Not MM-related: Realtor and renting question

[kadams767]

Are you positive they are still scheduling showings? How new or old is the craigslist listing? I've found that not everyone cancels Craigslist listings once the place is rented.

[imojoebunny]

We cancel our craigslist after an approved application because pain in the butt, but a lot of property management companies do not, since they have other properties coming available (we only have 4, and don't want the calls).

If you haven't heard back, assume you did not get the place and move on. It is not uncommon in the area we have rentals to have many applications, and we go in order of received applications that meet our credit criteria, no sinister kid discrimination.

I have seen some scams where they take for sale listings and make them rental listings, I don't know how it works, but I have seen some for listings I know are for sale at much higher prices than the rentals rates would net, and emailed the realtors (people I know), and it is some sort of scam, but I am assuming you visited the place before putting in an application? The scam, from what I gather, is getting the application information and using it to apply for credit. It would be easy for someone to tell you they are a realtor over the phone, but not be one, much harder, if you met them in person and had access to the property.

[Wanderista]

May 3, 2016 15:40:29 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

We cancel our craigslist after an approved application because pain in the butt, but a lot of property management companies do not, since they have other properties coming available (we only have 4, and don't want the calls).

If you haven't heard back, assume you did not get the place and move on. It is not uncommon in the area we have rentals to have many applications, and we go in order of received applications that meet our credit criteria, no sinister kid discrimination.

I have seen some scams where they take for sale listings and make them rental listings, I don't know how it works, but I have seen some for listings I know are for sale at much higher prices than the rentals rates would net, and emailed the realtors (people I know), and it is some sort of scam, but I am assuming you visited the place before putting in an application? The scam, from what I gather, is getting the application information and using it to apply for credit. It would be easy for someone to tell you they are a realtor over the phone, but not be one, much harder, if you met them in person and had access to the property.

The way around this scam is to get their full name and brokerage address. In all of the states that I know of, licensed Realtors are required to disclose this information whether via a business card if asked or in an email communication. That aside, if you have their correctly spelled name and brokerage, then you can look that individual up with your state's real estate licensing board. If they are legitimately licensed then they will be listed on the state licensing board website along with any history of complaints.

Any licensed real estate professional who engages in a scam like that can be complained about and prosecuted via their state licensing board (in addition to criminal courts).

[Wanderista]

I will just also second that the Realtor does not sound particularly scammy. The rental procedure sounds typical for that type of property. It is strange that he is still holding showings but it is not out of line. It sounds like the first party has not finished the formal approval process and so he is hedging his bets by continuing to hold showings. Rental properties normally don't go formally off the market until the final approval is reached. 

It is good and a sign of a good agent that he didn't run your credit. If he accepted application processing fees then I would question that unless he is just holding them with your application in case of approval. There are rules around how he can hold money though. 

Odds are low about the pending application, I'd probably want a confirmation of cancellation/acceptance of the other party from him before committing to a new application on the next property that you apply for.