What we look for in Springfield renters
In Springfield, Nesbitt Realty wants to deal with reliable tenants. Here are a few of the traits we expect.
- A tenant pays the rent when due every time. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
- A tenant is trustworthy. A renter does not sneak in a co-renter or pet.
- A tenant is fussy about cleanliness. A renter does not bring pests like rodents and bugs.
- A tenant does not overwork the property or its systems.
- A renter is courteous and easy to get along with. A tenant knows the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
- A tenant doesn't bother neighbors.
- A renter reports problems when appropriate. Renters that don't report maintenance issues cost property owners money and cause head-aches for property managers.
- A renter doesn't gripe when it's not appropriate. This means that a tenant doesn't demand to replace functioning systems. A renter doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A tenant doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the renter doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
- A renter does not smoke in the rental.
- A tenant is looking for a rental term that is as long as the owner wants to rent the home.
So this is what we're looking for in a renter, but how do we find renters who live up to this ideal? Experience has taught us that bad renters can appear as polite, nicely-dress, well educated people with jobs. We have a knack for sniffing out troublesome renters.
Our Five Step Process
Fair Housing Laws and our conscience dictates that we do not judge people in Springfield based upon appearance. Experience has taught us that appearances can be very decieving. We do however judge potential tenants based upon their track record and their actions. If a applicant is difficult with our managers at the start, they will probably be difficult as tenants. If a is caught fabricating facts, we can expect them to be untrustworthy as a tenant. If a has difficulty finding money for background fees and the first month of rent, we can expect that same applicant will have troubles during the lease.
But even if every appearance initially is promising we still check the background of each potential renter with a full background check. Every person and occupant must provide a government-issue photo identification. From there, as rental we start our vetting process.
Springfield Rental Management Resources
Basics
Basic information regarding property management in Springfield.
Getting Started
Learn more about getting started with rental property management
Find A Tenant
List your property to rent to find a dependable renter in Springfield fast.
Accounting
How does Nesbitt Realty keep track of income and expenses for landlords?
Cost
An overview of fees associated with rental management services in Springfield
Vetting
How Nesbitt Realty checks the backgrounds of tenants for property owners.
Reserves
What is a contingency reserve account?
Territory
Where does Nesbitt Realty manage rental property?
Clients
Who uses Nesbitt Realty management services?
Landlord Reference
a free reference for property owners in Springfield
- Before you rent out your investment in Springfield
- Collections and evictions
- Communications with the tenant
- During the lease term
- End of tenancy and what happens when a tenant breaks the lease
- How does the owner get paid?
- How your rental manager handles the association and your community
- How your management company handles utilities
- How Nesbitt Realty & Management finds tenants
- Insurance matters for property owners using our rental management
- How Nesbitt Realty & Management manage keys
- Springfield landlord responsibilities
- Maintenance, repairs & inspections for your rental property in Springfield
- The move-in inspection
- Property management information form
- Selling a 1031 tax exchange & more
- Starting our management of your rental property
- When property owners don't yet know their new address
- Vetting tenants in Springfield
More Information About Springfield
Our recommendation
After the background check is finished we make a recommendation to the real estate investor based upon our experience as rental managers in Springfield and the information that we have verified. Ultimately the owner decides if the risk is worth taking, but they make that decision based upon facts and our expert advice.
Do you want understand more about the area?
Our Guide to Real Estate is a free tool for anyone who wants to learn more about Springfield and neighboring communities. The Guide to Real Estate compiles data regarding what has sold and what is on the market, as well as many compelling facts that you might not be aware of. Also, our Guide highlights some fundamentals of life in Springfield. Certainly, most of this is useful for purchasers and sellers, but rental investors and tenants might also find this information to be quite enlightening.
Our Broker Will Nesbitt

"I am by nature a trusting person, but this business has taught me to verify every statement that a tenant makes. Scammers and bad tenants can sometimes give every appearance of being trustworthy and upright people. We never cut corners on background checks." ~ Will Nesbitt