In our area, its fairly "normal" for showings to happen after accepted offer to minimize disruption to tenants. 

The seller can accept your offer, reject your offer, or counter back with what he thinks it is worth.

I don't think this is something new, for the past few years I noticed the first 48 hours I post a rental listing I get a few emails asking if I accept section 8. 

You could arrange to have your cleaners accept the deliveries at the property or hire a local handyman to do same and even assemble furniture.

I'm curious to hear how other property managers and landlords are navigating this.Here in College Station, TX, I don't accept Section 8 applicants.

I should have clarified that what I meant was that there are PMs out there that will do the most expedient thing and accept a tenant just to receive a quick commission.  

When they do, you can refinance to a lower rate.Dealing with current high interest rates (about 7% on 01/27/2025) you have the following choices:A larger down paymentAccept a negative cash flowBuy down the interest rateCombine and balance all three to get an acceptable cash flow today.

Quote from @Kavya Veerapaneni: Hi BiggerPockets Community,I’m relocating to Danbury, CT, from Reading, PA, after accepting a new job.

Imagine if it cost 1000 to send out 50 letters but half of them responded and half of those wanted an offer and half of those accepted an offer and half of those closed and half of those resold for a net 50k. 

I agreed to rent the place to them for two months off-platform, accepting the first month of rent right away.