There’s a new scam, or new to me anyway, of renting out houses for sale by the not owners.

Scammers are watching houses for sale and then placing adds in newspapers and online to rent them out at affordable prices. The one I know of, two bedroom house, driveway and small back yard in Old Town Maine. Once you answer the add you are sent a bunch of pictures of the inside with the address so you can stop and look around , through the windows.

The story is, they moved for work or medical reasons, love the place and want to keep it in the family so decided to rent it out till someone in the family can take it over. They are out of state, can’t afford to hire a realtor and no one lives in the state or close by to show it all the time. Maybe someone was showing it but can’t for the next two weeks or something to that effect, especially if you told them how soon you need a place.

All new insulation and heat is included, trash pick up, snow and lawn care included, ready to move in today!

Two bedroom houses with full basement around here are usually 800-1000 a month varying on heat and hot water included, but this place is only 550, just the cost of running it and mortgage!

They tell you ,first months rent and deposit to move in but of course are willing to work with the right people, have a rental lease ready to download and print off for signatures , you keep a copy and send back pictures of it signed, you can send them the money by Money gram and they will overnight the keys to you for immediate move in!!!

The old saying, if it’s too good to be true then it probably is, comes to mind here.