What would you do?

[Francisco Camberos]

Tenant wanted a discount on rent.

I said sorry couldn’t do that. I offered not to raise a rent and if they extend, they could cancel any time to buy their house. I also offered a credit when he used me as an agent.

He told me they weren’t going to renew so I put the property up with the $300 increase. The property is in northern California and got a lot of interest now they’re saying they want to go month-to-month when the lease is over. The plan is for them to save a little bit more and wait for the sale of their parents house to get a gift for the down payment.

I’m stuck because I am also a realtor and he wants to use me as his agent in March. Even if he doesn’t use me, at least we have rent paid until then and it’s peak season for renting. I could have him sign a buyers agency agreement that can only be done for three months and he can technically cancel anytime. I don’t want to force him to work with me. That’s not how I do my business.

Should I pull the property off the market and stick with him and deal with the vacancy when it actually happens?

[Theresa Harris]

Get it in writing that they are month to month and have to give 30 days' notice.  You're in CA, so most of the rule favour the tenant.  Separate the two issue (them being a tenant and them wanting to buy a home) and don't believe anything unless it is in writing.  People will say what they think you want to hear to get what they want.  In this case, they want the flexibility of staying longer.