How to avoid real estate scams

Scammers target people who need to sell or are under financial pressure. Here’s how to spot them, and how to protect yourself.

Six scams to watch out for

If what you’re hearing matches one of these, slow down and check before you sign or send anything.

Talk to us first
01

Wire fraud

Criminals pose as agents to trick you into wiring closing funds to a fake account.

02

Loan flipping

Repeated refinances with high fees each time, slowly draining your equity.

03

Foreclosure relief

Fake government links and upfront fees for promises to lower your payments.

04

Equity stripping

They “buy” your home, rent it back to you, then take the equity.

05

Title or deed fraud

Ownership moved out of your name. Monitor your property records.

06

Mortgage fraud

A “no strings” loan that switches to a higher rate with hidden fees.

Warning signs when talking with a buyer

Three signals that the person across the table isn’t actually the one buying your house.

Red flag 1

No proof of funds

Ask for it. A wholesaler can’t provide it, because they aren’t the real buyer.

Red flag 2

Pressure to act now

“Act now” or “lose this forever” is a sign of fraud, not a real deadline.

Red flag 3

Too good to be true

A one-week promise with a 30–60 day contract means they need time to find an investor.

Behind the signs

The hidden math behind “We buy houses” signs

Many of these buyers are wholesalers. They put your home under contract below market value, then sell that contract to an investor for a profit.

How the math actually works

Market value of your home$400,000
What the wholesaler offers you$230,000
What they sell your contract for$250,000
Their profit, from your pocket$20,000

Sell your home in three simple steps

No agents, no showings, no guesswork. Here’s exactly how it works.

Get my cash offer
Homeowner on the phone outside her Spanish-style home
01Under 2 minutes

Tell us about your home

Share the address and a few details online or over the phone. No obligation, ever.

Couple reviewing a cash offer at a table
02Within 24 hours

Get your cash offer

We review recent sales nearby and send one clear, fair offer with no hidden fees.

Homeowner checking her watch in a bright living room
03As little as 7 days

Pick your closing date

Accept, choose the date that suits you, and get paid at closing. We handle the paperwork.

Talk to a local expert today

Real people, 7 days a week. No pressure, no obligation.

Ready to see what your home is worth?

Get a fair, no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours. No repairs, no fees, no pressure.

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  • Close in 7 days
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