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Is it OK to google the (out of state)_ owners and talk to them directly about options (such as firing the leasing company so we can get a better deal down the road - yes house is also for sale but we don't have lease option just straight lease) or is that illegal? We own another house that we are leasing out and we wouldn't be bothersome/annoying tenants. In fact, we've already sunk a bunch of our own $$ into landscaping, upgrading the rental ... we just don't know what the etiquette is.... we've never dealt with a leasing company in any capacity - just seems like it could be beneficial to cut out the middleman. And, it would be much easier dealing with all the maintenance stuff on our own without calling this stupid company each time, which drags its feet with everything ...... ???
Typically the owner will have a contract with the leasing company that prohibits continuing the lease with you and cutting out the leasing company. It's not good business to hire a company to find and qualify a tenant, then cut them out. Pretty crappy actually. Also, many landlords use leasing companies because they don't want to deal with all the hassles of maintenance, rent collection, etc., etc., etc.
However, if you decide to buy the property, that's a different deal all together. Certainly contact the owners or even go through the leasing company with your offer.
Lease-to-own works out about 5-10% of the time here in CA. The current owner typically comes out ahead while the lessee tends to lose money. You will probably be better off saving your cash for a real down payment and buying then.
Is it OK to google the (out of state)_ owners and talk to them directly about options (such as firing the leasing company so we can get a better deal down the road - yes house is also for sale but we don't have lease option just straight lease) or is that illegal? We own another house that we are leasing out and we wouldn't be bothersome/annoying tenants. In fact, we've already sunk a bunch of our own $$ into landscaping, upgrading the rental ... we just don't know what the etiquette is.... we've never dealt with a leasing company in any capacity - just seems like it could be beneficial to cut out the middleman. And, it would be much easier dealing with all the maintenance stuff on our own without calling this stupid company each time, which drags its feet with everything ...... ???
It's ok to talk to the owners directly. However trying to get the owners to fire the property management company will likely not be taken warmly by the owners. They probably don't want to deal with tenants with regards to the maintenance. Whether they are difficult or not. Might get you into trouble too, with contract inteference.
It's ok to inquire directly to the owners about buying the house. In that case, its none of the management companies business. If the management company has an agreement with the owners they can handle that.
Thank you both - we are not trying to scre* anyone over (ie: Leasing co) but trying to save the owners money so they are more willing to lower their acceptable purchase price. We are not trying to scre* them over, either, but the house is already at the top end of our purchase-price range and it has several quite substantial$$$ problems that eventually will need to be addressed - like tearing down and rebuilding a garage apt., redoing a very dated pool, and addressing an upstairs that w/o the AC blasting, stays at temperatures in the mid-90s in the hot months - not exaggerating, I have a thermometer up there. But the neighborhood is very desirable and the house has potential so we are willing to take that on if we can get it @ a competitive enough price.
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