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Where is my money and my landlord: a relocation nightmare

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

 

So, you have found yourself having to move to a completely new city and you put Beaverton Oregon, on that short list of cities that you want to relocate to. Moving to Beaverton Oregon can be a very pleasant experience, but it can also be heartbreaking if you don’t take precautions.

Many people wanting to relocate to Beaverton, Oregon, decide that it is best to rent before they buy, just so they can find out more about the area and the neighborhoods. I have to agree. This is a good idea, but how do you know who to trust when finding a good rental property?

There are many great deals out there when it comes to finding a rental, especially if you are looking on Craigslist. But how do you know you are actually talking to the owner? Well, the sad part is you don’t! The second thing is a person that meets you at the house may be thinking of nothing more than taking your money and leaving you without a place to live.

That is just one of the situations that can happen with a rental. This one is just another reason to pay the extra money and get a rental that is managed by a property management company. Today I was called by someone who wanted to be taken off my mailing list because they were no longer going to be buying. They had lost everything and were going back home to their home in the south.

You see, what had happened was, when they moved up here they decided they would find a rental property to find out more about the area. They put $2500 refundable security deposit and first and last months rent for a total of $5500 to move. The reason they chose this house is because the landlord assured them he would report to the credit bureau every month that they were paying on time and help improve their credit.

They thought this was great! They could save up the money, and use the $2500 they were expecting back when they moved out and start the home search process. Unfortunately, this didn’t work out. They had been here three months,used their savings for the deposits and the first and last months rent, and were ready to start saving!

Then the got a notice on the door that the house was in foreclosure and payment would need to be received by Friday to avoid foreclosure. They didn’t think anything of it and called the landlord who told them that was just an error andnot to worry about it, he had paid it yesterday. Then a week later, they got anotice saying they would have to move out as the house was going to foreclosure. Again, they called the landlord, and this time the phone was disconnected and the address where they had been sending the payments turned out not to be the owners office as they had thought, but a mail boxplace that had a physical address and a suite number which was actually a P.O. Box.

So, this couple has to be out by the 31st and they are out their last months rent and the $2500, their down payment for their new house.They didn’t have enough money to get in to a new property, and they were stuck with having to spend their remaining money to drive back home to their old state and forget their dream of home ownership in Beaverton Oregon, because of this crook. What this person was doing was taking the rent and not paying the underlying mortgage.

I’m not sure if he was hoping to catch back up on payments with the deposit and the rents, but it seems that wasn’t enough. He basically stole this poor family’s money and now is no where to be found. They have filed charges with the police, but the police said they are not sure what they can do and told them to contact the attorney general.

If you are thinking about moving to Beaverton, Oregon, or the surrounding area, and are looking to rent first, I suggest you find a good property management company to make sure your money isn’t lost to a crook. If you want more information on relocating to Beaverton, Oregon, (Zip codes 97005, 97006, 97007 or 97008) don’t hesitate to call, I would love to help your family call Beaverton home.

If you are looking to sell in Beaverton, OR and you want to
find out the value of your home, click here

 

BELOW YOU WILL FIND ALL THE HOMES AND CONDOS
FOR SALE IN BEAVERTON, OREGON

 

Comments(19)

Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

It's a sad story, and one that renters really need to be aware of.

Apr 18, 2009 09:00 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thanks for sharing. It is a scary story and hope consumers are aware of such scams.

Apr 18, 2009 10:57 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, it's happening here all the time too.  Even some very good friends of my wife's decided to ignore my warnings are now in the same situation.

Apr 18, 2009 11:23 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Todd,

Wow this is such an unfortunate experience to have happened to this family. I see people try and duck the management company or a Realtor because they have a perception it will cost them more. Many times in the long run it can be heartbreaking!

Apr 18, 2009 11:53 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

This is a case of an unprotected class, renters.  I wonder what the state Attorney General could do in a case like this.

Apr 19, 2009 12:37 AM
James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

This is happening more and more.  I have cautioned renters - but when you find a good deal on Craigs List - one thinks its the best all around deal...

Apr 19, 2009 01:08 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Todd, What an awful scam, but good for you for putting it out there. I hope many people see this blog.

Apr 19, 2009 04:06 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Todd

What an absolute nightmare. Unreal

Tom

Apr 19, 2009 06:05 AM
Amy Zender
Bellingham, WA

Because of the military, we often rented way back in the early years... makes me count my lucky stars as we never had anything awful happen to us. What an eye-opening tale. Thanks for sharing...

Amy's Sweet Signature

Apr 19, 2009 05:53 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Todd, what a bummer for these folks!  If these scam artists put this tought and energy into making an honest living, they could get rich without having to worry about going to the slammer.

Apr 19, 2009 07:49 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Ann - This person not only lost their home, but their dream of buying a home as well.

Gita - Most don't know about them and don't find out until it is too late.

Apr 19, 2009 10:56 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Gabe - Oh, that is even worse when it is someone you know and you tried to warn them.

Dorie - I am betting that is why this couple did this as well, but it is sad to see.

Apr 19, 2009 10:57 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Don - I hope they throw the book at this person, heck, make them give their house to this couple.

James - I'm guessing that is what this couple thought, thanks for the re-blog, that means a lot to me.

Apr 19, 2009 10:57 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Barb - I really hope people search for rentals in Beaverton Oregon and find this, so they know what is going on out there.

Tom - There seems to be a new scam out there every day.

Apr 19, 2009 10:58 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Amy - I think the military protects their own a lot more than the general public. Had something like this happened to you, they owner would have been hung!

Patricia - I know they are so creative, they could make millions if they put their minds to good use.

Apr 19, 2009 10:59 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Todd, That is a great idea having the owner give the renters the property or at least the bank should talk with them before proceeding with the foreclosure.

Apr 20, 2009 01:30 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Awww, sad story. More & more scammers on both sides are using CraigsList these days.  It's a shame the renters got taken by the landlord, IF that was the real owner.  I had a seller run away with the tenants security deposit and he can't be found. 

Apr 20, 2009 05:43 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Don - I was talking about them getting the guys primary residence, you know the one he probably diverted the money to!

Lyn - That is so sad, because it ruins that persons chances of owning a home for a least a couple years while they save up again.

Apr 20, 2009 12:34 PM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Sadly scams like this are happening all over the US. You have to be VERY careful in any real estate transaction.

Jul 20, 2009 02:17 AM