Show Threads Show Posts. Go to Page Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. View detailed profile Advanced or search site with Search Forums Advanced. Tish Thompson. I've come across several "too good to be true" ads and have since learned that is true. Very nice homes are listed with lots of pics and the price never matches the property Another red flag is that they put something to the effect of "no credit check" in the listing.
There is a phone number to call, typically in the area code. When you call the number, the person answering tells you to contact a particular real estate agent for access and gives instructions on how to send money. An agent in my office was contacted twice today by renters who needed help after being taken advantage of bythese people. Yup -- seen em and suspected as much. Ya look at enough ads and you start to see a pattern evolve -- especially since rentals rarely look like an ad for a furniture store.
Thanks for the heads' up! There are a number of them. About a year ago, I followed through with a few to see exactly what they were after. They fell into two groups Get you to fill out an application before showing the property. Renting a place they don't even own. These typically go on about how it is an out of area landlord and he will mail you the keys when you send in the deposit and first months rent. They will say 'no credit check required' Some guidelines I would offer are Never start the application process until you have met with the landlord or representative and viewed the unit.
Don't send any money in ahead of time to reserve a unit. Do a google on the email address. You will likely see the same ad in different areas of the country. Be wary of an ad that does not have an address or the area matches the craigslist grouping. As an example, there is a Craigslist region of Ventura County. If the ad says the unit is in Ventura County, it is likely a scam. It should say which city in Ventura County. Look at the pictures and google street view the address to see if they match.
Look at the description to see if they match area. As an example, in Ventura County, sometimes ads will say the landlord pays for snow removal. That is a scam. In your area, maybe it will say there is a lake view when there is no lake. Stuff like that. If it is represented by a property manager company, google that company to see what they have in the area.
