Be on the lookout for any red flags. Here's a lighthearted take on lines from renters that should make your spider-senses tingle. If you have a bad feeling in your gut about a potential renter, trust it. Pretty much every owner I've talked to who has had major damage done to their property by a renter had a bad feeling about the guest before they took the booking.

Do a little Internet-sleuthing. If you do have a feeling in your gut after talking with a potential renter and are having trouble passing up the booking, do a little investigative research. There are a number of ways to learn more about a person on the Internet. Here's an article with a few suggestions. 

What information is acceptable to ask for?

"I never quickly say the week is available. I then have the option to not rent to a suspect party without getting into any legal issues. I can easily say a family member is considering a visit at that time. "Do you have a weekend in June for 10 adults?" Red flag- this may be a graduation bash. It is a little more delicate to handle, but ask questions. Always smile when talking with a client on the phone, it comes through in your voice. It is a winning way to gain trust and land the booking." -Homeowner, Cape Cod, MA 

"I accidentally discovered this when screening a potential renter. When I returned the potential renter's phone call, the music they had programmed was absolutely obnoxious. Don't get me wrong, my music choices are eclectic to say the least. However, I also can predict the age of a renter from their callback music or other types of personalized cell phone music.  Secondly, what does their answering machine or message sound like?
Is their message rowdy, tawdry, or garbled?  I have found that people who are able to communicate in a normal fashion are more likely to be very good renters. Lastly, if you are genuinely friendly to a potential renter they will tell you more than you ever wanted to know!! -Kimberly M., Panama City Beach, FL