Protect Your Rental from Scammers with Google Alerts

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Protect Your Rental from Scammers with Google Alerts

It seems scams and rip off artists are around every corner lately. As a Realtor I run across a rental scam almost daily and it goes a little something like this.

Terrible scammer steals pictures off the internet of a property for rent or sale, sets up their own fake rental on CraigsList using the photos and tries to lure a trusting tenant to rent the property sight unseen. This scenario is all too common.

What can you do to protect yourself? My best advice is to set up a Google Alert on your home or rental property. Google Alerts are simple, free tools to get regular updates about something that interests you. They can be used for virtually anything. Google Alerts will send you an email any time a new web page appears in the top 20 web results or top 10 news results for the terms you specify.

As a landlord, you should set up a Google Alert on your property’s address so you can see any internet activity about your property to make sure it’s a legitimate post. You may also want to set up a Google Alert using the name of your tenant so you can be on top of what your tenant is doing in case he or she gets arrested or in trouble for any illegal activities. I also recommend setting up a Google Alert with your tenant’s telephone number. This could possibly tip you off if your tenant plans to move without providing notice. If they place a “MOVING SALE” advertisement on Craigslist with their telephone number it should turn up in a google alert notification.

As a homeowner, I also recommend setting up a Google Alert so you can make sure someone doesn’t try run a rental scam using photos of your property.

It even makes sense for renters to set up a Google Alert on the address where they are living.

How do I set up a Google Alert? Go to http://google.com/alerts (note that you’ll need to have a Google login to use the service). For each Alert, you need to decide the following:

Search Terms. This can be as simple as entering the property address in quotations. For example: “123 Hillsboro Avenue” You may also want to set up another alert if there are alternate ways your address may appear, for example including the abbreviation for “Avenue” (making the alert active for: “123 Hillsboro Ave”) or including the town (such as: “2201 Hillsboro Ave, Nashville”). Using quotations around the search terms will help filter the results.

Type of information to search. This tells Google which information to include in its search (Everything, News, Blogs, Web, Video, Groups) Setting this to “everything” will include all types of search results.

How often the alert should be sent?(as-it-happens, once a day, once a week). Google will send notifications only when it actually finds new material in the top 20 (web) / 10 (news) results, so you won’t be getting messages unless there’s something to report.

Volume. This setting determines how many results you see in each alert.

How you would like to receive the alerts? (email or via RSS feed). For each alert you create, a separate email will be sent depending on how often you’ve chosen to receive it. You can also subscribe to the alert via RSS feed in Google Reader instead of email.

NOTE: Google Alerts is not guaranteed to be 100% foolproof or reliable. And since it only sends alerts when new pages enter into the top searches means it may not be an exhaustive result for every term. However, it’s a great place to start and helps you cover your bases!

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Nick Irwin

Nick Irwin - Broker - BaseNashville Real Estate

Nick Irwin, originally hailing from the warm and welcoming state of Alabama, has firmly established his roots and found his forever home in the vibrant heart of Nashville, Tennessee. As a leading Realtor at Onward Real Estate, Nick brings a unique blend of Southern charm and sharp business savvy to the dynamic real estate market of Music City.

With a strong background in business and an unbridled passion for real estate and financial education, Nick has become an indispensable guide for both buyers and sellers navigating the complexities of Nashville’s ever-evolving property landscape. His commitment to providing clients with the most current and comprehensive information empowers them to make well-informed decisions about their future homes and investments.

Known for his relentless determination, Nick’s track record is a testament to his expertise and dedication to his client’s success. He defines success as making sure his clients have an advocate when making some of life’s biggest decisions and strives to help them feel empowered and informed along the way.

Outside of real estate, Nick enjoys quality time with his husband, Mark, at their cherished family lake property. These moments of relaxation often include the delightful company of their beloved chihuahua, Bruno.

Whether you’re searching for your dream home, an investment property, or looking to sell in Nashville’s dynamic market, Nick Irwin is your go-to real estate Broker. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine care for clients ensure a seamless and successful journey in the exciting world of Music City real estate.

Nick Irwin | 615-418-0563 | nick@BaseNashville.com

Robby Stone

Robby Stone - BaseNashville Real Estate

Born in Florida and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Robby Stone has definitely found a home here in Tennessee. Since moving to Nashville in January 2010, he’s fallen in love with the subtle nuances present in each pocket of the city, and it is this affinity for the city and his passion for people that has led Robby to a career in real estate.

The road to becoming a real estate agent has been paved with an array of career adventures. Earning a degree in Sports Medicine from Samford University in Birmingham, AL before realizing the life of a doctor was not his ultimate passion, the following years would find Robby managing client relations for wedding photographer ABryanPhoto, acting in tv and film roles during his time spent in Los Angeles, entertaining as the front man for several dance bands traveling throughout the southeast and serving up delicious meals at a few restaurants around Nashville.

Forever wondering how all of these various jobs and educational experiences would work together toward his future, Robby now sees how each prepared him for his Realtor career which began in 2015. Managing the client experience, entertaining and effortlessly engaging those looking to buy or sell in Nashville, and humbly serving those he works for and alongside are all a part of real estate. With years of unconventional and professional career training and consistently over $10 million in sales annually, Robby has been refined to perform his job with ease and enthusiasm, and his natural charisma and authenticity are added bonuses to his career in this exciting industry.

Robby Stone | 205-383-7001 | robby@BaseNashville.com

Emilee Warner

Emilee Warner - BaseNashville Real Estate

Tennessee native Emilee Warner embarked on her real estate journey with a full-service brokerage based in Nashville in early 2020. Her debut year was marked by exceptional achievements, including being honored as Greater Nashville Realtors Rookie of the Year and consistently ranking among the top agents. Her dedication to excellence for her clients and earning the esteem of her colleagues has rapidly positioned her as a rising star in Nashville’s real estate scene. 

Prior to Real Estate, Emilee spent over 15 years in the entertainment industry, creating a large network of community members. Her experience in negotiation and client advocacy has seamlessly transitioned into her flourishing real estate career. 

As a passionate advocate for fair and affordable housing, Emilee actively contributes as a member of the Housing Affordability Committee. Her commitment to community service is evident through her volunteer work with the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Troubadour Society and LaunchPad Nashville. Additionally, she plays a significant role in local community development as a Board member of Discover Madison and Amqui Station. 

Emilee Warner | 615-418-4846‬ | emilee@BaseNashville.com

Robyn Nelson

Robyn Nelson - BaseNashville Real Estate

At the heart of BaseNashville’s dynamic team is Robyn Nelson, a Tennessee native whose expertise, enthusiasm, and quick wit radiate through every aspect of her work. As the team Operation & Transaction Coordinator, Robyn ensures each client’s journey is smooth every step of the way. 

Since joining the Nashville real estate universe in 2016, Robyn has become an indispensable asset, adeptly juggling a myriad of roles with unwavering dedication and efficiency. Prior to real estate, Robyn honed her organizational skills in hospitality and retail management, which helped keep the BaseNashville team on a steady course. Robyn is also an enthusiastic educator, sharing her wealth of knowledge through virtual contract-to-close classes where she helps train those interested in joining the real estate contract-to-close entrepreneurial world. Did we mention she’s also a TN Notary Public and wedding officiant? 

Outside of work, you can find Robyn fostering a community of literature lovers as she actively participates in several book clubs, with her downtime being spent with her two precocious children, devoted husband, and beloved dog.

Choosing a BaseNashville agent means gaining access to Robyn’s unparalleled expertise and warm guidance. Her ability to handle the complexities of real estate transactions with grace and precision makes her an invaluable member of our team and a cherished ally for our clients.

Robyn Nelson | 615-772-3680 | robyn@BaseNashville.com