Tips for Selling a Columbia SC Home with Tenants

Selling a Columbia SC area home that is currently occupied by a tenant can be a bit of a challenge, as the tenants don’t always share the same motivation as their landlords – consequently, they may fail to keep the home looking neat and attractive to impress potential buyers.

So what can landlords do to prevent problems?

First, landlords should never attempt to deceive tenants in the first place, and so they should make it absolutely clear that they intend to list the home once the local market picks up again.

Landlords can also offer their tenants some kind of concession in return for their cooperation – for example, in return for the tenant keeping the home looking neat tidy (unlike the photo!) while it’s listed, they could be given a 10% discount on the rent. However, landlords would need to clearly communicate their expectations regarding cleanliness, like making sure the bed is always made up in the morning, and ensuring dirty dishes aren’t left in the sink for prospective buyers to see when they come to see the property.

Setting established hours for buyers to view the property will also do a lot to get tenants on your side.

Landlords need to keep in mind they don’t usually get a second chance, and so it pays to keep tenants on their side, especially when a property is first listed for sale.

If you’re a Columbia SC area landlord and would like more information and tips on what you should do if your property has a tenant and you’re wanting to sell, contact us. We’ll be happy to give you additional tips.