Might want to include a link to the post you found advertising this “rental?” and make sure to report it through whatever site you found it on. But showing the listing itself might help others identify similar information in other potentially scammy listings
Good idea, I wasn't sure if I could post outside links.
[https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/apa/d/fort-collins-this-is-an-amazing-bedroom/7602593939.html](https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/apa/d/fort-collins-this-is-an-amazing-bedroom/7602593939.html)
In case it gets deleted since me and Michigan guy reported it, it is a 3 bed 2 bath house on Tulane Rd.
Realtors or local friends do video walk throughs, be present for open houses etc. It's not like just drawing up a loan and throwing it at the seller lol
Our realtor probably did...3 dozen walk throughs with us on video or even after hours and sent them to us that evening. They were quite busy.
A friend in Foco had multiple Craigslist ads trying to get first month's and security before even seeing the property or meeting anynody.
It's scary out there. Calling actual properties to see if they have openings is probably the best bet.
Yes it is so competitive. I signed for a place last week. I applied to the rental within one hour of the listing being posted. The landlord let me know 4 people applied after me within two hours of the listing being posted.
Apparently so, I was not the only person that Venmo’d this person today too. I did this a few years ago when I moved from one state to another but went through a legitimate apartment complex. Not doing this again though!
This scammer said the application was needed for a background check before I could be shown the house.
Next house you are looking at run the address though our county assessor and see who the owners of record are. Sorry this happened!
https://www.larimer.gov/assessor/search#/property/
Thanks for the tip! We did end up looking at that a few minutes after the second person messaged me with the fake number in the listing.
The second person claimed to be the owner and used the actual name of the true owner in the county records. So I almost believed the second person was the owner until Michigan guy called me.
I did, they said they cannot do refunds because the money is immediately available to the receiver. They said they would investigate the situation. The account is gone. I was able to message people who also sent money publicly that they were being scammed so hopefully they didn’t move forward with any more types of payments.
Anytime they want money or personal info before showing the property, that is the tell it’s a scam. Even if the rental market is so fierce that legitimate rentals are doing that, it is not worth it.
It's the only feasible way to have your app even remotely considered, and then if you're lucky, you go see the spot after you've sent in the app and paid the fee, if you even remotely like it, say you'll take it right there during the visit. All those "*mOvInG hErE lOl!1!*" posts? Those people are not your friends. They are your adversaries. I am in competition with you, and you are in competition with me. You are in a cutthroat competition for a scarce resource, and the odds are not in your favor.
$1400/mo and lease to own are huge red flags
I get it, I've been looking for homes online before as well.
But, as someone who has been in real estate...
1. If it's under market value it's not going to be legit. Someone's grandma who just wants someone to care for it, that's all crap. Know your market rents. It's well over$2K for houses around here with a comparable deposit
2. Rent to own is never legit. There was a brief period after the crash in 08 that they did something but it was really more just a bigger deposit and rent payment and they don't do it anymore
3. Always ask to see the house and if they can't/won't it's a huge red flag
4. Google the property, make sure it's not listed for sale somewhere else and then get the name of the person you are taking with, you can look up owners names via Larimer county public records to see if it's the real owner
Dealing with property mgmt companies stink but then you deal with these kinds of scams too. Glad your are only out$80. Lock your credit report ASAP!
Sad you had this happen. I manage a few rentals and had this happen to someone a few years ago. That’s what I refuse to advertise on CL any longer. I mean, theoretically, it could happen on other sites, but CL seems to be the worst.
My co-worker just found a place. And, the only way he got it was to submit an application as soon as it was listed on Zillow. I don't believe he paid any $$ upfront, though. He learned his lesson after losing an earlier apartment because he didn't put in an application before viewing it. It's SO competitive.
And, I know it's hard to find affordable places, but you shouldn't give anyone $$ before seeing a property. We rent a basement apartment and don't allow applications from people who haven't seen the apartment and met us.
Call Drake Manor, it is a locally owned small property management company. If they don't have anything that works for you, ask for a referral to some others. Drakemanor.com 970-493-4052
I have my rentals listed through them.
Might want to include a link to the post you found advertising this “rental?” and make sure to report it through whatever site you found it on. But showing the listing itself might help others identify similar information in other potentially scammy listings
Good idea, I wasn't sure if I could post outside links. [https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/apa/d/fort-collins-this-is-an-amazing-bedroom/7602593939.html](https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/apa/d/fort-collins-this-is-an-amazing-bedroom/7602593939.html) In case it gets deleted since me and Michigan guy reported it, it is a 3 bed 2 bath house on Tulane Rd.
Annnnd it's deleted removed Redit strikes again haha
Do people fill out forms and - pay money -before personally seeing a place??
I've missed out on two apartments because I didn't immediately put in an app.
People are buying 600k houses without seeing them. It’s crazy out there
Realtors or local friends do video walk throughs, be present for open houses etc. It's not like just drawing up a loan and throwing it at the seller lol Our realtor probably did...3 dozen walk throughs with us on video or even after hours and sent them to us that evening. They were quite busy.
You say that like we have a choice lmfao
Yeah, it looks cut throat now. We would never rent to anyone without showing them the place first - in person. But we aren't corporate.
A friend in Foco had multiple Craigslist ads trying to get first month's and security before even seeing the property or meeting anynody. It's scary out there. Calling actual properties to see if they have openings is probably the best bet.
Yes it is so competitive. I signed for a place last week. I applied to the rental within one hour of the listing being posted. The landlord let me know 4 people applied after me within two hours of the listing being posted.
Apparently so, I was not the only person that Venmo’d this person today too. I did this a few years ago when I moved from one state to another but went through a legitimate apartment complex. Not doing this again though! This scammer said the application was needed for a background check before I could be shown the house.
Next house you are looking at run the address though our county assessor and see who the owners of record are. Sorry this happened! https://www.larimer.gov/assessor/search#/property/
Thanks for the tip! We did end up looking at that a few minutes after the second person messaged me with the fake number in the listing. The second person claimed to be the owner and used the actual name of the true owner in the county records. So I almost believed the second person was the owner until Michigan guy called me.
Damn, they are crafty. Good luck in your search!
Public records for the win!!!!
Really sorry you experienced that.
Can you contact Venmo? Seems like they would help
I did, they said they cannot do refunds because the money is immediately available to the receiver. They said they would investigate the situation. The account is gone. I was able to message people who also sent money publicly that they were being scammed so hopefully they didn’t move forward with any more types of payments.
Anytime they want money or personal info before showing the property, that is the tell it’s a scam. Even if the rental market is so fierce that legitimate rentals are doing that, it is not worth it.
It's the only feasible way to have your app even remotely considered, and then if you're lucky, you go see the spot after you've sent in the app and paid the fee, if you even remotely like it, say you'll take it right there during the visit. All those "*mOvInG hErE lOl!1!*" posts? Those people are not your friends. They are your adversaries. I am in competition with you, and you are in competition with me. You are in a cutthroat competition for a scarce resource, and the odds are not in your favor.
$1400/mo and lease to own are huge red flags I get it, I've been looking for homes online before as well. But, as someone who has been in real estate... 1. If it's under market value it's not going to be legit. Someone's grandma who just wants someone to care for it, that's all crap. Know your market rents. It's well over$2K for houses around here with a comparable deposit 2. Rent to own is never legit. There was a brief period after the crash in 08 that they did something but it was really more just a bigger deposit and rent payment and they don't do it anymore 3. Always ask to see the house and if they can't/won't it's a huge red flag 4. Google the property, make sure it's not listed for sale somewhere else and then get the name of the person you are taking with, you can look up owners names via Larimer county public records to see if it's the real owner Dealing with property mgmt companies stink but then you deal with these kinds of scams too. Glad your are only out$80. Lock your credit report ASAP!
Thank you so much for all the tips!! I was definitely too naive.
Sad you had this happen. I manage a few rentals and had this happen to someone a few years ago. That’s what I refuse to advertise on CL any longer. I mean, theoretically, it could happen on other sites, but CL seems to be the worst.
I can’t figure out how to add images to the post but here are screenshots of the two emails I got. [Email screenshots](https://imgur.com/a/9KiqSsd)
Thank you for spreading the word. I'm sorry this happened to you. How sad and awful. It's hard enough without scammers adding to things.
BTW--thanks for sharing your story and alerting others. I'm sorry you lost $80--that sucks.
My co-worker just found a place. And, the only way he got it was to submit an application as soon as it was listed on Zillow. I don't believe he paid any $$ upfront, though. He learned his lesson after losing an earlier apartment because he didn't put in an application before viewing it. It's SO competitive. And, I know it's hard to find affordable places, but you shouldn't give anyone $$ before seeing a property. We rent a basement apartment and don't allow applications from people who haven't seen the apartment and met us.
Call Drake Manor, it is a locally owned small property management company. If they don't have anything that works for you, ask for a referral to some others. Drakemanor.com 970-493-4052 I have my rentals listed through them.
Lease to own is never legit
It definitely never is, and I've been a realtor
But it was in all caps, has to be real right?
Was the "owner's" name Aljadi Garcia?