Concerns About Property Listing Communication and Meeting Request

[Alpacalia]

The current residence I have resided in for the past several years was recently sold and the new owners want to move in. I am working with a realtor, a few property management companies and looking on my own online. I came across a listing on an online and had been communicating back and forth about the property. I had not gotten back to them in a few days because I was looking at other properties. They reached out to ask if I was still interested.

So, I said possibly but had a bunch of questions. The responses seemed legit. They asked if I wanted to look at the property and I said yes but that I would be traveling for a few days and alternatively they could meet with brother earlier who could look at it for me in my absense, or wait until I get back. They replied that they preferred to wait to meet with me instead. Something set off my spidy sense at that point, so I opted to google the email address. The email addresss seemed like it belongs to a property management company but when I googled it, it linked to a porn site. 

I immediately stopped all communication with this individual after I asked them what property management company they work for, what is the application process, etc. What possible scam could they be trying to pull by meeting with me in person?

Edited October 24, 2023 by Alpacalia

[Wiseman2]

1 hour ago, Alpacalia said:

. The email addresss seemed like it belongs to a property management company but when I googled it, it linked to a porn site. What possible scam could they be trying to pull by meeting with me in person?

It's good you cut all contact. It is usual and customary to view a property in person before deciding or signing a lease.There's nothing odd about that.

Try to do it yourself in person. These days some of the higher end properties even require photo ID for viewing to prevent people casing out places or just excessive windowshoppers

However you already don't trust the place so there's probably plenty more places to consider. 

Edited October 24, 2023 by Wiseman2

[d0nnivain]

I know you don't love her but can your father's GF hook you up with a realtor to help with the process?  

[Alpacalia]

10 hours ago, Wiseman2 said:

It's good you cut all contact. It is usual and customary to view a property in person before deciding or signing a lease.There's nothing odd about that.

Try to do it yourself in person. These days some of the higher end properties even require photo ID for viewing to prevent people casing out places or just excessive windowshoppers

However you already don't trust the place so there's probably plenty more places to consider. 

I realize that it is customary to view a property in person. Which i have been doing with other properties but those properties get rented so fast.

I just thought it odd that the email address which was listed as the name of the property management company, didn't link to a property management company's website. It linked to a porn site instead. And when I asked if we could see it sooner while I am away by having my brother go in my absence, they said they'd rather wait until I just get back.

@d0nnivain

Yes, I don't 100% love her, she inferred I am the cause of my Dad's stroke because he was worried about me and she wasn't all that nice to me in the beginning. So, I do have my reservations and think it's best to keep separate.

I think maybe I will ask this company for a website link to their property management company and see if I can get someone on the phone. 

Thanks.

[Alpacalia]

Weird. I asked if they had a property management website and they said no. Then I mentioned I would be bringing someone with me and they dropped off the map. Well, I'm just glad I am not laying in a bathtub filled with ice, missing a kidney.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Alpacalia

[Wiseman2]

26 minutes ago, Alpacalia said:

, I'm just glad I am not laying in a bathtub filled with ice, missing a kidney.

Was this from Craigslist? Please read up on avoiding scams, there's a section about it on most real estate sites like Craigslist. If time is running out, don't bother communicating with dubious entities. Especially if you are calling using your number, giving them your name or anything else. Since you recognized the email address they listed was bogus, why even follow up?  Try to go through reputable apartment and housing sites. 

[basil67]

OMG  So glad you had your wits about you!

[Alpacalia]

Because sometimes emails link to websites by accident. My father, a couple years ago, told me he used to get email all the time from a website that he didn't even know nor visited. Sometimes it was spam or phishing or something like that. 

Their email handle was a property management company but no website.

What tipped me off is when they wanted to meet me and not my brother when I offered initially while I was away. That raised an eye brow so I decided to take some precautions. That's when I asked if they had a website and that I would be bringing so and so. That did the trick.

They don't have my personal details, only my email and it's an email I use for junk mail. 

But good advice, I will be more cautious. Thanks!

Edited November 8, 2023 by Alpacalia

[mark clemson]

Wise to "bring a friend" !

[Alpacalia]

Indeed. I mean, what are they going to do, kidnap you and force you to sign a lease? Granted, when I saw the email link to a porn site, I thought they were going to try to lure me into a creepy situation. I flushed them out like I intended. Good try and no cigar and they've since removed their listing after I requested the link to their website and mentioned I'd be bringing someone. The fact that they dropped off the map as soon as I mentioned bringing someone is definitely suspicious.