We Finally Found New Tenants for our Vacant Rental House

Our former home which we now rent out
@bagarad (14283)
Paso Robles, California
May 26, 2020 11:10pm CST
Finding new tenants for a rental house two counties away during a pandemic lockdown when you are close to 80 years old is not an easy thing to accomplish. We've been fortunate enough to have a handyman we trust close to the house and a neighbor willing to show the house, but long distance landlording is still a pain. I've had to learn more about online leasing and advertising than I ever wanted to know. I don't much like either. The house has been vacant since October. The rent money provided a third of our income. We had to spend a lot getting it ready to rent after the last tenants vacated. But we finally finished screening and accepting two related families who will share our five bedroom home. On Memorial Day the future tenants were kind enough to meet us in Santa Maria, an hour from our home and two and a half hours from theirs. They brought us their signed lease and we got acquainted in person after exchanging many text messages and emails. The security deposit has been paid and we will remove our name from the utilities tomorrow. Move-in date is June 8. We are very thankful. The process of getting the house rented has taken almost all my time in the past two months. I also had nose surgery in April and have almost healed. I've continued to list and sell books online on Biblio. And I've done a bit of writing on Medium. I've made the decision to leave Virily. It's been a very busy three months that did not allow me much writing time anywhere. That's why I haven't been here. So far neither of us has contracted the Covid-19 virus. We have mostly stayed home unless going out was necessary. I have gone shopping twice last week, but only because I had to go to the vicinity of the stores on other necessary business. It went well and I would not be afraid to do it again. But I still avoid going out unless it's necessary. Our county is gradually beginning to reopen some restaurants, retail stores, and churches unders strict guidelines. I probably will keep staying home and worshipping on Zoom for a while longer. Are you still sheltering place where you live? Have you remained healthy? How has this pandemic personally affected your life? Have you lost any friends or family members? I hope you are all well.
17 people like this
18 responses
@Deepizzaguy (95136)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 May 20
In my state the businesses are reopening with restrictions. I did recover from a minor illness that caused weakness on my legs and chest area which is being taken care of by use of an inhaler.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
Were you tested to see if it was the virus? I've been sick with something that's made me dizzy and I even passed out a week ago, but none of the symptoms have matched those of the coronavirus.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (95136)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 May 20
@bagarad I did not get a test since I was not able to go to the public place to get a test since there were too many people in line waiting. I did speak to a doctor who told me it is likely asthma and not the virus.
@Lavanya15 (12888)
• Chennai, India
27 May 20
That's good finally you get rentals for your vacant house.. That's nice.. Recently my relatives affected by this virus, admitted hospital too.. But after treatment they return back.. Now all are safe..
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
I'm glad your relatives have recovered. I guess this virus isn't quite as deadly as they thought at first it would be. Hope it is manageable now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307895)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 May 20
I'm glad you rented the house. I'm sure it wasn't easy with the pandemic to achieve that. I'm glad you're healthy and you're starting to open where you live. We're opening with strict guidelines. I'll be going to church on Sunday.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (207127)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 May 20
Live church? That should be a breath of fresh air for you!
1 person likes this
@just4him (307895)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 May 20
@TheHorse Yes, it will. I'll be so happy to see everyone tomorrow in person.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
27 May 20
The virus lockdown has been a good thing for me, I have Robert now.we work daily Glad you got the house filled
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
I've actually enjoyed having an excuse to stay home more. But it's a real relief to have the house rented, as you can well imagine. No more responding to calls and Zillow messages and screening people and making arrangements for showings.
@Janet357 (75656)
27 May 20
This is good. another source of.income for you. And glad that some people are willing to.help. we thank God Jah as we are still.healthy though I lost my income but God is good. He provides our needs.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
We are thankful God has provided for us during this long loss of income. I will be glad when those put out of work by the virus will be able to have their income restored .
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 May 20
Great news, I am happy for you. That has to be difficult especially these days. I have a 90 year old uncle in a nursing home, in another state. He is in quarantine with two positive tests results so far. I cannot talk to him. Very difficult.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
It must be very difficult for him to be so socially isolated from his family.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 May 20
@bagarad His dementia is worsening so I am not sure if he even knows what is going on.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
27 May 20
Grats on getting new tenants. How long is their lease?
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
27 May 20
@bagarad good for you. Yup, if they are good tenants, might as well have them longer than a year.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
The lease is a year. We hope they will stay longer.
1 person likes this
• China
27 May 20
Nice to see you back ! You definitely felt as if relieved of a heavy load after rented your house out.Our lockdown was lifted as early as late March.Stay safe !
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
It must be good to have been out and about .
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134815)
• Roseburg, Oregon
27 May 20
That is great that you got the house rented.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
It's such a relief. You wouldn't believe how much time the property management is still taking as the new tenants prepare to move in next week.
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
27 May 20
Yes, I am still "indoor", not gone anywhere since March.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
I hope you are not too stir-crazy. My husband is the extrovert in our family and this isolation is driving him nuts.
@LadyDuck (459805)
• Switzerland
27 May 20
I am glad that your house is now rented, one less problem to think about. Our country is reopening little by little, people respect the guidelines, there had almost no new cases during the past 7 days.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
It's great that new cases are low there, too. Looks like barber shops and beauty salons will open up again this week.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (459805)
• Switzerland
28 May 20
@bagarad Barber shops and beauty salons opened the past Monday, same the restaurants and bars. Some bars have been shut down by the police because the clients did not respect the guidelines and the owners did nothing to make them respect the rules.
@wolfgirl569 (96069)
• Marion, Ohio
27 May 20
Things are reopening here. I have been going to my auctions like normal.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
Glad to hear it. Normal is nice.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12646)
• Ireland
27 May 20
@bagarad That looks like a great house. I’ll be looking to rent in a few years time and I hope I find something like that.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
I hope you will find what you want, too. The series I've been reading is set in Ireland. It's the Lakeview Contemporary Romance Series by Melissa Hill. These are not typical romances. They are full of plot twists that constantly surprise me. I'm about to start book 4.
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
27 May 20
we are sheltered in place until this Friday so the end is near. Not sure if i am happy or scared!
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 May 20
I hear you. It's half and half for me. I do like doing my own shopping, but I also like being home more.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
28 May 20
@bagarad my wife has decided she likes working at home a lot! But her job involves driving all over the county where we live, so I can understand that.
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
31 May 20
So glad you have found someone to live in that house. It looks great! Most we know only go out for work or food. Everything else can wait.
@mom210 (9041)
• United States
22 Jun 20
you should get a company to handle it for you. they only take a small percentage and it is considered an operating expense.
@TheHorse (207127)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 May 20
I lost one of my favorite musicians, John Prine, but not any personal friends or relatives. Glad you got the house rented!
@Hannihar (129632)
• Israel
28 May 20
By Barbara Radisavlejvic @bagarad I bet that is very hard to do it long distance. I am glad you found tenants for your home. I know how you feel about going out. I only go out when have to. Stay safe. It has been very hard and stressful for me. I am waiting for things to come and so far no luck and it is very very frustrating.