up being no show.
As far as not understanding the names is concerned, just ask them to repeat their names.
Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
15y
I agree with everything that Sharad wrote. I try to group at least two people/groups together for each time slot.
I tell the ones that want me to drop everything come down there immediately because they saw the sign that I can't afford to make multiple trips per day to the rental because today's high gas prices. And I won't move at warp speed for someone because their lease ends in four days and they need something immediately. They're lack of organizational and planning skills isn't my problem, sorry.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
15y
I usually only show once a week. I schedule everyone who calls at exactly the same time. I tell them to call me 30 minutes (how long it takes me to get there) before the appointment or I will not be there. I do not call them. No calls, I don't go. But if I get at least four scheduled, at least a couple usually call and at least one will show up. Usually about 50% who say they will come look actually do. Once in a great while, two people actually show up at once. Doesn't usually cause any problem.
Like Sharad, I ask a bunch of questions on the phone. If someone wanted to see it right away, I would also ask:
1) You've heard my criteria, any problem with any of that?
2) Are you willing to fill out an application on the spot? Do you have the fees?
3) Do you have the first month's rent and the deposit?
4) Are you ready to move in right away?
If those are all good answers and I am looking to rent right away and I have the time, I would go show it. If they sound like lookie-loos, I'd tell them the date and time of the next showing and tell them to be there.
Real Estate Agent · Mineral Wells, TX · Member since 2011 · 58 posts · 5 votes
15y
Thanks for the great replies.
I do have everyone call 30min before I show. I learned the hard way on this rule....anytime I break my own rule I get stood up or the showing was a total waste of my time.
The landlord business isn't the best in my small Texas town. Way too many that don't qualify or if they do won't take care of the property. A term lease means nothing to them, they will sign a year lease and leave in 3 months with more damage than the deposit will ever cover.
Thanks Again to all for the great replies
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
15y
I've had people look at my place at the beginning of June when they didn't plan to move in until Aug 1. That's a waste of my time. Even if they're planning to move July 1, there's no need for me to rush over. They can wait until the next showing.
OTOH, if its June 25th and they're ready to move in on July 1 and I don't have any good prospects yet, then I'd be willing to show it to them on short notice.
Real Estate Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2009 · 12 posts · 5 votes
15y
Honestly as an Entrepreneur/Real Estate Investor myself I've learned to delegate my duties and save time rather than have to deal with the renting of my properties. Partnering up with a very good management company or hiring your own personal management team is a great idea when talking about multiple properties. Now when you are talking about a couple homes to rent then obviously the questions that both Sharad M., and Jon Holdman spoke of are perfect examples of the right ones to ask prior to going out to the property. Your time is more valuable than any amount of money and if the tenants are really serious about the home then they will have no problem seeing the home on your time schedule, but if the tenants are pushy and are in a "rush" you end spinning your wheels without any movement forward at all - burned out.
Homeowner · Burleson, TX · Member since 2008 · 756 posts · 376 votes
15y
I have a flier box at the house and one taped to the windows. I have a lot of pictures online and a youtube video showing the whole rental. I ask if they have seen the video before I will come out to show it.
I like the idea of calling 30 minutes before the appointment. Being stood up is not fun.