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Rental Scams in St. Michael, Albertville and Hanover Minnesota

By
Real Estate Agent with Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael)

Apparently, some St. Michael - Albertville and Hanover residents are getting scammed when trying to rent in the local area. 

See the Patch blog post here.  

I just wanted you all to know that the Minnesota Department of Commerce has MANDATORY training this year for every real estate agent and broker in the state who wants to keep his or her license.  And, that training is on leasing or renting.

Now, we all have to take at least 15 hours of additional training every year to keep our licenses.  Did you know that? 

And, this year the State has decreed that we spend some of that time learning the ins and outs of leasing or renting property. 

This is a great thing for the consumer.  It means that we will have more knowledge to help people find LEGITIMATE rentals. 

While Craigslist serves a wonderful function, it also harbors those who will prey on the vulnerable.  Many people have just lost homes to the investors and have little to no money to lose to house their families and possesssions. 

BE SMART!  Use a realtor to rent your next "home".  You will be glad you did, and it costs you nothing (usually).  I put the caveat in there because contracts can be written and enforced by someone other than me.

Please don't let a scam artist take thousands from you when you can ill afford it.  Use a quality realtor.  Whether it is me or someone closer to you who can show you the ropes.  And, if you are wondering who to use, call me or email me, I will give you referrrals.   

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The information contained in this blog is believed to be true and correct and while every effort is made to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about its accuracy for any particular purpose. All information is copy written and the property of Suzanne McLaughlin.. 

For more information about real estate values in your area, give me a call or email me at 763-497-1870 or mclaughlinhomes@gmail.com  

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc.    

When you need to buy or sell in St. Michael or Albertville Minnesota, or anywhere in Wright County, Sherburne County or Anoka County or Hennepin County, give me a call! 

Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Nice post Suzanne, many agents are turning to rentals and many have no experience and do not have the tools to get the job done correctly.

May 29, 2012 09:52 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Suzanne there is so much of it going on in AZ as well.  Sad but true.  Thankfully many folks have called us first if they had a bad feeling about something. We've helped many people from getting scammed.

May 29, 2012 09:53 AM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

This is an important issue.  And, I am very thankful that the Department of Commerce has made this mandatory education for all real estate licensees.

May 29, 2012 10:16 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

I think this has been a problem in many markets primarily due to the number of foreclosures.

May 29, 2012 11:05 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I had a client last month almost got caught up  in one of these.  Always someone trying to pull a fast one.

May 29, 2012 11:42 AM
Carie Shapiro
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL

I have an extensive background in rentals and rental properties -- I'm always amazed and saddened to hear about all the new scams.

May 29, 2012 12:20 PM
Emily Medvec
eXp Realty LLC - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM

Excellent post about the high potential opportunity for scams on Craigslist. I continue to wonder why Craigslist does not clean up their act. Given our technology today, it would not be rocket science for them to filter out the repeated scammers.

May 29, 2012 01:37 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

It seems that the use of an agent is getting more and more important to do Suzanne.

May 29, 2012 05:28 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Suzanne -- fifteen hours of training for rental/leases --- congratulations to the state of Minnesota for this consumer protection.   Scams against tenants seem to be growing --- and not only on craigslist.   While those who attempt and do scam are not in the oldest profession they are among the scummiest(is that a word???).

May 30, 2012 12:05 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

People who rent off Craigslist should be very wary.  A good realtor can make all the difference.  And, it is usually free to the renter. 

May 30, 2012 01:54 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730
Hi Suzanne, My husband and I had one of our rental homes scammed on Craiglist. Several people ended up calling us directly and I was able to report the abuse. I hope nobody sent money sight unseen to the scammer.
May 30, 2012 08:50 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Suzanne:  The public needs to know what protections are in put in place to assist and protect them from these scam artists.  The industry IS trying to do some very good things ... and the continuing education requirement is one of them.  And right now, it's definitely a timely topic to be educated on.  That goes for our industry, but the public as well.  Only through discussion of this problem, will the public become more aware and protected.  The advice to work with educated professionals is always a strong, good one.

Fantastic post ...

Gene

May 30, 2012 12:15 PM