Do You Own an Income Property? Here Are Four Tips for Finding Great Tenants

Trusting another individual with your property can be nerve-wracking because it’s difficult to gauge how well they’ll care for their home from a viewing and rental application alone. However, there are several steps you can take to help ensure that you select responsible tenants that will take good care for your property while they live there.

1. Make Your Home Desirable

When creating your rental listing, show your property at its absolute best and list its attractive features. The listing should be well written with proper capitalization and full sentences, even if it’s only going on Craigslist. Include plenty of photos that are staged nicely to show the full potential of the home both inside and out.

If you want the best applicants, strive to be the best property! You need to attract tenants who are looking for a home rather than a crash pad.

2. Have A Thorough Application Process

Don’t be afraid to ask for in-depth information from your applicants. The more you know about them the more you can assess what kind of a tenant they’ll be. An application should ask for:

– full name
– the applicant’s job & their supervisor
– their income
– current address
– government identification (i.e. a photocopy of their driver’s license)
– next of kin or an emergency contact
– previous landlord references
– any additional info you think is necessary

3. Check References

One of the most important things you can do when choosing a tenant is check their references. At least one reference should be a past landlord, and it’s great to contact a current employer as well. Favor applicants who can prove they’ve been a good renter in the past and who seem to have reliable employment.

When calling references have a prepared list of questions. For past landlords you’ll want to ask about their cleanliness, if there was any damage to the property, noise complaints, or missed rent. When speaking to an employer, make sure to ask how long they’ve been working there, whether they’re a reliable worker, whether they’re respectful, and if they can see them continuing to work there for the long-term.

4. Meet Them!

Always meet potential tenants in person. See if they have a pleasant demeanor, if they’re easy to talk to and are polite to you, and whether they seem to take care of themselves. Trust your gut, if you have a bad feeling about someone then it may be best to keep looking.

Need more advice on income properties? Give me a call today – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

7 E La Vieve Lane Tempe, AZ 85284

$562,900

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,794 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6768838

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Two bedrooms and Den - Completely re-done and in excellent condition. Small yard to take care of. Dual pane windows - Almost new A/C unit top of the line* Kitchen and baths have been upgraded - Roll in Shower in Master Bathroom* Kitchen is to die for* Refrigerator, washer & dryer included. Ready to move in. Bright, cheery and vaulted ceilings Community Pool in Warner Ranch for your enjoyment and closed to all freeways, restaurants and shopping. Come look....

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4207 E Ford Avenue Gilbert, AZ 85234

$562,500

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,370 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6753341

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

INCREDIBLE ORIGINAL OWNER UNIQUE 5 BDR home in the HEART OF GILBERT. This Fulton Home features a vaulted ceiling great room with LARGE KITCHEN and tons of NATURAL LIGHT. Upstairs features primary suite + 2 additional bedrooms and full bath. Short steps down from great room features full FLEX SPACE, 2 additional bedrooms and a 3rd full bath! REAL WOOD FLOORS and tile throughout. BRAND NEW ANDERSEN WINDOWS, + AC & ROOF REPLACEMENT COMPLETED. Backyard features gardeners paradise: Pears and Pomegranates nearly ripe; Tangerines, Lemons and HUGE Ruby Red Grapefruit Tree, Katy Apricots and Figs in the Spring/Summer. Incredible fruit bearing grape vines on the west side and shade tree + paver patio provide the PERFECT BACKYARD CANVAS. Neighborhood park just down the street. Stop by today!

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2827 N 212th Drive Buckeye, AZ 85396

$562,073

4 Beds

4 Baths

2,514 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6741507

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to your TO BE BUILT: 4-Bed, 4-Bath Mountain-View dream home nestled against the stunning White Tank Mountains, offering unparalleled privacy and breathtaking views. This East/West oriented gem boasts grand 10' ceilings and elegant 8' doors throughout, creating a sense of luxury and space. The chef-inspired kitchen is a culinary delight, featuring a gas cooktop, wall oven micro combo, large pantry, premium countertops, and 42-inch upper cabinets. Perfect for entertaining, the home seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living with multiple sliding glass doors leading to a spacious patio. The expansive owner's suite is a retreat of its own, complete with a big closet and a huge walk-in super shower with a rainhead. Located just minutes from the Sienna Hills Swim park/gym/clubhouse!

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3131 N Central Avenue Unit 5021 Phoenix, AZ 85012

$561,668

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,125 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6608702

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

*Construction Completed* 5% BUYER INCENTIVE! Introducing Edison Midtown Phase 2 with 60 new construction condominiums. This spacious two bedroom condo offers ten ft. ceilings, an open floor plan, and large master bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Chefs kitchen offers expansive cabinetry, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances including a gas range. Edison Midtown features incredible amenities for that perfect Urbanite lifestyle. A beautiful pool and lap pool, 2000 sq. ft. fitness center and lounge, and gated parking garage.

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25224 N 159th Drive Surprise, AZ 85387

Open House

$560,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,434 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6733494

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

FORMER MODEL HOME - Congratulations on finding this wonderful quick close home with such awesome upgrades, the quartz countertops and upgraded backsplash will add a touch of elegance to your kitchen but also provide durability, the oversized glass door in the great room will bring in natural light! Gas connections for your range, BBQ, and dryer provides more efficient dryer, and cooking and grilling, so with a combination of modern electrical features and carefully chosen window coverings, you can enjoy a sophisticated and energy-efficient living space right from the moment you move in. A tankless water heater is a great choice for your home as it provides hot water on demand eliminating the need for a storage tank the home is Energy Star Certified to save you money and Smart home modern!

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17313 W Wandering Creek Road Goodyear, AZ 85338

$560,990

5 Beds

4 Baths

2,801 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6734346

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This beautiful home is nestled in the heart of the Estrella Mountains with a spacious primary bedroom with full bath downstairs, beautifully enhanced gourmet kitchen, Bianco antico granite, dark expresso cabinets, natural wood look tile, kitchen backsplash, 8 ft doors. Host your next dinner party in the open dining and great room then transition to the covered back patio for dessert and a nightcap. This home can close in 30 days! Located within the Estrella masterplan with 2 state-of-the-art Residents Clubs including fitness centers and pools, Starsplash Water Park, and a community lake with activities including boat rentals.

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4330 Sawbuck Way Wickenburg, AZ 85390

$560,131

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,507 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6770319

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to the beautiful Thrive floor plan, featuring 2 beds, 2 baths, a versatile office space, nestled in the tranquil Homestead neighborhood. With 1,507 sq ft of open living, this Shea Designer Home boasts stunning features curated by an expert interior design team. Highlights include a stainless steel gas cooktop, quartz countertops, custom mosaic tile in the kitchen & primary bath, soft-close drawers, 42'' cabinets, & a 15-ft sliding glass wall in the living room. Enjoy extended outdoor living with an upgraded patio, custom landscaping, tile flooring, & 2-tone paint. Additional features include prewired ceiling fans, audio/video sleeves, under-cabinet lighting, & a 250-gallon underground propane tank. Discover current incentives at Shea sales office.

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15775 E Us 60 Highway Gold Canyon, AZ 85118

$560,000

2 Beds

1 Bath

1,150 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6559727

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Looking for horse property that is fenced with covered stalls and an arena already to go? This property has just that. There are 3 parcels being sold as one that equals just over 4 acres, includes access road. The home was built in 1954, it has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. The back entrance has a covered patio area. There are several out-buildings on the property including a tack room, tool shop, outdoor bbq area, and trailer home. The property backs up to State Trust Land, saddle up your horses and ride for miles. There is a well on the property currently serving the property to the north, but the line has a separate shut off. Pinal County shows the address in Apache Junction - but the property is east of Gold Canyon on US 60. Buyer to verify all facts and information important to them.

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17470 E Hiding Horse Lane Dewey, AZ 86327

$560,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,311 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6624342

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Privacy Parcel and a Very Well Built Brand New sitebuilt House on Over 2 Pristine Acres! Awesome Granite Kitchen! House is Stucco with the Color throughout. Acres of Room for Your Big Shop or RV Garage! Primary Bedroom Fits King Bed! Primary Bathroom has Dual Sink/luxury Vanity, Dual Medicine Cabinets, and Primary bathroom connects to the Walk in Closet. Primary Shower is Walk-In and Tiled Floor to Ceiling (Desirable Pebble Shower Floor) w/ Glass Shower Doors Shampoo Shelf and Window all wrapped in tile! House and Even the Entire Over Sized 2 Car Garage is Spray Foam(a high Insulation Factor/Superb R-Value) . Big Slider to the Massive Exterior Covered Concrete Porch Features a Designer Pine Ceiling. Area for BBQ and Outdoor Living with Great Temps here! State Land Near By! This is It!!!

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6090 N Stratford Court Rimrock, AZ 86335

$560,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,090 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6767709

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to Beaver Creek Preserves! A gated community nestled in Northern Arizona, 30 minutes south of Sedona. Complete with community walking trails, clubhouse, community pool, and work-out facility. Brand new, never lived in home built in 2023, with 3 bedrooms plus a den, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage and an RV garage. Enjoy the serenity of Beaver Creek Preserves. Inside, expansive windows frame panoramic views, while the open-concept layout boasts premium finishes and modern amenities. Outside, a spacious patio invites outdoor living and stunning vistas. The modern rustic charm of the finishes and mountain views, one you do not want to miss!

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26733 N 235th Lane Wittmann, AZ 85361

$560,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,450 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6705856

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Investor Opportunity to finish out this beautiful custom spec home situated on a full acre lot [no HOA] featured in Wittmann, AZ. This home incorporates a subtle balance of contemporary finishes with a modern design while featuring 3bedrooms, +Den/4th bedroom, 3 full bath(s), 2,450 sq ft open concept floor plan, upon entry from the gorgeous 9 by 6 ft iron/glass pivot front entry door your greeted w/ 14 ft soaring ceilings, a gourmet kitchen equipped w/ quartz countertops, large [eat-in] island, shaker panel cabinetry, ss appliances, 36'' cooktop, and pantry. Also, this home features tile wood-plank flooring, modern plumbing/lighting fixtures [fans], dual pane [low-e] windows, two brand new 14 seer Trane HVAC units, dedicated dining space.. split floor plan, and a master retreat featuring a spacious sleeping quarters, separate tub & shower, dual sinks, water closet, and a large walk-in Closet. Lastly, the home features a massive 30 ft deep, 40 ft wide 1,200 sqft 5-car garage [easily fits lifted vehicles & trailers w/ 10ft ceilings], soft water loop, and the entire home features 5/8 drywall and insulated interior walls. This home affords new buyers the opportunity to choose countertops, outdoor pavers for driveway, and accent wall work for the interior space.

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4833 W Dublin Court Chandler, AZ 85226

$560,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,860 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6763069

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Fantastic location for this cozy 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in the heart of Chandler! The spacious formal living and dining greet you upon entry and the kitchen is conveniently open to the family room with the breakfast nook overlooking the sparking pool in the back yard. A cute powder room and the laundry room complete the downstairs living. Upstairs you will find a nicely appointed primary suite at the back of the home complete with a luxurious primary bath, including separate vanities, potty closet and generously sized walk in closet. Three more bedrooms and a wonderful secondary bathroom with a tub/shower combo round out this thoughtfully designed abode ! Come see your next home today!

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