We can't believe our good fortune, but... (Phoenix: real estate, rentals)

[AZgarden]

Why would someone on here do this? I am always amazed at how some people act these days. Here we are, hopefully trying to be helpful to an out of state person moving here, and this is what we get. If this IS a scam, OP, may you have a curse on your house forever !

[Kimballette]

I believe the new member is being scammed.

[goolsbyjazz]

I too would caution the OP to proceed carefully and not sign anything until they walk around the house/area. I think $900 sounds awfully cheap for the type of house she described and in that area.

[S. Chris Webb]

A step further - don't sign anything or especially hand over a cash deposit, even if you've met the "owner" - there is another scam where someone posing as the owner "rents" the place, takes the cash, and the "renter" is out of both cash and a home. You can check ownership of a home on the tax records on the county web site at Maricopa.gov.

[ReadyFreddy]

Originally Posted by Kentstate57

Actually I think the OP is a scam.

I agree. Something sales-y about the post.

[FB 1951]

I checked out the owner, and it is who he says. He has talked to us by phone and emails. I saw his house on Zillow, I think it was, and also a rental site - maybe hotpads (can't remember which one). He had it for sale but they decided they wanted to come back to the house instead of selling. The asking price was $1350/mth. I bartered with them, almost backed out a couple times, then told them what we could pay. It's not for the 3 yrs; we just know in 3 yrs. we'd have to leave, unless something else happened (selling, extension - whatever). They could leave their house empty but he says they just want someone in it who would treat it as if it was their own. The house is still listed but he said they would take c/o cancelling that unless we didn't commit, possibly. He knows it would only be for two of us, plus our two dogs, and I am 61 and my husband is almost 60. I don't know if that makes a difference or not...who knows. We do have family in Phoenix but I didn't want to involve them until I have to (we didn't want to tell people we were leaving until we know we are going to), so I do have someone that can go to the house but the problem is, the owner isn't there, he is (allegedly?) in a town in the states - I forgot for the moment where, doesn't matter. How else could I find out if he's legit? We don't have the money to move plus visit before moving, plus my son is getting married late Sept. so I have to come back for that anyway, and even that will be tough financially. Obviously I will need our family in Phoenix to check it out but I still don't know how they could. Should they maybe talk to the neighbors? I don't know if they are "nervy" enough to do that, though I would...

And I'm not the scammer; I just want to believe this could be.

[AZgarden]

thanks, OP, for restoring my faith in people ! Maybe someone on here might volunteer to go check out the house, if they live close to that area?? I still say, be cautious. Why not involve your family in Phoenix with a " we may POSSIBLY be moving there, but not sure yet." Good luck to you.

[ReadyFreddy]

My first step would be to go to maricopa.gov and see if the person trying to rent you this house is the owner of the house. (Oh, I just noticed S. Chris already recommended that. I would still be afraid. He might own it and foreclosure might be imminent. You could live there two weeks and then removed.)

My next step would be to contact a realtor to find me a rental that doesn't require haggling them down 30% and taking a leap of faith into possible scamville. Sorry, it's not worth it to me. Not with scams happening. Your downside risk is huge.

[Jkgourmet]

Fb 1951, tell us how you "checked out the owner" so far. Then, I'm sure others (including me) will suggest some additional steps to take.

[FB 1951]

I meant I checked to see who owned the house, checked various sites to see if the house was really for rent/sale. I checked just now on maricopa.gov to see the documents for the house, and a couple other places he's owned in the past several years. I did tell the guy how my husband and I had to walk away from our house a few years back due to the economy. He said they really cared more about having their house respected and cared for than the money itself. We are afraid to apply elsewhere because, even though we lost our own house, we are responsible people and pay our rent, etc. I was able to get a new car in '09 and have never missed a payment, and they are high. We just don't look good on paper. See why we are kinda' desperate to have credibility in other areas? I know all this seems odd/unusual but I have to be honest. I will also check to see about criminal records.

I really really appreciate the input here. I didn't know where to turn.