occasion, I pay a realtor $500-$1,000 to find a tenant for me - for example - I was too lazy to hand out in Las Vegas recently. and paid a realtor $1K to find a tenant in Sun City Anthem - 55 and older community.

But, before he could find one - the next door neighbor who I had already talked to but was not interested - changed his mind and rented it.

Similarly, a tenant in New SW LV gave notice after a rent increase. I found a realtor that would find a tenant for $500 fee. Before she found one, my tenant decided that she would stay after all.

My secret sauce is to look for tenants that have shown stability in employment and prior residences but, that have decent, but imperfect credit. I keep the rent slightly under market, keep up on maintenance, and they almost never move.