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Hope this isn't a duplicate concern. Searched and found nothing similar.
We are moving out of state. Of course we are searching for rentals in all the normal places, with Craigslist being one. Found one in an area that has great schools, close to work, etc. The price is $1895 a month in an area that others are listed at $2400. I have exchanged emails with the owner. The usual stuff but he is a bit wordy, but that's ok. He sent an application for us to fill out. I explained that we would be in the area next weekend and would like to view the property being making a decision. He has not asked for money but did say that if the app was approved, we could put down the deposit to secure the home. Of course only submit a deposit in person after I view the home.
The app does not ask for our SS numbers just birth dates. Not sure you can steal an identity with that or not. We looked up the CAD for the area and it is his name as the owner. Looked him up on facebook and he does live in the area.
Should I be cautious of filling out the app and then asking to view the property next weekend? There is not an app fee, which also makes me a bit iffy. Of course if he asked for money first that would be the end of the conversation. It's a nice place, but it does seem a bit low. If this is a scam, then someone is pulling out all the stops.
I would be cautious. Since you are going to be in the area next weekend, just wait. For one, just because he is using the same name as the owner listed with the Appraisal District, it doesn't mean that is really his name. Also, if a house is lower than the others in the area, there is probably a reason, such as condition.
Most landlords will want you to fill out an application that requires SS#'s so they can check your credit. I would wait
There is usually a reason that a place rents for $1895 when everything equal rents for $2400.
There is usually a housing shortage if rentals are bringing $2400. In my area, if I advertised a rental for $500 less than the going rate, I would have hundreds of applicants within the first 24 hours. That place should have been rented the very first day it was advertised, unless there is something really undesirable about it.
I'm just pointing out that maybe you should be a little bit cautious about things that seem too good to be true.
(Yes, I have a place that rents for $400 less than a comparable size house, but mine is a 1970 mobile home. Even so, I will get about 150 phone calls about it and over 30 applicants. There is no reason to hold it for someone who is coming from out of town in a couple of weeks)
I helped my son find an out of state rental two years ago. One of the choices was a great looking house, good price and a scam. I think you're okay waiting until you actually see the property before doing an application.
Thanks folks. We're going to drive by the home when we visit this weekend. If there is a sign in the yard, then I'll get in touch with the guy. Thought about knocking on door and asking. Who knows, he might not be aware someone is trying to rent his home, LOL.
There is usually a reason that a place rents for $1895 when everything equal rents for $2400.
There is usually a housing shortage if rentals are bringing $2400. In my area, if I advertised a rental for $500 less than the going rate, I would have hundreds of applicants within the first 24 hours. That place should have been rented the very first day it was advertised, unless there is something really undesirable about it.
I'm just pointing out that maybe you should be a little bit cautious about things that seem too good to be true.
(Yes, I have a place that rents for $400 less than a comparable size house, but mine is a 1970 mobile home. Even so, I will get about 150 phone calls about it and over 30 applicants. There is no reason to hold it for someone who is coming from out of town in a couple of weeks)
I'm thinking about my last two relocations. I looked at a lot of locations that looked like great deals. I would plug them into the map on my computer and see that they really seemed to be great deals. When I landed and got into my rental car, and plugged them into my phone, I quickly learned why.
They weren't scams, but my lack of local knowledge made me see "great deals" when there weren't any. Someone from Chicago or Long Island sees a home for sale 45 minutes north of Raleigh and thinks, "man, what a deal." They don't realize that its way out in the sticks in a mediocre town where the height of culture is a breakfast buffet followed by a Wal-Mart run after Church on Sunday. You see an apartment 3/4 of a mile from a great night spot...and realize its under an overpass and up against public housing or has the prison for a backyard.
Just think about it for a second. Why would he leave over $500/month or $6000 rent on the table if it wasn't either a scam or something seriously wrong with it (location, condition etc...). No one in their right mind throws away an opportunity at an extra $6,000 per year to be nice and get the place rented quick.
I would be cautious. Since you are going to be in the area next weekend, just wait. For one, just because he is using the same name as the owner listed with the Appraisal District, it doesn't mean that is really his name. Also, if a house is lower than the others in the area, there is probably a reason, such as condition.
Most landlords will want you to fill out an application that requires SS#'s so they can check your credit. I would wait
I agree with you. I would also wait.
Thanks!!
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