cReelEstate.com

Hello Brio Family,

It is true that Jessica will be leaving Brio. As Jessica mentioned in her email her departure was planned for September 15th but it appears that at this point she will be leaving us sooner.  On a personal level I like Jessica and Jason very much and I am sad to see them go, however I have received great value from our time together and believe that everything happens for a reason.

Along with Tuesday's planned announcement of Jessica's departure we were planning to announce the very exciting and positive news that we have completed our merger with Realty Executives Professionals of Bellevue and effective immediately the new combined entity will become "Realty Executives Brio".

This merger represents a major win-win for both companies and although Jessica's email came as a surprise to me tonight, I am glad that I am able to share this news about our merger with you all today and not have to wait until Tuesday!

Jessica's departure and the merger of Brio with Realty Executives will not affect any of your license statuses.  Although Jessica's early departure was not planned, this merger was planned, and everything is in place to ensure the transition is seamless for all of our agents. We will have a Realty Executives Brio welcome packet ready for you at our Tuesday's meeting.  That packet will contain everything needed for your transition. I would also like to note that all of our agents will have the option to keep their current commission plans or switch to one of Realty Executives new plans.  It will make sense for some of you to stay on your current plan, and for some of you to switch. We will be available to run through the differenent scenarios with you.

I pursued this merger with Realty Executives for a few reasons that I would like to briefly detail below in this email in preparation for a much more detailed question and answer time during Tuesday's meeting.

The benefits to our agents from this merger:

1. Brio will be maintaining the Brio name while at the same time it will be picking up a branding association with one of the largest national real estate brokerages in the world.

2. Although Brio has excelled at many things over the years, especially in the technical arena, we have fallen short in establishing systems and tools.  After spending some time learning about the Realty Executives platform with Ken Bell, my new partner and our new broker, I was blown away to say the least with what Realty Executives has to offer our agents.

3. Combining our two offices will result in one power office with over 100 real estate professionals.  With this size we will become one of the largest and highest producing real estate offices in Seattle. This will add to our marketing power as a listing office as well as benefit our agents with increased market/brand awareness.

4. We are taking a very forward and aggressive stance in this tough real estate market.  This merger will allow the combined entity to operate with the combined revenue of both companies and the overhead of one.  This means that not only will we be in a stronger financial position to weather this down market, but we will have greater cash flow to invest back into our business for growth and towards valuable marketing initiatives.

Before I finish this email I would like to take a paragraph to introduce our new business partner, and our new broker, Ken Bell. Being a licensed real estate agent longer than I have been alive (since 1974), Ken brings a rich experience that Brio has been lacking since being founded four years ago.  In 1977 (still before I was born) Ken participated in the founding of the first 100% office in all of Canada. Later he relocated to the Seattle area and began a 15 year run of being a top salesperson, including: Top 1% in Coldwell Banker, and #5 agent in the northwest region for RE/MAX.  

I know this is a lot of news to digest via email and in such a short time period.  With this in mind, Ken, Sara, and I, will be available all day tomorrow, at the Brio offices, to answer any questions or to talk through what this means with any of you who would like to meet. I will also be available on my cell phone (425.753.3006) all week if you can't make it in or would rather just give me a call. 

Please feel free to "Reply All" to this email if you believe that your question or comment will benefit the other Brio agents, or if you prefer a private conversation please feel free to email me directly at washburn.jonathan@gmail.com.  

I am so fortunate to journey with you all during this exciting time.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Washburn
Brio Realty, Founder

On Mon, Sep 1, 2008 at 1:03 AM, Jonathan Washburn wrote:

Jessica,

I don't believe that debating back and forth in this manner will accomplish what you are hoping to achieve. Your email this afternoon came as a shock to me. I had no idea that you felt I had changed any deal with you. In fact I have tried to accommodate your needs to the best of my ability, even going so far as to agreeing to pay you upfront and increasing your compensation for the two week period. 

It is important to note that after receiving your email tonight I tried to call you to address your concerns but you have not answered or returned my calls. Now with this email you have made some accusation against me that puts me into a difficult situation where addressing your concerns adequately would require me to go into a direction that I do not feel is right in this public forum.

With all of that being said, I would like to suggest that we meet in person or over the phone Monday to go over any outstanding concerns that you have, and then if you would like I would welcome you to come to the scheduled office meeting on Tuesday and we can talk through any remaining issues you have in person as a group. It is obvious to me that you care very much about our agents and as long as your focus is on the well being of our team, you are welcome at the meeting.

At this point, I would respectfully ask that you refrain from issuing any further public comments/statements until you and I have had time to adequately discuss this matter further. Thank you!

~Jonathan Washburn

On Mon, Sep 1, 2008 at 1:30 AM, Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com> wrote:

No, Jon.  I will not.  I will have it all out in the open.  Out in the open for everybody to see...one way or another.  Your e-mail is not factual to our chats and conversations and I fully plan to call you on it.  I've always operated under the philosphy that when you don't have anything to hide...it's best to get all out in the open. 

You can try playing that little "jittery, dodgy" hidden behind politeness, game all day long with me but it isn't going to fly.  I see right through you and you know that I do.

I suggest you think long and hard about how you handle this and honoring the obligations that you put in place.  I suggest you think long and hard about full disclosure to these agents.  I hope they all do what is best for them...and if that is going with ther merger that is great!  I am all for it.  However, they will know 100% of the facts to make up their minds with. 

Jon, I was packing and didn't hear the phone nor did I know that you had called.  I didn't just miss your call.  I missed Sondra's too.  So, I wasn't just dodging you.  You didn't leave a voicemail and you made your stance perfectly clear when once again you changed the rules as you went a long.  We had a deal and you backed out...again. 

Now, you can honor your obligation to me and my family so that I can honor mine or we can do this the long, hard and costly way.  That choice is up to you.  You should know me well enough to know that I've got my ducks in a row when I call somebody out.  You should know me well enough to know that I've already figured out what you think you know.  Assumptions can be a really bad thing.  I started covering my bases with you 4 months ago. 

I will offer you the hand of friendship one last time and let you do the right thing by the agents and my family.  Otherwise, it won't be me that you will be talking to come Tuesday morning. 

Do the right thing, Jon.  Don't play chicken with me.  You've jerked my family around and I'm pissed.  Your wife thinks she has seen me angry.  You haven't ever seen me angry.  Don't mess with my kids and their stability.  Do what you said that you were going to do and give these agents all the information. 

Jessica Horton

Brio Agents,

Please afford me the benefit of the doubt and suspend judgment on this email and the previous emails sent by Jessica until tomorrow afternoon, at which time, hopefully I will have had a chance to speak with her in person and have an opportunity to understand all of her concerns.

My integrity is very important to me and I could not imagine compromising it for the small sum of money being debated in these emails. I do everything within my control to honor my agreements and uphold my word.  Many of you have done business with me for many years and know this to be true, others I have not yet had the pleasure to meet, and it is understandable that this set of emails would bring doubts.

I expect to also learn tomorrow about Jessica's concerns regarding "full disclosure" with our agents. Once I know what she is referencing I will address it with you all as well.

I am so sorry that you have had to be a part of this.

Take care,
~Jonathan

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
Subject:
To: "CreelRealty" <creel@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 9:28 PM

It would be very hard for me to come up with $2,800.00 this month. I have not bee paid.  I have not gotten my reimbursements that are just about equal to your rent. 

Jon, isn't going to pay me anything that he owes me just to make me go away.

I have put in a call to my attorney back in Georgia to see where we are on my counter proposal for settlement.  That would be a quick source of funding for me if I can get that wrapped up

(Jessica's "case" in Georgia was settled according to her, her assets and accounts were unfrozen - no money was ever paid to me from those funds).

Jessica

---

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Sold Items
To: "CreelRealty" <creel@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 6:19 AM

Michael:

I apologize for the delay but I've not had access to my computer the last couple of days.

1.  Yes, Amber did buy my dining set (not yours) and her sister came and picked up the table and chairs.  She was supposed to come right back and pick up the rest (china cabinet and 2 servers) but she didn't.  She then later called and said that they would not be able to make it back...they were going on vacation. 

She wanted to know if I would refund a portion of her money and I told her, "no!".  She was to call me when she got back in town and I never heard back from her until I had already moved out.  So, I told her to make arrangements with Ardell or I would either credit her a portion of the money back later on (when I can afford it) if she was not able to get the stuff. Technically...it belongs to you now and that is up to you if you give it to her. 

You would be able to sell it on craigs list for a few hundred dollars.  The same with the couch.  Ardell was supposed to get
with you about the staging items in the bedroom next to the master bedroom.  I ran out of room to store stuff and couldn't fit any more.

2.  I am not aware of any such damage to any latice work. (I will post the photos and you will see this is laughable)

3.  Ardell has your keys and has been in the house on at least 1 occassion.  You told me to cooperate with her and I did.  She asked me to please leave the keys where she could get them and I did.

4.  As far as a second set of keys...I NEVER got any keys from you or your wife.  The only keys that I got were from the renter.  Ever. Jason tried to get a set from her on the day we started moving in and she told him that she would have to get back with him on that.  So, when the renter moved out...he got them from him.  Now, there is some sort of keys in a drawer that still has a lot of your stuff in in it...it is in the kitchen.  We never messed with that drawer or your stuff.  We just left it like it was.

I hope this helps answer your questions.  I am working on my end to help get you squared away.

Jessica

---

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
To: CreelRealty <creel@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:04:55 AM
Subject: Re: Sold Items

Michael:

My preference would be for you to sell them off and apply it to my debt.  I know that you will be honest about the amounts collected.  I would prefer to handle her on a personal level for a reimbursement...which would be secondary to you collecting monies owed.  You have been greatly inconvenienced and she made a choice not to come back that night (as discussed) and to go on vacation.  So, I am not being coldhearted...but it was a matter of priorities for her.

They might be the keys in the drawer.  I don't know.  I am not aware of any such deal being made and left for us.  I am only aware of getting the key to the front door from the renter.  There is a set of keys in the kitchen, in a drawer.  We never used them.

Jessica

---

On 9/24/08, CreelRealty <creel@yahoo..com> wrote:

Jessica

As I've told Ardell in regards to Amber, Washington law prohibits me from handing out a tenants belongings (see below) and as you said, she apparently abandoned the items and has left them stored at my house for months. I'll take a look at them today when I get in the house and see what to do with them. To sell them or even give them to Amber (which I'm not inclined to do at this time) I'll need something in writing from you. The money would go towards your debt.

The latice was likely kicked out by one of the children to gain access under the benches. Looks like a spot that would entice a kid, and kids tend to do such things. Its not a huge expense, I'll send you pictures of it. You can see the latice broken to bit lying under both benches.
________________________________
Washington Law

When a rental has been abandoned, the landlord may enter the unit and remove any abandoned property. It must be stored in a reasonably secure place. A notice must be mailed to the tenant saying where the property is being stored and when it will be sold. If the landlord does not have a new address for the tenant, the notice should be mailed to the rental address, so it can be forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service. How long a landlord must wait before selling abandoned property depends on the value of the goods..

If the total value of property is less than $50, the landlord must mail a notice of the sale to the tenant and then wait seven days. Family pictures, keepsakes, and personal papers cannot be sold until 45 days after the landlord mails the notice of abandonment. If the total value of the property is more than $50, the landlord must mail a notice of the sale to the tenant and then wait 45 days. Personal papers, family pictures and keepsakes can be sold at the same time as other property.

The money raised by the sale of the property goes to cover money owed to the landlord, such as back rent and the cost of storing and selling the goods. If there is any money left over, the landlord must keep it for the tenant for one year. If it is not claimed within that time, it belongs to the landlord. If a landlord takes a tenant's property and a court later determines there had not actually been an abandonment,\the landlord could be ordered to compensate the tenant for loss of the property, as well as paying court and attorney costs.

My keys have the garage door opener on them, the tenents had the garage door type that clips on a visor. So I can tell which set Ardell has today. My wife says she took the keys over there and put them on the kitchen counter, so hopefully they will turn up. I've had a cold ever since returning, so I'm not on top of my game today. My wife has returned from China as well.

Michael  Creel

---

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Sold Items
To: "CreelRealty" <creel@yahoo.com>
Cc: "Ardell" <Ardell@soundrealty.biz>
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2008, 6:38 AM

Michael:


John and Sara did not make payment on the moving truck and I had no choice but to let it go back to the company.  It really ticks me  off because the little asshole used it personally to move from Bellevue to Seattle and stalled me on the payment.  Then he refused to make a payment.  So, I had no way of hauling it off because AS USUAL, I couldn't get in touch with Don to haul it off.

When I spoke to Ardell last, it was mentioned that I took my kids to see Mount Rushmore because I was in South Dakota.  I was in South Dakota because I have a very good friend there that owns a real estate company and I needed some help and they came through for me by offering me help.  I hardly constittute paying $10.00 for a SEASON PASS for Parking at Mount Rushmore as a damn vacation. 

See, I had to home school my kids because it was too late to go back to Georgia because school started a full 4 and almost 5 weeks ago and I had no idea where I would be living in Washington at the time. So, not that it is any of your business where I roam...but I was teaching my kids about the presidents and the policies that they had while in office as to why they were selected for the monument.

It's not a vacation...I assure you.  If I was on a vacation I wouldn't be anywhere near the North West.  I would be on the beach in St. Augustine or down in Orlando.  But, I'm not.  I am working on trying to get you squared away.  You can either believe that or not.  At this point...I'm growing a bit tired of always trying to do the right thing and doing the best that I can with what I have to work with. 

It always seems to not matter and everybody always looks out for themselves any way.  Maybe I should just adopt a "well screw you buddy" attitude like the rest of the world.  But, try as I might...I'm just not like that.  I still believe in trying to do the right thing. You will come up with a figure and we will begin working on compensation.  It isn't perfect.  It isn't fair.  But that is just life.  I assure you what happended to me wasn't fair either but I am doing the best that I can do.

Jessica

---

After 3 days of working all day, we're within sight of completion. I've patched the damaged walls and will paint them, I cannot repair the water damaged floor behing the fridge; I gave Don a few misc items and 500 cash thus far in exchange for his help, but will need additional assistance.

 

I can't find anyone to buy your furniture (I've tried) and I can't leave it in the home because it could lessen the amount of rent I can get. I've rented a second storage unit and put some of your items in there with mine, the cost of the storage is 140.00 per month. Items such as the various Christmas ornamentation, various wall hangings, and candle holders I will likely discard or give away as you previously suggested.

 

We have completly filled a 15 ft Uhaul with trash I have to take tp the dump tomorrow. Tomorrow I get to clean out your make-up drawer, and do something with your husbands bar-b-q pits.

 

I am curious when you plan to pay me any money. 
 

Michael  Creel

---

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
Subject: Re:
To: "CreelRealty" <creel@yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, September 29, 2008, 6:31 AM

Gee, I don't know Michael...why don't we just post about it all on Active Rain?  We carry our conversations on in public? 

I have nothing to say to you until you remove that comment.  And then I will have plenty to say to you.

Jessica

---

On Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 11:04 AM, CreelRealty <creel@yahoo.com> wrote:

Two things come to mind. You didn't seem interested in responding to my emails any longer, so I was curious to see just how fast that post would get a response. Pretty quickly. As for airing dirty laundry in public, I'm quite sure Jon would get a laugh that. Seemed appropriate for you to do it didn't it? Why is it different? He owes you money, you told everyone that would listen. You did the same to me, but we should keep this hush hush?

 

Not only have you failed in every promise you ever made to me, you continure to cost me money every day. I'M ACTUALLY MOVING YOUR FURNITURE; while you and Jason lounge somewhere.

I don't believe you have any intention of paying me a dollar. I think this isn't the first time you've walked away from obligations. I've seen how you live, I've seen how you work (when you do), and I see how you run and hide from problems. So I'm tired of being nice and patient, I'm obviously going to have to sue you, and if you have the money, maybe you can counter sue.

 

You may be under the impression that you can walk over all men as you do Jason (husband), but I assure you young lady, you will not walk over me. 

 

Michael  Creel

---

I'll iron out a payment plan and send it to you, but I need some idea of the most you can pay, and on what regular intervals. Its a waste of time, and a cause of additional ire to iron anything out if it all boils down to pay what you can when you can.

 

What makes me so angry Jessica, is that there was no justification for not at the very least placing all of your items in the garage. I've had two back surgeries with a total of 4 disc fused together and a titanium plate in my neck. I shouldn't have to carry your sofa, and drage 80lb bags of trash around. I never served you an eviction, and yet that house looked like someone left because the police were on their way.

 

Thats what has irked me the most. Food in the fridge, makeup in the drawers, food in the pantrys, fridge in the garage, etc, etc. Those things weren't left like that becasue you lost your job, or had bad luck, or had no money. Thats simply a lack of caring about what I have to do to restore the home. Thats what I don't understand. Now I'm paying a lot of money to deal with that mess, money I really don't have.

 

If you can send at least half of the 1400 by the tenth, it will at least help me with the mortgage payment due on the 15th. Its a start.

 

Good luck with your business, realizing mistakes is the best prevention to repeating them.. Many focus on being bigtime, and forget its all about making money.

 

Michael  Creel

---

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
To: CreelRealty <creel@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 6:40:48 AM
Subject: Re:

Michael:

I apologize but we we got in very late last night.  I was trying to work some things out.   I agree with you 100%, it is a waste of time to have a payment plan that is totally out of reach.  I want to be fair to you.  I sware that with everything that I hold dearly. 

I have put you in a bad situation.  I don't deny that or try to wiggle my way out of of it.  I stand up to be accountable for it.  However, I've got to be honest with you at the same time that I try to be fair.  I am not trying to screw you over or out of anything. 

I understand your anger.  It is deserved.  Your right I should have placed the stuff in the garage.  I panicked.  I don't know what else to tell you but that.  I totally panicked.  I don't expect for you to understand that or to excuse my actions.  I panicked.  I was due money for a paycheck that I didn't get.  I was due THOUSANDS of dollars in reimbursements that I didn't get.  I had payed money out of my account for Brio related activities and I was sitting on next to nothing.  I panicked.  I didn't know what to do or how to do it.  I was without money.  I was without anywhere to go.  I was scared.  If this has happened to me in Georgia...I would have had plenty of places to go.  I had nowhere to go to up here.

It wasn't that the police were on their way to get me.  It was that I was scared.  Jason didn't like Sara & Jon after the first month of being here.  He wanted to pack up and go home. 

I had a lawsuit that I was dealing with back in Georgia with my former partners and a certain real estate organization.  I had moved my entire family out here and I didn't want to turn back around.  I didn't want to admit defeat.  I wanted to stay and make it work.  Jason told me that it was going to end bad and I should have listened to him.  I should have.  But, I didn't and I learned a valuable lesson.  9 times out of 10, Jason is right about people.  Probably more like 9.9 times out 10. 

The items were left because I honestly thought that they could be sold to help you.  I know that I could have gotten a couple hundred dollars for the couch and love seat if I had stayed longer.  I thought you could sell it and get some money. 

I thought Ardell would be interested in the staging stuff left in the bedroom and at the dining room.  I thought Don would take the food for helping you.  I had no more room in storage and didn't know what to do.  Now, honestly leaving the make up was a mistake.  I never would have done that on purpose.  I didn't mean to do that.  I guess, I just overlooked it.

Michael,  I will do my best to get you at least $700.00 by the 10th.  I can't sware that I will get you the whole $700.00 but I will get you a good chunk of it. But, I will do my best to get you the whole $700.00.  I know that my word doesn't mean crap to you right now and it will take seeing money come in to make you begin to trust that I am doing the right thing.  That I will do the right thing.  I will do it not because I am scared of what you will get online and say about me...but because it is the right thing to do. 

Michael, I understand that you are angry.  If I were in your shoes...I would be pissed!  I know you are and deserve to be.  But, it hurts me when you say some things about me that just aren't true.  I can give you the names of several people that will tell you how I've came through and PERSONALLY made payments for company debts while I've been up here. 

See, because of the lawsuit our accounts were frozen until a verdict or settlement could be reached.  Only commissions and monthly bills (phone, mls, electricity, etc..) could be paid out of the account.  But, I personally paid them.  Was it the entire balance?  NO!  But, I paid it down bit by bit.  I could have just walked away but I've sacrificed and did my best to make ends meet. 

There is one asshole that hasn't been paid but it was because of his behavior that he didn't get paid and will have to wait on the company to pay him.  He called me every day at work and on my cell.  Sent me nasty text messages and harassed me online. Is the money owed to him?  Yes, but he can wait for the company to pay him.  I would have tried to work with him but he got very ugly torwards me and that did it for me. 

It hurts me when you think you really know about me when you don't.  You weren't around me long enough to really know about me.  I may not have been in the Brio office every day but I started work at 6:00 AM most days and worked all weekend with Brio Stuff.  Stuff that I could NEVER get done in the office because of constant interruptions. 

Jon had me doing all kinds of crap that wasn't even related to Brio (as far as I was concerned) and then I had to put out so many blog posts per week (was told to do so).  You have no real idea about my work habits or ethic.  I worked my ass off at that company.  Production completely turned around.  Agents that weren't producing began to produce.  Jason worked his ass for that company and never got paid for it.  He was supposed to have taken over Liz's pay but he never got it because the company couldn't afford it. 

Unethical?  I think not.  Ethics are part of the reason that I was resigning.  Do you honestly think this merger was planned?  No, it was a last minute Hail Mary to save things.  He wanted me to buy the company from him but the more we dug into the "secrets" of Brio the less we wanted to own it.  Things were going on in the past that I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT!  I may be a bitch and a lot of other things but I am not unethical. 

I had an ethics charge brought against me by the Georgia real estate commission and I still have their finding to this very day.  I was told by the Sr. Investigator that I was the most organized and had all stuff together agent that they had ever investigated and I was completely in the right for what I had done.  I am not unethical.  I just have the gift of pissing people off.  There is a big difference.  I probably do need to work on my people skills a bit.  I may get around to it one day. (Never did)

My AR persona?  Yes, I was told to right a lot of shit that I didn't care to write about.  I can't believe what a damn fool I was.  I allowed FEAR to make a scared little girl who didn't want to piss off her boss and lose her job.  You're right.  I wan't deny it.  I was not aware of it at the time but looking back...you're right

I am sorry for what I've done and what all has happened to you.  I will make it up to you..(Never did)
I will have money into you by the 10th.  I will continue to do so.  (Never did)

I know you are angry and I understand. But, I don't want to fight with you Michael.  You are right and I am wrong.  I am sorry for what you've had to go through.  But, I am not the kind of person to leave you high and dry (Lie).

I freaked out.  Yes.  I was scared.  Yes.  I felt like I had nowhere to go.  I had to clear my head and get focused.  Let me make this right.  I will have money in by the 10th.

Jessica

---

Reputations are earned (as you well know); my comments were based on what I see before me up to this day, not you lifetime achievements. Your right, I don't know you, I just know what my experience with you has been, and it's been less than positive. It's up to you to change that, and I hope you do.

 

People aren't stupid, there's not an agent in Brio that didn't know why Brio was merging with the very man they sub-leased the building from. It's pretty obvious.

 

Your email said "I had nowhere to go to up here" , which certainly would indicate you are here in Bellevue. Is that the case? If that's the case, I wish you would have helped us. Don has been paid about $500 so far, plus the dump fee was $50 and truck was $60 for two days. The stuff that went to the dump was 100% yours, and those bags were outrageously heavy. I'm amazed you produced so much trash in such a short time.. I assume it was all trash, we didn't open them.

 

I would still like to know where my microwave went. It is gone, and it should have stayed with the house. The tree loppers vanished from the outside shed as well, and I do hope these things weren't simply sold at your garage sell because someone saw them and offered to buy them. In lieu of all else, this is certainly a minor issue, but I'd like to know the truth. At the least, you know what became of the microwave.

I'll have more to say later, but I gotta go to work at the house, I leave in a couple of days.

Michael  Creel

---

From: Jessica Wynn Horton <jessicahorton30292@gmail.com>
Subject: Re:
To: "CreelRealty" <creel@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 8:47 AM

Michael:

I will repair the bridge with you.  I understand where you are coming and your experience has not been positive with me.  I take full accountability for that.  I also will do what it takes to fix it.

You are right about the agents.  I tried to get full disclosure told to them because commission checks were bouncing and I wanted them to know about the economics of the deal and certain other things that I won't even get into.  It doesn't matter any more.

No, it wasn't all trash.  Some of it was items that I just bagged up and decided to throw away instead of storing.  I will pay for that also.

Michael, I have NO idea what happended to your microwave.  None.  I bought a microwave at Costco for $189.00 before I ever set foot into your place and was still living in Kenmore.  I certainly DID NOT sell it or give it away!  NO SIR!  Now, I will take blame for what I've done wrong but I WILL NOT be a thief for anybody. 

Not that you are implying that I am but....I want to make it crystal clear that I did not sell, give away or turn a blind eye to your belongings being taken.  I would highly suggest that you talk to Don about that.  I certainly did NOT take them or sell them or authorize their removal.  Nor, did I do anything to any tree loopers.  I did not touch anything of yours when I left. 

However, I do have a microwave back in Georgia and I can Alicia ship it to you.  It's pretty nice.  Stainless Steel and all that.  I will make ammends for it but I DID NOT do anything to it.  Nor, did Jason.  I don't even know what tree loopers are.

I've got a party interested in the phone system back in Georgia.  I am trying to get with my phone guy and see if he can e-mail a fair price for it.  I want to liquidate my assets to help pay these bills but I also want to ensure that I get a fair price for them.

Jessica

Having lived in Bellevue for many years now, I've really come to love the cities vibrant atmosphere and certainly the fine foods offered downtown.  Bellevue is a rapidly growing city located in King County, Washington, just a stones throw across Lake Washington from Seattle.

In 2003 the Census Bureau estimated the city had a total population of 112,344, making it the fifth largest city in the state and the largest on the Eastside of King County. According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management's April 1, 2006 estimate, the city has a population of 117,000. Based on per capita income, Bellevue is the 15th wealthiest of 522 communities in the state of Washington.

Since I've lived here, downtown Bellevue has undergone massive change. Lincoln Square, which opened in 2005, appears to be the leading edge of a development boom, and has the only theater I've ever been in that has leather reclining seats! Recently I've noticed the addition of Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes, an ultra-modern facility with full night-life amenities, and the newest dance club to open is Vertigo, which offers live DJ music and dancing. There is also Joeys, The Twisted Cork Restaurant, Daniels Steak House (all at the Hyatt), and The Parlor Billiards in Lincoln Square for your entertainment.

A Bit of History

Bellevue was founded in 1869 by William Meydenbauer and was officially incorporated on March 21, 1953. Prior to the opening of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge in 1940, Bellevue was a rural area with little development. Following the 1963 opening of a second bridge across the lake, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, the city began to grow.

A testament to Bellevue's growth over the years is Bellevue Square, now one of the largest shopping centers in the region. Opened in 1946, Bellevue Square underwent a significant expansion in the 1980s. More recently, an expansion to Bellevue Square along Bellevue Way called "The Lodge" and the new One Lincoln Towerpromise to strengthen downtown Bellevue's role as the largest Seattle Eastside shopping and dining destination.

The Bravern, a large mixed-use project currently under construction, will feature a Neiman Marcus (the first in the Pacific Northwest), along with an assortment of upscale stores.

Other projects in Bellevue's future include Meydenbauer Place, a new Performing Arts Center, a second City Center office tower (which broke ground in July 2006), three more residential towers, and resumption of work on the previously abandoned Tech Tower site, now called Tower.

Bellevue is bordered by the cities of Kirkland to the north and Redmond to the northeast along the Overlake and Crossroads neighborhoods. Across the short East Channel Bridge, I-90 connects Bellevue to Mercer Island to the southwest. Issaquah is to the east, down I-90 at the south end of Lake Sammamish. The city is also bordered to the west by the affluent suburbs of Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point. The south end of Bellevue is bordered by the city of Renton, and to the southeast, the relatively recently incorporated city of Newcastle.

According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $76,757, and the median income for a family was $89,020. Males had a median income of $56,456 versus $37,124 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,905. About 3.8% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Bellevue was rated one of the 25 safest cities in America, based on the per-capita incidence of violent crime. Bellevue is rapidly growing in size and diversity; nearly a third of the city's residents are foreign-born, up from a quarter five years ago. Bellevue has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents among major cities in the state. The largest communities come from China, India, Russia and Mexico.

Bellevue has the largest and most affluent Asian population in the state. As of 2005, 25% of the city's residents identify themselves as Asian, a rise from 17% in 2000. East Indian and Chinese communities have doubled in size since 2000. Bellevue is home to Bellevue
Community College (BCC) and City University. The highly rated BCC is the largest community college in Washington and the third largest institution of higher education in the state^.

The city hosts the Bellevue School District. There are four main public high schools - Bellevue High School, Interlake High School, Newport High School, and Sammamish High School, as well as two alternative high schools, International School and Robinswood High School. At the elementary level, Bellevue is home to the Eastside's only Waldorf Education, at Three Cedars School, and to several Montessori schools.

Overall, I have to say Bellevue is definitely one of the finest city's one could ever hope to live in and raise a family. Over the years I've had the great pleasure of selling many beautiful homes in this area, and making many good friends in the process. It is definitely deserving of the the title Bellevue the Beautiful.

The 23-acre Lake Boren Park at the base of Olympus is a major asset to the neighborhood and a gathering place for many Newcastle residents. With a large play area, sand volleyball court, tennis courts, walking trails and a fishing dock, it's a very popular destination. The homeowners association, which meets monthly, hosts an annual neighborhood garage sale and Easter egg hunt.

"The upscale Olympus neighborhood in Newcastle lives up to the grandeur its name implies, with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, Lake Washington and Mount Rainier, along with well-kept yards and homes," writes Jolene Gensheimer in a special to The Seattle Times Real Estate section on Sunday, October 14th, 2007.

Olympus is served by two school districts: Issaquah and Renton. Both elementary schools have new buildings, with Issaquah's Newcastle Elementary, which opened in 2004, and Renton's Hazelwood Elementary, which opened in 2005. The neighborhood also has wide streets, making it a good place for walkers and bicyclists, as well as walking trails and a large greenbelt.

The well-maintained yards and homes are a trademark of Olympus and are enforced by neighborhood covenants. For example, residents need to submit a paint sample before painting their home, and there are codes requiring residents to keep their yards maintained (believe me, I've been warned before)!

Olympus is also a short walk from the Coal Creek Park Trails; the park trails serve the city as a refuge from the urban sprawl with a trail through a narrow creek ravine leading to two waterfalls and several excellent historical sites. The trail through Coal Creek Park is one of the most fascinating hikes anywhere around Puget Sound.

It features several waterfalls, a small canyon, and an environment typical of the Cascade foothills, the park stretches the boundary between the suburbs of Bellevue and the natural areas of the Issaquah Alps, a green belt pointing from the foot of Cougar Mountain through the rows of houses along Lake Washington's eastern shore.

What makes Coal Creek Park so unique is that in the late 1800s, when forest still reached all the way to the shores of Elliot Bay and today's Eastside was mostly untracked wilderness, the park was the site of the Newcastle coal mine. As you hike the trail, you may get glimps's of remaining vestiges of the mining days, clues to the story of Newcastle coal; hence the name Coal Creek.

So anyone in need of a special place to spend a hot summer day, pack the family into the car and head to Newcastle and visit our park, our trails, and maybe even grab a round of golf at the club. The music is great each Wednesday in June through August, and the BBQ pits are going full blast. We hope to see you there, tell them Mike sent you!

Since writing a post on Scam Operating on Craigslist.com last year, I've received dozens of emails and phone calls thanking me for the post and asking many questions.

The most interesting call I received was from a homeowner in Florida that called after being approached by a man expressing interest in a home she had for rent. She knew something smelled fishy and felt it to be a scam, but couldn't quite figure out what was up since it didn't involve cashiers checks or Western Union as the standard scam does.

After speaking with her at length and helping her reach a conclusion, it was apparent to me it was worthy of a post. These challenging times are making many property owners anxious to find renters to cover those mortgages, and often many are inclined to bend common sense rules and take big chances when it comes to renting their home out. 

The homeowner described the following: She was offered cash for the rental by a fellow claiming to be rather wealthy, he said he was getting a divorce and wanted the rental to be a secret. He wanted a lease, but would offer no identification whatsoever (refused). He wanted to pay several months in cash, which he had a lot of, yet he drove an old beat-up car. He said he owned many luxury cars (even two Hummers), but they were all currently loaned out (but of course, he explained, she would see them at the home periodically in the future).

The owner was actually contemplating renting the home to the man due to her need for cash, she had even taken a deposit. After bouncing the info around in my thick skull, I felt it sounded like someone acting as a "front-man" to rent the home for illegal purposes. It could be a safe house for illegal aliens, or drugs, and it could be to run a drug dealing or manufacturing operation. One thing was for sure, he was up to no good.

After discussing my thoughts with her, and pointing out that anyone would be foolish to rent to a person that refuses to offer proof of identity (to say the least), she decided to return the cash deposit and not enter into the lease with him. As I told her, I know the money would be nice to have, but imagine what it will cost you if they set-up a meth lab in there. Many vacant homes are even being used without the owners knowledge for illegal purposes (People seem to believe walking away from a home ends their responsibility).

As the market becomes flooded with rental properties, many owners will feel inclined to rent to anyone with cash in hand. If you do so, you may be making a mistake so enormous that the consequences' will make your current financial issues seem trivial.

Facts About Meth Lab Clean-Up

Recently my step-son backed into the garage door, which apparently can affect it's operation. As a result of this oversight, I spent Saturday shopping for a new garage door. I really hadn't a clue as to what to expect cost-wise, and I began on the web with my search (as all things begin these days). I first learned that if you have the guts to install it yourself, you can actually get a 16x7 foot door for about five or six hundred (medium quality).

I decided against the gutsy route rather quickly, and went to Home Depot to look at their doors. Their doors aren't cheap, and for the cheapest door they had (metal, with no insulation or windows), installed, would be about $1,400 with tax. We decided to stop over at Lowe's and compare prices, which turned out to be a wise move. At Lowe's this same type of door came in at around 900 with tax (right).

I decided I didn't want the cheapest door in town, but wasn't looking to shell out over three grand for a top of the line wooden door either. I settled on the 4th (out of five rankings) best door Lowe's had in the metal variety.

This type of door offered double metal and a thin layer of insulation, and came in at $1,200 with tax and installation, which apparently takes about 3-4 weeks (left).

An extra $300 would have actually got me their best door, with the heavy insulation (lower right), but times are frugal and one must cut back here and there to survive. The best door at Home Depot was of the same quality and would have been a little over $2,000.

Now Lowes did have a super cheap door that was around $600 installed, but only comes in white. There are so many types and styles of doors to choose from these days it's mind boggling. Just adding windows to your door is about $256.00 extra on average.

Suffice it to say, one can spend anywhere from $600 to $4,000 or more for a door, but for the average Joe, you can squeak by at about a thousand for a quality door installed with a 20 year warranty. So it wasn't as bad as I had thought; when my wife and I stood there looking at that mangled door, she asked "How much" and I could only say "I have no idea".

Now I know, as do you.

I can't help but to notice that builders have gotten much kinder towards RE agents lately. Wasn't so long ago they did all they could to keep us off their developments, and discouraged buyers from using an independent agent. Now that people aren't flocking out there on weekends for hot-dogs and soda's , and lining up to sign on the dotted line, builders want to be our best buds.

I see listings now that actually say "Agent Friendly", and many offering higher than usual commissions. Last week a client came to me and asked me to find them a new home because the builder they had pre-purchased with, had filed bankruptcy. I was also asked to make sure homes we view are owned by a builder thats financially sound.

When a homebuilder goes bankrupt, the company's creditors aren't the only ones who suffer. Often, so do those who have paid hefty deposits for houses that remain unbuilt and new homeowners living in a development with half-built homes and incomplete amenities.

When these builders file for bankruptcy, subcontractors stop working, unfinished homes in various stages dot the communities, crippling liens are placed on occupied homes, clubhouses are incomplete and swimming pools and parks are never built.

People who have placed deposits on homes either never get their money back or face delays of months or years before it is returned. The houses sit until someone comes in and decides to complete them; buyers can't move in, get their deposit back, or get out of the contract."

As for the houses partly under construction, what most likely happens is that the lenders or another entity steps in and hire the trades to finish those houses, the home buyer will then get the house he or she contracted for. In the meantime, the home buyer is "stuck" and can't get out of the legally binding contract.

In a new twist on the housing crisis, homeowners are being sued by landscapers and contractors after the property builders go bankrupt. If features like fountains and concrete foundations have not been paid for, the contractors are increasingly going after the homeowners for the balance. The landscapers, the people that put in windows, the deck, the doorways, and the concrete guys, are just a few of the workers seeking payment from homeowners.

So for those of you that are waiting on your builder to finish, or even start construction of your new home, do your homework and make sure the company is on solid financial ground. Any potential new construction buyer would be prudent to bring their own Realtor with them to view homes in a new development. This is no time to go it alone, the dollar you think your saving now, may cost you a fortune later.

No one loves animals more than me, but I can assure you, that's not a sentiment shared by all. There have been many times when touring homes with clients that the cute little Chihuahua, Pekinese, or other miniature dog has cost the seller a sale.

Tiny dogs can be aggressive, and love to bark; I once had a showing whereas the little dog that was chained to a table in the kitchen never stopped yapping, and then tried to bite the buyers little boy.

He of course starting crying and that was the end of that tour. Not surprisingly, that home never did sell, and was eventually taken off the Market.

Then there was the pit bull in the garage day (sounded like he was going to rip through the door), and the giant iguana on the sofa day, the stinky squawking parrot day, and just yesterday, a gigantic old fat Doberman in the back yard (friendly but huge). Fortunately, I went outside and entertained the former beast while my clients looked around the property. I assure you, not all agents will do that, because many are more terrified of dogs than their clients.

As sellers, you must keep in mind that although you know and love your pet, and you know it "wouldn't hurt a flea", others have no way of knowing that. At the very least, the animals are distracting. The obviously friendly ones want attention, they've been locked in the house alone all day and here comes people walking in the door; to the pet, it's party time! Also, buyers don't want your dog's hair all over their nice clothes, and many are allergic.

Keep in mind, the items left in the kitchen for such pets can be troublesome as well, and in some case, downright disgusting. Last week my client accidentally kicked over a gigantic water bowl in the kitchen, so I got to spend the next ten minutes sopping up water with paper towels while my clients toured the home alone.

That home is still for sale. I'll spare you the Poo stories, I'm sure you get the picture.

Many homes of course have cats, and for the most part they're little to no trouble. Of course, many people are allergic to cats, so you pretty much rule out a sale to those buyers.

So sellers, keep in mind, it's challenging enough selling your home for a good price these days. You don't help the situation if you leave Cujo in the yard (or garage), or Tinker Bell in the house to distract, annoy, or scare the potential buyers. You don't want to take your pets with you because they will drive you crazy, so don't leave them behind to drive your potential buyer crazy, and quite likely, away. Don't let you pet, be our pest.

By Michael Creel
February 26, 2008

As the foreclosure rates increase across the nation thousands are finding themselves homeless for the first times in their lives. Nationally, 233,001 homeowners received notice from lenders last month due to overdue payments; that's a 57% increase from a year prior.

We hear phrases used such as "they lost their house", when the truth is many of these people are now homeless. These people now have ruined credit scores in a society that makes just about every decision based on that score. Employer's pull credit on job applicants, landlords for rental approval, insurance companies to set your rates, and of course credit card companies.

Credit card companies can even close the debtors account even if they are current in their payments; a sort of preemptive strike against the cardholder running up a debt they cannot afford to pay.

Where will all of these people go? How do you rent an apartment or home with a foreclosure on your record? How do you buy a car to go to work? These people, who were our clients not so long ago, now may find themselves living in a shelter and the family pet they once loved sitting at the pound.

Sadly, even house pets have found themselves homeless as a result of the fiasco, and are being abandoned  across the nation. Although there is no way to track the actual number of abandoned pets, it's thought to be in the thousands. There have even been instances where pets were found starving inside abandoned homes and had to be Euthenized.

What can we do?

Maybe we can lighten up on judging people by what credit bureaus say, and talk to the people themselves and see what's in their heart. I recently rented a home of mine to a fellow who had gone through a divorce, and I ran no credit report on him. He impressed me as being a good person, with a good heart, and he had a good job (that's still required). I also knew his employer does strict background checks and drug screening, so that helped.

He was quite surprised when he asked how long before he had an answer regarding his application, and I said you can move in tomorrow. He was shocked and quite happy to say the least. He's been an ideal renter, always pays on time, and keeps the property spotless.

Now to be honest, he may very well have impeccable credit, to this day I still don't know. My point is that intuition still works, and some of these thousands of people out there will need a break. They will need landlords that will judge them by their character, and the fact that they have a job and need a home for their family.

So I would ask those of you that are in a position to give somebody a break, and a chance to start over, to consider doing so. I'm certainly not suggesting you should rent to anyone that comes down the pike, and criminal background checks are still a must, but a person shouldn't live and die by their FICO. Perhaps just ask to look through their foreclosure docs and get a feel for what happened to them, after all, they're not alone in this, it's happened to a lot of good people.  

Also, if you want a pet, go adopt one (I did), they could use a break too!

In the wake of the mortgage industry crises, we are all learning of the rampant fraud that pervaded the industry played a key role in its collapse. Many mortgagees have fallen victim to unscrupulous lender practices and dishonest mortgage officers. I have yet to encounter a worse case of repeated victimization than the one whom is the center of this story. For those victims that want to take legal action against anyone in the mortgage industry, read this story and take heed.

Last year I had a client that was the victim of a Straw Mortgage scam artist. I handled the short sell on the property and in the process learned more about straw mortgages than I ever cared to. One thing that was clear, there is no shortage of homes that were sold in this manner. Typically they involve an inflated appraiser, an unscrupulous mortgage broker, and a very crooked closing agent (usually an attorney).

In the end obviously the home is "sold" for far more than it's worth (almost always a FSBO). Then a few months later the home is abandoned and foreclosed on. What was also apparent was that often comps were skewed by the presence of such homes in some areas. In one case I saw 2 such homes on one block, and the other homes for sale weren't selling because they were over priced. The prices were based on the sellers and agents belief that homes on the street were selling for far more than they actually had.

I've warned many clients that are licking their chops looking at the list of foreclosures to be careful. Just because there's a debt of 700k on the home and you may be able to get it for 80% of that, doesn't mean it's a deal. It may have only actually sold for 80% of that and the difference was pocketed. Often the seller was still paid more than it was worth (even at 80%) as an enticement to go along with the scam.

So in the end you're buying homes you can't preview, can't inspect, and have to pay cash for; for possibly more than it's worth. I'm certainly not saying most repossessed homes fall into this category, but one never knows. I tell them to look and see how long the owners had it before walking away; that can be a clue. This type of activity certainly played a role in the collapse of the mortgage industry.

I thought I had heard it all, but then a salesman tried to sell me fake grass (no, not the smokable kind). I sometimes wish I had bought it; especially when paying the bill for a certain chemical company to treat my lawn every six weeks. I don't even want to talk about the water bills for the months of May, June, and July or the weekends lost to cutting the grass and trimming the foliage.

These days if your lawn looks raggedy your neighbors give you the evil eye and the homeowner's association puts a nasty little note on your door, so you gotta pay to a bundle to have a lawn that looks like it should have a little flag on it. When I was a kid growing up under the hot Texas sun we never once watered or fertilized our lawn. It looked great during the cooler months and it baked to a nice golden brown in the summer. I rather enjoyed the crunchy sound it made when you walked on it.

I still daydream about calling that fella and buying that fake grass, especially when those bills come. I am curious though, who has this modern day Astro Turf in their yard? I've never run into it while showing homes, so I was curious if any of you had? Would it raise or hurt a homes value?

I wish it would catch on so I could jump on the band wagon; I could then slowly replace the trees and shrubbery with plastic versions. Maybe even put a few fake birds in the trees, and,...yes, even pipe in a sound track so you could hear the birds singing.

My own little plastic Utopia!

As you may have read in my previous Blog, the Nigerian 419 scam has invaded our very own realty market here in Washington State. This is a fairly sophisticated scam that many people have fallen for and lost thousands in the process. Any clients you may have that are intending to buy property for the purpose of renting it out needs to be aware of this situation.

One popular free advertising source known as Craiglist.com is a steady source of victims for the scam artist operating out of Nigeria and the UK. However, it's not uncommon for listings on the MLS to receive such offers as well. There are three groups involved in perpetrating the scam. The first bunch are known as the Yahoo Boys, and they are the ones that scour the web for email address regarding rental properties. They send out emails by the thousands in the hope a few will respond.

Once someone has they may pass it on to another scammer that's experienced in the art of reeling the victim in (2^nd level). All of this activity is watched over by the ring leaders (3^rd level) that actually monitor all of the email accounts to insure the "worker bees" are performing correctly, and if it appears one is dropping the ball they will pull him out and bring in another more experienced player.

The ringleaders collect the funds and actually pay commissions down the line to the boys that reeled them in. Many of the Yahoo Boys are college students and are given computers and promises of big money to participate; they view it as a job. It's not any different from Americas own drug dealers luring kids in to selling drugs for them. A great deal of this type of activity takes place in internet cafés, but often the kids are provided laptops and internet connections to work from home.

I recently ran an ad on craigslist.com to see if they were still working it. Craigslist has posted many warnings against responding to such solicitations and I was curious if the scammers had moved on to more fertile ground. They have not; I   received 16 such inquiries in one day to a simple ad offering a room for rent in Bellevue. I used a fictitious identity and a newly created email address. I'll use the emails from just one of them as an example. This particular scammer managed to have a check on my doorstep by the next day!

This is a common type of email sent in search of victims and is sent to dozens of people at a time (they are often poorly written):

First response to my ad offering a room for rent in my home:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi ,
I am willing to rent a room or seek roommates who is nice and honest. My name is Helen and I am 28yrs, Single, never been married, I am originally from Harrisburg, PA but I am currently out of the United States, I should return back to the State, as soon as I am able to secure a room where I will stay.

I am honest, trustworthy and caring person, who enjoy making good friends, I dont smoke and I dont drink ( but I am not against it), my hobbies are traveling, and Singing, I go to a friends party, but I dont stay late at night.

I would have loved to come and look at the room, but I am not in the States yet, so I will trust you on what you tell me regards the room. I am currently working for GVI (GLOBAL VISION INTERNATIONAL) and I travel most times to the UK, I work as resercher on a construction Project/Research and Exploration Expedition.

I am moving back to the States. this very week, I have plans to staying back in the States, and look for a part-time job with my degree in Marketing, have thought about it carefully and I want to move to friendly city, where I can start my own life different from the one I have lived in the UK while working with my company GVI and the part-time job I will get any moment from now.
So I just want you to confirm the rent including utilities and if there is any deposit, whats the amount to move in all together? I am willing to stay for up to 8 months but I can move out during this 8 months if you want me to, as soon as I arrange payment for 2 months rent and deposit, when do I move in?

What is the closest international airport to the house? I will ask my company's associate in the US to send you a payment to cover for 2 months to confirm my willingness to occupy your space.

Please forward me your full details where you would want the payment be mailed to:

(Full Name)......
(Address):.....
(City, Zip Code):...
(Email):...
(Direct Phone):...

Thanks, I will be waiting for your details so I can proceed with the payment, I have also forwarded you my picture so you will know how I look.

Regards,

Helen
+44(0)7031817967

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once someone has responded and expresses interest in renting to the scammer, they will receive this (already calling themselves your roommate), the "private email address" is actually the pass-off to the more experienced con artist.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Michelle,

How are you doing, This is Helen, your roommate, this is my private email address............. carterplp@yahoo.com, I have forwarded your details and I am looking forward to meet you, so the payment of the room will get to you by Wednesday-Thursday due to the postal system, as soon as you get it do not hesitate to contact me so I can proceed with my flight. I will also need your phone number just in case I want to reach you.

My company associate in the States has issued a cashier's check to cover for the rent and my expenses during my trip to the states, as soon as you get it, deduct your rent for 2 months including deposit and forward the remaining funds to my traveling Agent, through Western Union so I can use it to get my flight ticket. I will be buying a used car when I arrive, I will appreciate it if you can help me remove your ads from the internet so I will be assured that I am the only one contacting you regards the room. do you have YAHOO or MSN instant messenger so we can also talk for free on yahoo, my yahoo chat ID is: carterplp@yahoo.com.

Thanks, I cant wait to meet you in person, I will forward you the tracking number of the package(payment)

Your future roommate,
Helen

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

After a bit of small talk you will receive this email:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Misha,

How are you doing?, I am happy that you will get the payment today, the UPS tracking number is (J2080425169), you can go to http://www.ups.com/USto track the package. I was informed that the $4550 was mailed to you to cover for my rent and my flight ticket to the US, as soon as you get it, go and deposit it in your account, you will help me transfer the balance of $2400 to my traveling agent who is in charge of my flight directly, while the remaining funds will be used towards my rent and utilities. I will be flying on either KLM or British Airways, since I am a member, but will forward you my flight details as soon as it has been scheduled.

Below is my traveling agent's info where you will transfer my ticket funds to, through Western Union Money Transfer, you only need the Agent's Name and City, Zip and country to transfer funds using Western Union Money Transfer.

(Name): TIMOTHY MONTOYA

(City)Port Washington

(State)WI.

(Zip) 53074

I will be expecting the following info from you as soon as you send the funds, I am aware that the Western Union Agent will charge you for sending fee, please use out of the funds to pay the tranfer fee, I will need the info as follows:

(1)Exact Amount Sent(after deducting the transfer charges):................
(2)Senders Name and Address:...........
(3)Money Control Number/Reference Number(MTCN):.........

Please, do make sure the funds are sent same day you get the payment so I can get my ticket on Friday and fly on Saturday, that reminds me, how do I get the keys to the room, will you be available to pick me up on Thursday???.
Thanks, I awaits the Western Union Details.

Regards,
Helen

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Then the sense of urgency begins and often you will receive several emails in rapid succession: 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Hello Misha,

How are you doing, I just got your message, please make sure the funds are wired today, Saturday is my flight, I want to be able to schedule a flight tomorrow, did you get my traveling agent's info?

Thanks, looking forward to meet you.

Helen

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello Michelle,

How are you doing, did you get the payment yet, I tracked it and it has been delivered at the front door of your room, so please I will need your swift response ok, I cant wait to meet you, will you be able to pick me up at the airport?

Thanks, will be waiting for the Western Union Details.

Helen

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Because I like to see how they deal different objections I send various responses, this is one I used:  

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Me: Yes, it was there when I got home from school today but it was too late to go to the bank. I talked to my mom today cause I was real excited about you coming here, and she thinks it's a great thing. She did suggest though that I wait until the check clears with the bank before sending any funds to you. I'll have to ask the bank how many days it takes to clear completely, hope that's not a problem luv. I'm really excited about your coming here and I know we're going to be the best of friends! 

Scammer: Hello Misha, How are you doing, I am really excited at the thought of meeting you, I can see that you are nice and honest, I am the same kind of person, I cant wait to meet you, please the bank might want to put 2-3days on it, I wont be able to wait for that long.

I am asking you, if there is anything we can do so I can get my flight, or if there is a way you can borrow money for me and as soon as it clears, we will replace it back. Can we exchange pictures?

Helen

Me: I maybe could borrow some money from my student loan account, but that's about all the money that's in it. If for some reason I couldn't pay it back I wouldn't be able to pay for next semester and I would not be able to attend classes. My mom would just kill me! What's your flight number and departure time?

Scammer: Hello Misha, I really appreciate what you are doing to me, I promise to be the best fried you ever have, please, maybe we shouldnt tell your mom about it, so when the check clears, we can return it back, my flight is Saturday 6pm, I will need to pay my traveling agent before I can get a confirmation for my flight. ok.

Please, I will appreciate it if you can wire the money to my traveling agent today or early tomorrow, It is certain we will replace it back ok. Thanks. Looking forward to meet you

Helen

Me: I do feel like I've known you all my life, and I'm certain I can trust you. Maybe when I go to the bank I should just explain the urgency of the situation and they can call the bank that issued the check to confirm it's good. I'll bet that would solve our problem! What do you think? I hate to lie to my poor mother, she's been really sick with cancer and all and she doesn't feel good. Wouldn't it be better to just ask the bank to help us out? 

Scammer:  Hello Misha, I understand, I wouldn't want you to lie as well, there is nothing the bank can do because it is a policy they must follow, let just see how many days they will ask use to wait then. Thanks, looking forward to meet you.

Helen

(After this email, a more experienced scammer came in. This one was dropping the ball)

Me: Gee thanks, that's a good idea. I knew you would be understanding of the situation. I actually forgot where you're flying from! I see your travel agent is here in the US, did you used to live in that State? I'm still so excited knowing your coming so soon, the weathers still pretty nice so we can spend a little time going downtown and eating at all the beautiful restaurants. What's your favorite kinda food Helen! 

Scammer: Hello Misha, How are you doing, I am exicted about meeting you as well, yes I use to live in Harrisburg, PA and Wi but thats a long time, I am originally from PA. I like lights food, yes we could go out and have a nice time.

Helen

Me: Where are you now, are you in England? I've always wanted to go there! What do you do for work?? I want to be a Hotel Manager, or maybe work on one of those big cruise ships after I graduate. Did you go to college in Harrisburg? You mentioned earlier we could exchange pictures; I don't remember if I ever sent you any or not, so I'll go ahead and attach a few for you now. 

Scammer: How are you doing? I just got your email, I want to know if i can borrow some little funds from you, any amount you have, I will appreciate it. I WANT T RAISE SOME MONEY TO BUY MY FLIGHT BEFORE THE CHECK CLEARS, the days the bank asked you to come seems like a year to me, I will be waiting for your swift response.

miss ya

Helen

Me: How much do you need to borrow sweety? I don't think it will be a big problem. Can you possibly send me a scan of your photo identification, like a driver's license, or school ID? Then I at least know exactly who I'm making the loan too. 

Scammer: Hello Misha, how are you doing? I just got your email, I cant believe you are asking me for these just because I ask you to borrow me some money, I dont have a scanner to scan what you have asked me to send to you.

But, I want you to know that I am an honest person, I cant borrow what I will not pay for, it is very urgent thats the reason why I turned to you for assistance, we are now friends, I can assist you if you want me to as well.....

Please there is no way I can send all this, since I dont have a scanner, I want to believe you trust me right? Please........

Helen

Me: Well, shoot, don't they have places that can scan for you? Oh, wait, I know. Maybe you can just take a picture of it and send that! I would at least like pictures of you or something, I know we're friends and all but I've never even seen you. Plus, you didn't say how much you want me to loan you. I only have about $5,000 in my college loan account that I'm supposed to use for school next semester, if I sent you that I would really need to be sure your going to pay me. If I lose my college money I can't return to school for half a year, and my mothers so sick with cancer I know it would just kill her if I wasn't in school.

It's not that I don't trust you hon, but the check didn't come from you, it came from another person. I have no idea who that person is. What if they cheated you and me both? What should we do Helen???

Scammer: Hello Misha, I just got your email and I believe you, I wouldnt want you to risk anything for your college ok, I will have to wait till the check clears then, I just hope it wont take more than 3day (scammers know the funds are available after 3 days, although the check hasn't cleared), but what I was acutally going to borrow from is $1000 and not $5000, I was just thinking I could be in the State by this new week, so we can visit alot of places together, I am really excited about meeting you, and I know you will make a good friend. I wish you could borrow just the $1000 before noon tomorrow, I would appreciate it, that means I will still be able to fly later in the evening on Saturday.

How is your parents doing, I hope she is using her treatment, where di she travel to? would you like to visit the UK in your holidays? we cna go together and stay in my house here in London.

Thanks, will be waiting for your email.

Helen

Me: So sorry I just got your message Helen, I went to my best friend's birthday party (see pic) and we had such a good time. I really wish you could have been there. As for your question, $1,000 doesn't seem so bad; it is a lot of money to me so please realize that even losing that amount would dramatically affect my life.

The banks aren't open tomorrow though Helen, so I can't do it until Monday. You really have to swear to me though, if the check your friend sent for any reason doesn't clear (which it can't in 3 days, it takes over a week), you will pay me when you get here.

Surely you understand that even losing a thousand dollars would mean I can't continue my education, and when my mother returns from France from her cancer treatment, the last thing in the whole world I want to do is break her heart and tell her I lost my school money and had to drop out. I think I would rather kill myself than do that.

So please, you must promise me on the Holy Bible you will make good on the loan if the check isn't good. Do you promise??

Love you always,

Scammer: Hi Misha, How are you doing, I just got your email, yes I realized that alot of things is at stake if you have to borrow me the money, I promise to give you back if anything happens to the check ok, but I bet you nothing is going to happen, because this is my pay check, and no one will want to send me a bad payment, but I promise to give you back the funds if anything happens ok..... trust me on this.

Regards the party, I saw the pic, I just wished I was there with you, at least thats another avenue where we can spend time together and get to know ourselves better, right now it is as if I have known you for years, the understanding is just too perfect.
I cant wait to be there so we can go to other occasions like that, we could even visit London together during your hols in school. Please, do make sure the funds are wired early on Monday, try and do everything very early on Monday, I will really appreciate it.....I promise to pay you back in a very big way!

Thanks, looking forward to meet you.
Helen

(As you can see, the scammer is finding humor in ripping her off when he say's "I promise to pay you back in a very big way!")

Me: How much of my school money should I send? What do you need for your trip? I've seen those pics before, is that all you have?

Scammer: Hello Misha,

How are you doing today, sorry I have not been online for sometime now, I have been busy putting my things in place for my trip. I would have appreciate $1500, but I am not sure you would be able to do that? if it is possible help me with $1500, and if you think $1000 is ok, then try and send it to me very early Monday morning ok.

Please, it is Monday here and the time is 4:56am, I will be coming back to check my email for the Western Union Details ok.

 I hope you still remember my agent's info:

(Name): TIMOTHY MONTOYA

(City)      Port Washington

(State)    WI.

(Zip)       53074

I will be expecting the following info from you as soon as you send the funds, I am aware that the Western Union Agent will charge you for sending fee, please use out of the funds to pay the transfer fee, I will need the info as follows:

(1) Exact Amount Sent (after deducting the transfer charges):................
(2) Senders Name and Address:...........
(3) Money Control Number/Reference Number (MTCN):.........

I am looking forward to meet you Misha, I cant wait for us to paint the city with beautiful colors together.

Helen

Me: Thank for all your patience, I spoke with the bank and they said the money was available for withdrawal so I've sent $2,515.00 early this morning. The MCN number they gave me was 289-609-5468. Take care and be sure to get back to me with your flight information!

Now obviously I sent no money and the number is fictitious; often I'll send them to the WU several times attempting to collect, and sometimes I even send them a doctored receipt from Western Union to convince them it was indeed sent. On one such occasion the scammer went to Western Unions office with the fictitious receipt so many times the police were waiting for him when he came the 4^th time to collect and his associates emails me asking me to help get him out of jail! He was quite upset and said "Our Minister of Finance" has been arrested!" that made my day.

The two things people have said to me in the past regarding these scams is that:

1. Anyone getting pulled into such a scam is being greedy and trying to get something for nothing, therefore they deserve what they got!
2. The Nigerians are so poor they're simply acting in desperation and trying to find a better life.

I don't really believe either are true 100% of the time. As you can see by this email exchange, this person I fabricated was merely trying to rent out a room, and for a fair price. It wasn't part of a "Help me sneak 45 million of a deceased persons bank account and I'll split it with you" scam (although that is a common scheme); so honest hard working people are victimized by these scams.

I intentionally said all I could to see if the scammer had any sympathy at all. In the end, it didn't matter how sweet and innocent Misha sounded, that she would not be able to pay for college once the scam was complete, or that her mother was gravely ill. The scammer had no qualms getting her to take her college money and send it and instructed her to keep it a secret from her ailing mother.

I also wanted to show how they befriend the victim and prey on many lonely people. The young and elderly are common victims. I recently saw a young man on TV that simply wanted to sell his motorcycle. He was contacted by a man from overseas and sent a check for more than the amount due. He was then contacted by the "shipper" and asks to wire money so that they would pick the bike up and ship it out. He lost over $3,000 and now has to work 3 jobs to repay the bank or face criminal charges. He wasn't trying to get rich quick, just sell his bike.

I spoke with a Realtor last week that said she had in fact rented a home to someone that contacted her via the web and rented the home prior to arriving from Canada. They did send her a cashier's check, but they did not ask for money back; it was a legitimate deal. So it's not hard for someone to believe that it is legitimate since on occasion people do rent rooms in this manner. Then when the bank permits them to withdraw the money from the account based on the check being deposited, many believe that indicates it has cleared, when in fact it has not.

As for the Nigerians impoverished condition driving them to do this, that's not quite true. The bulk of the profits are going to the ringleaders and they have made billions. The Yahoo Boys are paid nominal commissions for their success. Many consider it a game, as this popular song indicates.  It's called "I Go Chop Your Dollar" and has lyrics such as this:

"419 is just a game. You are the loser, I am the winner. White people greedy.... I take your money and disappear.... You be the fool, I be the master."

The losses from this scam are in the billions! On August 6^th 2007 the EEOC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) ran a sting operation in Nigeria and confiscated outbound mail for the US and UK. The operation produced startling discoveries of how criminal elements operating from the country ship fake documents and counterfeit financial instruments abroad. In several packages they found fraudulent identification and counterfeit financial instruments neatly concealed in carbon paper to evade the sensors of scanners.

In all, 15,129 counterfeit checks related to advance fee fraud scams were intercepted. They included 6,948 blank checks and others drawn for the sums of $145.9 million, Euro 211,077, 218.00, over two million Pounds Sterling and 120,450.00 Canadian dollars. So this is a major problem that shouldn't be ignored and written off as "something that happens to greedy fools".

In playing along with their scam and allowing them to send the check, only to realize they have wasted their time and money in doing so and perhaps makes them more leery of who they send the checks to. I've noticed that some of the ads I place on Craigslist receive no response. The Yahoo Boys have private websites where they post messages to one another regarding their own bad experience with victims and who to avoid.

I hope that in doing this I make them more leery of any ads for Washington State property rentals. I'm not crazy enough to believe I can end it, but as I said before, if I can just save a few from this scam it's worth my time. I haven't taken as much time or effort as it may seem; I often do it when I'm bored or need a break. Also, I can't lie; it's a bit fun at times.