Comments
1 CommentsI was talking to a woman today about renting her home. In the ad the home looked great, seemed to be in a nice spot, I was interested enough to want to check it out. I asked her if she could provide me something from her bank/city stating that the mortgage/property taxes were paid timely and were up to date.
That question completely threw her off guard.
I explained that this is a business relationship. Part of that deal is that I pay my rent on time and she pays her mortgage on time - or I no longer have a house to rent. She completely understood that. When we got back to the providing proof part, she dodged and hesitated. I immediately lost interest in the house.
It's true that I could move and six months into the lease I have to move because she didn't pay the mortgage but I felt, due to the bad times people are having with homes lately, it would be wise to ask. I spoke to another homeowner and he didn't have a problem - but I don't like the house as much. Much smaller space for the same money.
This brings me to the question: when you enter business situations are you carefree or cautious? Would you ask for proof everything is paid up if you were renting from an individual?
Scrivs
Written Jun. 26, 2008 / Report /
Usually depends, in your situation you are throwing money into the deal so you are right to be cautious. In certain relationships where the biggest investment is time I tend to be more on the carefree side. With our company though, you and Mike know how many "partnerships" we get offered and we are neither carefree or cautious...we are just deaf.