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Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor (Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)

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Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Use an experienced local leasing agent.

Jul 02, 2018 06:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Thanks to all who commented here, referred another member or sent me an email with additional information. I told my daughter, his mother, that my Rain friends would be able to point us in the right direction.  

Jul 03, 2018 03:36 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I think Roy Kelley has your answer!

Jul 02, 2018 06:57 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Hopefully a fellow Rainer will step up to the plate for you Mary Yonkers .

Jul 02, 2018 06:08 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hopefully one of the Active Rain members in the LA area can help. Maybe Endre Barath, Jr. or Michael Jacobs ...

Jul 03, 2018 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Mary - I'll be in touch. 

Jul 02, 2018 09:31 PM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Mary, ask Endre Barath, Jr. for his assistance - if he doesn't work with rentals, I'm sure he'll be able to send you to someone who does.

Jul 02, 2018 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

I can't stress the importance enough of what Roy Kelley advised! 

Jul 02, 2018 06:40 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

      You absolutely must use a local real estate broker or local property manager.   There are way too many scammers out there!   

Jul 03, 2018 04:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

According to Zillow it's a 1br studio, not an apartment.  It also shows as off market.  Most rental companies work with Zillow in my experience.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/1519-W-29th-St,-Los-Angeles,-CA-90007_rb/

 

Hotpads also shows it as off market.

 

I'd stick with sites like zillow, hotpads, apartments.com and (of course) a local agent.  Just be aware that not all rentals use the MLS.  Craigslist is most often filled with scammers.  If they want money up front ($100 holding fee is fine), live out of the area and "will mail you the keys later", those are all common signs of fraudulant offerings.

 

I wish I could be of more help, but USC is a long haul from my area and I'm not sure my board data shares with that area.

Jul 02, 2018 10:27 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,662
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

Ask Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA 

Jul 02, 2018 07:39 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The people you are dealing with should have names and numbers that come up on the Internet not to mention how they conduct a contact. I use myself as an example. The last place I rented out googled me and then met me....

However, this is a good question. The thing is, it is such a landlords market that many wont take the time to prove anything but make you prove it

Jul 02, 2018 06:53 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I would check with reputable managment com[any with a good track record.  

Jul 02, 2018 06:43 PM
Rainmaker
508,318
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Made Easy

I can't vouch for the validity but it does show up on Zillow as a rental property.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1519-W-29th-St-Los-Angeles-CA--7/20592908_zpid/

Perhaps you can search the tax records to find the owner?

Jul 02, 2018 06:30 PM
Rainmaker
343,050
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

Maybe there is a website for LA County property appraisers office that can verify the owners name if that is what you are seeking. I'm sure an L.A. A|R member can steer you in the right direction!

Jul 02, 2018 05:50 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I just knew you would get the "local" LA help you are looking for.  I see from the comments that Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA has already stepped up as has Endre Barath, Jr. and Michael Jacobs 

Jul 03, 2018 07:05 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

 Roy Kelley nailed this one!

Jul 03, 2018 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Need to find an agent.

Jul 03, 2018 04:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I sent you a public profile from MLS. Congrats on USC:) 

Jul 03, 2018 12:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Mary,

Congratulations to your grandson.  I have my Masters Degree from USC.  It is a wonderful school.   You can call a title company to find out who owns it.  And you can call USC, and I am sure they would be able to help you out.  Sadly I do not anyone who works in that area, or I would have referred.  them to you.   Michael Jacobs may be able to point you in the right direction.  Pasadena is not that far away from USC.  A

Jul 02, 2018 08:11 PM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Best to show up in person, dont try to lease something from a landlord that does not show up.

And if you suspect fraud, check with the county to find out who the owner is.

Jul 02, 2018 07:42 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

 Michael Jacobs and Endre Barath, Jr. come to mind as sources.

Jul 03, 2018 06:18 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mary Yonkers - one thing is for sure. DO NOT PAY via Westen Union!

Meet the owner and make sure 'they' exist and are around.

Jul 02, 2018 09:46 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

Check the tax records and then google the name and see if there is a phone number that you can verify.

Jul 02, 2018 08:41 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Get an agent that specialized in Property Management.

Jul 02, 2018 07:44 PM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

There's thousands of these rental scams going on on craigslist. Sorry to hear he got caught up in one. 

Jul 03, 2018 02:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,627
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Not good to get suck in on a scam.

 

Jul 03, 2018 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Thanks to your granson for his service.

Jul 03, 2018 07:39 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

Good luck, Mary.  I don't know.

Jul 03, 2018 06:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

As Ken Jones, Commentator wrote

Jul 03, 2018 04:40 AM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

USC has a housing Facebook page - students list want ads for roomates and housing - meet the student check their driver's license and student ID 

CRaigs list in CA is notorious for scammers who put houses listed for sale years ago as their ownership rental. 

Housing is pricey. I have 2 nephews at USC  

Jul 03, 2018 03:13 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Jul 03, 2018 08:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Just saw this and late to the party. I hope all is well with him.

Aug 01, 2018 03:58 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,488
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I would have contacted a local REALTOR to be sure you were not scammed.

Jul 06, 2018 06:40 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

hope you found out prior to him loosing any money

Jul 05, 2018 08:20 PM