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. Buying a home is a life changing event. It is the biggest single purchase most people will make in their lives. But many potential home owners ask the question, "why buy when you can rent?" A recent Realtor.com® survey of more than a 1000 potential home buyers found that the increase in rental costs is the main driving force behind the move to buy a house. 23% of younger buyers (18 to 34 years old) cited rising rent as the main trigger to purchase their own property. Danielle Hale, Realter.com®'s chief economist explains that despite the current housing market, where inventory is low and purchases prices high, potential buyers still have certain traditional views on property. Privacy tops the list for older home buyers. They are mostly looking for property that suits their long-term or retirement needs. Millennials on the other hand want their home to be a reflection of who they are while still offering stability and meeting the needs of their family. Being a first time home buyer is a daunting experience and it can take a while to find the right property to suit both the buyer’s needs and their budget. 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.