Flakes who make life decisions then change their mind
 

Ok, so I have a rental property that I'm trying to get a new tenant for. My realtor guy suggested I try Craigslist because why not try to get some larger interest.

I put the thing online and get a bunch of passing interest. No biggie. Then I get a guy who calls me and wants the place. He tells me all about himself and he seems like a normal well adjusted human being.

I ask for a Earnest money check. He sends it. I get it in the mail. Normal right?

Today I get a text from him and he tells me that he's changed his mind and can't afford it.

WTF?

I'm like ok thanks for playing.

something must have happened

like he got sued
or he lost his job
or he found out his high school teacher wife was having sexual relations with multiple students at the same time

Well it happened in less than eight hours. This morning it's a go. This afternoon nada.

The average renter has the IQ of a sack of potatoes.

I've had people make offers on property, sign papers and then back out because they couldn't afford the payment recently.

So I'm learning.

Same deal here more or less. I just don't get the thinking.

I was actually on the other side.

About 4 years ago, my wife and I were looking for a house to rent. Found a 3 bedroom house that was within our budget. Went and took a look at it and explained to the guy that we couldn't move in for 30 days because we had to get out of our current apartment. He said that was no problem....just pay the security deposit. So we paid the security deposit and signed the lease. A week passes and he calls me to see if he gave us a discount on the rent if we could move in earlier. I told him that we would still be losing money because I would lose my security deposit with the apartments for leaving earlier than my lease. He said ok. Dude called me back an hour later and told me that he was getting a divorce from his wife and that his wife wanted the house in the divorce......said he was going to mail us our security deposit back. I drove by the house a week later....and he was helping his new tenants move into the place. ****ing prick.

Renters will defy logic as often as not.

I've seen the full spectrum over the years from people who should have owned a home for 10 years to horders to people who think it's a good idea to have 4 180lb pigs in an UPSTAIRS BEDROOM.

Renters typically do NOT have an IQ of 159.

Glad my contract covers animals. :)

I've got another offer on the table already unless he flakes out too.

wow

even though you had the lease signed and was not truthful? coulda probably won that shit in court or something

At the time I was more worried about trying to find another house because we only had 3 weeks to find one. I probably could have taken him to court......just didn't want to deal with that shit on top of everything else.

Quick follow up. The number two backup renter (who actually offered me more money) signed a lease with another guy in the six hour period today after the flake told me he was a "definate go" So unless I get another qualified renter to move in soon I'm out of rent money for September. Jerk Cost me $1,500 plus utilities.

Lesson learned. Unless the down money is in your hand there's no saving your space in line. First come first served.

how did he send you a check, you received it, and he then changed his mind in under 8 hours?

ya I probably wouldn't have bothered either

I made the deal last week. Then number two guy rolls in and offers me more $$. I call dude in the morning and ask him to confirm that he's sent the. $$ and say are you sure ... He says absolutely and assures me it's a go. I call number two guy and tell him thanks for playing because I like to think I'm a fair minded businessman. He's say ok. Later that day I get a FUUKHING TEXT from the guy backing out. I immediately call number two guy and he's like really? I signed a contract over lunch hour and gave down monies. I hang up and realize I've been screwed.

well, at least you got the earnest money ...plenty have been in the same situation and gotten nothing.

Dude cancelled the check. My mistake was treating him special without any accountability. I should have told number two guy it was a go and the first check and contract that arrives gets the space.

Craigslist is good, but any time I sell something, It takes 10 people saying they will buy it before one actually shows up. Always wonder if you are in the middle of a scam or a way to rob you.

good luck-trust no one.

Life happens. He probably got arrested for running over a cop's foot.

Wow, that's some fast mail.

Do renters have a right of rescission period? How long is it?

I've never rented. I bought a house when I was 19.

Sounds like your dealing with a flake indeed.
I manage a house for my soon to be ex, because she is a flake and decided to take flight to Key West, whilst leaving her house in shambles. Her renters always give her the run a round, being late on payments etc..
So I took over geting the rent checks. They always try to give me some sob story and I am like pay or GTFO. They just don't mess with me anymore because I refuse to listen. Rent is DUE Mother ****ers.

Maybe he decided to just key his inconsiderate neighbor's truck instead of moving.

Congrats on the house at such a young age, chap. Now, onto bigger things such as Google!

Bob Dole visits Austin 8-10 times a year. If you'd like Bob Dole to inhabit your dwelling, you can send your application and the associated application fee, and Bob Dole will put your domicile on the list of available resting places.

When I was 23 I owned 5 rental houses. I was naive and took many of the first people to get them in so my houses would be rented. What a gigantic fucking mistake! These people were maggots. They lie, don't pay, destroyed a brand new house, and I learned a painful lesson the hard way.

Be patient and prudent and you will find the right tenant-DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS AND 100% DO BACK GROUND AND CREDIT CHECKS!!!