Scams are no joke. They involve trust and violating that trust. They involve intercepting information as it’s being transferred quickly under strict deadlines. We are trained to look out for scams. I wanted to spend a moment talking about how you can avoid them in your next real estate transaction.

Work with a reputable real estate agent: A good real estate agent can help you avoid scams by guiding you through the buying process, performing due diligence on properties, and identifying any red flags.

Conduct thorough research: Before buying a property, research the seller, the property, and the neighborhood. You can use online resources such as property listing sites, county property records, and Google Maps to gather information.

Inspect the property: A thorough inspection of the property can help identify any potential issues that could be signs of a scam. This includes hiring a licensed home inspector to inspect the property.

Check the title: It’s important to verify the title of the property and make sure there are no liens, encumbrances, or other issues that could cause problems down the road.

Don’t wire money: Scammers often ask buyers to wire money to secure a property or pay for closing costs. Instead, use a secure payment method such as a cashier’s check.

Be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals: If a property seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use low prices to lure buyers into a scam.

Trust your instincts: If something seems off or suspicious, trust your instincts and investigate further before making any decisions.