Renters are slobs. Need inputs on how to deal with this.

[Nam Tran]

Hello everyone, I am new to this. My wife and I are in the process of buying our first investment property, a duplex. we did our walk through today, we love the property however the current tenants are slobs in both properties. In one house, they have dog poops piling up in the backyard like they're trying to run a compose factory, broke cabinet doors even though they only moved in last November, and both properties are fill with trash and junk everywhere. Both tenants are on month to month contract. I am thinking if we were to acquire this duplex, we would have to kick them out because we probably will have to spend a fortune to fix up their messes after they moved out. You guys have any inputs on how to approach this problem ? Please help. Thank you

[Michael Noto]

@Nam Tran When you say "did our walk through" is this a property you already have under contract and are ready to close on?  Or was it just a showing?

If it was just a showing and you haven't offered yet, I recommend either making an offer that the property be vacant upon sale (maybe offer a little more to entice the current owner to do this) so you do not have to deal with the issues you mentioned or it is probably best to find a different deal.  

In my experience with clients I have here in CT, it is always difficult for them when they inherit problem tenants when acquiring their first property.  It isn't worth it in most cases to pursue properties like this your first time around.  

A lot of newer investors (not saying you are) are intimidated by vacancies more than they are intimidated by problem tenants.  Inheriting problem tenants will ALWAYS lose you more money than inheriting a vacancy will when all is set and done. 

As you get more experience a property like this can be a good opportunity, but it can be overwhelming for your first one.