Tag: Florida MLS

Online real estate rental scams are still on the rise

Unfortunately, their are people in this world that are just hardwired to be scammers. The internet age has made things even easier for these scammers to rip off unsuspecting victims especially in the rental arena of Orlando real estate. Scammers will actually post Craigslist ads for properties that are for rent on the Florida MLS but, their asking rent is always much less than what the real asking rent is. This is what makes the ad so enticing, people see the and and say “Wow a 3bd 2 bth in Downtown Orlando for only $500 per month! I ‘d better snatch it up before someone else does”.

Then they continue to exchange emails back and forth with the so-called owner, which of course, happens to be traveling out of the country because he is soo successful and busy. The so-called owner will then request the first and last month’s rent via Western Union in order for the renter to lock in the contract before someone else does. The next thing you know they’re sending 1st and last month’s rent to an internet thief after signing a completely bogus rental agreement.

It’s human nature to be attracted to anything that seems like it’s a great deal. These ads are designed to arouse your curiosity and get you excited about moving into a house that you would normally not be able to afford,… a real lifestyle changer. The problem is that people get so caught up in the idea of moving into their dream house, that their judgment gets clouded and they are no longer thinking straight. Unfortunately, I’ve heard countless stories like these over the years and the sad part is that these types of rental and purchase scams are still on the rise.

Hire an Orlando Realtor and prevent getting burned

Many people don’t like to use realtors because they think that they can save money by finding their own Orlando property to rent and avoid paying a commission by dealing directly with the owner. The truth is that dealing directly with the property owner [even if it’s the real owner] is like going to court without a lawyer. Landlords love it when they get a renter that is not represented by an Orlando realtor. They know that they will not only  be able to control the situation completely but they don’t have to pay a realtor commission.

The place where someone lives is the most important place in their lives. This is the place where you and your family come together for shelter, safety, food, rest, entertainment, etc. Like Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home”.

This is why it’s soo important to use a licensed Orlando Realtor to find a place to live, whether it’s to rent or own. By trying to save a few hundred bucks upfront, you could end up paying a lot more than that by doing things on your own. Orlando real estate agents are trained to go through contracts and to make sure that everything is done legally as well as look out for your best interest. Top Orlando realtors are also much better negotiators than the average person which means that you might even be able to get a better price on a rental than you would have on your own.