All Forum Posts by: Jennifer L.

I have a rental that will be available to rent beginning 9/1.  The last time I had to rent it, I had half the notice and a lot of work to do on the place, so I didn't list it until it was ready to show, which was after my tenant vacated.  As soon as I listed it, I got a ton of interest and had a lease signed right away.  So far, I'm getting very little interest, so I don't know if it is because it is priced too high or listed too early, or a combination of both.  My price is in line with similar rentals in the same neighborhood, but those don't appear to be moving either. I'm planning on doing an open house in two weeks.  Am I better off taking the ads down for a week or so?  I fear that if it looks stale that people will lose interest.

I work full time and have a deferred compensation account into which I contribute to every year to the maximum amount allowed.  I do this because it is pre-tax dollars, so there is a tax benefit to me for saving and investing that money.  

@Tony Roddenberry I started using Cozy when my tenants asked for an online payment option.  Free payments are a little slow, (5 business days) but it is reliable.  There is a $3 option per month to increase the deposit time, if that is an issue for you. 

My tenant gave me notice (move out 9/1), so I have started the listing process with Cozy.  I am hopeful that I can convince interested renters to apply through Cozy.  I figure it will be easier to convince them to do their payments through Cozy if they've already used it to apply for my rental.

@Andrew Syrios That makes me feel better.  People have been flagging the ads so they have been taken down before I can report it.  I've been searching CL a few times a day to make sure there is nothing up, but I haven't come across the ads, I just found out about it after the fact.   

@David Zheng The scammer reels in people looking for housing.  In my case, they offered a 2/1 home in a prime neighborhood in San Jose for $800, including all utilities. Most people see the ad and know it is a fake (rooms for rent are usually more than that.)  A few are desperate enough to respond.  When they do, the scammer says they are out of town unexpectedly due to some emergency and they just need someone to take care of their home.  They can't show it, but stop by and take a peek in the windows.  If that isn't enough of a warning sign, they will convince the people to wire money to them for the deposit/first months' rent.  They promise to send the keys once the money is received. For the unsuspecting tenant, the keys never come.

@Nancy Curran  I didn't put the address on Craigslist, but you have to put the address in on Zillow, HotPads, etc.  I've gotten zero leads from Craigslist this time, but it may be because my asking rent is too high. 

@Thomas Fisher The scammer is probably overseas.  Even if they weren't, they will never show up to the property, because then they don't have an excuse for not having the keys.   

@Jack Edgar jr I like the idea of posting the updated photos on my listing once it is rented.  

@Gerald Demers I spoke to the police yesterday, but I am not the victim so they wouldn't file a report.  The people who respond to the ad are the victims.  I doubt that the police will pursue it because the scammers are very likely not even in the United States.  My main concern is a) my tenants' safety and b) that people don't get defrauded.  Likely, anyone who would fall for this scheme is the last person who could afford to lose that kind of money.  

@James DeRoest  My house is currently occupied.  If it isn't vacant, do I have to worry as much?  It has an alarm system, which my tenants have not activated.  If necessary, I could pay to have it monitored for 3 months, which would get them through their tenancy and into the first month of my next tenant's least.  I'm relieved to hear that they won't bother you once it is rented.  

Thanks, Brett.  I feel bad for my tenants. But am also worried about this continuing to bother future tenants as well.

My tenants are moving out and so I listed my property on all the usual websites.  Unfortunately, despite my constant reading here, I didn't realize the importance of watermarking my photos.  Even though my ads are to show by appointment only and specify not to disturb my tenants, the Scammer (who is offering my rental with all utilities for 1/4 comparable rents without utilities) is telling people just to drop by and take a peek.  Naturally, scammer can't show them the property because they are out of town due to a family emergency.  So far three people in the last three days have dropped in while my tenants are home.  The ad has been posted and taken down twice.

So now that this guy has pics of my house and the address, do I have to worry about this happening to my house forever?  Or do they give up at some point when the house isn't producing any leads?  

Tomorrow I am posting a note in the windows of the rental so if people walk up, they will be on notice about the scam and will hopefully not get taken.  If anybody has successfully gotten people to stop doing this, please let me know what has worked for you.