I agree with you that many local rental agencies are unqualified, disrespectful, and unethical.
However, all of my advice was designed around the possibility of her finding a listing that she might like. Anyone gets antsy about sending out personal info in a potential real estate transaction, but with her being from abroad, I didn't really see another way.
(I compiled a packet, yes, but I only handed it in, in person, when I decided I wanted to apply for a certain apartment.)
Wouldn't it make a lot of sense to contact her privately and offer to make some arrangements with those local friends she mentioned to vet the apartment? You're asking for a lot of info from her completely sight unseen, when you might be offering an apartment she has no interest in due to location or whatever else weird factor.
I was contacted by at least three real estate scammers, all of whom were angling for my personal info. I don't know the original poster from a hole in the ground, but when you're being contacted in response to your posting or advertisement, you have to be very leery of any involvement with anyone.
I own a property and I really do feel you about the desire to find a tenant who isn't looking to scam you and is a responsible adult. I haven't managed yet. But any good tenant would be leery of giving out a bunch of info sight unseen …
RE: A possibility
However, all of my advice was designed around the possibility of her finding a listing that she might like. Anyone gets antsy about sending out personal info in a potential real estate transaction, but with her being from abroad, I didn't really see another way.
(I compiled a packet, yes, but I only handed it in, in person, when I decided I wanted to apply for a certain apartment.)
Wouldn't it make a lot of sense to contact her privately and offer to make some arrangements with those local friends she mentioned to vet the apartment? You're asking for a lot of info from her completely sight unseen, when you might be offering an apartment she has no interest in due to location or whatever else weird factor.
I was contacted by at least three real estate scammers, all of whom were angling for my personal info. I don't know the original poster from a hole in the ground, but when you're being contacted in response to your posting or advertisement, you have to be very leery of any involvement with anyone.
I own a property and I really do feel you about the desire to find a tenant who isn't looking to scam you and is a responsible adult. I haven't managed yet. But any good tenant would be leery of giving out a bunch of info sight unseen …