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Beware...The Sharks Are Still There

By Marty Van Diest

Real Estate Agent with Valley Market Real Estate

January 26, 2008 10:42 AM

I wrote in a previous post about how an Alaskan woman lost her $5,000 deposit by dealing with what appeared to be an unscrupulous person who specialized in scamming people who couldn't qualify to buy a house. Apparently his enterprise was almost nationwide in scope and the search for him has gone international.

Go to Valleymarket.com for info on how this guy managed to steal money from hundreds of people and even drain their bank accounts.

It is a good lesson about dealing with people you only find on the internet. Deal with local loan officers, and local real estate professionals to keep from getting ripped off.

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Michael La Fay

Meadow Lakes Supply Co. - Wasilla, AK

I was just SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy that they put his face and name on the News Cast!!!!

By the way... in the AHFC class I took last week, I heard a little birdy talking about your blog and she reads it frequently! Keep up the good work!

Jan 28, 2008 08:10 AM

Marty Van Diest

Valley Market Real Estate - Wasilla, AK

Your Alaskan Realtor

I hope they catch him. Looks like he is on the run. I can't believe all the things he did and the people he hurt.

Blogging is where it's at. I had someone call me this morning and ask if I could help them buy a house. I said "you bet"..."where did you get my name?". They said they had been reading my blog for months.

You keep yours up and it will pay off.

You might want to look at Debbie White's website in Juneau. She has a regular website but her AR blog is framed into it so she can use the AR stucture and have her own site. I think she should make her blog the front page of her site though so that it's the first thing that comes up.

Jan 28, 2008 01:32 PM

James Wexler

wexzilla.com - Scottsdale, AZ

we are seeing the same thing here in AZ. A lot of sharks when blood is in the water. In fact, the banking department has set up a large task force to look into such activity. sad, a lot of good people losing out further on already tough times. if I ever have a referral to Alask I would be happy to suggest you.

Jun 05, 2008 04:16 AM

James Wexler

wexzilla.com - Scottsdale, AZ

i was hoping to read op ed pieces on the next VP of the United States ???? -- well where is it :)

Aug 29, 2008 06:00 PM