You work this business long enough - you get a lot of people asking for your advice - some take it, some don't - some just debate whatever you say!
A few months back, someone came to me for property management advice. I shared my opinion on the best rent range, improvements to make, best ways to select tenants, etc. I also suggested using a property manager because she had never been a landlord. If she didn't want to hire me - there are many in Tucson to pick from. Her response to everything I said? NO.
Fast forward to today's phone call. The short version: "I have to evict these people from my rental home and it's all your fault."
"Help me out - you don't take my advice, don't hire me, argued my philosophy of 'I'd rather leave a place vacant for a month than rent it to just anyone' - how am I at fault for your situation?"
"You knew I was going to fail and did nothing about it. You could have pushed me to hire you."
Well, no, I don't push. And yes, I did do something. I gave advice, presented options and offered my services. After that, if someone says NO, they mean no - and I don't push anyone to do anything.
If you ask for advice, remember:
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You picked that person for a reason - probably because they have experience
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If you don't listen to the advice - there is only one person to blame. And it's not them.
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If you call them back and need advice again, this time, take it.
Did I know this individual was going to have a hard time being a landlord? Yes. I feel bad for her. It's times like these that I just hate it when I'm right.
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