My first experience today with a housing scam

We just inherited a short sale about a week ago. The sign post was put  just about 6 days ago, the house has been vacant for 5 months. I get a call today from an agent who was showing the property, asking if I changed the lock box code... I said there is no code it is a Supra Box, key is inside of it. The agent proceeded to tell me there was a combination box on the front door.... hmmm what is going on?? I wondered.

She then ask me did the house sell? No I answer why, she said the sign post is gone... hmmm what the heck is going on.
I asked her if she could take a look around the property to see if she sees anything weird.

Low and behold the back window was broken, I told her to call the Sheriffs Department, and wait down the street. I was on the way. 1 hour later our fine local Sheriffs show up. I try to get into the house, and the locks have been changed,,, what the heck is going on, and yes there was a combination box, not mine. The back side gate had been pad locked closed... I don't understand, we talk to the Sheriffs for a bit, when all of a sudden a big moving truck pulls up in front of the house, and the lady comes out screaming what happened to my house...
Your house:eek: I said, what do you mean? Well we are renting it, and we are moving in today:eek: Oh my this poor women with 3 kids, paid a Realtor she says 1st and last months rent to the tune of 3700.00 to rent this house.

Oh you have got to be kidding me, here we go. I explained to her this house is on the market I'm the listing agent, it was not for rent... Oh boy!!! Well the Sheriffs took their report. I had to get the locks changed again, and get another sign post back the property.
The nerve of this criminal, I wish I would have caught him...;)

 

10 Comments on My first experience today with a housing scam

What a story! I guess we will be seeing more along these lines.

02/09/2008 06:06 AM by Frank Schulte-Ladbeck (Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections)


The lowest of the low...how did you end up inheriting this sale?

02/09/2008 08:05 AM by Sharon Roark A Home Staging Realtor in Lexington KY (Remax Premier)


Now there is a spin I haven't heard of in my 20 years in this crazy biz!

02/09/2008 02:55 PM by Bill Nazur (Nazur Enterprises, Inc. & BAMG)


Our office was called on this, because the listing agent got arrested(not sure what happened) the office that had the listing is in financial trouble, and did not want to be bothered with the short sale,(because he said" short sales are to time consuming, and I really don't know what I'm doing to be quite honest with you, and I know you guys over there know how to do short sales.) AH OK, we will take it, I said well I will pay you a referral fee for it when it closes, and he said" if I'm not dead, sued, or out of business I will take a referral fee".

Wow, I have just noticed recently, the number of Realtors who have exited the business. I have heard about it, but these past 2 months I have seen a great influx of Realtors leaving this amazing business.

The alleged Realtor on this scam was a former agent of Keller Williams, who exited the business about 4 months ago. Wow !!! this just amazing to me...

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!!  FEMALE REALTOR'S PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AT WHEN SHOWING HOMES OR DOING OPEN HOUSE... THAT IS WHOLE OTHER TOPIC THOUGH!!!

02/09/2008 04:42 PM by Bernie Germani (American Signature Funding)


Wow!  This is a new one on me and a wild story.

I wonder if it is a coincidence that the former listing agent had been arrested before you got the listing or if maybe there is some weird connection there.  I hope the Sherriff or Police find the guy who did this to you and the poor renters!

02/09/2008 10:33 PM by Steve Shatsky - Dallas Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist (Keller Williams-Dallas City Center)


I've never heard of something like this. People are unbelievable.

02/09/2008 10:39 PM by LaNita Cates (REMAX of Joliet)


Bernie,  That is one of the craziest stories I've heard.  Please give us updates!   Wendy

02/10/2008 06:09 PM by Wendy Rulnick "Its Wendy!" Destin, FL (Rulnick Realty, Inc.)


Bernie - Thanks so much for posting this.  It's a good lesson to each of us who have vacant properties listed.,  We need to make a point of visiting those listings regularly.  Sure hope they catch the culprit.  What a shame for the poor woman and her kids.

02/11/2008 01:18 AM by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Sherman Smith & Associates)


That's one of the most horrible things I've heard in a while. A good excuse to meet the neighbors and ask them to be the eyes and ears of that vacant house. (And build rapport...)

02/12/2008 12:54 AM by Sandra Carlisle, Realtor - Newport Beach - Corona del Mar (First Team Estates)


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Loan Officer: Bernie Germani (American Signature Funding)
Bernie Germani
Glendora, CA
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