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

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