I would like to assume everyone here knows the difference between a great tenant, an average one and a bad one. If you read the replies to the post Red Flag Phrases, you got reminded of all of the less than desirable applicants. I am of the opinion that we all have the same tenant pool.

This post explores the 'flip-side' of the Red Flag Phrases post. Whenever you phone screen someone or just meet some one for the first time at a showing,...what phrases (or clues) do good tenants say or do that create a favorable impression on you? It has to be something more than just having a steady well paying union job.

I could make a list of the all good qualities that my screening radar is tuned in to in regards to locating 'above average rental applicants'. What would your short list look like? I will give mine later on.

They act like a customer--polite, interested in the unit, but not desperate. Not like they are trying to sell me on them.

There is no shortage of rental housing for qualified people where I live so anyone who gushes uncontrollably over the unit or tries to butter me up is suspect.

Also they take the application, think about what they want to do, and return it in a day or two. I've never had anyone who fills it out on the spot who passed screening so far.

They act like a customer--polite, interested in the unit, but not desperate. Not like they are trying to sell me on them.

There is no shortage of rental housing for qualified people where I live so anyone who gushes uncontrollably over the unit or tries to butter me up is suspect.

Also they take the application, think about what they want to do, and return it in a day or two. I've never had anyone who fills it out on the spot who passed screening so far.

J's post is very representative of my view. In addition, I like the ones who want to move within the next 3 - 6 weeks since I start advertising my units as soon as I received a 30-day notice. Makes for a perfect 1-3 day turn over.

It's also a plus when they ask if they can pay by auto-draft. Shows me they are serious about paying.

My favorite "I can't see the apartment until I get off work."

They speak clearly...I'm not referring to people with a speech impediment.

No chaotic background noise.

Know how much they earn.

Have family in area.

Know other people who deal with me.

mickie, I distinguish between those people and people who try to time the end of their old lease and start of new lease as closely as possible. because they are trying to pay as little as possible

When it doesn't sound like a marching band is performing in the back ground on the phone.

When they call and actually leave a voicemail instead of calling 5x in a row.

When they can use complete sentences and sound like they have higher than a 3rd grade education.

When they spend more than 30 seconds filling out the application and actually fill the whole thing out.

When they show up 5 minutes early to the showing.

When their kids are well behaved at the showing and not running around like circus animals.

I really like seeing very very well behaved chikdren. When I see wild chikdren running around slamming doors and flipping lights on and off, I auto reject the parents. Well behaved children make me want to rent to their parents....

I also like to walk behind potential tenants and smell them. The slightest cigarette smell I can pick up on

Humble attitude.

Is patient, not in a hurry.

Does not drive a blinged out vehicle or a trash heap.

Is polite.

Keeps their answers short without the "here's the thing,"

Uses a budget.

When I cannot hear loud music with expletives every other word.

Doesn't ask where the nearest rentacenter is.

Calm and collected.

Know their landlords number and their bosses number or at least have it in their phone and gives you permission to call them that day.

Are not usually calling between the 25th and 5th of the month.

Excuses themselves to take a phone call if they absolutely have to answer. Otherwise, the phone doesn't ring or they mute it during the conversation with you.

When they give me an intelligent, articulate answer to my questions and are NOT a non-stop chatterbox, trying to distract me from the last question I just asked them.

Amy (MO) has listed most of the qualities that I like or hope to see in all my rental applicants. However, in reality only 20% of my applicants possess these exceptional personality traits.

#1.

"I just drove buy the place and it would work for

our Family".

Took it upon themselves to go and look

Emails or texts in complete sentences.

Positive signs:

- arrive early for appointment

- bring paystubs, etc info to appointment and fill out application on the spot

- bring copy of their credit report (of course I always pull my own too)

- not ready to move in tomorrow, but are looking 30 days ahead

- do NOT ask if i am the owner or property masnager

- do NOT need to 'explain' anything

I need to give my landlord 30 days notice.

I'm glad you offer auto draft payments.

Lisa Fl brought up a good one, "I'm glad you offer autodraft payments."

My best tenants are always excited about that feature. A tenant who is excited and willing to do autodraft will pass almost anyone's screening.

Homer is right. Mannered, well behaved kids speak louder than anything.

I also like those looking 1-2 months before current lease expires.

When your units are filled, they have no problem being put on a waiting list.

Great thread! I don't know if I have more to add, but I'll try:

Makes an appointment in advance and is on time!

Knows how much they make and how to complete the application.

Speaking of which...they COMPLETE the application instead of leaving lots of blanks.

Look me in the eye and ask intelligent questions.

Roy,

These are all great replies. Good education. Good things to watch. And yes we listen for thise good phrases.

I'd like to add some points.

1. Scammers know these better than LLs. They are skilled at presenting themselves well. They have read the internet articles and swapped notes at the Deadbeat BBQ. Dress nicely, speak respectfully, leave the kids at home, don't smoke, use a breath mint, borrow Granny's car, have a friend with good handwriting fillout the app, don't complain, don't ask for favors...

Each time I have been scammed, and it's been MANY times, the applicant presemted themsleves well, said all tje right things but we let down our guard.

2. Too many LLs use the applicants' appearance and demeanor as the foundation of their screening. How often have we read here "I have this really great couple with (then lists 14 red flags). "Good gut feeling" "They seem nice so I want to give them a chance"

3. We have many good renters who don't "look good" on the surface. Bad grammar, missing teeth, worn out cars, smokers...but the are great residents.

Sure a clean cut, well spoken prospect grabs our attention but to eliminate someone based on a question they ask or the phrase my pastor uses 50 times a day is discrimination. Yes legal but premature judgment, incorrectly eliminating potential clients.

4. Rather than try to mind-read the scammers (good liars are VERY VERY GOOD at deception) we save a lot of time, headaches, and potential scamming by STARTING with their written application. When the FACTS checkout we do the in-home visit.

We only need to SMELL :) one or two final applicants. We smell the house, see their kids, meet their dog, observe how they care for the home and yard, see their real car...

Thanks Brad for those final great words of wisdom. And I agree with you 100%.

-they are looking well in advance to find their new apartment and HAVE given proper notice

-a neatly written and fully completed application

-confirms the viewing date and time prior to seeing the property

-has an excellent credit score

-has (and still does have) a long term source of income

-has no pets, does not smoke....I can smell it easily, even with breath mints

-has already looked at other rentals and can now properly see the value in what I am offering

You can't scam the credit bureau and you can't scam your employers HR dept and you can't scam your past landlords.

Roy,

In racing you want the GREEN flag for GO!

Let's not surrender with a white flag:)

InHomes: great question. Probably 99% of LLs feel uncomfortable as you suggested.

My theory: it's not until the LL realizes how much money he/she loses when a housebeater, hoarder, or stinkpot moves into their rental,

then gets MAD enough to promise themselves this will NEVER happen again!! Never again will I be tricked into letting someone into my investment who will disrespect it.

I believe *I* have the prize, the thing they want - a great house and great manager. They need to QUALIFY for MY house.

Checking out the pet makes this easy.

Having it on the application opens the door - they expect you to visit and are waiting for it.

This week we had an applicant leave a message that she was perturbed no one had done her inspection yet. (because she did not qualify!)

We're not doing this with a lot of applicants, only the final family after screening and a few phone calls about having the desposit money ready, which PayDayPlan donthey want, are they ready to sign when approved...

DECIDE who is in charge. DECIDE you will only take CLEAN residents who can PROVE they are clean.

We pull credit so we're not fooled regarding thier finances.

The ONLY way to not be fooled about their ability to care for the home is to SEE it and smell it.

Lots of LLs like showings because it gives them a chance to get to know the applicant, an interview. Think of this as a reverse showing, a second interview.

A lot of LLs (not me!) like to get friendly with their residents. Think of this as another way to get to know them.

In my sales job I learned to see each "stranger" as an oppotunity, a potential client (actually as commission dollar signs:)

Perhaps you can consider this like your photog work: make an appointment, meet the client, do the task.

OR...

Hire it.

Just like you hire a credit report.

I pay my helper a $10 bonus plus mileage for each visit, plus her hourly rate.

I pay a local PM $25 to do ot within 24 hours.

I pay distance realtors $50 for a visit within 24 hours.

Overall, commit to your business, commit that you'll not be fooled. Commit to finding a way that works for you to protect your biz.

BRAD

PS. Being the manager makes this easy. "The office sent me a work order to get a picture of your dog - ya know, to comfirm it's not a vicious, wild animal:)".

Omce in the home "The office wants me to look around and make sure the dog is not tearing up the place."

They usually invite me thru most of the house.

THEY are the ones who are nervous about passing!!

These are not hard. It's usually very obviously a yea or a nay. We've had very few nays. Some weed themselves out by making excuses to delay the appointment. Some need only the drive by.

Pss.

When I was a newbie I was shy about asking people's income. I got over that once I realized they need a job to pay the rent!

(Sounds silly, I know. But that's where I was.

Even now when phone screening I ask "Are you working?" and some LLs think that's intrusive or too blunt.

Good applicants don't mind the In Home visit.

Stay strong!

BRAD

Fear can be a Great Motivator.