Why are there so many scams on Craigslist??? (Pittsburgh, Homewood: sales, real estate)

[Homewood_Resident-15208]

My wife and I are browsing Craigslist searching for a 3 or 4 BRM rentals and all we get are bogus responses. Mainly folks with google voice numbers and requiring us to view the outside first before we decide we like it or not. Why wouldn't a potential landlord post their contact info or return calls? I would stop using C.L. but we don't know any other sources. Has anyone had issues like this?

[gg]

I have had good luck with CL for the most part. You do have to weed through the crap though. I sold a home on CL. Not a bad savings if you want to compare it to listing it. If you call a number and they want you do jump through a hoop or whatever, just hang up and find another listing.

[Homewood_Resident-15208]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I have had good luck with CL for the most part. You do have to weed through the crap though. I sold a home on CL. Not a bad savings if you want to compare it to listing it. If you call a number and they want you do jump through a hoop or whatever, just hang up and find another listing.

That's the thing h_curtis it appears that there are more scams than legit listings. I just don't understand it the reason behind it, you would have to be a fool to send money for keys. Would you know anything about those apartment magazines?

[Retiredcoach]

When I list a potential rental on Craigslist, I get nearly 50 calls. I could easily be on the phone for hours through every hour of the day/night, but not only with those looking to rent, but realtors, scam artists, and other landlords. For this reason, you will never see any of my Craigslist listings with either my phone number, or my personal email. If you have interest in my listing, I always invite you to drive past first- it may/may not be what you are seeking. If you drive past, have expressed interest with your Craigslist response, and have left your phone number (MOST IMPORTANT!!- scammers do not like to leave a number), then we start the process of calling people. Another tip- if you include info about yourself (job, those living with you, pets, etc.), then those you will be among the first people receiving calls- if pets are allowed. Usually, in our situation, we are able to find 5 quality tenants from that initial list of 50. The first person to generally look inside of the rental (about 90% of the time) becomes our tenant.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Homewood_Resident-15208

That's the thing h_curtis it appears that there are more scams than legit listings. I just don't understand it the reason behind it, you would have to be a fool to send money for keys. Would you know anything about those apartment magazines?

Finding an apartment isn't easy. The apartment magazines are mostly the high rise big corporate type places, not some individual trying to rent. You can find one on CL or maybe have a look at the Post Gazette. Also there are realtors that specialize in rentals. I am out of the loop on who they are these days. Not an easy gig for a realtor to be honest. I still think pounding CL is the best way, but it has been a while since I have used it (5 months) and that was on the sales part, not renting. You can also drive around in known rental areas where you may want to live. Some people still post signs. Good luck.

[Homewood_Resident-15208]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

When I list a potential rental on Craigslist, I get nearly 50 calls. I could easily be on the phone for hours through every hour of the day/night, but not only with those looking to rent, but realtors, scam artists, and other landlords. For this reason, you will never see any of my Craigslist listings with either my phone number, or my personal email. If you have interest in my listing, I always invite you to drive past first- it may/may not be what you are seeking. If you drive past, have expressed interest with your Craigslist response, and have left your phone number (MOST IMPORTANT!!- scammers do not like to leave a number), then we start the process of calling people. Another tip- if you include info about yourself (job, those living with you, pets, etc.), then those you will be among the first people receiving calls- if pets are allowed. Usually, in our situation, we are able to find 5 quality tenants from that initial list of 50. The first person to generally look inside of the rental (about 90% of the time) becomes our tenant.

Now that you mentioned that, it makes sense to include more personal info but I would be a little edgy being that all these scams are going around. Each listing we list our name and phone numbers. If there is a number we leave vms but now I understand that some homes may get bombarded with phone calls. Thanks for the tip

[Homewood_Resident-15208]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Finding an apartment isn't easy. The apartment magazines are mostly the high rise big corporate type places, not some individual trying to rent. You can find one on CL or maybe have a look at the Post Gazette. Also there are realtors that specialize in rentals. I am out of the loop on who they are these days. Not an easy gig for a realtor to be honest. I still think pounding CL is the best way, but it has been a while since I have used it (5 months) and that was on the sales part, not renting. You can also drive around in known rental areas where you may want to live. Some people still post signs. Good luck.

Thanks again

[Hopes]

Since you're looking for a home instead of an apartment, I recommend finding real estate agencies in the areas you are considering. They often manage rentals for single family home properties.

What part of the area you are you hoping to find a place? Maybe we can dig up some leads or have some ideas for you.

[Homewood_Resident-15208]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Since you're looking for a home instead of an apartment, I recommend finding real estate agencies in the areas you are considering. They often manage rentals for single family home properties.

What part of the area you are you hoping to find a place? Maybe we can dig up some leads or have some ideas for you.

Apartments would do also as long as they're three+ Brms. we aren't too picky are only request is 25-30 mile radius to Pittsburgh. My kids are both home schooled so school districts aren't a big worry. Thanks Hopes

[Retiredcoach]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Since you're looking for a home instead of an apartment, I recommend finding real estate agencies in the areas you are considering. They often manage rentals for single family home properties.

What part of the area you are you hoping to find a place? Maybe we can dig up some leads or have some ideas for you.

Unless the property is in an undesirable area, most decent/reasonably priced rentals actually almost rent themselves. Most of the independent landlords (those not working with/for the real estate agency) , that I know, would never place their rentals in the hands of an agency, for a couple of reasons. It takes away their (our) ability to effectively choose the best possible tenant and the unnecessary management/realtor commission fees. Many of the rental properties that become available through the agencies tend to be much higher priced, have rental issues, and/or are in/out of the process of being sold- additional factors that the prospective tenant needs to consider.