San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

I saw this last night. Another scam...

http://www.10news.com/investigations/139...

(portion of the story)
SAN DIEGO -- The 10News I-Team uncovered a new-age version of the age-old confidence game -- the rental scam.

10News investigators witnessed a burglary taking place in a local neighborhood.

However, it was just one of the crimes going on at the time.

The man seen entering a home doesn't own the house.

"We went along with it, gave him the benefit of the doubt, and lo and behold, we got screwed in the end," said Justin Bina.

Bina is one of the victims of a clever rental scam working around San Diego.

The unidentified man seen entering the home is allegedly a low-level gangster from the East coast. The I-Team has learned he is the likely ringleader of a group of other accomplices.

Another victim, Ben Taley, told 10News, "The guy was being kind of shady. Once I gave him the deposit, I asked for his license information. He said he didn't have it on him and I said I didn't feel comfortable. He got kind of awkward."

According to the I-Team, the scam is simple and clever.

It begins with a team of people using untraceable cell phones.

The group searched the Multiple Listing Service used by realtors, selecting vacant, high-end homes for sale.

They then cut and pasted pictures of the homes into a rental ad on the Craigslist Web site along with their cell phone numbers.

(story continues...)

Oops... wrong thread!!

I posted on this scam as well...Buyer beware when going to look at a rental. Dont ever just hand over a deposit....

Also HB what price range are you looking at?

HB,
Get in your car and start driving where you want to be this weekend. thats the best way to find what you are looking for.

sdr

We want a newer 3Bed house with some sort of yard for around $3000/month.

Got ya... it may be tough to find that price in 92130 for a detached home. The MLS is not a great place to find a rental but I took a quick look for you. I did 92129 and 92130.

There is an attached twin home with a small yard at 12510 Montelano Terrace in West Carmel Valley. It is a 3/2 and only 1200 sf so I doubt that fits the bill for you. You may wanna drive by and look at it...

At 12384 Brickelia in PQ there is a large 4/3 2200 sf home but that is definitely NOT a Torrey Hills neighborhood. This is in Park Village. It is 2700.

There is another one at 12601 Carmel Canyon but it looks like no yard. It is a 4/2.5 home at 3190.

There are a few more in the high 3000's and 4000's in 92130 as well. Like I said the MLS is not great for rentals.

If you are interested in these places I can forward the number of the agent for you. You can negotiate the price as they offer a small commission on the MLS to whoever agent brings a tenant in and since you would go in unrepresented you can save a little off rent. I doubt any of these homes fit your bill though.

SD Realtor

This is also a good time to remind people not to give first, last and deposit on a house that looks like a flipper owns it. That baby is about to foreclose with you in it, and you are out 6-8k.

A few other websites (aside from the ones already mentioned) that may be helpful:

http://sandiego.backpage.com/rentals/cla...

and

http://www.renthomes.com/homes/individua...