In many communities, signs in the front yard are limited or outright prohibited.
That's why I say "typically". It's just an indicator of the day you start advertising or otherwise seeking out a perspective tenant.
In my area for my three rentals, I don't bother with paying to advertise. I stick a "for rent" sign in the front yard (usually on a Friday) and I'll start getting phone calls the same day. Now I'm rather picky on who I will rent to also. I perform a credit check and a background check. On average, I'll go through 10 applicants before I find one that meshes. Here's the way it tends to go among 10 applicants.
When I inform them I'll be doing a background check with law enforcement in the locale where they currently live, 4 of them will decline.
Next, I inform them I'll be pulling a credit report. Four more will decline, leaving me with two applicants.
When I do the background and credit pull on both of them, one will have outright lied to me either about their credit, or their past with law enforcement. That leaves one left and they will generally get the property.
Now I've had situations where they've got a record or their credit doesn't check out. "BUT", they were completely honest with me about it up front. In this specific situation a few years ago, the conversation went something like this:
ME: So before I pull credit and background, is there anything I could potentially view as negative that you would like to explain up front?
Applicant: Well, my credit is ruined because of my divorce, as the ex maxed all the credit cards, and neighbors called the cops a time or two when we were getting rather loud with our disagreements prior to separation.
ME: Okay. What are you doing about it if anything, on the legal front?
Applicant: I've hired a lawyer to work out and hopefully help clean up the credit, and also have legal counsel for the divorce.
ME: What lawyer did you hire? Can I have your permission to call them and just confirm that you are an active client?
Applicant: Sure. Here's his business card.
So I'll do the background and sure enough, there's two "domestic disturbance" calls to the local cops. No arrests, and no charges. Credit report shows they're basically "in the tank" but all cards with both names on the account are either frozen or cancelled.
Finally, a quick call to the lawyer. I explain who I am and why I'm calling. Legally, the only question I can ask and the only question the lawyer can answer is, "Is <applicant> an active client of yours?" The lawyer answers yes, and I'm done.
In this case, I ended up renting to this applicant, as they were honest and up front with me. Turned out to be a damn good tenant for the 3 years they lived there.
