Boulder Landlords and Sellers beware!
Boulder Landlords and Sellers share some of the same risks and woes. Trying to rent or sell a property means you are allowing perfect strangers to enter, look around and sometimes… Make discoveries you wish they didn’t. Things like bad smells (really common!) and used underwear are nasty and may affect the ability of an agent to sell or lease the place but it’s not as bad as finding evidence of illegal or questionable behavior.
I’d be lying if I said my potential renters and buyers didn’t comment about the tenants, the suitability of the property AND the “type” of landlord/owner too.
Just this week I visited a unit at Gold Run, with buyers in tow. Cash buyers. Wholesome family. I would even go as far as saying, buyers who have a rare ability to envision the place they could have, rather than what is currently on offer.
But… Alas, some things are just hard to look past!
5 Lessons for Boulder Landlords and Sellers:
- If your tenants are still “in the closet” about their pot habit and growing venture, they will probably need an additional dresser or something for the clothes that no longer fit in said closet.
- Boulder landlords and sellers, if you have a tenant in a Gold Run unit that is for sale or for rent, and they know there is a no smoking policy, they might want to hide the evidence better!
- Pot growing and smoking might be legal in Colorado (if you are 21 years old or older) but it’s still within a Landlord’s rights to prohibit growing and smoking of the substance in a rental unit, citing federal law.
- You only get one chance to make a first impression. Showing condition is one of the “three legs of the stool” when it comes to selling/renting a property. Nothing drives a buyer/tenant away faster than a bad smell!
- This picture is in direct conflict with HOA rule and regulations. Are you attracting the wrong buyer/tenant or giving the right buyer/tenant the wrong impression about Gold Run Condominium complex?
Now I’m not saying that you won’t find a suitable tenant or qualified buyer in the end. I’m just bringing your attention to the fact that people pay more and jump quicker on a place that looks good, smells good, has “good energy”, looks like it has decent neighbors and isn’t going to require time and money to make it livable. And who doesn’t want to wrap up showings quicker? Put more money in the bank?
As a full time Realtor and part time property manager, I have seen almost everything. (Not to dare the Gods at all, touch wood).
I see my job as a listing agent to help the Seller understand the market and price the property according to its value and with the end goal of a SALE in mind. On top of that, I use my skills as an Accredited Staging Professional to present a property in a way that speaks to a buyer and my experience in marketing to photograph and advertise the property to showcase its best features. Showings are booked using a professional service that double checks to be sure the agent showing, really is an agent. Feedback is requested and passed along to the Seller.
As a Property Manager I work hard on the front end to secure a qualified, reliable and suitable tenant. (Drummers in small condos… not suitable. Family of 8 in a 3 bedroom house… not suitable). Do they have a glowing reference from the last landlord? Paid all their bills on time and didn’t generate complaints? Credit report didn’t reveal red flags? If the right tenant signs the lease, it cuts down 90% of the potential issues through the rest of the year. When the occasional problem does come up, the renter and myself (the property manager) have a nice, communicative relationship. Things like water leaks and wasp nests get taken care of before they snowball into bigger, costlier issues and everyone is happy. 🙂
And finally…
NOTE: To all my readers who live in, want to live in, own in or visit Gold Run Condominiums. In light of the most recent fire on Springdale Dr and with another 3-4 condo fires in mind during recent years, the Gold Run HOA is placing a ban on smoking at Gold Run. The change to Gold Run rules and regulations will include no smoking permitted outside the buildings and on the property in general. If evidence (smoke smell or cigarette butts) can be traced back to a person or unit, that landlord/owner will receive a hefty first offense fine and even bigger ones for further offenses. You can be sure that these will be passed along to lease holders… Just like noise violations or the storage and use of propane gas BBQ grills.
Gold Run Condominiums onsite manager: Mike Marty
Phone: 303-545-1787