Craigslist might have come through for me.

[Tobin S.]

I have a small condo that I've been trying to sell or lease since November. I've got a realtor working on it for me, but he hasn't been able to turn anything up. I put an ad on craigslist last night and five people have gotten back to me. Two of them sound promising. One can move in in March, the other in May. I gave the one that can move in sooner a call just a few minutes ago.

She's been at the same employer for 18 years, just got a promotion, and has to relocate to the area where my condo is. She says her credit is decent. I gave her my realtor's number so he can set up an appointment to show her the place. Hopefully that will happen this weekend and we can get everything set up.

Let me tell you something. It's rough going when you have to make two house payments on a trucker's salary. I'd like to sell the place, but it's been on the market off an on for the past two years and I've only had one offer and that was for half price. Leasing it will get it off my back for at least a year.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. Excellent decision....

How old are the appliances? You might want to consider a contract for their maintenance.

[Tobin S.]

4. I've got a fridge and a stove and they're in good shape.

I'm not sure how old they are. Not new but not ancient.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

6. It can't hurt to investigate....

also, what about A/C, heating etc?

[Tobin S.]

8. A/C is a wall unit, heating is electric. No furnace.

It's got a small electric water heater. The place is fairly inexpensive to maintain and easy to work on.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

9. Close enough for you to do the maintenance?

I ask only because I am a believer in Murphy's Law.

[Tobin S.]

10. I live 50 miles away

I have an account with my property manager for minor repairs. If something major goes wrong, I can get over there if it's not too urgent. Otherwise, I'd have to have someone else do the work.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

11. Very good!

Lots of luck with your new tenant.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Carigslist can work so very well

most of the time, with simple precautions.
Hope it all goes smoothly for you!

[Yavin4]

3. Be Careful. Be very, very careful.

If you lease know your rights and, more importantly, your responsibilities as a landlord.

[Tobin S.]

7. I know them and I've got all of my bases covered.

My lease is a standard legal document kind of lease. I have a property manager handle almost everything. As soon as the lease is signed I'll have the appropriate insurance. I've had this property leased for a year in the past.

[Helen Reddy]

5. Good Luck!

Hope all goes well for you!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Great news, my dear Tobin!

I'm holding a very good thought that all will be well with this prospective tenant.

[Trascoli]

13. I had my home up for sale for almost 1 year, paying two mortages is a nightmare

I finally switched realtors after 9 months. The second realtor said I'd have to call the first and fire him. I called him, and he was very angry on the phone, it was a very uncomfortable 3 minute talk. I wish I would have dont it at the end of his 6 month contract, but oh well, my fault. The second realtor had 3 times the views as the first and I signed within 45 days. Sometimes it's good to switch things up a bit. I'm so glad that crap is over.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

14. Once you've listed...

...a property for rent, you can treat it as an investment and for tax purposes you're able to depreciate it. Consult a tax professional to determine if that's an advantage for you.

[elleng]

15. Excellent news, Tobin.

Break a leg!