All Forum Posts by: Rick Barker

I put all the home information on the voice mail message including the #Beds/Baths, rent, deposit, application fee, pets, and so on. At the end I tell them if they are interested in a showing leave their name and number.

It cuts down on the number of calls I have to take and the ones I have to call back are already interested in the property because they have all the information. I rarely have someone come to a showing and not fill out an application.

I always pull a new credit report on the applicants. As others have said it's too easy to fabricate.

As for the score, here are some examples I have had recently:

App # 1: Score 673, No late pays, too many inquiries. But the court records show 7 evictions filed in the last 4 years. I confirmed this with the previous LLs and court records. Lied through out the application.

App # 2: Score 476, Late pays, collections, and a bankruptcy.

App # 3. Score 540, Late pays (revolving), too many inquiries. No evictions filed. Current and previous LL stated that the rent was always paid on time. Everything checked out on the app including all the names, addresses, and phone numbers. I may frame it.

Sometimes you have to look at the person and make a gut call based on what their situation is and their priorities are (Like paying the rent on time).

I have used the service and it seems the applicants like this approach. I still have them fill out the application minus the credit information. If they don't have email or internet access I made the credit information into an addendum to the application for them to fill out.

I had one applicant who lied through the entire application: gave friends phone for landlord, false place of work, and indicated no evictions had been filed against her. The credit came back perfect from mysmartmove but the local court records showed that she had 6 evictions filed against her that were canceled after she paid the court. She was also charged with menacing and pleaded guilty to it which didn't show up on the report. I spoke to a representative at mysmartmove and gave them the info to see if there was anyway for the applicant to circumvent the system. Maybe it was just a one time thing because the applicant was a master manipulator.

The system is great to get the applicants credit/criminal report but you should also do your own homework when screening regardless of the systems recommendation.

Just my 2 cents. Thanks

We provide an information packet on the appliances and local phone contacts. We also provide a gift certificate for a free large pizza (We've all moved and the last thing you want to do is cook) and several coupons from businesses in the local area. It has been good networking with the local businesses.

I like the one that says: His mother has a tattoo that reads "Son".

On the last home we rehabbed I had to replace all the interior doors. I used these brackets called EZ Hang. I was skeptical at first because I always did it the hard way with shims. It took ten minutes to hang a door and they were strong.

The web site is http://www.ezhangdoor.com/Default.aspx

PS. I have no affiliation with the product, just passing on the experience.

First post! Whoo Hooo

I am in process of selling my first flip in an area with a lot of distressed houses. During the inspections they found high radon readings that I am mitigating.

I plan to buy some more properties to rehab and hold in the same area. If the property doesn't have a radon system am I legally required to test and have one installed before I rent it?

Appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks