Sign Lease Without Meeting Prospective Tenants?

[Priyanka K.]

I have two applicants for a SFR. Ironically booth are from Seattle and claim they are moving to Dallas for new jobs. They don't have the offer letters but have provided contacts to verify the new job offer. Their background and credit checks have come clean. I did reference checks and they look good! They also provided copy of driver's license. One is a military veteran.

They are willing to sign the lease and pay security (mail check or paypal). I am a bit hesitant in leasing to tenants without meeting them! Have you heard of any scams? Why would anyone sign a lase without looking at the property?

What additional checks should I do, if any?

thanks, priyanka 

[Marc Winter]

Why are you hesitant?  Something uneasy in the back of your stomach?  

Listen to your gut--do not ever rent to someone that has not been to the property and inspected it.  It's just not good business practice.  

True, we live in a 'virtual' world, but photos, video walkthroughs or drone pix will not take the place of the actual tenant being inside the actual property they will actually be living in.  They gotta experience it, smell it and feel it.  

And if you are a self-manager, you need to do the same with the tenants (meet them) so you feel solidly confident about them living in your investment.