Learn French: Le locataire idéal est presque introuvable. - The ideal tenant is almost impossible to find.

In French, adding the suffix -able to a verb stem often means 'capable of being done', just like in English. Here, in- (not) plus trouver (to find) plus -able creates introuvable, literally meaning 'unfindable'. It is a much more natural and concise way to say 'impossible to find' than translating it word-for-word.

This lesson is about using the subjunctive when looking for something. Why isn't the subjunctive used here?

This sentence is a simple statement of fact, so it uses the standard indicative mood. The subjunctive is triggered in relative clauses when you are actively searching for an uncertain thing. If you wanted to apply the lesson's rule, you could rephrase this as a search: Je cherche un locataire qui soit idéal (I am looking for a tenant who is ideal), using the subjunctive soit because you are not sure this person exists.

Could I literally translate the English and say 'Le locataire idéal est presque impossible à trouver'?

Yes, that is grammatically correct and means the same thing. Notice that you must use the preposition à before the infinitive in that structure. However, using the single adjective introuvable is more elegant and very common in everyday French.

Why does the adjective idéal come after locataire instead of before it?