Selling a Home For Sale By Owner or Even With a Real Estate Agent? Beware of Craigslist Scams – Part 2
Last week I wrote that one of my clients who has a home for sale had their home targeted by a scammer who is using their listing to try to scam people out of their hard-earned money. The scammer uses a legitimate “For Sale” listing on the MLS or other website, even possibly a “For Sale By Owner” website, and advertises the home on Craigslist as a rental at way below market rent. This then brings a lot of potential tenants to inquire about the home.
One such tenant contacted me and let me know that she had received an email from the scammer. She kindly forwarded it to me, and you can read it below (spelling and punctuation mistakes are as it was written). Note that this time they even signed the email as if it was from me…
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Hello Dear. I can see you are interested in renting the house I have pasted, I am currently in West Africa for ministry crusade transfer,So I need a good and caring family tenant to take care of it but since I am out of the state now, I have received some proposals regarding the rent because it is located in a very good area. It is located at (Address Omitted). I spent less time in the States so I could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in Africa that I decided to rent out the house…. However, the initial plan was to sale out the house. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the price and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this incase if you find the house on another website. I left behind some Facilities and electronics which include the rent, air conditioning, alarm system. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, a refrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine, My Computer Connected with Internet Access Also the keys to the House are right here with me, and the house documents. Which I can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also I will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue ,but your absolute maintenance of my House is most important thing so will want you to get back to me with the Application form below.RENTAL APPLICATION 1)Your Full Name__________________________ 2)Your Full Address & Phone Number_______________________ 3)How old are you_______________________ 4)Are you married_______________________ 5)How many people will be living in the house_______________________ 6)Do you have children_____Ages_____ 7)Do you have a car_______________________ 8)Do you have a pet_____ 8)Occupation_______________________ 9)Monthly income_______________________ 10)When will you like to move in_______________________ 11)How long will you like to rent the property______________________ 12)Reason for relocating_______________________ One Mr paul john called me in regards to the house, I told him that I can’t give him the House for rent because he smoke a lot, drinking and i don’t want him to get drunked one day and damaged my property, so If you are still interested Note that the rent is going to be $900 Per month No extra fees. Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the house to you. Thanks NAME:Don Anthony Please be careful out there. If you are a seller trying to sell a house by owner or even with a real estate agent, be on guard for scams. If you are a tenant or buyer, please do the same. There are some bad people who don’t want to work for their income, as they’d rather just take it from you. |
– Don
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Don is the Owner and Broker of Don Anthony Realty. Over the last two years, Don sold more homes than 99.3% of the real estate agents in the Charlotte Region, while saving those clients thousands. He has perfected a low cost yet full-service home-selling program that is revolutionizing the way people get their homes sold. His hybrid approach and Flat Fee MLS Listing Service combines the best of a Discount Realtor and Full-Commission real estate agent with the freedom of a For Sale By Owner (FSBO). For more information please visit our website, www.DonAnthonyRealty.com.
Don Anthony Realty helps clients buy and sell real estate in the entire Charlotte, NC Metro Region. Counties served include Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Gaston, Rowan, Catawba, and Alexander Counties in NC as well as York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties in SC. Some of the cities served include Charlotte, Huntersville, Mooresville, Matthews, Concord, Weddington, Wesley Chapel, Waxhaw, Monroe, Marshville, Pineville, Gastonia, Cramerton, Belmont, Statesville, Hickory, Claremont, Kannapolis, Salisbury, Union Grove, Lincolnton, Mount Holly, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Rock Hill, York, Clover, Catawba, Indian Trail, Mint Hill, Davidson, Sherrills Ford, Cornelius, Troutman, Harrisburg, Midland, Mt Pleasant, Terrell, Crouse, Wingate, Maiden, Denver, Lancaster, Stanley, Dallas, Newton, Cherryville, China Grove, Indian Land, and Chester
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