Keep or evict?

[Mark Alphonse]

I'm looking into buying a SF house. There is a tenant in place but the former landlord says they never pay on time and he would get them out before the purchase. I believe that they can pay on time and probably would if he would have held their feet to the fire. I think he just made the mistake of letting them get away with it. With that said I know it could be a huge mistake to let them stay but if they evict them I'm going to have to do a good bit of painting and clean up and possibly buy appliances.

Also wondering if they will trash the house. This is not the best neighborhood but it is decent for that city.

I think I need to weigh the odds of a eviction vs the rehab and re rent. I do use property management so I think they go evict fast if needed. What do you think? 

[Chris Seveney]

Why not as part of the sale make it contingent upon it being unoccupied if they are on a month to month ?

If you feel you have the time to spend to chase down rent payments then all the power to you, but I find it much more relaxing and easier to have tenants who I do not have to chase $ down from them and pay on time