Flushing crazy tenants from new duplex purchase

[Mark Hilgendorf]

I am buying a small duplex. I had Facebook messaged a girl I thought might be related to the seller, in an effort to reach the seller. She replied that she would let her know. Then I went through the real estate agent, made an offer ($28K, listed at $30K), had it accepted, and performed termite and sewer inspections. The seller told me that at close, the upstairs tenant would be leaving and the downstairs tenant would stay. We are planning to schedule a closing. After the inspections, I find out the single female upstairs tenant is the daughter of the seller, and she usually sleeps downstairs, with the single male tenant in the lower unit. It has been two weeks since the girl told me on Messenger that she would tell the seller I was interested. Last night I find out that the girl is the daughter, and lives in the building. She messaged me: "I am the upstairs tenant and the downstairs tenant is an amazing person and faithful renter. The terms you suggested are ignorant and you are going to lose both of us if you decide to buy. Which you won't because I'm making a bid." I was going to ask the man downstairs to sign a lease... now I am wondering if I should ask them both to move. I have not closed yet. If I need to, what is the best way to empty the building? Do I close and then evict? Or can I ask the seller to give them notice and to sell it to me empty. I am in Iowa. TIA!

[Deanna McCormick]

First no further contact with Crazy lady..

Second ask seller for copy of leases.. and in Purchase agreement make certain that clause states no further changes can be made to those leases.. would be great if they are month to month.. you'd only need a months notice to get them / or one/ out.

If you have a signed purchase agreement then the crazy lady is out of the loop, you have a contract and seller can't cancel unless you don't preform.

Don't ask the guy downstairs to sign a lease,, she'll be living with him or vise a versa, better to have a short term tenant than be stuck with a year long nightmare..

Don't pressure seller to deliver vacant.. it might not be what he wants to deal with. 

download your landlord tenant laws for your state and follow those guidelines.