In my Craigslist listings, I frequently indicate that my rental listings are in EXCELLENT or IMMACULATE condition and when I show occupied homes, I get the response that the home does not look like "tenants" live there.
I'm not sure how a property is supposed to look that is tenant occupied; however, just like the saying..."there are no BAD dogs, only BAD owners"...I suspect...."there are no occupied rental homes that are in BAD condition unless the landlord/property manager did not TRAIN their residents not to be BAD".
I go to great lenghts to make sure that my rental homes are in good to excellent condition when new residents move in AND I hold them to higher standards when they move out by:
1) I provide them with names of carpet and house cleaners as well as yard maintenance firms;
2) I provide them with their check-out cleaning instructions WHEN THEY MOVE IN and again in their check-out letter;
3) I end leases at noon on the 3rd Friday of the month so that there is sufficient time for the property to be prepped for the next residents;
4) I upgrade units between tenants * new ceiling fans, pressure wash the exterior; stain and seal decks and porches...
5) AND I charge a 20% Service Fee if the departing residents don't perform these duties prior to move-out and I have them done and take these costs from their security deposit.
So YES, I can say that a property is in EXCELLENT condition because I make sure that it is!
