Most Realtor’s business is typically quiet over Christmas and New Year’s. The holidays are often an excellent time for a real estate agent to slip away. My family has a houseful of birthdays in December. When a business allows, we, and when able, we like to go to Las Vegas for Christmas. It’s quiet; it’s easy, and best of all, no cooking. I know it sounds odd, but it works for my family.
We were in Vegas over Christmas for a few days, and my only real estate excitement was from a client of 15 years ago. I sold him an investment property, and he selected a property manager he had used before. Being a landlord is not always easy. All was good for 15 years…until it wasn’t. He had not received November or December’s rent and contacted me on the 26th (which coincidentally is my youngest daughter’s birthday). My client left a message explaining his situation and asked me to call him when I returned to the office. Of course, I immediately returned his phone call, contacted his property manager, and tried to sort everything out.
As my client was in Palm Desert, I attempted to pick up his rent checks, lease agreement, and key from his property manager. I referred him to L.A. Property Management, who I know to be honest and capable. I advised him that when he returned to town, he should contact his tenant and inform them not to pay his former property manager the January rent. And explained that if I showed up at the tenant’s door, it would be confusing, but he, as the legal property owner, could show his I.D. and explain his situation.
Being a landlord is not always easy, even when using a property manager. I followed up with his former property manager, who had one excuse after another…. car trouble, blah, blah. My client left a note for his tenant and signed on with my recommended property manager. He and I continued to reach out to the former property manager. Seven days after my initial contact, I surprisingly received December’s rent checks payable to her company and endorsed, at least not cashed, rental agreements and management contracts.
My client and L.A. Property Management will follow up with the original management company, and now that he is in good hands, I am sure they will recover November’s rent. Being a landlord is not always easy. Want to learn the real deal about investment property, give Phyllis Harb a call at 818 790-7325
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