Sugar Blossom

10-Step Program on How to Get Your House in Order

Step Number 5: Don’t hesitate to use a good-smelling soap or cleaning agent. If the unit smells fresh and clean, it’s to your benefit. Maybe it’s best to avoid Lysol. Another smell that is distasteful is roach spray.

Step Number 6: Are any of the rooms in need of painting? Are the carpets clean?

Step Number 7: The entire unit should be in tip-top shape. If it’s not, the odds are pretty good that you’re going to have a crummy-looking rental unit and you’re going to end up with a crummy tenant. It’s that simple.

Step Number 8: Everything should be in excellent condition so that when you’re showing, you won’t be embarrassed or have to make excuses or apologize about dirt or clutter, or whatever that can be distracting in the eyes of that potential tenant. Make certain that you never get branded as a “slum landlord.”

Step Number 9: Now you should be ready for the all-impor­tant showing. If you know and feel that your unit is ready, make sure you accompany the potential tenant.

Step Number 10: Allow the tenants to have a private look on their own. Once the one-on-one showing is completed, here’s an idea I’ve used that has worked wonderfully well for me.

Once I’ve determined that this potential tenant is a good choice, and I like what I see, I make a mental commitment. When I’ve finished the tour of the premises with the tenants, I tell them, “I’m going to leave you now and you can spend some time in the apartment. This will be your home and I want to be sure you’re satisfied. By spending a little time alone here, this can give you an idea of what kind of a home you can make for yourself.”

I then add, “I’ll be back in about a half-hour and then you can give me your decision.”

On the other hand, if I have any sense that that individual just doesn’t “click” with me, I rush through the showing and say, “I’ll get back to you because I have others who are waiting to see the unit. As soon as the showing is over, I’ll call you.” I always have a backup with someone to call once this inter­view is concluded. That usually ends it.

[tags]House, Rental, Tenant, Landlord[/tags]

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