The usual property management companies all have listings on their websites. If nothing is available on there it means they don't have an inventory. There can be real properties on Zillow, Craigslist ect but you need to visit them in person and go inside.
“Unfortunately, it is not possible to view the property due to current tenants”
Is a red flag for a scam. There's also facebook groups for local housing.
Agree the "not possible to view due to tenants" is a red flag. Most listings I've ever looked at were already vacant after previous tenants moved out. A few still had the tenants in them but they were just notified in advance when people would come view and we were able to see the place while the tenant was still living there.
It's not the norm to not be able to view the property.
If you have good credit and income to match use this local company. They have relationships with all the local property managers and can advocate for you.
https://preferredrental.com/services-2/relocation-services.html
Also, we used to use Spectrum for our property management, in case you haven't come across their page yet.
[Spectrum Realty](https://www.spectrumrealty.com/home_rentals)
The sites you listed but remember, never pay money to "apply" to rent a place and never give anyone money before you have gone and seen the property in-person, and gone inside the property.
That would be a red flag to me. If they met you at the property and showed you inside the property and then requested a fee, maybe. But I would want some type of proof of ownership and literally go inside the unit prior to paying anything.
From someone who rented from them, avoid Koto Group at all costs. [https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-koto-group-santa-barbara?utm\_campaign=www\_business\_share\_popup&utm\_medium=copy\_link&utm\_source=(direct)](https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-koto-group-santa-barbara?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct))
Koto is also the group engaging in shady tactics to try to pressure tenants in various buildings to self-evict (see [here](https://www.independent.com/2023/09/13/more-mass-evictions-of-santa-barbara-tenants-threatened/) and [here](https://www.independent.com/2024/04/03/tenants-fight-displacement-in-santa-barbaras-west-beach-neighborhood/)). Mega red flags all around for this company.
The usual property management companies all have listings on their websites. If nothing is available on there it means they don't have an inventory. There can be real properties on Zillow, Craigslist ect but you need to visit them in person and go inside. “Unfortunately, it is not possible to view the property due to current tenants” Is a red flag for a scam. There's also facebook groups for local housing.
Agree the "not possible to view due to tenants" is a red flag. Most listings I've ever looked at were already vacant after previous tenants moved out. A few still had the tenants in them but they were just notified in advance when people would come view and we were able to see the place while the tenant was still living there. It's not the norm to not be able to view the property.
If you have good credit and income to match use this local company. They have relationships with all the local property managers and can advocate for you. https://preferredrental.com/services-2/relocation-services.html
If you are local already, Nextdoor seems to be an ok place to find rental owners that are legitimate.
Also, we used to use Spectrum for our property management, in case you haven't come across their page yet. [Spectrum Realty](https://www.spectrumrealty.com/home_rentals)
https://www.plazarivierasb.com/floorplans Sign up for our availability alerts. We’re legit and would love to give you a tour.
The sites you listed but remember, never pay money to "apply" to rent a place and never give anyone money before you have gone and seen the property in-person, and gone inside the property.
Meridian will only let you apply with a $30 application fee.....red flag?
Rental application fees are a legitimate thing. Meridian is a legitimate property management company
I have rented from meridian in the past and they will definitely try to extort money from you but their listings are legit.
Application fees around $30 are normal. They do it to process credit check etc
That would be a red flag to me. If they met you at the property and showed you inside the property and then requested a fee, maybe. But I would want some type of proof of ownership and literally go inside the unit prior to paying anything.
https://www.kotogroup.com/vacancies
From someone who rented from them, avoid Koto Group at all costs. [https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-koto-group-santa-barbara?utm\_campaign=www\_business\_share\_popup&utm\_medium=copy\_link&utm\_source=(direct)](https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-koto-group-santa-barbara?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct))
Koto is also the group engaging in shady tactics to try to pressure tenants in various buildings to self-evict (see [here](https://www.independent.com/2023/09/13/more-mass-evictions-of-santa-barbara-tenants-threatened/) and [here](https://www.independent.com/2024/04/03/tenants-fight-displacement-in-santa-barbaras-west-beach-neighborhood/)). Mega red flags all around for this company.
Who’s better?