1896 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

I would triple-check the legitimacy of that landlord. Ask to phone him at his work. But at a number you look up on the internet, not one he provides.

That’s not the way rentals are normally done, all the steps you have mentioned so far.

Every suite usually has 20+ qualified applicants, the fact he has yet to speak to you and is awaiting your decision is also suspicious.

Have you been let into the unit to see it? If not, you are potentially being taken for a ride.

If he truly wants to work with a property management company, that would likely already be in place and taking applications. It would not be an “overseas” owner doing everything by email or text.

At some point he’s going to ask you for an e-transfer or certified cheque. And if you don’t physically hand that to a local person from the NAI office - at the very same time as you get the keys or access - it’s also not legitimate.

You might have already given this person much too much personal information. He’s only a couple bits away from identity theft too, for example if you’ve already given him all the details for a credit check.

Here are some tips:

https://consumer.ftc...l-listing-scams

https://www.zumper.c...avoid-them/amp/

https://www.sableint...-scams-to-avoid

https://www.canada.c...-for-error.html

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 March 2022 - 03:13 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The “overseas” thing is often a red flag.

They often use this as some renters like the prospect of a landlord that’s not around often, but scammers also use it to justify little or no telephone contact, using weak basis like the time difference or being “busy” and away from a phone etc.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 March 2022 - 03:16 AM.

[Mike K.]

Grant, I agree, this is a scam. It has all of the hall marks of a rental scam.

[sebberry]

Yup, scam.

[grantpalin]

Yeah it's a little too weird for my liking. I was going to insist on an in-person viewing with the building manager before going further, but don't think I'll even bother with that.

[Mike K.]

There's no building manager to for you to view the unit with if it's a condo. It's not quite like a rental building, where there's someone with universal access to units to show to potential renters, and they keep regular office hours in the lobby.

 

For condos you would be shown the unit by the property management company the owner has hired. Usually when there's a scam, they won't have a local property manager and will use a nebulous large corporation like NAI Global instead of their local subsidiary or partner.

[Victoria Watcher]

If it’s reasonably priced he would also have many qualified applicants. And would not likely be waiting around for you to make a decision.

[Sparky]

Want to know why housing is in such a mess?

 

Strong interprovincial migration toward British Columbia and Atlantic Canada

Interprovincial migration has also begun to return to its pre-pandemic levels.

 

For example, the number of Canadians who moved to a different province or territory fell from 138,451 in the last six months of 2019 to 111,259 over the same period in 2020. However, from January to June 2021, interprovincial migration rose sharply to 202,989, surpassing the 158,354 Canadians who relocated within Canada during the same period in 2019.

British Columbia saw the largest increase in interprovincial migration (+34,277) nationally in 2020/2021. This was also the biggest gain since 1993/1994.

 

https://www150.statc...210929d-eng.htm

 

 

[Victoria Watcher]

It was just another mid-sized housing project on a council agenda, but when Oak Bay council rejected the 14-unit project last week, it underlined for many the reason the province is preparing to step in and take away some of the permit powers municipal governments have to approve housing construction.

 

Housing Minister and Attorney General David Eby has said the government is ­considering introducing legislation and regulatory changes this fall that could take the final decision-making authority for housing-permit approvals out of the hands of local government.

 

“This is why the province is stepping in — Minister David Eby is saying, come the fall, the hammer’s going to fall,” said Kim Colpman, chief executive at Large & Co., the company that had proposed the Quest ­building at 2326 Oak Bay Ave. The ­project has been in the works since 2017. “I believe he thinks they’re not doing their job to get houses to market,” she said.

 

“The noise we’re hearing from the community isn’t really about this project, it’s about what’s happening in general in the municipalities, in particular Oak Bay, about getting housing approved and on the table for people to buy and get the ­housing crisis under control.”

 

In a statement provided to the Times Colonist, Eby singled out Oak Bay as having to change.

 

He said people are moving to the province at a level not seen in 30 years, and municipalities have to examine their ­processes and decision-making to ­accommodate them.

 

“For a community like Oak Bay, meeting this challenge includes fundamental things like ensuring that secondary suites are legal, and considering how and where to approve multi-family housing if proposals like [Large & Co’s Quest building] are non-starters,” he said. “Every city faces challenges, and provincially we have to do our work as well to support rapid housing approvals. Working together, we can respond to this challenge.”

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...-powers-5197048

[Nparker]

The Oak Bay decision was bad; the Province's plan is worse.

[Barrrister]

We seem to have an unholy alliance between developers and the NDP these days. I guess if you write enough checks.

[Victoria Watcher]

It's the tragedy of the commons thing.  Most/all agree we need more housing.  Most agree they do not want it nearby.  Especially voters in Oak Bay or Metchosin or Highlands etc.

 

Metchosin:  we're rural!

Oak Bay:  we are already fully developed

Highands:  we are forest!  Who will think about the trees?!?!!!

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 March 2022 - 07:21 AM.

[Barrrister]

Actually, most that I meet and talk to dont agree that we need more housing. I agree that is great spin by the pro development crowd but exactly what is that based on. Even the point you make about Oak Bay and the other communities would seem to suggest that they dont think they need more housing. 

 

If you want to build a new city west of Port Renfrew or a small city in Mill Bay most people would not be opposed. 

[Mike K.]

“This is why the province is stepping in — Minister David Eby is saying, come the fall, the hammer’s going to fall,” said Kim Colpman, chief executive at Large & Co., the company that had proposed the Quest ­building at 2326 Oak Bay Ave. The ­project has been in the works since 2017. “I believe he thinks they’re not doing their job to get houses to market,” she said.

2013.

[Mike K.]

Actually, most that I meet and talk to dont agree that we need more housing. I agree that is great spin by the pro development crowd but exactly what is that based on. Even the point you make about Oak Bay and the other communities would seem to suggest that they dont think they need more housing. 

 

If you want to build a new city west of Port Renfrew or a small city in Mill Bay most people would not be opposed. 

 

Everyone can have an opinion, but it doesn't mean they are right, or know what they're talking about.

 

Do the people you speak with have children? Grandchildren? Do they have nieces and nephews? Do your friends still live with their mothers? Or do they live in their own homes, not with their mothers? Are they divorced, with their partners living in seperate homes? Do their kids live at home?

 

"More housing" parallels population growth. Unless all of your acquaintances are child-less, I'm not sure what they expect the housing industry to do, if they themselves are creating more demand for housing.

[Victoria Watcher]

If you want to build a new city west of Port Renfrew or a small city in Mill Bay most people would not be opposed. 

 

There would still be a very vocal outcry.

[Victoria Watcher]

This Victoria family is facing eviction. Here are their options.

From Residential Tenancy Branch disputes to co-operative housing hurdles

 

 

But on a mostly single income—Kyeren left her work at the University of Victoria to homeschool their daughter Sonnet, who has autism—they worry about what they’ll be able to afford in a vastly different rental market than the one they entered in the early 2000s, if they have to leave their current home. And with limited savings and a housing market ranked the third-most expensive in Canada, homeownership seems out of reach.

 

https://www.capitald...e-their-options

 

 

 

Maybe mom needs to go back to work.  Sonnet seems old enough to handle it. 

[phx]

Meanwhile, in New York:

 

Andrew and his fiancée thought it was a good sign that the guy showing them the duplex in Bushwick had co-founded a nonprofit that “works to end poverty.” The application process was presented as “very vibey,” Andrew says: The man handling the lease was a friend of the landlord, lived down the street, and was “collaborating” with him on finding new tenants. The couple had found the place on the Listings Project, a weekly newsletter that advertises itself as “committed to building an anti-oppressive community that is rooted in collective self-care.”

 

Things quickly became very un-vibey. The landlord’s friend told the couple they were being “shortlisted” among a few finalists and would need to send over their “best offer” on the rent, which, rather than a set fee, was now more of a floor from which to negotiate. The couple’s willingness to pay above the $3,000 asking price would not be the only factor considered by the landlord, they were assured over email, but would “help guide” the landlord as he made his decision.

 

The pair offered the most they reasonably could: $3,400 a month. Regrettably, that nearly $5,000 a year in additional rental income was not enough to guide the landlord toward their application, though the landlord’s friend really enjoyed meeting them.

 

 

 

https://www.curbed.c...-war-craze.html

[lanforod]

Not sure what NYC is supposed to do. Its not like there isn't any construction of new housing!

[Victoria Watcher]

$2,875,000

 

 

928 Bay St

 

https://www.realtor....ctoria-hillside

 

This is an opportunity to purchase Parkview Apartments for the first time in 34 years. Located at 928 Bay Street, this fully occupied three storey apartment building is comprised of 2 two bedroom suites, 6 one bedroom suites, 3 one bedroom + den suite and 1 non-authorized one bedroom suite. The building has new windows and roofing installed in 2018, 2 gas hot water tanks (2017 + 2020) and separately metered hydro for each unit. With under market rents, development potential and a neighbourhood that is undergoing revitalization, the property offers significant future yield upside.

 

 

 

 

FINALLY.  A Realtor knows how to do an aerial right.  Neon light even.  Great street labels.    

 

 

No photos of the actual suites.  But some great other pix:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 June 2022 - 04:19 PM.