Phony Landlords Scam Would-Be Renters

An increasingly common scam involves crooks posing as landlords for property they don’t own, taking a deposit from hopeful would-be tenants and then disappearing into the night with the money. The Associated Press reports that Adam Christianson, sheriff of Stanislaus County, says "What you have is primarily young, unsuspecting victims who truly believe they're entering into a legitimate rental agreement. Before you know it, the real [property manager] shows up and says `Why are you here?' Then they're out on the street, and also out the money for first and last month's rent and deposit." One of the best way's to avoid being scammed is to use a rental agent. Finding the Perfect Rental Property in {Location_Name} Every person may be defined as an individual, and as such we all have different wants and needs. This applies to all aspects of our lives but may be particularly frustrating while searching for a home. In the rental market, it is clear that one size does not fit all and being able to find the perfect property poses a serious challenge. Adding to the challenge is the fact that occupancy rates and rents in desirable areas may be high, and it is often difficult to find a property that suits both your budget and your requirements. Even in areas where there are more available properties it might still be difficult to find something that ticks all the boxes. Here are a few tips to take some of the stress out of the search: Know Your Needs You, as a potential renter in {Location_Name}, should be well-aware of your needs.  Some people are simply looking for a place to eat, sleep and shower while others are looking for a lifestyle or a space that will accommodate various activities, such as working, entertaining and hobbies. Think about what the space needs to do for you and make a list of your specific requirements. For example, do you need built in kitchen appliances? Is a washer and dryer essential or is there a laundry nearby? Do you need easy access to the metro or do you need parking for a car? These are questions only you can answer. After you have answered these questions the best you can, you need to consider the all-important budget. What will your money get you and what are you prepared to sacrifice to stay within budget? Remember when you assess your requirements to differentiate between wants and needs because, unfortunately, you will most likely have to make a compromise somewhere. Your needs are the things you cannot survive without and your wants are those little extras that make your life more comfortable but are not essential. Take your list of requirements and mark your wants and needs in different colors and then rank them in order of importance. Remember your needs are always more important than your wants.

Use Our Tools

Once you know what you need and you have a good idea of the basic features you are looking for in {Location_Name}, it is then time to turn to our website. The website is designed to give you a good idea of the cost and type of properties available in Northern Virginia and help you identify potential rental properties.  This should hopefully take the frustration out of the search by enabling you to eliminate properties that do not meet your needs or budget.

Get Our Recommendations

Rental Agents cannot tell you what you need or which property to choose but they can give you invaluable advice. Once you have identified your requirements, contact our Rental Agents to help you find the right property. Clearly explain to the agent what you are searching for. Our agents know the area and the market; and if they know what you are looking for, they can probably take you directly to a property that ticks all the right boxes. [Read more about rental agents.] For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.  
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Stuart Nesbitt

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Stuart Nesbitt is a Realtor® licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. His office is located in Fairfax County near the City of Alexandria in Belle Haven. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended Fairfax County schools. Call him at any time to discuss your real estate needs.