The pictures were perfect. Bright kitchen. Big windows. A couch that looked comfortable. The rent was $800. In Arlington. That's suspicious. But I wanted to believe.
The landlord said: “Send a deposit. I'll mail the keys.”
I almost did. I had my card out. Then I remembered something my mom said: “If it looks too good to be true, it is.”
I searched the address on Google Maps. Empty lot. No building. No bright kitchen. No couch.
I called the number again. No answer. I reported the post. I didn't lose money. But I lost time. And I lost the hope of that bright kitchen.
I found a real room later. On a different site. Through a friend of a friend. It's not bright. The kitchen is small. The couch is old. But it's real. I visited it. I met the people. I saw the walls. I touched the counter.
What I learned:
The landlord said: “Send a deposit. I'll mail the keys.”
I almost did. I had my card out. Then I remembered something my mom said: “If it looks too good to be true, it is.”
I searched the address on Google Maps. Empty lot. No building. No bright kitchen. No couch.
I called the number again. No answer. I reported the post. I didn't lose money. But I lost time. And I lost the hope of that bright kitchen.
I found a real room later. On a different site. Through a friend of a friend. It's not bright. The kitchen is small. The couch is old. But it's real. I visited it. I met the people. I saw the walls. I touched the counter.
What I learned:
- Visit before you pay. Or at least video call.
- Check the address on Google Maps.
- If the price is too good, it's not good.
- Ask to meet the current tenants. If they're real, they'll say yes.