So THAT’S Why It’s Been For Sale Forever (Maybe)
As I tell clients, the “good stuff” on MLS is invariably buried in the “Agent Remarks” field — which consumers can’t see — rather than the “Public Remarks” field, which they can.
Even so, I can’t previously recall a listing agent trying to defuse a VERY long time on the market by blaming an uncooperative tenant in the “Agent Remarks” section.
Is that the real explanation?
Maybe.
I haven’t seen the property in question (a Minneapolis duplex), but my hunch is that, while that may very well be true, there are most likely other reasons as well for the long market time (price, condition, marketing, etc.).
Breach of Contract
Assuming that a tenant is thwarting showings, what should the owner do?
Every lease I’ve seen includes a clause regarding reasonable landlord access.
It sounds like the tenant in question is (was) breaching that clause, in which case a landlord serious about selling should pursue the usual remedies for breach of contract, including eviction (usually accomplished through an unlawful detainer action).
Early in the listing, not after years(!) on the market.
P.S.: “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar” department: a better tack to take with tenants often is to give them an incentive to keep up their unit and accommodate showings while a property is on the market.
Best motivation?
Discounted rent.
