Gold Coast real estate agent Jessica Melling reveals how to stand out at rental inspections

How to get approved for your next rental: Real estate agent reveals what they REALLY notice at an inspection – and the one trick that will help you stand out

  • Jessica Melling is a Gold Coast real estate agent with 14 years experience
  • Property manager’s best advice is to avoid sucking up and never offer bribes
  • Sending your realtor a list of your requirements will help you stand out, she said
  • The list should include where you want to rent, your budget and move in date

Punctuality, preparedness and consideration for others are the most important traits to demonstrate at an inspection for a rental property in Australia, a real estate agent has claimed.

Jessica Melling, from Gold Coast rental agency LJ Hooker, said her best advice to hopeful tenants is to arrive on time armed with relevant documents, and always be courteous to others vying for the same listing.

At busy inspections, Ms Melling, who has worked in real estate for the past 14 years, advised against asking too many questions or ‘sucking up to the agent’ – but said there ‘s one thing that will make you stand out.

‘What I really like is when I get a text afterwards saying hey, thanks, I’ll be applying”. That’s always remembered and appreciated,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

Gold Coast rental property manager Jessica Melling (pictured) said she always appreciates follow-up texts from hopeful applicants after inspections

While these tips may seem obvious, the seasoned property manager speaks from experience, having witnessed some downright bizarre behaviour at open houses over the course of her career.

Memorable incidents include one applicant who strolled through the home smoking, another who arrived wearing scarcely more than a bikini and a third who demanded the agent to ‘tell everyone else to go home because this house is mine’. 

Other standouts were prospective applicants who sipped beer throughout the inspection, Ms Melling recalled.

Antisocial behaviour aside, she said successful rental applications always start with a carefully crafted cover letter, which should be sent to your agent directly before submitting your general application to help you stand out from the crowd.

How to stand out in the current rental market, according to a realtor

1. Register for all realestate.com.au property alerts.

2. Make sure you have applications ready to go on all platforms such as 1Form and Tenant Options.

3. Send your real estate agent a list of all requirements. This should include your name, email address, phone number, where you want to rent, how much you want to spend and when you’re ready to move.

Source: Rent With Jess

This should include details about your employment, the property you are applying for and your property history – whether you owned or rented in the past.

‘Really it all comes down to being organised. You should have good references ready to go, personal and professional, but more so professional,’ Ms Melling said. 

Young renters in particular should be mindful about how they present themselves on social media, warned Ms Melling, who said she often jumps on Instagram to check out applicants’ profiles.

‘It’s not that you can’t be out in the pub having a beer with your friends on a Friday night. Just be aware that people may be looking you up,’ she said.

Ms Melling has witnessed some downright bizarre behaviour at open houses over the course of her 14-year career (stock image)

Ms Melling has witnessed some downright bizarre behaviour at open houses over the course of her 14-year career (stock image)

The asking rent for Gold Coast houses has soared by 32 percent and 14 percent for units over the past year, data from SQM Research shows.

Ms Melling said her ‘heart goes out’ to anyone looking for a rental property in that part of Queensland at the moment.

She said she is receiving more than 20 applications per property as weekly rents skyrocket vacancies vanish across the state in an increasingly competitive rental market.

An influx of cashed-up professionals from Sydney and Melbourne has squeezed the local market, according to tenants and agents, as the mass exodus from Australia’s biggest cities continues.

The managing director of financial planners LCI Partners recently spoke to Daily Mail Australia about how much renters should be forking out on a lease each month.

How to calculate your rental budget according to a financial planner

Managing director of financial planners LCI Partners Gerry Incollingo said ‘understanding and managing your financial position is the key to success’.

This requires ‘smart budgeting’ and ‘proper planning’ to ensure you don’t suffer from rental stress.

‘Periodically sit down and calculate your cost of living against how much you’re taking home each month,’ he said.

It’s also essential to be aware of the signs of rental/housing stress; anything over the 30 percent threshold is fair, according to Mr Incollingo.

Renters should be mindful about how they present themselves on social media, warned Ms Melling, who said she often jumps on Instagram to check out applicants' profiles (stock image)

Renters should be mindful about how they present themselves on social media, warned Ms Melling, who said she often jumps on Instagram to check out applicants’ profiles (stock image)

Gerry Incollingo said the average Australian should spend a maximum of 30 percent of their gross monthly income on rent.

‘Of course, circumstances differ across the board and sometimes it may seem necessary to compromise on other expenses to increase your ability to afford rent, however…pushing higher often generates housing stress,’ Mr Incollingo said.

‘Prospective renters should make it their primary focus to accurately determine how much they make and calculate how much they are able to afford within a safe sweet spot.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk