Don’t Get Caught in a Craigslist Rental Scam

Need to buy something, sell something or even fill a job?  Craigslist has an unbelievable amount of listings for everything from house wares to toys to cars to houses and is part of our typical marketing plan when we list a home.  We are now living in the information age, where you can search for anything in the comfort of your pajamas, behind the anonymity of your computer screen, until you are ready to reach out to a real person for a little assistance.

Unfortunately, lurking behind computer screens across the world are unscrupulous people who are trying to figure out how to take advantage of everyone else and make a buck without working.

My phone has been ringing off of the hook today because some stupid, low life scammer decided to steal the information from one of my listings and repost it with a different (lower) price and an email address that apparently was directed to someone in Nigeria.  The entire premise behind these scams is that they are attempting to convince people that they are the owners of the property who just happen to be out of the state or country and can’t show the house.  But, they will be more than happy to sign the lease and send the keys as soon as an unsuspecting applicant sends the deposit via Western Union.  This scammer even went so far as to set up an email address that was very similar to the real owners name, so if a tenant did a little research through public records everything would look legitimate.

There is a reason that Craigslist has this warning across the top of every page on their site!

I can only hope that no one responded directly to the ad or was duped into sending money to them without being able to tour the property in person.  If so, there is a snowball’s chance in a heat wave that they will ever see their money again – and they still won’t have a place to live.

If you are in the market to buy or rent a home, there is never a charge to use the services of a professional REALTOR.  In cases like this, it just might save you money as well.

 

For more information about West Bank real estate, feel free to contact the West Bank Living Team.  It would be our pleasure to help you with any of your real estate needs.

Algiers LA 70131 | August 2009 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports

Current real estate activity in Algiers LA 70131 (excluding English Turn):

185 homes are for sale

• High list price $1,750,000
• Low list price $27,500
• Average list price $197,921
• Median list price $159,000

31 homes are under contract or pending sale, priced from $45,000 to $519,000

Based on the number of homes sold in August (24), there is a 13 month supply of homes for sale in Algiers

Algiers LA 70131 | Number of Homes Sold | August 2009

Sales creeped up again in the 70131 zip code, bringing the year to date number of homes sold to 135, compared to 158 at the same time last year (a decrease of 14.5%). 

Who is buying?

• 10 of the 23 sales were to buyers using FHA or VA financing
• 4 sales were of property in need of repairs or renovation that were paid for in cash
• 9 of the buyers (39%) needed assistance from the seller with closing costs.  The average amount of assistance paid by sellers was $5,886.  Read Keep Your Eye on the Bottom Line for more information about seller assistance to buyers.

Algiers LA 70131 | Average Home Sale Prices | August 2009

The year to date average sales price in Algiers is currently $155,729, down 4.6% from the 2008 average.  Sale prices are being impacted by foreclosures and bank owned properties, with 5 sold in August and 28 sold year to date.  Of the 31 homes currently pending sale, 20 of them are bank owned. 

All data is provided by GSREIN and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Algiers LA?  Put our years of experience and personal knowledge of West Bank real estate to work for you today by contacting the West Bank Living Team.  It would be our pleasure to assist you with any of your real estate needs.

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English Turn | August 2009 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports

Current real estate activity in the English Turn subdivision of New Orleans LA:

42 homes are for sale

• High list price $1,995,000
• Low list price $405,000
• Average list price $699,323
• Median list price $589,500

5 homes are under contract or pending sale, priced from $399,000 to $1,275,000

Based on the number of homes sold in August (2), there is a 21 month supply of homes for sale in the area

English Turn | Number of Homes Sold | August 2009

Sales in English Turn remain slow but steady, with a total of 17 homes sold in the neighborhood this year, compared to 21 at the same time last year (a 19% decrease).  Three of the seventeen sales in 2009 were of foreclosed or bank owned properties, which always has a negative impact on the average sales price.

English Turn | Average Home Sale Prices | August 2009

The year to date average home sale price for English Turn is currently at $482,023, down over $100k from the 2008 average.  11 of the homes sold this year have been under $500,000 and the highest sale price for 2009 was $725,000.  This is a major change from years past and underscores the need for sellers to present the best possible product in their price range.

All data is provided by GSREIN and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

Are you considering buying or selling a home in English Turn?  Put our years of experience in New Orleans West Bank real estate to work for you today by contacting the West Bank Living Team.  It would be our pleasure to assist you with any of your real estate needs.

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Algiers Point LA | August 2009 Home Sales and Real Estate Market Reports

Current real estate activity in Algiers Point:

29 homes are for sale in the area

• High list price $550,000
• Low list price $130,000
• Average list price $268,363
• Median list price $257,250

5 homes are under contract or pending sale, priced from $99,000 to $399,000

Based on the number of homes sold in August (1), there is a 29 month supply of homes for sale in Algiers Point

Algiers Point | Number of Home Sales | August 2009

After a brief jump in sales in July, Algiers Point ended August with only 1 successful home sale.  This brings the year to date total to 11, down from 27 at the same time last year (a decrease of over 40%).  As I stated in the report on Algiers 70114 home sales, Algiers has one of the lowest rates of home sales on the West Bank, with the Point being the hardest hit.

Algiers Point | Average Home Sale Prices | August 2009

The average home sale price in the Point is now at $203,327, continuing the decline we have been watching for the last several years.  This is not good news for sellers who are trying to move on from the larger, more expensive homes that make up a good portion of the local market.  Patience remains key for these sellers, because there just are not as many buyers looking in the higher end of the community, evidenced by the high sale price of $372,00 for the entire year to date.

All data is provided by GSREIN and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Algiers Point?  Put our years of experience in West Bank real estate to work for you by contacting the West Bank Living team today.  It would be our pleasure to assist you with all of your real estate needs.

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3808 Grilletta Court Marrero LA 70072 | Beautiful Home for Sale in Hillcrest Subdivision

JUST LISTED!  Only 12 years young, this great Hillcrest home is now in the market for a new owner.  So, what does $219,000 get you in Marrero real estate?

• 3 bedrooms plus a private office
• 2 full baths
• 11 foot ceilings
• Huge family room with wood burning fireplace
• Formal dining room
• Kitchen with breakfast nook and attached laundry room
• Spacious master bedroom suite featuring a private bath with separate garden tub and shower
• Easy care brick and vinyl exterior
• Fully fenced yard with a covered patio
• A quiet, cul-de-sac street in Hillcrest, one of the nicest areas of Marrero

Need to know more about 3808 Grilletta Court?  Contact the West Bank Living Team to schedule your private showing today!

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