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Archive for the ‘Tips & Tricks’ Category

The Villages FL – Seniors VS Crime!

July 31st, 2012

There was a recent article in the Villages FL Voice by the Villages Homeowners Association that highlighted one of the most common problems that Villagers face when purchasing services.   Paying in advance for services and then not getting the service or getting unsatisfactory service.    This is the most common problems that Villagers face.

It can be risky paying for a product or service in advance.     Sometimes you don’t have a choice and a pre-payment is required.

Try to use a credit card to pay for services so that you can dispute charges if necessary.   Some smaller companies do not accept credit cards so you’ll just have to be careful if you write a check.   Make sure to write your checks out to a company and not the individual’s name if possible.

If a contractor requires a large upfront down payment it might be a warning sign that the company doesn’t have enough cash to buy materials for the job.     Do you really want to do business with a company like this?

On large jobs timed payments may be appropriate.   How much you pay and when is negotiable.   Try to reserve at least 25% of the total price as a final payment released to the contractor upon completion to your satisfaction.  Ask if the deposit is refundable if the job is canceled prior to the start.

Here’s a typical timed payment schedule for a large landscape job

10% upon signing the contract (make sure to get proof of liability insurance and workers comp)

15% The day the contractor shows up to work with their crew and materials to start job

25% When plants are in the ground

25% When all the mulch and flower bed borders are in place

25% When job complete and cleaned up and you are satisfied. If any subcontractors are used make sure your contractor provides proof that the subs have been paid by showing “lien waivers” from each of them.

When it comes to protecting yourself in regard to property rentals check out our prior blog article about Stopping Scams .

When in doubt as to whether you should pay someone in advance, you can always call your local seniors vs crime office for help.   There’s not charge for a consultation!   You can reach seniors vs crime at 352-753-7775 in Marion County or 352-689-4600 ext 4606 in Sumter County.  Volunteers are ready to assist!

Remember to visit VillagesHomes4Rent.Com for The Villages Rentals!

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When renting always proceed with caution even in The Villages

December 28th, 2011

The Villages FL – I recently read an article about VRBO and problems that a renter had with the website in dealing with a person that they thought was the property owner but were duped into wiring money to someone that didn’t own the property and lost their money.

As part of VRBO’s insurance or guarantee they said they protect prospective renters should something happen where the property was misrepresented and the renter lost their money.     VRBO decided not to stand behind the guarantee in this case because of a technicality and the renters were left out in the cold.

Regardless of which website it happened on or the guarantee that some sites offer (never knowing if the company will actually honor the guarantee) renters need to do their homework and make sure they only deal with the property owner of the home they wish to rent.    In this case the renters wired money to someone that said they were the owner’s agent, but they were not.   The renters only had the person’s email address and never actually were able to get the owner on the phone.    They trusted the person at the other end of the email address and did not do any research of their own.

Always make sure that as a renter you check the property owner records for the County that the property is located in to make sure the person you are dealing with is the owner of record.   You can double check this by going to the following websites:

Lake County: http://www.lakecopropappr.com/

Sumter County: http://www.sumterpa.com/

Marion County: http://www.pa.marion.fl.us/

Search on the property address and take note of the property owner’s name.   Then double check the email address you are sending emails to regarding information on the home.    Before paying make sure that you talk with the owner on the phone as well.     Never wire money!!!   Only make checks payable to the owner of record and do not deal with an agent or friend of the owner.

The County sites above will help you verify the owners address where you will be sending payment as well since most of the property owners will have their primary address listed so they can receive their real estate tax bills.

Always proceed with caution and do your research.   If it doesn’t feel right then move on to another rental home, there are plenty in The Villages to choose from.

In this case even though VRBO offered a guarantee, VRBO didn’t honor or stand behind it.   VillagesHomes4Rent.Com does not offer a guarantee or insurance to prospective renters.  Most rental websites do not offer guarantees or insurance. Remember to proceed with caution and always do your homework to try to limit the risk.   Be educated by checking the County websites!  Always make payments to the owner of record as listed on the public sites listed above.  Do not deal with middle men or agents of the owner.  Do not wire money to individuals (you never know where your money is going).    Make sure to talk with the owners on the phone as a double check.   In this day an age there are no guarantees, all you can do is limit your risk by doing your homework.

Good Luck and Happy Renting!

 

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Renting Homes and Checking Credentials

March 11th, 2011

When renting homes one needs to exercise caution, even in The Villages. In any transaction one has to be careful even when renting a home. One of the most important things that one should do when dealing with a property owner is to make absolutely sure that the person they are dealing with is the actual owner of the property.

One way to check an owner’s credentials is to log on to the County’s property appraiser website and look the property up to make sure that the person you are talking with is indeed the owner. Don’t be afraid to ask the owner to look at their ID to make sure the names match up. It’s always best to be careful.

I can recall over the years occasionally seeing the news and learning about people who were defrauded out of their rent money by con men who were not the actual owner of the property being rented. Whether it be for a long term lease or just a week long vacation it’s always best to be safe than sorry.

Log onto the County websites and check out your prospective landlord to be absolutely sure you know who you are dealing with.

Sumter County Property Appraiser Website is www.sumterpa.com/
Lake County Property Appraiser Website is www.lakecopropappr.com/
The Marion County Property Appraiser Website is: www.pa.marion.fl.us/

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