justin_tx_16 Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I have a friend who is moving to New York City from Columbia Missouri. He has found an apartment in NYC, great deal, beautiful place, being leased out by owner who lives in London. The owner wants $1400 deposit (two months rent) before handing over the keys to the place. That would be all well and good except he hasn't been into the place yet. My friend is going to NYC this Thursday but the owner is unable to grant him access to the place, holding the only keys in London and does not have anyone to open the doors. I suggested he use an escrow service to hold the money until both parties agree that the apartment is a good idea. Obviously sending $1400 across the pond to someone he has never met for a place he has never seen is a bad bad BAD idea. Have you guys any experience with escrow services? Any other suggestions? Any escrow service recommendations? I have been looking at escrow.com and iescrow.com Thanks guys. This has always been the best place to ask for help with the most random questions. P.S.... how many times did you think I was asking about escort services? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Make mine a RED HEAD or Asian, OOOPS !!!! ................. wrong service .... [:$] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 justin I am sorry but 700 dollars a month sounds like a scam to me for anything even a single room studio apartment in nyc right now. its around 1500 for the cheapest single room studio (closet) in nyc right now. My brother pays 2000 in a coop with 2 other people for a 3 bedroom apartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 no local rental agent? sounds strabge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 look up the property on the NYC website under property taxes and see who the owner is. These property records are public information. If the owner of the property does not match the name you are dealing with you have a number of possible problems. There could be sub leasing involved or actual ownership issues. How was the lease going to be executed if there is no agnet in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin_tx_16 Posted June 4, 2008 Author Share Posted June 4, 2008 All good and valid points, things I have mentioned to my friend. Love the idea of looking of the property records, thanks! I'll send the message over to him. I also agree, it sure is cheap. Though, I can see it being possible. When I lived in San Francisco, I rented a one bedroom place with a living room, full sized kitchen and a bathroom off the entry way for $550/month. http://www.rentalsonline.com/rentalpropst.asp?cid=20568 I dug up some more on it, looked up the owner and yeah, the listed owner is not an Antonio but a lady named Natalie who is selling her co-op for $249,000 with maintenance fees at $750. Wow! Someone is pulling a scam for real. I guess when things are too good to be true... they really are! Thanks for the help guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 Avoid it like the plague. Same as the internet "E" mail scams. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brac Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 OB I'm glad I'm the not the only one who read it as escort, that's pretty funny. I'll have to call Evelyn Wood's and they her there is a problem with this speed reading thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 It my old eyes playing tricks on me !!!!!! ............................ A Blonde is aways cool though ...... EH !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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