As a Realtor®, I often find myself walking into vacant homes—and trust me, you never quite know what you're going to find. Sometimes, it’s vandalism. Other times, appliances have been stripped from the property. But recently, I encountered a first—yet all-too-common—situation: a rental scam.
My clients and I had an appointment to tour a 3-bedroom home. When we arrived, I noticed someone leaving through a side door. Since the home was supposed to be vacant, I initially assumed they were squatters. I let them know we had an appointment to view the property, but they ignored me and casually mentioned they were just taking the dog for a walk.
I proceeded to the front door and knocked. A woman answered, confused as to why we were there. She had no idea the home was listed for sale—there wasn’t even a "For Sale" sign in the yard. After talking with her for a few minutes, I realized she was a victim of a rental scam.
Let’s call her Mary. Mary told me she had been approached by a woman named Francesca, who handed her a flyer advertising the home for rent at just $1,600 a month—a great deal for a 3-bedroom. Mary moved in, started making it her home, and even ordered new furniture. That was two months ago.
Francesca, posing as the landlord, insisted on cash payments and would only meet Mary in public parking lots to collect rent. Mary sensed something wasn’t quite right, but she needed a place to live and chose to trust someone she believed was helping her.
Before rushing to judge Mary or thinking, “She should have known better,” remember this: people often make decisions from a place of vulnerability. Mary was going through a tough time and desperately needed stability. Sadly, that need was exploited. She’s now out $3,200, and the true homeowner will likely be forced to evict her.
Stories like Mary’s are a sobering reminder of how important it is to verify property listings and landlords—especially when dealing with rentals. If something feels off, trust your gut and reach out to a licensed real estate professional or property management company. As Realtors®, we’re here to help protect people from situations like this. No one deserves to be taken advantage of when simply trying to find a safe place to call home. Let’s continue to raise awareness and look out for one another.
Sarah Tynes | 678-827-2653 | sarah@sarahtynes.com
