Is this just the beginning of the crazy train?! Opinions please

[Scott Shuster]

Without writing a full on book about this, just listed a property, currently listed for a little more than a week with all right interest on Zillow etc...first round of viewings went well with lots of compliments on the house.  A few took applications.  The last folks of the day start out the conversation in the garage before even seeing the house with - are you opposed to a multiple year lease/would you consider a lower price for this?  I told them that I wouldn't change the price, but would consider adding the lawn maintenance for a 2 or 3 year lease.  The Mrs. loves that idea....

They love the house, take applications and let me know that they have a few more houses to look at and will get back to me.  I explain the process for moving forward - credit/criminal/income verification etc...within about a half hour, they are calling asking about where to drop off applications.  After reading through, they look pretty good and pass everything pertinent on the checks, and I send them an email that I'm ready to move forward and can collect deposit and once that clears the bank that I will take it off the market, and did they want to do a 2 or 3 year lease with the landscaping included as we had discussed.

I get a voicemail stating that they would like to move forward, but only a one year lease, maybe a second year option and when can I get the deposit to you?  At this point, I change from speaking on the phone with them to exclusively by email, so to have records of what was communicated.  I explain that I was confused by the sudden shrinking of the lease term and if they could explain.  

They reply that since I wouldn't come down on the price, that they didn't see the advantage to them of doing multiple years since they are new to the area and want to be sure they like it before committing to an extended period of time.  

I told them that I understand their thinking, but my concession was to add the landscaping and explained that on a 1 year lease this will not be possible, but I could assist them finding a lawn service if they didn't want to do the work themselves.  Since it was after banking hours on a Saturday, that they should consider the options and get back to me on Monday, and we would take it from there.  

Monday morning comes and I get the email stating that they were going to pursue a different property, but thank you and sorry for any inconvenience.  Then last night (about 13 hrs later) I get another email from them saying that they have changed their minds, and now want to move forward if the home hasn't been leased yet.

I haven't responded back yet...my issues are

- Kinda feel like they were going for the old bait and switch hoping that I would add the landscaping onto the 1 year lease.

- If the not having the landscaping included was a deal breaker is this a sign of future actions?  My worry isn't so much about the rent being paid and paid on time, but the headache factor...

They scored 804 on smartmove, no outstanding CC balances/0 missed payments, no evictions, no disqualifying criminal history (just a speeding ticket).... 

With the listing being so new still, would you just be patient and move on from them to the next prospects or is a bird in hand better than 2 in the bush, as none of the other prospects have returned applications.

Thank you in advance for any wisdom!!

[Sam J Mrofcza]

Scott  I could write a book and take the next hour or so on my response as I am dealing with a tough tenant these days in one of my properties but I'll save the horror story for another time.  After reading over your situation it looks like you have checked all the appropriate boxes (Smartmove, Criminal etc) except for one very important one, References my good man.

I learned two very valuable lessons while dealing with this current tenant of mine;

1. Always get and check references, if they say they don't have any from a previous landlord, then ask if you can contact their employer, or check facebook, linkedin any other place you think you can find some more info that will allow you to better asses them as a prospective tenant.    
2. Trust your gut.  If something seems off then I would say just move on, if you bought in the right area there will always be a need for your property.  In hindsight letting my property sit empty for a month or even 2 would have been well worth it.  There are many posts and blogs here about rental screening and why its better to have no tenant than a bad tenant.   

Good Luck  

Sam