Recently a client thought she could find a home via Facebook.
And not that it's a bad thing.... but what she and her family went through was devastating at a crucial time in their life. Follow me along... Mom is 7 months pregnant, has an 8 year old she home schools, dad works outside the home and mom also works part time. In the mean time they fly across country once a month for family reasons. Full plate wouldn't you say? So they decided to move back home closer to family to calm there chaotic life. Especially with baby on the way....
They contact the person who has a home listed for rent on Facebook. Seems legit. Owner sends them an application and request app fees. Pretty normal. Approves them. Sends them a lease and requires a deposit. Normal again. However the lease is pretty sketchy and the rental rate is not what is listed on Zillow. RED FLAG!
Deposit is sent and as they are on the phone with the "Owner" explaining how to get keys...as they pull up to the home another family is moving in!!!!!
Aren't you sinking! This family said they had leased it from a Property Management Company and did not know of the person they mentioned as "owner". They began telling the "owner" what they were seeing and he hangs up. The call back again and again. The phone is suddenly no longer in service.
How awful that someone would take advantage of this family. But it happens every day! That is why YOU should always go through a reputable Property Management Company for your rental needs.
We also encourage owners who want to lease their homes. Utilize the experts! You can also get taken!
We hope you will call us for your next Property Management or Leasing need!
Dying to know what happened? They did go to the police and filed a police report and because there was financial tracing they may be able to get the deposit back but not the app fees. The police informed them it happens all the time!
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