...had a phone call on Wednesday from a Realtor who wanted to show one of my rental homes. I no longer post my rental listings on our local MLS rental section so she or her client must have found my listing on Craigslist, postlets or my website.
I was 40 minutes away and could not provide a key for her so she walked her clients around the home and called me back that they wanted to see inside. I responded that there were photos and floor plan on my website and they should download applications, complete them and fax or e-mail them to me. If she wanted to come to my office and get a key the next day, I'd make one available.
The next day, there was no faxed application on the property and no request for a key so I learned that either their credit is BAD; they are in foreclosure/short sale because they are working with a Realtor; OR they wanted to get me face2face and give me their story.
Sure enough * 10:30A and he calls and gives me his name and says they are in IRS foreclosure! YIKES! That is BAD. Who messes with the IRS? I hear enough of his story to realize he DID want to get me face2face and "tell me their story....they will be * Perfect Tenants * Doctor Father will co-sign lease * Needs to move right away.
I indicated I did not take lease co-signors for my properties or clients and that I would have to review his application; however, an IRS foreclosure is pretty serious. He thanked me. THEN, I get a phone call from his Doctor/father telling me that his co-signing a lease is a Realtor's dream and that I should realize that. I then suggested that he buy his son and his family a home and keep it as an investment. I heard the LIGHT BULB go on. I then called the Realtor who originally represented them and told her what I had told the father and that she and the would-be tenants should get together and discuss THIS option with the father. I then called the former listing agent for the property I was renting and gave her a head's up in case their Father was SERIOUS!
....meanwhile, that afternoon I did receive a good application for the property and arranged a viewing for a family wanting to move in February 1st.
I trusted my instincts; followed my gut AND my experience; and kept to my policy of reviewing applications FIRST!!!
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