Hello Everyone, This is a notice about a scam that is going on in our local real estate market. It highlights the need for you to check on a regular basis any vacant properties that you have listed. We received a report of a vacant Fannie Mae listing that the listing agent visited and found the back sliding door had been pried open, lock drilling equipment next to the front door, new locks installed and clothes left in the property. The listing agent discovered a cell phone number and called the individual and they said they had a lease agreement. The listing agent and the police requested that they bring the lease agreement to the property. The lease agreement was a hand written lease in the amount of $3,000 and the address of the lessor was another vacant property listed by a different real estate agent. In other words, it was a bogus lease. It is believed that this is a scam perpetuated in hopes of a "Keys for Cash" opportunity. It does highlight the need for listing agents to regularly check vacant listings at least on a weekly basis. The quicker you discover a problem with the property the better prepared you are to resolve the issue in a timely manner. Thank you, Victor Victor J. Raymos, RCE, CRS, ABR AE-CEO St. Augustine & St Johns County Board of REALTORS 1789 Lakeside Avenue St. Augustine, FL 32084 904-829-8738 ae@stjohnsrealtors.org