House Hunting Ripoffs
Buying a house is serious adulting goals (you go, bestie!). But the complexity of the home-buying process — which most people navigate only a few times in their lives — presents numerous opportunities for real estate scammers. Fraudsters can employ a variety of tactics to rip you off or swindle you out of money (sometimes in the hundreds of thousands), personal information, or even the title to your home.
These methods take advantage of the intricate and often unfamiliar procedures involved in purchasing a property. To stay one step ahead of them, it's crucial to do your research carefully, understand the real estate market, and seek professional advice whenever needed.
Here are 7 common real estate ripoffs and scams to avoid falling prey to, along with tips on how to identify and prevent them.