I responded to an add for a Toledo,Ohio apartment listed on Craigslist. I only asked where the property was located, and this was the VERY long response:
Hello,
I must confess that I am very very new in this landlord business.. However, My name is Jeffrey & Karen Jones, I own the house located at (2243 Orchard Hills Boulevard, Toledo OH 43615). Due to our job with USAID we spent less time in the state.
Presently I and my family have work for USAID.USAID works in agriculture, democracy & governance, economic growth, the environment,education, health, global partnerships, and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all.
USAID still faces an uncertain future. In many developing countries,HIV/AIDS and health issues are having a dramatic impact on social cohesiveness and economic strength, blocking the very development goals we seek. Virtually all the new democracies in the world today are fragile; others are democracies more in name than substance. Nearly a quarter of the people living in developing countries, or about one billion people, live in absolute poverty. There are a host of other threats - ranging from terrorism to infectious disease and violent conflict - that challenge us and the developing nations we seek to help.Here is USAID Web address:-http://www.usaid.gov USAID efforts to foster world-wide economic growth and increased trade,and tackling cross-border issues such as the spread of HIV/AIDS and trafficking in persons.To safe the live of peoples from primitive death that claims the souls of younger ages as a result of casual sex gave us transfer to West Africa and we will be away for 8 years or more.
So we could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in West Africa that I decided to rent out the house. However, the initial plan was to sale out the house. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this in case if you find the house on another website or you found a sign board in front of the house, that is the old advert. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money,but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours.
The rent is $620 and $450 for Security Deposit For this 3BR/2Bath/ 1,440 sqft. A/C Walking closet Dishwasher Disposal Refrigerator Vaulted Ceilings Washer/Dryer Lawn Cable parking space.
Pet Allowed.
RENTAL APPLICATION FORM
FULL CONTACT NAME?
OCCUPATION?
RESIDENTIAL HOME ADDRESS?
YOUR CELLPHONE NUMBER?
YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER?
YOUR WORKPLACE NUMBER?
WHAT TIME IS THE` BEST TIME TO REACH YOU?
AGE & MARITAL STATUS?
OWN A PET?
OWN A CAR?
HOW MANY PEOPLE SHALL RESIDE IN THE PREMISES?
ANTICIPATED REFERENCE?
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Application Comment
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Please make sure this questions are fill correctly because the best way you answer with your comment will impress me the more to accept your applications.
I know you would want to see the house before making any kind of rental payment , which is understandable.We can make arrangement for the keys and documentation including an Authorization letter to be shipped to you, this will give you the opportunity to view house.
I replied to an ad on Zillow and received this email:
Good day
Thanks for your interest in my property, the home is still available and ready for move- in as soon as all necessary arrangements can be made. My name is Daniel J Miller. The house is located at 3635 Cherry Plum Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80920. This immaculate home is well located, it gives you the privacy you need and deserve. Hardwood floors throughout the house with carpet in the bedrooms. The kitchen comes adorned with stainless steel appliances and open ups to the living room and back door to the private back yard.
Recently (about 2 months ago) I just got transferred to another region. my company decided to open a sub-division in London(United Kingdom - England) and I was transferred there as chief operation manager to see and make sure things start up quite well. I guess the period for such stabilization might take 4-7 years as such I decided to sell the house at first, that was when I found an agent whom we both agreed on terms and conditions, this prompted the Realtor agent to place for sale sign on the property that was when my wife and well-wishers around started calling to advise me not to sell but rather rent it out so that it can be well catered and cared for before our return. This prompted why I had to request for my keys and document from the Realtor agent and they are with me presently.
I decided not to involve any agent in renting the house out as this will cost the occupant more money which I don't want as I want the occupant to understand the main aim why I am letting the house out and i feel he/she should get clue of the reason even with the amount I am willing to let it out.
NOTE: All i really want is to find someone who would rent and take care of my property while am away, and i feel there is no other way than to do it personally. That would make the landlord to tenant relation start on a good foot.
I want you to know that it was due to my transfer that made me and my family to leave the house. I want to give it out for rent and we are klooking for a responsible, dedicated, committed and trustworthy person that can take very good care of the property as we are really not concerned with the money for the rent but we want it to be clean and immaculate at the time of our return.
Definitely, I would need your bio data which I guess is the only thing I can use to randomly access you. I would be needing information such as:
FULL NAME:
MARITAL STATUS:
OCCUPATION:
HOME PHONE NUMBER:
MOBILE NUMBER:
CURRENT ADDRESS STATE,ZIP:
REASON FOR LEAVING/WANTING TO LEAVE :
YOUR PREVIOUS HOME OF RESIDENCE:
PREVIOUS RENT:
NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT IS TO LEAVE IN THE HOUSE:
DO YOU HAVE A CAR? IF YES HOW MANY:
DO YOU HAVE A PET?
WHEN DO YOU PLAN MOVING INTO A NEW HOME;
and concerning wanting to view the house, you could go there and take a look at the building surrounding and neighborhood but as for the inside, you won’t be able to view it as the keys for the house are here with me as at present. Please note you won’t be able to view the internal part of the house because the keys are here with me... but as much as possible I will try sending some internal pictures i have of my property.
Look forward to reading from you with all the requested information so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing receipts, drafting of lease document and majorly for reference purpose
Please note the security deposite is the same as the monthly rent and my property is move in ready Rent=$1000
you can call me anytime at: (+44 7031992098 or +447024055238)
MR. /MRS Miller
Regards.
Thanks and God Bless You
I did a bit of digging and found that the house is actually for sale and the person made up a name that was similar to the owners family member. I am glad I decided to check around before trusting this "too good to be true" offer...
Has anything happened? I responded too and I am concerned that they have my name and address.
Can you email me and let me know if anything happened? [email protected]
Thanks,
Fellforit
looked into an ad from sioux falls, sd and got a message simular to the others in reply. SCAM Please take care of this thanks!
Re: $700 / 3br - Nice 3 bedrooms on main living area. 2 baths. Nice clean home with new (Sioux Falls, SD )
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5:29 PM
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Ranee Eszlinger Add to contacts
To ----------------
Hello,
God bless you for your interest about our House. This 3BR/2B is still available for rent.
I am renting this house to a responsible and neat person or family who has the fear of God and treat my house as his or her own.
Presently Myself and my wife have moved out of the house due to my work transfer to Western Region in Africa and we will be away for good 5 years or more and this is reason why we are actually renting it out so if you are interested in taking good care of our house, then my family will be ready in accepting you as our new tenant who be fully incharge of our house.
If you really impress us by taking good care of our house then you will be allowed to stay as long as you wish okay.....This 3BR/2 BT And the SQ is 1,024 3bedroom house 2 bath. Ready to move in...
Below is our address of the House:
(4209 E 38th St, Sioux Falls SD 57103)
So get back to us on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting . Hope you are okay with the price of US$700/month with heat laundry facilities, air condition and so on and the deposit fee is $500... PETS ARE FULLY WELCOME! We are looking forward to hear from you ASAP.
So that will can forward you an Application to fill out and discuss on how to get the House for rent and also the Entrances keys and the document of our house,also are you ready to rent it now or when? Await your urgent reply. Thanks for your understanding.
Please if you are ready now to occupy the house kindly provide the information below for record purpose.
THE RENTAL APPLICATION FORM
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Full Name__________________________________________________
Home Phone ( )________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Other Phone ( )___________________
Current Address_______________________________Apt#________ City__________________ State______ Zip________
Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $__________
Phone ( )____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car___________________________ _
Occupation____________________________
Move In Date__________________________
How soon will you make the payment________________________________________
REFERENCE?
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Application Comment
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Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt in your name and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the documents and the keys to you, please we are giving you all this based on trust and again i want you to stick to your words, you can reach me at +2348099721598 , am putting everything into Gods hand so please do not let me down in this property and God bless you.
This is a scam I had been in contact with Gargson E Hunt about renting a house from him, it was a 3 br 2br house I found it on Zillow. We had been in contact by email for 4 or 5 days, then he emailed me to say I had the house. The next day he called me(yesterday) He was a Mexican and could hardley speak english and insised that I send the deposit right now. Warning bell went off. I went to bing and searched for the address and found that the house and the realtory he said it was for sale not for rent, and that he had gotten about six calls this week about this house being for rent.I asked if the owners name was Gargson E Hunt and he told me it was not.