Desperation

Let's face it. How often does anything good ever come out of making decisions out of desperation?

When I started thinking about our renters. The worst tenants were always ones I took out of sheer desperation. I am pleased to say I don't make the same mistakes more than a handful of times. And, I prefer to think of these mistakes as different--even if there are only subtle nuances between Mistake A and Mistake K.

Our first investment home was to be a flip. I had a newborn, no money and bad advice from my agent. It turned into a rental. The first interested renter who crossed my path was a pregnant woman with no job. She apparently saw "new clueless landlords" stamped on our forehead and played it up.

The woman was receiving child support and some sort of government assistance. Her two adult sons would be living with her and helping her pay the rent. She offered us two months cash. We jumped at it.

After a month, her sons moved out. Her child support stopped. She lasted a total of three months, gave birth and then I evicted her. Evicting someone in Arizona is pretty easy. Especially because I can do it myself.

Wayward was another desperation story. I wanted to believe Wayward's good paying job and her sense of responsibility to her children was enough to keep her honorable. My gut was telling me run and don't look back. There was additional pressure from Mr. Partner and my former agent, the Rajun Cajun. Mr. Partner wanted a tax deduction. Rajun wanted a commission. I really can't blame either of them for Wayward--it was still my call.

And, I had other issues going on too. Marty Sunshine's youngest sister had just died and we came inches from loosing a second family member. Looking back, I wasn't up to making strategic decisions--though I didn't realize it at the time. And, here's a quick tip: it is never a good idea to make strategic decisions during highly emotional times.

Of course, Wayward didn't mind our arrangement. I hunted her down every month for the rent and then she would then cheerfully pay it. She would still be living in that house today if I hadn't grown bored from this game. I always got my money, but on her terms. The first month she was late after I decided to kick her out, I joyfully started the eviction process.

Wayward left just in time too--right before anything really bad happened to either of us. And, she still has her good paying job. Thanks to Legal Eagle, I am garnishing her wages.

I often tell my perfectionist child that mistakes are what make us stronger. They help us grow and do better next time. Desperation has caused me lots of grief through the years. Surly as I hone my landlord skills, I am perfecting my craft.