Selling a house with tenants can be a blessing or a curse. There is no sure way to know if your tenants will cooperate or try to sabotage your house's sale. An uncooperative tenant can make it impossible to sell your house.

On the other hand, a responsible and friendly tenant can make your property more salable, particularly to landlord investors who appreciate having guaranteed income right from the start.

It’s critical to know how to sell a house with tenants. To that end, we are going to share 4 proven tips that will assure the cooperation of your tenants to make the sale of your house smooth and headache-free.  

Can I sell my rental property with tenants in it?

First, we’ll answer a common question that landlords have which is, “Can I sell my house with tenants?” The fact is, you can sell your house with tenants. However, you and the buyer are bound to the terms of the lease you signed with your tenants.

Keep in mind that if your buyer wants to occupy the house after the closing, he will have to properly notify the tenant in writing. Depending on the state where the home is located your new buyer will have to give the tenant anywhere from a 30-day to 60-day notice.

If you’ve signed a fixed-term lease, then the new buyer will have to wait until the expiration of the lease to move in. Unfortunately, this will reduce your pool of potential buyers.

Nonetheless, there are clear advantages to selling your house with tenants, as opposed to having them move out before you put your house on the market.

If you vacate your house before putting it on the market you'll run the risk of losing rental income. And since it can take several months to find a buyer and another 30 to 60 days to close, you may be out a lot of money.

Notify your tenant

The first step in winning the tenant's cooperation is to be aware that the sale of your house will be stressful not only for you but for the tenant as well. Be respectful and communicate openly with your tenants. Send a letter of intent to sell the property well before listing your house, and offer them the first option to buy the house. Since your tenants already live in the house and are familiar with the neighborhood, they may take you up on the offer. Even if they are unable to buy, they will appreciate the gesture.

Compensate them for the inconvenience

A happy tenant is far more likely to make the sales process easier. Consider offering them a slight reduction in the rent so they can be flexible with showing appointments, help present the property in the best light, and stay out of the way during house showings.

A helpful suggestion is to put everything in writing.

Agree on a showing schedule

You can avoid problems with your tenant by agreeing in advance on a showing schedule. There may be a particular day of the week or hours of the day that may be impossible for your tenant to make the house available. It’s important to agree on a schedule in advance to avoid straining the relationship.

Also, assure the tenant that all buyers will be accompanied by a real estate agent or by you personally. Let them know that you respect their safety and possessions.

Agree on an acceptable notice

Speak to your tenant and agree on a reasonable notice to schedule showings. Tell the tenant that you will notify them in advance within the agreed-upon time. Also, try to inform them that sometimes flexibility may be necessary in cases where unique circumstances arise.

Keep in mind that a reasonable notice is usually 24 hours. Notices that are longer than that will make it difficult to schedule showings and may drive buyers away from looking at the property.

Even after following these tips, my tenants won’t cooperate. What should I do?

If you have uncooperative tenants that are making it impossible to sell your home consider selling your Eustis house to a “We Buy Houses For Cash” company. Cash buyers are accustomed to buying homes with problem tenants regardless of the home’s location or condition.

Cash buyers do not rely on bank financing, so you won’t have to plead with your tenants to allow you access for a bank appraisal.

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To learn more about how to sell a house with tenants for top dollar call Fix and Flippers at 858-386-0949 to schedule a free no obligation appointment.

We’ll buy your house as-is no matter its condition. Even if it is fire-damaged, water-damaged, has open code violations or has termite, foundation or roof problems. On top of that, by selling to us, you’ll eliminate the need to hire an agent, pay a hefty real estate commission, and put up with the uncertainty of finding a buyer.  

Count on us to understand your needs, provide solutions to your problems and deliver exceptional service. 

Check out the infographic How To Sell A House With Tenants below for a quick recap of what you just read.

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