What are the red flags that a buyer, seller, and agent should look out for in avoiding real estate fraud?

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Tony Trotter, Real estate investor/Entrepreneur (Diadem Holdings, LLC)

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Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

They get so clever. I think we have to use our intuition and act on anything that seems wrong

Nov 14, 2015 03:10 AM

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Mike Rock

Granite Bay, CA

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Kathleen Luiten

Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI

Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Too many to list (there are books on this). Check the title, confirm the identities, get proof of funds.

Nov 14, 2015 03:08 AM

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Mike Rock

Granite Bay, CA

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Curtis Evans

Cabin Realty LLC/ USA, Licensed in Louisiana - Golden Meadow, LA

Always make sure your dealing with the true property owner (s).

Nov 13, 2015 06:13 PM

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Lise Howe

Washington, DC

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TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good Saturday morning Tony. I have learned to rely on my sixth sense. Rarely does it lead me astray.

Nov 13, 2015 05:09 PM

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Mike Rock

Granite Bay, CA

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Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTACONDOS.COM

Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA

Associate Broker

Best of luck with your studies.

Dec 02, 2019 08:16 PM

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Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If it doesn't look right or smell right, question it.

Aug 21, 2016 01:23 AM

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Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Best to deal with honest people, if they are likely to compromise in one way they may in others.

Nov 15, 2015 08:54 AM

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David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation

Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Tony,
The lender you have never heard of is a good clue.

Nov 14, 2015 09:36 AM

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Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Cute baby photos as a profile pic?

Nov 14, 2015 09:32 AM

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Mike Rock

Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA

Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

there are so many... but asking for things out of the ordinary without good reason.

Nov 14, 2015 07:31 AM

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Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Nov 14, 2015 03:51 AM

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Bruce Parker

RE/MAX Best - Highland Park, NJ

requiring the buyer to use the sellers title insurance company. usually it indicates a "reverse closing"

Nov 14, 2015 02:40 AM

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Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers

Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ

Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

As others have said - there are books about this...

Nov 13, 2015 11:43 PM

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Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

In my area tenants are more likely to get swindled with rental scams.

Nov 13, 2015 10:53 PM

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Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You could write a book on this. It is looks too good to be true, it may not be the truth.

Nov 13, 2015 09:55 PM

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Sam Shueh

(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA

mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Always check out the buyer seller profile background before engaging in a verbal relationship. I ask for id for renter and show them my license ID(in California). You do not want to get into something that you will regret.

Sam Shueh

Nov 13, 2015 09:36 PM

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Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041

ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL

Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

You bet. When you do what you are supposed to do, that is "Get it in writing with proof of funds" avoidance is a red flag.

Full price offer for unseen real estate. Nothing could go wrong there.

'Buyer, Annette Lawrence, and/or assigns'

The list is ENDLESS as the "BUY WITHOUT RISKING YOUR OWN MONEY" seminars flourish.

Make sure you are dealing with an adult, whose image matches the photo. Red flags.

Nov 13, 2015 09:09 PM

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Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC

Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

you ask questions filled with such suspicion. is everything going okay?

Nov 13, 2015 08:12 PM

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Praful Thakkar

LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA

Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tony Trotter go by what your conscious say.

If you feel something is fishy, make sure you check everything in detail.

Nov 13, 2015 03:45 PM

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Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

I agree with Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint . Too easy and too good to be true!

Nov 13, 2015 11:49 AM

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Patricia Kennedy

RLAH Real Estate - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Just follow your gut reactions. Agents (at least if they are properly trained) should be able to identify fraud pretty easily. The public has to watch out for not only fraud, but also incompetence.

Nov 13, 2015 11:47 AM

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Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho

Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID

North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

If it seems to good to be true....

Mark

Nov 13, 2015 11:29 AM

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They get so clever. I think we have to use our intuition and act on anything that seems wrong
Too many to list (there are books on this). Check the title, confirm the identities, get proof of funds.
Always make sure your dealing with the true property owner (s).
Good Saturday morning Tony. I have learned to rely on my sixth sense. Rarely does it lead me astray.
Best to deal with honest people, if they are likely to compromise in one way they may in others.
there are so many... but asking for things out of the ordinary without good reason.
requiring the buyer to use the sellers title insurance company. usually it indicates a "reverse closing"
In my area tenants are more likely to get swindled with rental scams.
You could write a book on this. It is looks too good to be true, it may not be the truth.
Always check out the buyer seller profile background before engaging in a verbal relationship. I ask for id for renter and show them my license ID(in California). You do not want to get into something that you will regret.

Sam Shueh
You bet. When you do what you are supposed to do, that is "Get it in writing with proof of funds" avoidance is a red flag.

Full price offer for unseen real estate. Nothing could go wrong there.

'Buyer, Annette Lawrence, and/or assigns'

The list is ENDLESS as the "BUY WITHOUT RISKING YOUR OWN MONEY" seminars flourish.

Make sure you are dealing with an adult, whose image matches the photo. Red flags.
you ask questions filled with such suspicion. is everything going okay?
Tony Trotter go by what your conscious say.

If you feel something is fishy, make sure you check everything in detail.
I agree with Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint . Too easy and too good to be true!
Just follow your gut reactions. Agents (at least if they are properly trained) should be able to identify fraud pretty easily. The public has to watch out for not only fraud, but also incompetence.