Riads and booking in advance- is a deposit needed

just booked a riad in marrakech and one in essaouira for april....both were european owned though and the british owner used paypal and the french owner required i wire money into his account. i had to pay a deposit when making reservation and pay balance 30 days before arrival date....all worked out fine but it is a bit of a leap of faith when you are wiring money into someone's account in france. I did find the house on a travel site but it all was fine and a good experience.