Ardella,

I just checked our local MLS listings for the entire year and it appears that it has not been listed. Then I ran a Title Search and the property did indeed change ownership on 7-15-08 to NAM Family L.P. out of Marina Del Rey, Ca.

What does that mean to you? Well, does David Russell have paperwork that shows he is a Trustee, or has authorization to rent it out? Did they simply transfer the ownership to their family trust? Maybe, but if you decide to ask him about his role in the situation, make sure you do not mention the owner's name and see if he does. If he sends you paperwork, take it to a Realtor or Title Co., Escrow or even a Bank (if you have a relationship with the Manager) to let them look at the documents. Otherwise, I would steer clear!

Best of luck,

Cindi Wolf
Troth Realtors
661-609-9392

Hello Folks: Please beware of numerous rental scams throughout the southern California area. The rentals look legitimate, some even have complete pictures of the property inside and out.

Example #1 You inquire to a craigslist or other rental site. They e-mail back requesting personal info. It is usually written in broken or poor English. Usually they will say they are living abroad and will send you keys.Eventually, they will ask for payment via overnight mail or Western Union.

Example #2 Home is advertised and you meet them face to face. Property is actually in foreclosure or may not even be owned by person who you are speaking with. They will take your money sign a lease and you will find out on move in day that you have been scammed or within a month or so receive papers that notify you that house is in default or in foreclosure. Depending on the situation, you run the risk of arrest for trespassing or being evicted by the lien holder of the prop.

Please Never give anyone any money or sign a lease withiout verifying property owner and default status.
Always go through a licensed rental agency or Real estate agent/broker. Both can be confirmed legit on the DRE CA gov website as to license status and complaints.

Blaine Richards - Real estate Agent - Leasing specialist , Los Angeles, Antelope Valley 310-598-8634. Call me anytime for Rental Advise or questions.

Just came across this in Ventura on Sable .. house is in foreclosure, they take your money then the bank throws you out in 60 days because they own it! Be very careful! Call a realtor and they can tell you if its in foreclosure, repo or an honest rental!

PLEASE do your research! It is the new scam for people losing their houses!

Omega

The same thing happen to me and my husben the man was from west africa he even send me a lease by e-mail had pictures of the house inside and out but when he told us to send him money by westen uion we found out the house wa not his i even have his number from africa and paper he send me i told him the house was not his and it was not for rent he hanged up on me i e-mailed him back told him i was going to make a police report if he didnt take it off he did he had 22 ads on even he was sellinh dogs lol there really sick pepole out there and he told me he was a doctor as his wife also so i told him to send me the keys to the house then ill send him the money he told me he had no money to send it i had to send him money first so i told him you and your wife are soctors and u guys dont have any money to send out two keys lol until i found out the house blonged to an old lady and she was happy for me to tell herthey were using her house so she was so greatfull she sold me the house she was going to give it to me so cheap and i told her no ill pay u what its really worth and we did and she leaves with me now i take care os her she is a 92 yr old with no family now she is part of my family and she is so happy were taking her to spain now she never been there i give thanks to god that there are still good put there

Ardella,

I ran into this same thing myself. Fortunately, I did a search on Yahoo for the address and came up with the real renta listing. The African real estate scam works like this: the scam artist takes on the name of the owner and even gets an email address under the owners name.

Then they send you a rental application and ask you to send it back to them and they will ask you to transfer money. The ads look real and they usually ask below market rent so they can scam multiple people into giving them money. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!

Hope this helps

Ardella,

Unfortunately, there are many scams out there and this has "red flags" all around it. If something about this doesn't feel right, the best thing to do is move on and explore other options.

You might consider checking with the county records department to verify the ownership of the property. If things don't match up, it should be reported to the local police department.

In any event.....proceed with caution!

Hmmm...well, 2 things come to mind. What the other Agents said could certainly be true. Or, the records have not yet caught up with any recent transactions (believe it or not it IS possible). I can do a Title search for you, or since I live here can drive by and see what I can find out. I have good relationships with "people" in Title and can look into any discrepencies, as well as look at the actual recorded deed.

Can I ask why you are asking the question, as you are pretty specific about that address? Call me and I will assist you further, without cost or obligation of course.

Cindi Wolf
Troth Realtors
661-609-9392

If you they ask you wire money..... run and dont look back....

I just saw on the news recently when a young lady was scammed when she sent deposits to a condo to a person who said she was in hawaii for a family emergency..

They sent the money and never heard from them again.. Needless to say, they were not the owners.

Please be very careful. A man was arrested today for posting home for rent ads on Craigslist. He would tell the renter the property was vacant, which it was because it was a foreclosure, and take their deposit and a few days or weeks later the sheriif would come and remove the renters from the property for trespassing. Be very careful. I doubt this person is in Africa, especially if he wants you to money gram the deposit to him.

Good Luck!!
Dyanna