"Wrong" is a tough word...morally, there's nothing wrong with what you're asking. But from a business standpoint? Possibly you're turning off customers who have valid concerns.

WHY don't you want to give the address?

WHY do they need the address?

Would they be satisfied to know the house is "less than 1/4 mile from (name a well-known intersection)"?

The art of being successful in business is about meeting buyer's and seller's needs and wants within certain acceptable parameters. If you're worried they are going to smash out your windows, you can respond like this...

"I regret to hear you were scammed. I wouldn't want that to happen to me either. Unfortunately, we've also had incidents where someone has gone by one of our vacant houses and trashed the place. So we always like to meet in person before driving to the house."

See what they say. If they refuse...pass. Asking to meet them first is not an unreasonable request. They weren't going to be cooperative tenants anyway. If you show empathy and they respond, it might be a chance to get a good tenant.

I can understand your being wary but it is common for prospective tenants wanting to know where the property is. Most people look online to make sure it's what they are looking for.

Maybe it's because I am male but I just meet them over at the address. I supposed I should be more careful and somebody might rob me or I might get accused of sexual misconduct.

Why don't you want to give them the address?

I don't advertise on craigs list. Zillow, truilia, hotpads all post the address with the pictures so the address is known.

Maybe it's because I am male but I just meet them over at the address. I supposed I should be more careful and somebody might rob me or I might get accused of sexual misconduct.

Why don't you want to give them the address?

I don't advertise on craigs list. Zillow, truilia, hotpads all post the address with the pictures so the address is known.

David, I don't give out the address if the unit is occupied, because people are rude and will go knock on the door! So now, nope, no address until you at least answer some pre-screen questions.

Had the same thing happen yesterday, guy said because we were communicating via email he felt I was scamming him.

WMH: I never post a property until it is available. People here want it almost immediately and no one is looking until they need to move.

If that's the way you want to do it, tell them you want to meet first and then they can follow you over to the house.

Dont expect to get any money or personal information until they see the house.

Melinda,

Your prospect is right to be cautious. It’s a common scam these days.

Our posts and our name has been hijacked multiple times with the hijacker taking first month and deposit from someone in cash, promising to give the keys “ when the painter finishes”.

We now reassire prospects by putting a watermark of our website on all photos and tell them to bring a money order written to our company, not cash. For one particularly suspicious applicant we met at the bank and the manager verified my identity before we signed the lease. We also have the lockbox code.

Your story illustrates my poliicy of NOT using my body to qualify a prospect. Why should I take time out of my life when he has not even seen the neighborhood or exterior?

We start with the application.

Perhaps your ad is vague or incomplete.

We dropped CL. Too many wackos. Much better clientele thru Trulia.

Which is more dangerous, giving an approved applicant a lockbox code or meeting a total stranger at a gas station and leading him to a remote location?

For now get a pre app and just give him the address so he can do a drive by.

BRAD

Sung to Music......

I am a scammer

Your a scammer....

We are all scammers.....

Wouldn't you want to be a scammer too...