Every property manager knows that their properties need residents to be successful, and every property manager knows that good residents are the best kind of residents. What’s not always clear is how exactly to find good residents.
1. Have a process and stick to it
It’s easy to let gut feelings about how to find applicants and make application decisions guide your thinking. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always lead to the best residents. It’s always better to stick to well-defined steps and objective criteria. That way, you’ll keep your personal opinions, emotions and biases out of the equation and ensure you have an application process that works for you.
2. Show off what your property has to offer
You know that your property is a great place to live, so make sure that potential residents see that too. Show them available units and any common areas, either by appointment or at an open house. When you do, be ready to answer questions and talk about what makes the place special. If you want to take it a step further, read up on how to maximize your property’s curb appeal!
3. Check references
References are vital when considering whether to approve a rental application. The right reference can provide you with the most honest assessment of what someone is like and whether it would be a good idea to sign a lease agreement with them. Past landlords can provide some of the best feedback, so get in touch with one or more of those if possible.
4. Run credit and background checks
Credit and background checks can help you find out exactly what you might be getting into if you approve an application. They can give you a lot of important information, like an applicant’s credit score, payment history, eviction history, and criminal history. If you use ManageGo, running these checks is easy; our integration with Weimark lets you run them with just one click.
5. Use a top property management software
Finding and keeping track of applicants is a lot to manage, and that’s just one area you deal with as a property manager. You also need to keep track of payments, maintenance, leases, concierge services, and more. It’s a lot to handle, so don’t try to do it alone. Instead, use a modern, all-in-one property management software like ManageGo to keep your applicants — and everything else — in line.
No matter your business goals, ManageGo has your back. To discover just how our software solutions can benefit you and your unique property management needs, request a demo today. Or, connect directly with one of our experts and get started on your journey to better property management.
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