In the future never let a tenant do it themselves or you will face this scam again.

I also made an account for Roomster but it seems like a scam to me, hundreds of people supposedly looking for rooms but you can't view messages unless you pay them..

One person noted they try and scam you with "simple interest" accruing daily (and at a very high rate) vs. compounded interest at the usual private lender rates. 

What advice would you give to someone who encountered a list of properties about to go to auction?

I have a hypothetical deal based upon a real life situation I just encountered.

@Cali SkierAs a tenant I have turned away from every property represented by a landlord/real estate agent that has said the words holding fee, it sounds like too much of a scam to me and I NEVER EVER give anybody any money with a written and signed contract. .Additionally you have a lot of fees and prices in there.

@Paul Boudreaux, looks like a bait-and-switch scheme/scam to me.

I've also been looking in the area for a duplex and have encountered something similar. 

I used to work at one of the nations largest online lenders and I can tell you if your scenario is perfect then you won't encounter much, but like when dealing with anything slightly outside the cookie cutter loans you do it's hit or miss.

Those are just ballpark numbers I've encountered.