Dubois, IN · Member since 2016 · 120 posts · 16 votes
I'm going to have one side of a duplex that is going to be ready to rent out soon. I have a man interested, but have heard not good things about him. He's been texting me and I can already tell that he's pushy and bossy. He will not make a good fit!!! What are my options? I'd like to tell him to take a flying leap!!!!! I don't even want to meet him for a walk thru!!!! Help!!!
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
8y
@Carrie A. as suggested by @Matt K. you should go into your BP profile and hide your last name. I would also change the setting so that Google doesn't index you in their search.
Blocking his number is a good idea, but I would tell him something before blocking his number. Otherwise you are just ignoring him, which is more likely to get him to stop by to talk to you. I would be honest. I had a guy one time that kept calling and texting me. I told him that he was too intense and I wasn't comfortable showing the property to him. I went on to tell him, I am not renting to you.
Once you say no, any further conversation can be a simple, "I said no, please don't continue to contact me". Any contact after that point is harassment.
Some people are afraid to say no, but in this business you need to learn to use that word assertively. Rejecting people isn't a negative. If this guy needs a place to live, he is wasting his time talking to you. He is better to hear the truth from you so that he can move on.
If you fear for your safety contact the authorities.
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore County Maryland and Tampa Florida · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
You can simply start out by not replying back. If he doesn't get the hint after a while, you can send a short, professional response simply saying that you are currently processing another application. He doesn't need to know if that's true or not. I think the key is to not respond for the most part.
Real Estate Broker · Naples, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 6k+ votes
8y
often times when people are very pushy there is a reason such as they are being evicted, they are a professional tenant ripping off landlords, etc. I made the mistake of taking somebody like that years ago and I do not even want to go into detail about how much damage they did to my property.
Dubois, IN · Member since 2016 · 120 posts · 16 votes
8y
I think I will just block his number and be done with him. The only problem is, he seems to be making a habit of driving by my property!!!!!! What do I do if he just shows up while I'm there!!!!????? Call the police! (good answer!)
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore County Maryland and Tampa Florida · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
Don't panic. If he stops by and catches you outside, be calm, polite, and firm that you will be accepting someone else and that you wish him luck in his search. If he doesn't leave, tell him to leave. If he still doesn't leave, then call the police but do not announce that to him.
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
8y
Every time that I didn't follow my gut feeling when red flags came up and when I then used the left side of my brain to talk myself into that tenant - I always regretted it.
Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
8y
I'm very careful about giving out my ph# for reasons like this. Half the time I don't give an applicant my card until move-in day. Anonymous CL e-mail all the way.
Dubois, IN · Member since 2016 · 120 posts · 16 votes
8y
@Steve Vaughan. he knows my tenant on the other side of the duplex. He bugged him relentlessly. But, yes, email all the way from here out!
@Liz C. what's your prescreening process?
and can you deny a showing and application on the fact they're a pushy *** hat!?
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
8y
if your other side tenant admitted that this guy bugged him relentlesly, that's a pretty good sign that your tenant would probably not be happy with this guy there.
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
8y
@Carrie A. as suggested by @Matt K. you should go into your BP profile and hide your last name. I would also change the setting so that Google doesn't index you in their search.
Blocking his number is a good idea, but I would tell him something before blocking his number. Otherwise you are just ignoring him, which is more likely to get him to stop by to talk to you. I would be honest. I had a guy one time that kept calling and texting me. I told him that he was too intense and I wasn't comfortable showing the property to him. I went on to tell him, I am not renting to you.
Once you say no, any further conversation can be a simple, "I said no, please don't continue to contact me". Any contact after that point is harassment.
Some people are afraid to say no, but in this business you need to learn to use that word assertively. Rejecting people isn't a negative. If this guy needs a place to live, he is wasting his time talking to you. He is better to hear the truth from you so that he can move on.
If you fear for your safety contact the authorities.
Landlord · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2016 · 100 posts · 58 votes
8y
One thing I have learned is to hold open houses rather than private showings. Private showings are just too much work - especially if you have a tenant!! Now, I advertise starting on a Monday to collect interest, with the ad stating that an open house will be held on Sat from 10-12. This is SO much less work, and you don't risk showing the home to someone creepy alone. :)
Dubois, IN · Member since 2016 · 120 posts · 16 votes
8y
@Roger S. @Matt K.
I don't even know what the guy looks like. All I know is he's a pain and he burnt his moms trailer down for insurance money. I'll change my settings the next time I'm on the computer, but considering he wanted to talk to a lawyer about me doing a background check, I'm thinking he's probably not very internet savvy.
Investor · Greeley, CO · Member since 2012 · 42 posts · 8 votes
8y
Simply tell him that you don't think it would be a good fit. If you can't stand up to him now, how will you stand up to him if he doesn't pay rent or violates terms of the lease?