"Caretaker" Scam Alert

Recently, it was reported in New Mexico that a person named Shaun Anaya has been providing prospective "caretakers" housing opportunities that are nothing more than a scam. It appears this operation would break into properties, change the locks and rent the house to unsuspecting individuals. Because people like Anaya have documents that make it look and feel like a legitimate company and opportunity, Homes In Transition wants to keep you and your family safe by offering you some helpful tips on how to find a great place to live on the cheap, without getting scammed.

How do you get a great house without getting scammed?

Homes In Transition has been offering Caretakers a great housing opportunity since 2009. The HIT staff has a long tradition of offering quality housing opportunities for thousands of Caretakers through various programs dating back to 1987. Here are some suggestions to help you check us out:

• Check our standing with the Better Business Bureau - HIT has one of the highest rating you can get!
• Check our standing as a member of the local business community - HIT is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.
• Call or stop by our office. To contact HIT's corporate office go to the Contact Us page for information or stop by your local office using the maps provided.
• Search our company out on Goggle, Facebook, LinkedIn and others to see what you can find. You will find HIT registered at all three and others.
• Search out the company President, Tom Schmidt to see if he is legitimate. Tom has lived in Albuquerque all his life and has enjoyed many successes as a local business man, father, husband and neighbor.
• Ask for proof we the right to place you in the house - While many of the details of our Homeowner Agreement are confidential with the Homeowner, we will be happy to show you the agreement and its signature page to prove we have the right to place you in the house. We have learned that Mr. Anaya may have offered false documents of his right to possession of his properties but because HIT has been offering this program for the last three years, you can trust the HIT program is legitimate.
• If the house is for sale, and advertised as being available for Caretaker occupancy, call the broker from the sign and verify the house is enrolled in a legitimate caretaker program.
• See what a recent news investigation found out about Homes In Transition click here. (do you want to go back to Caretaker Page and get an application? click here)

What is a Homes In Transition (HIT) Caretaker?

A HIT Caretaker is a highly valued, responsible person or family that provides for the care, maintenance and show condition of the HIT house in which they reside. Caretakers in the HIT program have a wide variety of needs:

• People looking to reduce their living costs while living in a great house.
• Those that are dividing their household and need a good safe place to reside.
• Families moving to the city that need some time to check out the great neighborhoods our cities offer before they buy.
• Families that have been forced form their house, have great furniture and the understanding of living and managing a house but are on a tight budget.
  

What is a HIT house?

A HIT house is a vacant house that is on the market for sale. We check out each house before we offer it to our Caretakers to assure its inhabitable but it is offered in “As Is” condition. HIT houses come in a variety of sizes, locations and have a wide variety of amenities.

How much does It cost to live in a HIT house?

Before you get started there is an Application Fee that is payable to process your application and perform a background check. Upon signing your Agreements to be a HIT Caretaker you will pay a small Security Deposit, a Service Membership Fee and your first prorated weeks rent. This is going to be a little over $1000 depending on the day of the week. If you have pets, or select one of our optional programs, additional fees will apply. All told, you can enjoy all the benefits of our program for less than it will cost to get started in a small rental house. And unlike a small rental house, most all of our fees are refundable!

A detailed list of your costs to be a part of the HIT program can be obtained by requesting your Application here. Click HERE to get your Application.

How much do I get paid to be a Caretaker?

While there are a number of ways to earn HITTER BUCKS (our reward system for doing a fabulous job) and various incentives throughout your association with Homes In Transition, there is no monetary compensation made to the Caretaker for performing the various responsibilities required of our Caretakers Rather, you get the opportunity to live in a great house for about the cost of a studio apartment.

How do I become a HIT Caretaker?

• Must meet or exceed the Minimum Qualifications out lined below. If you are not sure, please review the partial Application Refund Policy also outlined below.
• Complete and return your Caretaker Application ( Click HERE to get your Application) with a payment of $95.00.
• Schedule an interview by contacting the Caretaker Coordinator.
• Provide detailed pictures of your tasteful furniture.
  

What are the Minimum Qualifications?

• Must possess an attitude of accommodation toward those viewing your house or providing direction during your occupancy -- while demonstrating an appreciation for the opportunity.
• Must have a job, proof of income or funds to pay Caretaker fees and other expenses.
• No criminal record for at least the past 5 years.
• Must have clean rental history.
• Must have credit score of 550 or better with no outstanding collections.
• No previous evictions or rental collection issues.
• Must be a NON SMOKER.
• Must be willing to relocate in as little as 14 days in the event of a quick sale and closing of your HIT house - usual notice to move is 30 days or more!
• Must complete and submit an application to our office with a check in the amount of $95.00* (Please review our partial refund policy below -- at this time -- to avoid any future confusion)
• Must provide pictures of furnishings to be used to furnish the assigned house or pictures of those furnishings intended to be rented.

What is the Partial Application Refund Policy?

Due to factors beyond our control, sometimes we are unable to place qualified Caretaker Applicants.

If you are approved to be one of our Caretakers and we are unable to place you for reason beyond our control, we will refund your Application fee less a $45 processing fee. The balance will go towards our company’s hard costs to process your file and application to that point.

If you are not approved because you did not meet the Minimum Qualifications, there will be NO REFUND. It is suggested you review our minimum guidelines prior to making application.

We encourage you to review your Credit and Background records prior to submitting an application, credit reports are free to consumers one time per year. Details about free credit reports are available from the US Government at: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm

Why do I need to provide pictures of my furnishings?

Homes In Transition is like a dating service for your furniture. It is our goal to provide you a house that matches the style and quantity of your tasteful furniture. One of the Caretaker’s goals is to enhance the show ability of each property. This is accomplished through the “staging” of the property utilizing your furnishings and guidance by our IRIS Certified Interior Staging and Redesign Specialist and trained staff. Providing pictures helps us determine the best house in our inventory that will fit your needs.

What are my responsibilities as a HIT Caretaker?

• During your occupancy, you will be expected to tastefully (at our direction) furnish the home.
• Provide for the care and maintenance of the property both inside and out. The property will be on the market for sale, during which time you will be required to maintain the property in a clean and orderly manner or what we call a “show ready” condition both inside and out.
• OK, here is the easy part -- no great looking property is complete without the gracious attitude of accommodation which must always be on display towards the company staff and those wishing to visit and view the property.
• You will be required to carry at a minimum, a basic renters insurance policy. and of course once the property sells, you must be willing and able to move with as little as 14 days notice.

What kind of maintenance will be required of me as a Caretaker?

A HIT Caretaker is required to perform the minor maintenance of the property which will include the regular servicing of the HVAC systems, repairing dripping faucets, clogged drains, toilets when the water keeps running, replacing light bulbs, batteries in smoke detectors, lawn mowing, pruning, minor sprinkler repair and the like. We expect our Caretakers to care for the home as they would their own home -- which is why prior home ownership is a highly sought attribute. Major system failures or repairs of electrical systems, plumbing behind the walls and appliances are generally not the responsibility of Caretakers.

How long can I expect to be in a house?

On average our Caretakers are in a house about 6 months. However, the duration could be as little as fourteen days (14) or as long as a year or more. There are many factors that determine the duration, such as: an unconventional floor plan, odd colors, location, age, price, etc... can sometimes add to the duration of the homes availability. The one thing that will definitely shorten a Caretakers occupancy is the failure (on the part of the Caretaker) to provide the necessary care and show ability of the property along with the required attitude of accommodation! A Caretaker is contractually obligated to maintain our standards and tarnishing HIT’s excellent reputation is simply not tolerated.

What happens when my HIT house sells?

When a Caretaker’s house sells, Caretakers will be given a minimum of 14 days notice (more often, it is twice that amount of time... or more). Caretakers will have the option to stay in the program and be given first priority for any house in our inventory that HIT can match for them, or if preferred, Caretakers can leave the program if that is a better option at that time. Homes In Transition does not provide moving for you. However, if you leave the program, all your entry fees are refundable.

Are kids and pets allowed?

A Property Owner can place certain limitations on their house - that is always their prerogative. Most of our HIT houses allow pets but are of limited availability. Families with pets are sometimes difficult to place. We realize the hardship in living without ones pet but having no pets will give you a far greater opportunity to take advantage of the HIT program. Pets placed into the program require a Pet Permit at an additional cost. To obtain a specific list of the costs, simply have the Application with current details emailed to you (Click HERE to get your Application).

Children are always welcome! Very few of our houses restrict occupancy by families with children. Don’t worry, children are far easier to place than pets.

Is smoking allowed?

NO!
If our Caretaker Inspector discovers smoking in the house, you will be subject to removal from our program immediately for violating the terms of the agreement. You are ultimately responsible for the prevention of all smoking inside the home, that means friends, relatives, persons accomplishing repairs... anyone at all -- no smoking.

Is Homes In Transition too good to be true?

In today’s world there is an endless supply of scams, fraud and deceit and you would be foolish to not ask such a question about a program like Homes In Transition. From first glance the HIT program seems to be “Too Good To Be True”, offering a great deal for very little cost! The fact of the matter is - for most of our Homeowners there is NO COST - for Realtors there is NO COST, and for Caretakers, an amazing LOW COST arrangement!

Typical Caretaker Quotable:

“I can’t believe I am living in such a great house for next to nothing”
The Homes In Transition program methodically divides the benefits, the responsibilities, the costs, and the burdens between a group of sophisticated Property Owners, hard working Realtors and carefully selected Caretakers. It is the management of this dynamic balance that provides a great opportunity this group of people.

What happens when the house sells?

When your house sells you will be given a minimum of 14 days notice (most often it is 30 days or more) at which time you will be given the opportunity to stay in the program or go about your way. If you stay in the program you will move to the top of the priority list for any suitable house available in the program. All your fees will typically roll over to the next property. If you leave the program, your deposit and membership fees will be returned upon a final accounting.