Home > Blogs > Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind > Tucson Arizona Real Estate!

I Have Cash And Need To Move Tomorrow!

By Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

Real Estate Broker/Owner with KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate

July 14, 2011 01:07 AM

And other statements that really make landlords start asking questions (and if they don't they should!)

I have cash and need to move tomorrow (or right away or this weekend). This statement says many things: they are being kicked out of their current home; sufficient notice wasn't given to their current landlord and they need a place to live before they get kicked out; haven't paid rent for a while so they have cash; don't have a bank account, etc. Whatever comes to your mind as a landlord when you hear this statement - make sure you really do your homework - folks that pay everything with cash do so for a reason.

I need to pay part of the deposit now and part of it in a month. This statement says only one thing to me - financial problems. If a person is already negotiating their deposit payments - you can imagine what will follow with their rent payment. If a person cannot come up with the security deposit in one amount - generally they are juggling bills all the way around and this usually means problems paying rent.

I'd only like a 6 month lease - but if I have to sign a year - I will. And they will also break the lease. Pay heavy attention to this statement and make sure you ask a lot of questions about their intent.

What is your late rent policy and what day of the month do fees start? Though this is a question, not a statement, it makes a really big statement when asked in the very first discussion. This always indicates that the rent will be late, or the person makes rent late regularly and they are budgeting for late fees ahead of time.

Really listen to what people are saying or asking -- and then do some asking of your own!

Re-Blog

Featured

Comments(40)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

I agree with some of what you've written having been a landlord and a tenant. When people want short leases, it's because many times 6 months is enough to take a break from home shopping or they just need to time to settle their plans. However, most landlords want a year. People don't like to be locked in.

With the "I need to move tomorrow" deal, it's possible they didn't see the rental and they have run out of time, perhaps having already given notice elsewhere. Sometimes there are other reasons for being in a rush.

The rest of what you said is spot on.

Jul 14, 2011 03:42 AM

Harry F. D'Elia III

WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

OK that is one way of looking at it. However, we have 70% of the people living pay check to pay check. There are times we need to work out payment plans with the deposit to fill the homes.

Jul 14, 2011 04:05 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Hi Gabrielle, these questions are usually red flags. Very good points and they do need to be investigated by landlords.

Jul 14, 2011 04:09 AM

Cookie Hooper

True Blue Realty - Arvada, CO

Real Estate Sales & Property Management

Here's another good one...

Tenant: "Do you take cats?"

Me: "Sorry, not on this one."

Tenant: "Do you have any that will take cats."

Me: "Not at this time. Sorry."

Tenant: "When can I see this one?"

AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!

Jul 14, 2011 04:20 AM

Sandy Acevedo

951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA

RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

This is a very good lesson on listening. Even as a home buyer or seller they give off clues. Nice post.

Jul 14, 2011 04:40 AM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

HI SANDY! Listening does both sides huge favors in the end! Thank you!

HI COOKIE! That in itself is a great idea for a post!

HI MICHAEL! Being on the commercial side of things I am sure you know! Nice to see you here!

HI HARRY! Well - OK! But is it OK if I disagree with your stats and with filling homes just to fill them??!! I tend to find that mindset doesn't make for a successful business - for property managers or owners. And it's tough, but very few people succeed if they are constantly being enabled to continue spending. If indeed that many people are living paycheck to paycheck - then they shouldn't be looking to rent homes they can't afford. The only way to stop living like that - is to stop spending and live beneath your means. Besides, too many of the "can I pay half now and half later" people drive more expensive cars than me and sport iPHONES that we all know aren't cheap!

HI BRYAN! Thanks for your perspective on things. All these statements bring on so many different situations and reasons behind them- and luckily there are rentals out there for every situation to accommodate people!

HI TOM! I don't think some people know!

HI SAMSON! YES! I ran from one of those so fast I am sure my shoes were leaving sparks! Ha ha ha!

HI BARBARA! And I am so sure that you are a terrific landlord to that family! You make me smile!

HI PAT! Agreed - people do not realize the message they send without even opening their mouth! On the other hand - there are those that know exactly what they want people to think by the clothes they wear and the cars they drive!

HI BRYANT! I have read your posts - and I would have loved to have heard your response to those folks! I am laughing!

HI RICHIE! One thing I appreciate about all your comments is you think about both sides before you say anything. Thanks for always having something positive to say!

HI JOHN! Thank you for the thought to suggest. I feel so lucky every time I see a star by one of my posts - it is nothing I take for granted and I owe it all to those who read it!

HI DONALD! Meeting face to face is critical - thanks for sharing that!

HI JASON! Too funny! There are many that don't like property management!

HI CAROLYN! Great point! There are downsides to cash with property management - your point is excellent. Hopefully all tenants will take note of this!

HI WALLACE! For goodness sakes- someone needs to tell him why to end the cycle! Ha ha!

HI MIKE! Well that's great - the whole idea of this was to get people to thinking about things they hear and wonder! I appreciate your comment!

HI SHERRI! Agreed - it seems that if you've been a landlord (or are!) you've heard one or two of these from time to time!

HI MARIA! Always!

HI DAN! You bring out an excellent point! The renters of today are different. a lot of my renters have issues and that's why they are renting. But if you can weed through and find those that genuinely want to get their finances straight!

Jul 14, 2011 06:59 AM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

HI RICHARD! Excellent point that landlords can be desperate - and that's where we have to step in help keep them in a position where they don't make things worse. But like you said, it's up to the owner! Thank you for stopping by!

HI GAYLE! Lots of landlords like cash for different reasons - but it should raise flags for both sides - the tenant and landlord! Thanks for the comment!

HI TERRI! Lots of people ignore the obvious and it's usually because money is their guidance instead of common rationale!

HI JAMES! I can think of a lot of things that may or may not be in writing - and it's better to choose to stay out of that middle area!

Jul 14, 2011 07:06 AM

Shannon Jones

The Shannon Jones Team - Long Beach, CA

Long Beach CA Real Estate

Gabrielle, great post. It's interesting because people can read between the lines for some of the Realtor-speak you see a lot -- ie "cozy" means "small" and "so much potential" means "it's a dump"... but I haven't seen a post about the between the lines meanings of what potential renters say before.

Jul 14, 2011 07:39 AM

Faye Y. Taylor

StepStone Realty, LLC - Floresville, TX

Country Living with City Convenience -Wilson Co TX

So true.

Excellent points and big warning flags.

Jul 14, 2011 08:19 AM

Evelyn Kennedy

Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA

Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Gabrielle:

As landlords my husband and I are very careful about selecting tenants. My husband is an attorney and he grills the prospective tenants like the KGB. We have been very lucky with our tenants, but one must be very thorough when interviewing prospective tenants.

Jul 14, 2011 08:44 AM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

Those statements and questions usually mean problems. And whenever someoe asks right off if they can do work on the house in exchange for rent, seems to always indicate problems.

Jul 14, 2011 12:05 PM

David Farrell

David V. Farrell Co. - Garden City, NY

Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker

Oh boy did your first sentence hit home. Above my real estate office I have four apartments. Once when an apartment was vacant, two groups happened to arrive at the same time for a viewing. They both expressed interest. However, one gentleman stated he would pay the a deposit, broker's fee, and entire year's rent for his son if he was guaranteed the apartment. I said, 'come on in.' I didn't take the year's rent, but I felt like a father co-signing for his son and able to pay the whole year was a great sign. To say I was so wrong is such an understatement. Thie dad wanted this kid (25 years old!) and his girlfriend, and their dog ('of course I'll pay whatever extra fee you want for the dog') out of his own house so badly he would have given me his Mercedes. Credit checks don't make a difference in this case. We had a millionaire, but the worst tenants in modern history. Let's put it this way, our entire office was able to get a contact-high just from the smell of the marijuana that was oozing down through gaps in somewhere. It was awful. Ask a landlord, ask a lot of questions and always remember it is too good to be true . ...

GREAT POST!

Jul 14, 2011 12:36 PM

William James Walton Sr.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT

Greater Waterbury Real Estate

"I need to pay part of the deposit now and part of it in a month. This statement says only one thing to me - financial problems. If a person is already negotiating their deposit payments - you can imagine what will follow with their rent payment. If a person cannot come up with the security deposit in one amount - generally they are juggling bills all the way around and this usually means problems paying rent."

Hmmm....Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the amount being asked for, type of job the person has, etc. While it may be generally true, it isn't in all cases.

If I were going to rent a house that was a little out of my price range, coming up with both the first month's rent and security deposit may be a stretch. Even if it were a comfortable amount, life does happen - cars break down, we get sick, etc. So the money may not necessarily be there right when we need it initially, but that does not mean that it is a consistent fact of life.

Jul 14, 2011 12:38 PM

Shane Cook

My Home Group - Gilbert, AZ

Residential and Commercial Realtor

Those are excellent points! People's questions about these kinds of things on the lease subconsciously, if not directly, show their intent.

One of the reasons I love AZ is they are very landlord friendly. That has lead me to a little leway with the split deposit issue, and so far that hasn't been a problem. Splitting over the first two months that is.

Jul 14, 2011 12:48 PM

Eva Aliaga

Partnership Realty Inc - Boca Raton, FL

Boca Raton & Delray Beach: SE Florida Real Estate

Hi Gabrielle, my mother has an small apartment building 6 units, so I deal with tenants alot. When there is a vacancy I always questions the "can I move in tomorrow /this weekend". As with the deposit I can work with that, it is located in a working class neighborhood. But one does need to pay attention to the questions they ask, read between the lines.

Jul 14, 2011 02:42 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Gabrielle - These are certainly some words/statements to keep an ear open for in looking for the right tenant.

Jul 14, 2011 02:54 PM

Kathy Sheehan

Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA

Senior Loan Officer

You have definately hit the red flags.

Jul 14, 2011 03:00 PM

Michelle Francis

Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA

Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Gabrielle,

Folks GIVE you all the information you need in most cases to know if they will be a good tenant. All of those are huge red flags.

We just do high end rentals. We specifically get two months security deposit from tenants and the great coinciding news is that we have NEVER had to evict any tenants.

All the best, Michelle

Jul 14, 2011 03:15 PM

Richard Iarossi

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD

Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Hey Gab,

Sounds like you're dealing with teenagers...always looking for that way around something.

Rich

Jul 14, 2011 04:30 PM

Bob & Leilani Souza

Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA

Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments