person requesting money
doesn’t have the authority
to rent the homes. What
advice would you give to
people that are interested
in booking a home, but
are nervous about being
scammed?
Customers need to be
educated on how to recognize
a scam, but also reassured
that not every property owner
or agency is a scam. I’ve
had clients request a postal
address of the villa, and that’s
world. When you’re adding
something that I can’t just give
homes to your portfolio
away. What guarantee do I
what do you look for in
have that they’re also not a
choosing properties?
scam? It’s like a circle. If I don’t
The first criterion is that it
give them the address then
has to be a villa that I’d be
they don’t want to rent.
happy to rent myself. If it’s not
Customers can help protect
themselves by not sending
money right away. First do
something I’d rent then the
answer is already no.
Secondly, the villa has to
some research. Also know that
be serviced. It needs to have
going through a trusted agency
someone locally as the first
is often safer than going
point of contact. They’ll need
through an individual who may
to open the house and serve
or may not own the property.
as an emergency contact for
clients. If the villa is in the
You have villas all over the
luxury bracket, this contact
person needs to be able to
recommend and organize a
private chef, private maid,
butler, security, serve as a
local concierge for organizing
tours, massages, restaurant
reservations, yoga, or whatever
is desired by the client.
I also try to work directly
with the owners and speak
with them regularly. I think
it’s important to establish a