Craigslist fraud. Who are the victims?

Beware of Craigslist Fraud and Chico CA Rentals!!

May 17th, 2009 Categories: California Park Neighborhood, Chico CA Real Estate News

Craigslist fraud. Who are the victims?

I posted an ad on Craigslist last week for a wonderful home I have listed at 2617 Lakewest Drive in California Park, Chico CA. The house is FOR SALE with a listing price of $342,000.

Some industrious individual STOLE my photos of the home, my description of the property, my name, my personal photo, and my phone number to create a flyer advertising the house as a rental. He or she added this email address: baumansandi@yahoo.com, which is not mine, but certainly looks like it could be mine.

Why the person used my phone number, I’ll never know. But thanks to that ingenious inclusion, I must have received an additional 150 phone calls over two days time. My phone already rings off the hook day and night, so the increased volume almost put me over the edge. My apology goes out to the many individuals that did not receive a return call from me. I simply could not keep up with the volume.

The lovely homeowners of 2617 Lakewest witnessed a constant stream of cars stopping to pull flyers from the box located on the yard sign, and people gawking at their house. They eventually resorted to posting a big sign out there stating that the house was not for rent.

Many potential renters replied to the email address provided. After an email or two exchanged, “Sandi Bauman” sent them this letter:

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 10:54 PM

Attn Applicant,
Thanks for your email and interest in renting my house. I am Sandi Bauman, the owner of the house you are making enquiry of. Actually I did reside in the house with my family, my husband and my only daughter before and presently we have moved out due to my official job transfer or posting, whatever you may call it, which has now found me in Warsaw, Poland. Presently my house is still available for rent for $850 USD per month (which includes utilities), though i intended selling it off but on a later thought changed my mind and have decided putting it on rent. More so now, I’m currently in Lagos, Nigeria for an international Christian follower’s crusade taking place at the Nigeria national stadium, by one Pastor Chris of the Christ Embassy Ministry.
I want you to understand that I spent a lot on my property that you have requested to rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and would want you to treat it as your own because cleanliness they say is next to Godliness. It is not all about the money to be paid on rent or spent; it is all about a good maintenance culture which I want you to adopt on the property. I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I would be full of smiles whenever I come and above all, a good, strong and tight relationship between us when I come for a check up. Please one more thing, I wouldn’t like to have any benefit of trust in you because I want to stand in your words that the property would be well taken care of all the time.
Here is the address of the House again: 2617 Lakewest Drive, Chico CA 95928 as to really see how lovely it is if from only the pictures you saw in my posting compare to the 100% comfort to be derived from it as an occupant.
It has a dramatic entry foyer with ceramic floor. Extremely spacious rooms throughout with lots of big windows…nice and light! New neutral paint and some newer carpet. Very quiet, low traffic area. New fridge (7/07)…I believe it’s absolutely a perfect home for you and your family. Utilities include Water, Trash, Sewer, Gas etc.
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW.
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
FIRST NAME:__________
MIDDLE NAME:__________
LAST NAME:__________
PROFESSION:__________
PHONE: _______________
(CELL)PHONE__________
(WORK)PHONE__________
(HOME)PHONE__________
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING ____________
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN ______________
IF YOU HAVE A PET: _________
NAME OF PET: _____________
KIND OF PETS: _____________
HABITS: ___________
DO YOU SMOKE ______________
DO YOU DRINK ______________
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT ____
Looking forward to hearing from you with all this details so that I can present it to my family, pray over it (because I consult the Almighty God before making any decision) and if accepted, and then have them stored in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys to you, please we are giving you all this based on trust and again I will want you to stick to your words, you know that we are very far apart now and only putting everything into God’s hands and hope that you will not let us down.
The house will be available for rent for a period of five and a half years so you have a choice of deciding how long you intend staying there… Here is my number 011-234-803-080-9184 or +234-011-803-080-9184, I will be expecting to hear from you. Feel free to call me for more information and arrangements.
God Bless,
Sandi Bauman

Not only have I never been to Poland or Nigeria, I cringe at the thought of people actually believing that I could write in a manner that sounds like I am a foreigner with a questionable grasp on the English language.

Those renters that actually filled out the application received this response:

Hello,

Thanks for getting back to me with the completed Rental Application
Form and i must let you know that i bless the minute you picked
interest to rent my house and consider it a huge blessing on my path
from God and yes, i have put it in pray that God will give me a
responsible and God fearing person to rent my house and also one that
walks in his ways and precepts and i can’t thank him enough for
bringing us together. Well, I just want to let you know that we have
decided that you rent our house, as we have found your application
very satisfactory and acceptable. So we would want you to go through
this email and get back to us on what you feel so we could proceed in
renting the house to you…

We will be sending the following documents to you via UPS to the
contact address you sent to us and also with the tracking number with
which the UPS service will operate, as to enable you pick up the House
Keys / Documents from their office over there in order to have a full
access into the house. Please once again, i want to trust you and i
hope you do not disappoint us and I promise you that, you will love
the house and not only that,you will also enjoy a good relationship
between us.

The following documents are here with us as I couldn’t find anyone
whom i could trust to drop them with for this purpose. But never mind,
the UPS service will do for that.

In doing this, you will need to make a security deposit payment which
is refundable (should incase you don’t like the house) to enable you
secure the house and also,the shipment of the Keys and document to
your current address that i have here in the rental form, after which
you could move in at your convenience. The rent starts counting after
24 hours of moving in, you will be required to make the first month
rental fees.

Here are the contents of the Parcel that Will be sent.

1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent house form
3) The house documentary file.
4) Full Description of the house
5) Payment Receipt

I will be receiving the security deposit of $850 from you via Western
Union because l think it reliable, secured and fast, and moreover, my
Christian team and I, got into Nigeria just few weeks back and we have
been trying to settle down for our purpose. This has made it difficult
for me to set up a bank account here for transaction like this. But
never mind, I will be setting up one (Joint Account, for us) with the
security deposit by July/August for future rental payments.

With respect to this acceptance, i will be waiting to hear from you as
to proceed with the delivery arrangements.

Thanks and Remain Blessed
Regards,
Sandi

Please… if you are looking for a Chico CA rental, exercise caution.

Kudos to those of you that called my number or the number off the yard sign to see if I was really out of the country! Try to keep in mind that if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. This house was advertised at $850 per month, when homes on the same block rent for as much as $2200 per month!

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Where do I find the Chico CA Foreclosures?

May 9th, 2009 Categories: Chico CA Foreclosure Listings, Chico CA Real Estate News

This is a question I hear EVERY day!

The simple answer: The Chico Foreclosure Hotsheet button on Sandi Bauman’s “The Pink Couch” blogsite. Look for the hot pink button on the left.

Check it out by clicking on the link above.

Also find foreclosure information for Paradise, Orland, Oroville, Willows, Magalia and surrounding areas.

Need more?

Foreclosures: What you should know BEFORE you make an offer, Part 1

Foreclosures: What you should know BEFORE you make an offer, Part 2

Foreclosures: What you should know BEFORE you make an offer, Part 3

Chico, California Foreclosures and West Nile Virus

How Much Should I Offer On A Foreclosure Listing?

The Sandi Bauman Team is highly specialized in listing and selling foreclosure properties in Butte, Glenn and Tehama Counties. As one of the top REO listing agents in the Chico area, Sandi has had the opportunity to assist more than 25 financial institutions with their properties.

It is critical, for your ultimate protection, that you work with a Realtor that is specially trained and experienced in negotiating the many complexities and loopholes inherent of the typical bank-owned (REO) property.

Know your Realtor. Does he or she know REO?

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Chico CA Bidwell Park Photography by local artist John Peters

May 4th, 2009 Categories: Chico CA Real Estate News, Chico California Photos

I, like so many others, have become entranced by the photographic stylings of John Peters, Chico photographer. John has dedicated more than 3 years and 15,000 photos to a project focused on capturing the essence of our own Bidwell Park.

John’s photographs featuring Salmon Hole, the fish ladders at One Mile, Iron Canyon, Big Chico Creek, Horseshoe Lake, and local wild and plant life intrigue viewers from all over the world. He has been extraordinarily generous in allowing me to share his work here for both local residents past and present to enjoy, as well as individuals considering relocating to the beautiful Chico, CA area.

My goal for this work is that it may help to inspire a renewed sense of appreciation in our community for Bidwell Park and help to develop a clear plan to sustain and preserve this sacred trust for current & future generations to enjoy its wild and beautiful solitude. –John Peters

“John’s photography captures the beauty of Chico’s Bidwell Park with stunning color and wonderful composition. His prints are to be cherished as works of art that remind us how fortunate we are to live in Chico.”

Photographer,
Jim Gregg

About the artist: John Peters has spent most of his life in Chico, and grew up exploring Bidwell Park. His childhood is filled with many fond memories of long days spent wandering the trails, enjoying its swimming holes, and discovering many secret wonders throughout the park.

The year 2000 brought a series of tragedies into John’s life. His family’s home was devastated, he lost a lifelong best friend, and struggled with the declining health of a loved one.

An important part of John’s healing process was retreating to the serene, magnificent beauty of Bidwell Park. He spent a great deal of time there reflecting, ultimately developing a passion for both photography and creating a greater awareness for preserving the treasure we have in Bidwell Park.

More of his work can be found at his website, Bidwell Park Arts. Prints are available for a nominal fee, and are sure to become cherished favorites– what a fabulous gift idea!

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2617 Lakewest Drive Chico CA 95928

2617 Lakewest Drive Chico, CA CALIFORNIA PARK neighborhood!

May 4th, 2009 Categories: California Park Neighborhood

Links

Chico Homes for Sale

Photo Gallery

Description

Walking distance to Bidwell Park and Marsh School. Extremely well maintained home featuring a comfy family room with fireplace and built in bookshelves, sunny breakfast nook with window seat, formal living room with fireplace, wonderfully updated bathrooms with custom cabinetry, unique fixtures and beautiful tile, quaint kitchen with garden window. GREAT outdoor living space with a 3 year old pool, extended patio, mature landscaping. All this at a fabulous price in California Park!

Features

Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	2
Year Built:	1998
Subdivision:	California Park
Lot Size:	.16
Garage Size:	2
School District:	Marsh, PV High, Marigold
Square Footage:	1800
Agent Name:	Sandi Bauman
Broker:	Chico Homes

Loc
ation

vFlyer Id: 2475239

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1114 Nord Avenue #23 Chico CA 95926

Chico State University Condo Rental Unit For Sale

May 2nd, 2009 Categories: Chico Buyers

Links

Additional Chico Properties…

Photo Gallery

Description

Gorgeous, gated, and priced to GO! You will LOVE this beautiful 3 bd 2 ba condo located within walking distance to CSUC. Tucked away from the street within the exclusive Woodland Commons community, you will find a delightful place to call home. Recently renovated with the most sought after materials: bamboo flooring, stainless steel appliances, maple cabinets, Kohler brushed nickel fixtures, and decorator paint colors. Stackable washer and dryer!

Features

Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	2
Parking Spaces:	2
Year Built:	1990
Subdivision:	Woodland
Located on Floor #:	1
Floors in Bldg:	2
Square Footage:	960
Agent Name:	Sandi Bauman
Broker:	Chico Homes
MLS #:	200901556

Location

vFlyer Id: 2475215

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3355 Shallow Springs Terrace Chico CA 95928

3355 Shallow Springs Terrace Chico, CA Canyon Oaks Golf Course Views

May 2nd, 2009 Categories: Chico Luxury Home Listings

Links

Chico Real Estate Listings

Photo Gallery

Description

An exquisite Michael Galli Tuscan style home for the discriminating buyer. The property overlooks the 9th tee on Canyon Oaks and boasts expansive canyon views from the extended slate veranda. Intriguing decor with custom woodwork, travertine, granite, and extravagant kitchen and bathrooms. Features include: 3 tier waterfall, built in hutches, 2 fireplaces, HUGE master bath with jetted tub and walk-in shower, warming drawer and hammered copper sinks in the kitchen. IMMACULATE condition… priced to sell.

Features

Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	2.5
Year Built:	2006
Subdivision:	Canyon Oaks
Lot Size:	.61
Garage Size:	3+
Square Footage:	2875
Agent Name:	Sandi Bauman
Broker:	Chico Homes
MLS #:	200903374
Countertops:	Granite and tile
Flooring:	Travertine

Location

vFlyer Id: 2449672

5 Reasons to Get Pre Approved For A Chico Real Estate Home Loan

Foreclosures: What you should know BEFORE you make an offer, Part 1

Your Chico,CA Real Estate Loan Application-It’s Not THAT Hard!

Looking for additional Real Estate Listings? Visit My Blog, The Pink Couch!!

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3365 Shallow Springs Terrace Chico CA 95928

3365 Shallow Springs Terrace, Chico CA, Canyon Oaks Golf Course

May 2nd, 2009 Categories: Chico Luxury Home Listings

Links

Chico Real Estate Listings

Photo Gallery

Description

BREATH TAKING. This beautiful Tuscan style home will provide amazing outdoor living space to compliment the decadent interior. Perfect for entertaining with an array of multi-level patios and slate veranda, custom pool with tiered spa, and outdoor cooking area all accented with beautifully created professional landscaping. Your guests will delight in the expansive golf course and canyon views. Inside, all the bells and whistles you might expect to see in an executive property. Schedule your private tour.

Features

Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	3
Year Built:	2006
Subdivision:	Canyon Oaks
Lot Size:	.61
Garage Size:	3+
Square Footage:	3200
Agent Name:	Sandi Bauman
Broker:	Chico Homes

Location

vFlyer Id: 2449665