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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

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Rainmaker
1,543,973
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

How the F did they get the key?

Yes, this is a real thing, was a huge problem during the Great Depreciation Recession. Almost happened to one of my listings but I caught them. The key is to not let them take possession-squatters rights-but we handle things the Italian way, nobody ever seems to want to exercise those rights..

Jul 07, 2017 06:29 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

That is insane Fred.  We did have a craigs list rental spammer on one of our properties last year or so and it was a mess. Thank goodness people were wise enough to drive by, see my sign and call me directly.  Otherwise they would have sent off a check to the  spammer guy.  We have created tight security measures on rentals due to craigs list spammers.

Jul 07, 2017 04:33 PM
Ambassador
5,230,159
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

That is scary!  I can't imagine having to wait all that time to get the squatters out.

This crazy law is going to make GA residents go vigilante and get them out themselves!  Tammy Lankford, thoughts?!!

Jul 07, 2017 04:39 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I have not.

Jul 07, 2017 06:22 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wow!  Craig's list here tries to identify them as fast as they can.  These scammers access legal owner names and create emails with the owner's name.  A

Jul 07, 2017 04:48 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

The law is that warped just about everywhere and the police have a standard phrase whenever a landlord calls, "thats a civil matter"

Jul 07, 2017 04:35 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,570
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Horrible.  Fortunately, I have not encountered this situation.  Four-to-six weeks might be a quick fix to resolve the issue in California -- it's more likely to take months.   

Jul 08, 2017 04:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin - most of the states favor tenants - legal or illegal! It's time to change the system, if possible.

Jul 07, 2017 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

This is our crazy government at work.  These people are trespassing and need to be kicked out NOW!!

Jul 07, 2017 10:09 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

We had a Craigslist scammer a few years ago that rented the same house about 18 times. She actually got caught.

Jul 07, 2017 06:56 PM
Rainmaker
805,939
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

That is just pure insanity! Seems it doesn't matter where you live tenants have all the rights.

Jul 07, 2017 06:28 PM
Ambassador
5,049,477
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Ugh, what a mess. Not sure what the scoop is here in CA but getting squatters out is not an easy thing. I seem scams regularly on Craigslist, incouding listings being turned into "rentals"

Jul 07, 2017 05:36 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I caught a scam on one of my properties on Craig's list.  We almost got the guy.

Jul 07, 2017 05:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,303
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Oh yes have I got stories after doing this for decades. I had one guy move in, forge a signature of the seller we bought the house from, make up a rental agreement with hsi name and just moved right in. When confronted by me, he was cool as a cucumber. I knew he was a transient with sophisticated scam one of the best too. I called the police and after they talked with him, the police told me to file a civil action there was nothing they can do. WRONG. I took the cop aside and explained to him that we were building hundreds of units and tearing down houses and the city council and Mayor is behind us. I used one other tactic which I wont mention for now and when I was finished, the cop goes back to the house and tells this guy and his wife...they will be back later this afternoon and they better be out by then period. The guys wife says to the her husband lets get out here (as in the jig is up) and they did....

Jul 07, 2017 05:26 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

It's a squatters law - many many cities in California have a squatters law as well

Years agao, there was one squatter that actually  got to own a home in Santa Monica Ca. due to the squatters law there.

They wouldn't leave, had mail being sent to the address and after  a few years the courts gave the property to the squatter.

Gotta love Ca... NOT! LOL

Jul 08, 2017 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Call my staff; they will assist you

 

Jul 08, 2017 06:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Oh, wow, Fred. I just have no more words. The courts are crazy! That's why when I've been asked what I really would have liked to be in life, I say "Judge Judy." I'd love to bring some semblance of sanity and common sense into a court room.

Jul 08, 2017 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Thanks news, now every criminal knows what do it. CA can have issues with that too if they lived in the home for certain time and have little kids or elder members. 

Jul 07, 2017 11:08 PM
Rainer
86,514
Mike Kelly,CRS,CIPS
The MJKelly Team - Santa Rosa, CA
"One of Sonoma County's Natural Resources"

Seems like a hangover from the REO market. I heard of an agent who had an REO "Hijacked" by a scammer who swept through our area. He found an out of the way REO, switched out the agent' sign for his own and stated the house was for rent. He'd gone through with an agent earlier in the day and left the windows open. He advertised in Craigslist (a google alert would have possibly stopped this from happening using the properties address!), cheap rent, said he had an owner leaving the country and blah, blah, blah. Took 1st, last, security deposits from 5 families. Told them to meet him the following Monday and get the keys. He left town and put the agent's sign BACK UP!! It was a frickin' nightmare.

Jul 07, 2017 07:27 PM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

That happened to a friend of mine (not a client) who's an investor in certain parts of town. He sent over two of his friends on the payroll. I think one of them was called ... Guido? No messing around with that crap. Anyways, the so-called trespassers-scammer-tenants apparently left in a real hurry..... with very little argument.

Jul 08, 2017 02:27 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

another reason I'm thankful we don't participate in rentals...

Jul 08, 2017 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Years ago when I was involved with listing foreclosure properties, this happened with a couple of houses...Craigslist scammer had "rented" them out.  

The real crime in that article?  This headline:  A Cobb County woman is filled with frustration after she says strangers moved into the vacant house she was selling without her knowledge.

She was selling a house without her knowledge?  SMH. 

 

Jul 08, 2017 05:29 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Ouch!

Jul 08, 2017 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have not hard of such a thing happening.

Jul 07, 2017 06:00 PM
Rainmaker
911,448
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Probably considered unlawful entry in Virginia. Maybe brokers should create an office policy of not using craigslist for real estate.

Jul 07, 2017 05:08 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,689
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

OH MY Fred, sounds like GA needs to review their law on this!  

Jul 10, 2017 08:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

These craiglist scams are getting worst, but how did they get the key?

 

Jul 09, 2017 09:09 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I have to agree with Anna Banana Kruchten, CRS ..this is insane! They broke in and need to be evicted.

Jul 08, 2017 06:28 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

That sucks.  We just had a client who purchased a home, had moved in and a week and a half later there were people walking around their yard. They saw them and talked to them and the tenants said they were about to put down money to rent it.  Uh....no, the owners said, we just bought it. Where did you get this info?  Craigslist.  They hadn't sent money yet thankfully.  Agents were called - the home hadn't even been marketed on craigslist when it was for sale.  Glad it didn't come to this. -Kasey

Jul 08, 2017 10:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,028
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've had rental properties fall to the scam before.  Even one pulled off of zillow (branded photos and branded write-up as well) and pasted onto craigslist.  Luckily, people either drove by and saw my sign or called me from the write-up.  I reported the post and filed with the FBI's IFCC and on the first one with my local Sheriff's office.

 

Out here, squatters rights was a big problem a few years back.  I can see why they're allowed to stay although I'd do it the Italian way like Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor,CRS,ePro said.

Jul 08, 2017 10:07 AM
Ambassador
3,345,221
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I saw that. Very bizarre indeed.  What bugged me is that there seemed to be something missing about the story.  The back window was broken which suggests the "tenants" did not have a key. 

Jul 08, 2017 08:12 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Never had this one, thankfully.

Jul 08, 2017 07:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

get them out now

Jul 08, 2017 07:15 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

It's not that difficult. Break into the home then call a locksmith to come out and change locks on the front door. They won't question whether you are the owner or not. Once locks are changed, advertise it below market rate and make up a story about firing your property manager and needing to rent it fast for cheap. People exchange money for a key and move in. Scammer moves to the next town and repeats.

Watermarking all the pictures of your listings will help but down on this dramatically.

Jul 08, 2017 07:14 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,392
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Seems like the law breakers have more rights than the owners. And, no funds to ever pay a judgment, but the judge still gives them time at the owners expense. Somethng wrong here?

Jul 08, 2017 07:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Fred Griffin Interesting how you have to go through the eviction process for illegal tenants.

Jul 08, 2017 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

In Oklahoma eviction is a max of three weeks and this qualifies as felonious trespassing.

Jul 08, 2017 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for telling us about this difficult issue.

Jul 08, 2017 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

There is no shortage of new rentals scams but here if they break in and move in, they dont stay. Happy to say no liberal judges here. They follow and enforce the law. 

Jul 08, 2017 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

State specific ???

Jul 08, 2017 04:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

 Ha ha ha. Very funny.

Jul 07, 2017 08:38 PM