There's been two recent discussions on this site on the subject if you missed it.Here's one: Finding owners You'll notice one fella named Lloyd Stanton outlined what he did to skip trace the owner including putting up a sign on the property.Here's the other one: Finding owners 2 finding foreclosed property owners.It seems the owner lived in the area many years, probably died.

@Rory SamuelsYou should make an outline and game it out.

Most my agents will pull the listing mid month before posting it again if it stays listed for more than the 20 day cycle outline above.

For those that requested, I have put together a spreadsheet outlining the strategy in the most aggressive form. 

If you read Brandon Turner's How to manage rental properties, he outlines a lot of systems that you can implement.

And if you want me to vacate for multiple showings, yes, you are going to pay for that.In my own case, I am confident that any of my tenants would work with me and it wouldn't cost me anything more than I outlined earlier.  

I will follow those, but it seems this is an outline that needs to be tailored to each individual.EducationAs a designer, I am naturally detail oriented.

Your lease should outline when rent is due - you don't need to go out of your way to send "friendly reminder texts".If you don't get rent by the due date - then charge a late fee and serve the pay or quit notice.Tenants will soon learn that you stick to the terms of the lease and there is no negotiation room when it comes to rent collection.

If the situation fits that definition, then we just post the proper legal notice for abandonment and follow the legal process outlined on the legal notice.Surprised you didn't start eviction on him for non-payment of rent long ago.

Most newbies like to go find the deal first and there may be a chance that everything works out but the odds are at some point down the road you'll wish you had taken the steps as I outlined them above.