Written By Dan Novak, A Sarasota Real Estate Broker.
Our Sarasota Realtors often sell homes for sellers who want to sell their rental homes. In some cases, tenants are still living in the home. Should the seller sell the home and include the tenants and current leases with the sale? Should the home be vacant before selling?
Often, sellers wish to sell the home with the tenant and leases in place. This seems to be the simplest and easiest way to move toward the sale. In some cases, the lease includes an agreement that the tenant will cooperate with showings.
It is a tough conversation for the landlord to tell the tenant about the sale of the home and to arrange for the tenant to receive notice and cooperate with showings. If the tenant agrees, it is often with great reluctance and discomfort. If the tenant is month-to-month, they become aware that their ability to stay may be short-lived.
It has been our experience that almost no tenant will cooperate well with showings. We have seen cases where the showings are not allowed by the tenant. In some extreme cases, the tenant will simply stay in the home during a showing. They tell negative stories about the home to the prospective buyer. Often, the home is not tidy and clean as it should be for a showing. Short-notice showings are rarely accommodated. In most cases, the prospective buyer will prefer a vacant home.
We have concluded that it is best to vacate the home before selling. If that is not possible, the owner must provide sufficient motivation for the tenant to cooperate with showings. In one case, the landlord provided an upgraded housing option.
Sarasota Home Sales Team 