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Build Your Side Hustle withYour First Rental. (Without Overthinking It)
The Property Isn’t the Risk Your Lack of Process is.
Glen Patterson
January 07, 2026
Buying your first rental feels like a win.
But here’s the part many first-time landlords underestimate:
Tenant placement can make or break your rental.
The wrong renter creates stress, missed rent, and costly turnover.
The right renter creates cash flow, stability, and peace of mind.
The good news? You don’t need complicated systems or expensive software to get this right especially on your first property.
Why Simple Tenant Systems Work Best (Especially at the Start)
New landlords often fall into one of two traps:
Doing too much (overpaying for tools they don’t need)
Doing too little (skipping screening altogether)
After testing multiple platforms, here’s what consistently works for first-time landlords:
simple tools, clear steps, and consistent screening.
The 3 Tools That Actually Work for First-Time Landlords
1️. Zillow — Start Here
Zillow is hands-down the easiest place to begin.
✅ The free version is good enough
✅ Large pool of renters
✅ User-friendly and responsive
If you’re new, Zillow helps you get listings live fast without friction.
2️. Apartments.com + TransUnion SmartMove — The Power Combo
This is where you step up your process.
Apartments.com
Clean application flow
Easy for renters to apply
Works well once interest starts coming in
TransUnion SmartMove
Credit checks
Background checks
Income verification
This combo gives you professionalism without complexity—and helps you avoid emotional decisions.
3️. Avail — Optional, Not Required
Avail can be useful for:
Secondary listings
Basic management tools
But it doesn’t provide renter screening data on its own, so it works best as a supporting tool not your main one.
A Simple Tenant Placement System You Can Use Today
Here’s the exact setup:
➡️ List on Zillow
➡️ Collect applications through Apartments.com
➡️ Screen with TransUnion SmartMove
That’s it.
No overengineering.
No unnecessary subscriptions.
Just a clean, repeatable process.
To sum up
Your first rental isn’t about perfection it’s about process.
When you build simple systems early, you:
Reduce risk
Save time
Protect your investment
Simple systems beat complicated processes, especially on your first rental.
Run your rental like a business from day one, and you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.
Find your North Star.
Stay positive. Stay focused. Keep learning. Stay connected.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to bringing you more valuable insights and resources in the future.