The Real Trouble With Tenants

So here's the real trouble with tenants....Here's where my story begins. As I am trying to arrange showings for lease property I keep coming across listings that are appointment only. First real thorn in my side right there. Hey, I'm all for privacy and the respect of tenants privacy in general. But let's get real here, why is the tenant in charge? You as the landlord want to get the property leased back out I would imagin as quickly as possible. Yet, you place the current tenant in the supremem position of power. They get to decide the time, date and hour that all prospective tenants get a chance to take a peek?

I had two very interesting phone calls today. On the first call, the agent states the home is shown by appointment only. I say, "Great, I'd like to make an appointmnet to show the home tomorrow between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. The agent replies, "Oh, they only show it on Saturdays." My reply is, "Wow, they don't intend to lease it out very quickly do they?" To this she goes into a whole story. As violins play in my head, all I'm thinking is that the tenants are in a position that is definitely not in the best interest of the homeowner.

On to call number two. After viewing the showing instructions I gave the tenant a phone call and left a message. After not hearing from the tenant all day, I gave it one more try in the evening. Upon the tenant answering the phone, I introduced myself and asked for an appointment to show the home tomorrow evening between 6:30-7:30 p.m. To this the tenant replied, "You need to call the agent." I replied, the showing instructions state to call you." She says, "I know but I told the agent to take my number off the listing so now you need to call the agent." I then asked, "Well are you going to need to be present for me to show the home? She states, "That's besides the point, you need to call the agent." Once again I have entered the Twillight Zone.

I realize the tricky situation that the homeowner is in. While wanting to appease the current tenant, they also need to find a new tenant. This is difficult at times. But trust me, the harder a tenant or homeowner makes it to show a property, the less inclined I am to show it. That's just a fact.