Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/1148905
rented to if I had more properties in this price range to offer them. It was tough to weed through them all, and I never like telling potential tenants that the owner has decided to go a different way and their application was not chosen for a lease. I know how tough it is out there to find a suitable and affordable rental, I have great empathy for the struggle. To that end, I thought it might be a good idea to point out some tips and tricks for finding a rental and securing the lease. Some might be obvious, but in my daily ex- perience I find that many people could use a refresher. Present yourself as the best, easiest candidate. All things equal (credit score/income) if there are many folks coming to see a unit—which in the peak times there usu- ally are, and one person comes in asking for the paint the be changed at the owners expense, for painted windows to be pried open on a 100+ year old house and for screens to be added—even though no other tenants nor the owner had an issue with that—it will be memorable, and not in a good way. The next potential tenant walks in and says "I love this house, we have been looking for so long for something just like this! Would the owner mind if we planted some flowers in the front yard?" Chances are—again all things equal—we will go with the applicant that will not be demanding. That's just how it goes. So if you see multi- ple people there looking at the same prop- erty you are, be the easy one. Know your credit score and be willing to act fast or walk away. I look for a minimum credit score of 680, with no evictions and no collections. Each agent and owner are different and there can be exceptions made. For example, if the property has been on the market for a while (4+ weeks in the peak time is "a while") then you might be able to test your luck and perhaps get approved with a lesser credit score. The landlord may ask for last month's rent as you are deemed "risky" so there is a price to be paid for a low score. But again, if the place is swarm- ing with potential tenants chances are your score will not be enough to compete. Credit scores do matter. Know your score and work to improve it. Act fast with the application (always after you have seen the property in person). One person on the aforementioned cottage turned in their ap- plication 5 days after seeing the property. By that time a decision was made and a lease was signed. Act fast if you love it. No pets. This goes along with number 1 and number 2. If the property is new to the market and the listing states "no pets" it is not likely that an hour after going on the market the owner will have changed their mind. Wait for 2-3 weeks and if the property is still available then call and ask, at that point they may be willing to reconsider. Same with a popular property, if you come to 1. 2. 3.