Have you seen those “We Buy Homes” signs at busy intersections and street corners? According to Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, those signs are often a scam.
Josh Shapiro’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has issued a Consumer Alert that the businesses behind the signs usually offer to buy a home for less than the actual value and target those trying to avoid foreclosure while not providing any relief.
Residents selling a home should always obtain a home appraisal to find out the actual value of a home as well as seek real estate legal advice to evaluate key terms of a “Cash For Homes” real estate contract. We’ve also been told you should beware of the pension scams that are plaguing the elderly community at the moment.
Before you sell a home, research must be done thoroughly and efficiently by you and a real estate lawyer, as mentioned previously. This is to assure you that you are making the right choice and won’t be scammed by a bogus company and/or agent. You may have such questions as “how much will an investor pay for my house?“, “will I need to make any changes before selling?”, this can be answered by a legitimate company that is able to give you the right feedback and statistics for your answer. Selling a home should be a good experience, not one where people are afraid of scam artists trying to make money from paying citizens. This is why it is important that if you are getting a company to buy your home it is a reputable business and you will be able to sell your home with no issues. You should be able to sell home fast, which will make it better and more profitable for you and furthermore, give you the chance to move on and begin making your new house a home.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a “We Buy Homes” scam should file a complaint online, call, or send an email to the Attorney General’s website.
