I have spent much of my life in the world of Consumer Electronics. What started as a personal passion for stereo equipment, turned into a great career, first in retail and then working for major well known Japanese electronics giant. I was in the business so long and learned things that after a while seemed like simple common knowledge. I was always surprised that some of these things were such a mystery to people outside the industry.
The same thing is now true for me and other Real Estate professionals. A small item in our newspaper today mentioned a man who had been defrauded out of $500.00 while trying to lease a home that had been advertised on Craig's List. The ad stated that the home was move in ready and if you sent $500.00 to an address in Nigeria the keys to the property would be sent immediately in return. Nigeria, really!
The money was sent the keys were not. The problem is that the housing crisis, the bad economy, and increasing prices on rental properties have cause some people to make moves out of desperation. Most people would not send money to Nigeria for any reason let alone without some type of proof and a local contact to meet with. This person did maybe out of desperation, urgent need for housing for a family or a deal that was too good to be true. Possibly all of the above. We can never educate everyone, and not everyone will use common sense, but we can at least hope.
My name is Dale E. Bledsoe with Crown Key Realty and as always I may be reached at 209-481-6031. You may also visit me on the web at www.dalebledsoe.com .
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