Can you legally advertise a home for rent before you close on it?

[Kristine Eickman]

We are closing on a home April 21st and it is an investment home. The owners are aware that we are planning on renting it out and we have in the signed contract that the seller will allow us to show the home with reasonable lead time.

My question is - is it legal to advertise a home that you actually do not own yet? It would be great to get someone in there right away after closing, but I don't want to break any laws either.

[Soh Tanaka]

I don't know if it's legal, but I won't show a house that I haven't closed yet. But I would advertise the property and get list of potential tenants. Once you closed and the house is cleaned up, I would set up a showing.