Whenever new landlords ask here why tenants looking for houses to rent ALWAYS ask them if they self-manage or use a property management company, the property managers here on Bigger Pockets insist it's because the tenants are targeting self-managing landlords as suckers or weaklings.

One we had dug out permits going back 20 years that had been archived & were missed by the previous inspector during the due diligence before our close.The same guy insisted on doing an in-depth inspection, found a couple of issues & wrote us up for the electrical wire stapling in a 50 yr old building.

If you beat around the bush and get an answer that turns out to be wrong, you'll be the one stuck with a problem.If the seller insists you do not call, assume the property is not in compliance and that you will have to either try to get a variance or convert the property to a five unit building.

If it goes to the next step, insist on estoppel letters sent by you to all current tenants, to verify lease terms.  

I would not deal with the tenant, insist on vacant closing, do your Reno work and sell vacant to the next buyer.

Derek, Yes, I got the agreed valuation and I insist on those every time I get a policy.  

I do have one tenant who insists on sending checks.

She insisted on one thing: my email address.I asked her or him that I wouldn't be able to share any private information necessary for loan application processing if he or she didn't tell what company he or she worked for.

She insisted on one thing: my email address.I asked her or him that I wouldn't be able to share any private information necessary for loan application processing if he or she didn't tell what company he or she worked for.

There was one job I had to insist with the owner we needed one.