I recently found a unit to rent on Craigslist that was notably cheaper for units of similar quality in the area. The address provided seems to match other listings I have found online for different units. However I can’t find the name of the property manager online. After answering a few screening questions the property manager sends the following:

“

Thank you for your interest to rent this property, I did receive your email with your information and find them interesting and satisfactory. Please respect that the property is not available for immediate viewing until June 22nd as the unit is currently occupied by a Private Investigating Journalist who recently lost his wife to cancer during treatment but will be moving out on June 21st to live closer to his family so the property is not available for immediate view. He requested for complete privacy which I granted as will also be granted to you when you become the new tenant if you need privacy also during your lease length.

But if the timing works and you do not want to miss out on this property then you can have it reserved for you until you view/move-in with the signing of the lease contract form and payment of first month rent and Refundable Security Deposit. Meanwhile your name will be submitted to the building management as the new tenant of the property after your payment is confirmed but your rent will start counting from your move in date.

Note that after securing the property with the down payment and you happen to see the unit or for any reason you don't like the property when you see it, your funds will be refunded back to you in full as stated in the lease agreement form which will be sent to you to sign and an attorney will be made available during your walk through to confirm your full refund and to avoid any complications or anything that will bridge the agreement signed in the lease agreement form or you can come with your own legal advise if you want.

Let me know if the timing is fine by you and if you wish to proceed before all paperwork and reservation details for booking (Landlord's secretary details) can be sent to you. However some professional cleaning and disinfecting must be done before the arrival of any new tenant. This is the policy and an inspection team will be present to confirm this process.

“ I haven’t seen the lease agreement yet, but I’m wondering if this person could vanish before I ever get the chance to request my money back? How should I approach this?

EDIT: Yeah the red flags were right, it’s a scam. I found the exact same photos and description as a listing for a condo for sale - posted roughly the same time as the Craigslist listing.