- MLS listing facts require independent confirmation
- Permits, title, insurance and financing are property-specific
- Source links are informational, not endorsements
Verify authoritative records and professional responsibilities
Review tenant estoppel information where appropriate, documented rent payments, deposit obligations, utility meters, owner-paid charges and any relevant management agreements. Verify the legal count of independent dwellings against title and permits; bedrooms and rental units are different concepts. Arrange inspection access according to applicable rules and contract provisions. An appraisal may consider rental and property evidence differently from a buyer's independent inspection, and it does not decide tenant rights. If a tenant or seller provides a verbal promise to move out, seek legally appropriate documentation instead of modeling the home as immediately vacant. Keep original dated records in a decision file, with explicit separation between public rules, lender underwriting, appraisal, inspection and private contracts. If rules, fees or policies may have changed, use the responsible official source or licensed professional to verify the current version. Missing records should remain labeled unverified. A positive MLS remark or a reassuring photo never makes the other verification steps unnecessary.
Plan a documented next step for the actual property
Prepare two clearly separate scenarios: continuing lawful tenancy under actual agreements, and owner occupancy only if the legal and contract timelines permit it. Have escrow, the lender and counsel coordinate possession and security-deposit transfer issues before closing. Do not treat projected vacant-market rent as current guaranteed income. Confirm insurance reflecting the intended occupancy and document all known repairs and title obligations. Current MLS listings can identify potential rentals, but the governing documents and tenant law determine whether a particular purchase fits the buyer's plan. Build an action list with a named responsible professional and a deadline for every open item before signing away relevant contingency rights. The buyer or seller can compare genuine alternatives only when legal and financing assumptions are made explicit. Current RealtyFeed MLS listings support search discovery and may change in status or price; they do not decide whether an individual financing path, property condition or transaction cost is approved.