An increasingly common scam involves crooks posing as landlords for property they don’t own, taking a deposit from hopeful would-be tenants and then disappearing into the night with the money.
The Associated Press reports that Adam Christianson, sheriff of Stanislaus County, says "What you have is primarily young, unsuspecting victims who truly believe they're entering into a legitimate rental agreement. Before you know it, the real [property manager] shows up and says `Why are you here?' Then they're out on the street, and also out the money for first and last month's rent and deposit."
One of the best way's to avoid being scammed is to use a rental agent.
Finding a rental in {Location_Name} is not always easy. Depending on occupancy rates in a particular area, it actually might be quite difficult to find available rentals that are also within your price range and meet all of your pre-determined requirements. However, even in areas where there is not a great deal of competition for the available rentals, renters may still have some difficulty finding the perfect home.
Figure Out Your Needs
The first step of any rental search should begin with the potential renter carefully identifying all of his/her needs in a home. This list of needs will be different for every renter. While some renters are simply looking for a place to eat, bathe and sleep other renters may be looking for a living space which will serve a number of purposes including working, entertaining and participating in leisure activities or hobbies. Do you need to be close to the Metro? Do you want granite counters? Do you need a washer and dryer in the unit? What is your budget?
It is important to prioritize your needs and distinguish between needs and wants because you will probably have to compromise.
Use Our Website
Once a renter has a good idea of the basic features he or she needs in a rental, it is time to use our website to identify neighborhoods, condos, and properties. This research will give the renter an idea of the types of properties available for rent in Northern Virginia. Many people are shocked by the prices and what is actually available.
Get Our Recommendations
Renters may also help themselves in their search for a rental by seeking recommendations from a rental agent. Our agents know the area and know the market. Once you have identified your needs and wants, we can probably take you directly to your best option. [
Read more about rental agents.]
For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at
(703)765-0300.
