removing a section 8 tenant so I can sell the house

[Alex Gadbois]

Hello everyone,

11/8/21

Here is the situation. I own a small house (SFR) in Sacramento, CA that is occupied by a section 8 (also known as SHRA) tenant. I have owned the house for almost 5 years and the tenant has been there for longer than I have owned it. I purchased the house through seller financing, and I have a balloon payment that comes due 3/1/22. I am currently out of work and unable to refinance. My only option is to sell the house so I can pay off the balloon payment. This is fine by me, because I will likely make a good profit off the house (bought it for $130k, worth at least $230k now).

I served the tenant with a 90 day notice to vacate on 10/1/21.  I also told her what was going on several weeks before sending the notice just to give her as much time as possible.  So, she is supposed to be out by 12/1/21.  My goal is to get the place fixed up and sell it as a vacant house.  I am working with a realtor and following his advice.  

Here is the problem.  The tenant has been unable to find a place to live.  She says she has been looking a lot, but is unable to find anything.  She has 3 dogs which can complicate things and doesn't have much money and is in poor health.  I really hope she will find a place and be out by 12/1, but that is 3 weeks away.  If she is not out by 12/1 what do I do?  There is the option to list the house for sale still occupied, but this will probably scare off some buyers and affect the quality of offers I get.  I would hate to have to go through an eviction because that could turn into a nightmare.   Any ideas?

Thanks,

Alex