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Post by aljack on Jul 12, 2017 14:55:59 GMT
I am speechless. I hope they catch this guy because this doesn't appear to be his first rodeo if you know what I mean. My mother is a realtor and I shared this with her because she has listings and I wanted her to be aware. She had squatters in a home that was vacant. It was a nightmare and basically happened over night. She had sign delivered and came back to catch on it and saw the door was busted. She peeked in and backed out to call police. It took forever to get them out. I am so glad you caught them early.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,791 
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Jul 12, 2017 15:02:21 GMT
I work in a real estate office in small town America. Last summer we had a very savvy seller contact us to let us know that she had been contacted by somebody about her "rental" (Her house was NOT for rent. Ever) The person had found our seller's house on Craigslist supposedly for rent and corresponded with a gentleman for a couple weeks about it. She was moving in from out of state and said something didn't feel right so started googling and came up with our seller's contact info. Fortunately both ladies were very smart and were able to circumvent the almost rental from happening. When our seller contacted our local police department, they said it has happened several times in our small town!
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Post by mtscrapper on Jul 12, 2017 15:40:50 GMT
This news story just came across my Facebook feed and I thought of you. Sorry if it has been posted already - I haven't read all the replies. This just makes me mad for both sides, and we need to catch these people!
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,230
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Post by Peamac on Jul 12, 2017 15:57:00 GMT
How did he gain entrance initially? You have to be on the inside to change the locks. He either has the code for the lock box or he broke in... Crazy! Good luck! We suspect that he went through the open house over the weekend and pulled the cord on the garage door opener to disconnect it. We had a monsoon the night before. I asked my brother to stop by and backwash the pool so it wouldn't be muddy. Otherwise, he would not have had any reason to go there for a few more days. I'm anxious to see how things are this morning. Can the police check for fingerprints, to see if they can find out who broke in? |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 16:07:21 GMT
Sounds like you got it taken care of, hopefully that's the end of it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 16:18:40 GMT
We suspect that he went through the open house over the weekend and pulled the cord on the garage door opener to disconnect it. We had a monsoon the night before. I asked my brother to stop by and backwash the pool so it wouldn't be muddy. Otherwise, he would not have had any reason to go there for a few more days. I'm anxious to see how things are this morning. Can the police check for fingerprints, to see if they can find out who broke in? We asked them to take fingerprints and they refused. Since nothing was taken they didn't want to send out the "crime scene team," which is apparently who does their prints. All was well at the house this morning. |
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,834
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Jul 12, 2017 16:19:40 GMT
I personally do not understandy why anyone would use CL to rent or buy a house. Too many sketchy things happen on CL. My co-worker who is very young is relocating to another city. She and her fiance are very frugal and used CL to find their apartment in that city. She's not moving until the beginning of August, but she told me that the landlord, in addition to the deposit they already paid, is asking for the first month's rent ahead of them moving in. It just sounds sketchy to me, so I told her to look at her lease and do exactly what it says. Now I'm wondering if this "landlord" is pulling a scam.
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luckyexwife
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,069
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Post by luckyexwife on Jul 12, 2017 16:45:14 GMT
This is something that has never been on my radar before, but I am astounded that squatter's rights supercede homeowner's rights. Why wouldn't breaking and entering and/or trespassing charges be filed? Not just specifically in the OPs situation, but I am astounded that if someone comes and changes the locks, you as the homeowner could get in trouble for changing the locks back!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 17:04:41 GMT
This news story just came across my Facebook feed and I thought of you. Sorry if it has been posted already - I haven't read all the replies. This just makes me mad for both sides, and we need to catch these people! I read the news story. It is shocking that the owner of the house has so little recourse. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 12, 2017 17:08:19 GMT
This is something that has never been on my radar before, but I am astounded that squatter's rights supercede homeowner's rights. Why wouldn't breaking and entering and/or trespassing charges be filed? Not just specifically in the OPs situation, but I am astounded that if someone comes and changes the locks, you as the homeowner could get in trouble for changing the locks back!Many jurisdictions want to make sure that tenants are protected from unscrupulous landlords - which is certainly understandable. I have no doubt you can find many stories of tenants who had a valid lease and were paying rent, but either from a dispute or hell the landlord just wanted the tenant out to rent the unit higher, had tried to illegally prevent the tenant from using their home they were paying rent on (turning off utilities and changing locks, being the most common methods). The jurisdiction then puts a law on the books that it's illegal for a landlord to change the locks on a tenant. Now the issue here is a squatter obtaining the rights of a tenant and really the big problem is that the police are not going to necessarily take a landlords word that this isn't a tenant, it's a squatter - depending on how good the squatter is at convincing the police that they have a valid right to live in the property - the police may want a court order. That's where the time and money comes in. Ultimately if they have no right to live in the property, you can force them out, but if your state has a time consuming and expensive eviction process it can take months. |
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Post by dockmaster on Jul 13, 2017 7:15:25 GMT
You mentioned having AC work done. The technician could habe pulled that cord too. Just a thought.
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Deleted
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Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2017 15:22:08 GMT
You mentioned having AC work done. The technician could habe pulled that cord too. Just a thought. No. He's worked for me for a year on all my houses. He wouldn't do that and he had access to the lockbox anyway so he wouldn't need to. |
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Post by peasapie on Jul 13, 2017 20:13:58 GMT
I just saw this article today. Not sure if this was posted on this thread previously or not, but there seems to be a RASH of this happening: Can't Get 'em Out! |
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 13, 2017 20:50:21 GMT
I personally do not understandy why anyone would use CL to rent or buy a house. Too many sketchy things happen on CL. My co-worker who is very young is relocating to another city. She and her fiance are very frugal and used CL to find their apartment in that city. She's not moving until the beginning of August, but she told me that the landlord, in addition to the deposit they already paid, is asking for the first month's rent ahead of them moving in. It just sounds sketchy to me, so I told her to look at her lease and do exactly what it says. Now I'm wondering if this "landlord" is pulling a scam. We are military and rent instead of buying. We are in the middle of moving right now. It's pretty normal, unless they wanted that first month's (August) rent weeks ago. It's crazy expensive to move in somewhere. Let's pretend our rent is $1,000 (I wish!) We paid a $1,000 deposit on July 2, which was classified as August's rent. That held the house. Then we paid a $1,000 today as the damage deposit, $500 for the pet deposit, and $500 for a prorated amount for July (we move in on the 15th of this month.) So before we even set foot in the door, we have paid $3,000 (again--I wish!). On the other hand, another payment isn't due to the homeowner until September 1. |
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,824
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Post by gottapeanow on Jul 13, 2017 21:08:43 GMT
I personally do not understandy why anyone would use CL to rent or buy a house. Too many sketchy things happen on CL. My co-worker who is very young is relocating to another city. She and her fiance are very frugal and used CL to find their apartment in that city. She's not moving until the beginning of August, but she told me that the landlord, in addition to the deposit they already paid, is asking for the first month's rent ahead of them moving in. It just sounds sketchy to me, so I told her to look at her lease and do exactly what it says. Now I'm wondering if this "landlord" is pulling a scam. Over two years ago, I used CL to rent the house where I currently live. It was nothing but a stellar experience. I realize that others might have a different experience. Jen, sorry this happened and glad it is being resolved. Lisa |
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Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Jul 13, 2017 21:22:03 GMT
WHAT? Be right back, I'm going to go break into a mansion, change the locks, move in, and sign a fake lease and then live there for a year. See ya! I can see not being able to dislodge renters with a legit lease, but one that the owners never even signed? We need some updated laws on the books or something. I'm coming with you.
But can it be a mansion with yarn, pretty please?
And somewhere cool? With clouds?
I'm looking for a mansion on a beach - once I find it, I'll let y'all know and we'll have a party!  This is a terrible situation for homeowner and renter - but, there should be some way to get someone of a house who is there illegally. This is crazy. |
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Jul 13, 2017 21:39:54 GMT
I'm coming with you.
But can it be a mansion with yarn, pretty please?
And somewhere cool? With clouds?
I'm looking for a mansion on a beach - once I find it, I'll let y'all know and we'll have a party! This is a terrible situation for homeowner and renter - but, there should be some way to get someone of a house who is there illegally. This is crazy. *ahem* A cool beach. With clouds.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2017 21:58:09 GMT
Small update: the house is going under contract today (12 days on the market-yeah baby!) so we just have to babysit it for 30 more days and then we're home free
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 13, 2017 22:01:08 GMT
yay!! for your update!! congrats on the quick sale!
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jul 14, 2017 1:33:21 GMT
Did the "occupants" ever come back?
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Post by camanddanismom on Jul 14, 2017 2:14:29 GMT
Great news!! Congrats!!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 3:42:31 GMT
Did the "occupants" ever come back? This! And way to go Idaho! |
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Post by Lexica on Jul 14, 2017 4:22:04 GMT
Have you or your husband seen the people or person who changed the locks and put some stuff in the house? After watching the story that mtscrapper linked, the people in the house had paid a scammer and didn't break in and attempt to just squat. That seems to be a situation that would cause me to have a lot more sympathy for the current dwellers than the situation you appear to be in with someone just breaking in. Thankfully you realized it before they were able to actually move in and claim they are tenants of the house. I wonder how often this type of thing happens? I had made the decision a while ago that when I am ready to move, I'm staying in my house and selling it, getting all the money from it and then relocating to look for a new place to buy. I know I will probably end up renting something to stay in once I get to Oregon, but I'd never survive trying to coordinate the sale of one home and purchase of another with them being in two different states. I want this to be as stress free as possible. I am in the process of planning a trip to a few cities in Oregon with my best friend to just check things out. When I mentioned it to her the other day, she was ready to get in the car immediately. She said she has been itching for a getaway. Sounded good to me. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 1:27:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 6:39:28 GMT
The people never came back. The neighbors are watching like hawks and I get texts. The only people who have come by belong there. We have checked on the property multiple times and nothing is amiss. My guess is that they've probably done this to many houses and ours now presents too great a risk. They know they've been found out so I think they just move on to the next place.
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lisaknits
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,510
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Post by lisaknits on Jul 14, 2017 12:25:32 GMT
***Update Thursday*** Still quiet on the western front. They haven't come back and the neighbors are all watching like hawks. One called the realtor on me because I hadn't introduced myself to her yet and a different house called me when she saw my brother. The weekend poses too much risk for the scammer because so many people go see houses on weekends and all the neighbors are home. By now they have to know we know and I can't believe they would circle back around to us after the weekend. My gut tells me this started with the open house. My guess is they will hit another open house and pull the cord on their garage door and start this all over again. Coincidentally this was or first open house on any of our flips. Thanks for the update! Wow - this is such a crazy situation. Smart to alert the neighbors to what is going on, good luck on the sale! |
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Jul 14, 2017 14:05:40 GMT
So sorry. Don't know how that would be legal? Someone just moves into your house and changes the locks and you have to evict them...
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Post by gizzy on Jul 14, 2017 14:54:31 GMT
I can't believe the balls some people have. I'm glad you got it taken care of before they moved in.
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Post by Miss Ang on Jul 14, 2017 14:58:08 GMT
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,582
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Jul 14, 2017 15:08:19 GMT
Great news on the contract, and narrowly missing a possible squatter situation. What a senseless thing you had to go through though plus the money you were out to replace the locks. Assholes, whoever they were!
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 14, 2017 15:09:50 GMT
The people never came back. The neighbors are watching like hawks and I get texts. The only people who have come by belong there. We have checked on the property multiple times and nothing is amiss. My guess is that they've probably done this to many houses and ours now presents too great a risk. They know they've been found out so I think they just move on to the next place. From what I've seen, this scam only works as a quick in-and-out with the scammer making fast money taking first & last months rent plus a deposit. When 5 or so renters show up to take possession the scammer is long gone with a large wad of money. So glad you were able to shut this down before you had to deal with squatters. As to using CL to find a rental, we successfully used it when moving to CA 10+ years ago. There weren't too many other options at that time if you were looking for a house. |
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What the HECK?!!!
