Ever received this in the mail?

lorigem

I recently received a postcard from a company is really interested in buying my house. They said they've tried to contact me before but to no avail (I don't remember ever being contacted). Anyway, they purchase homes "as is", pay closing costs and say they will give a fair cash offer. Seems like a scam.

A coworker told me she knew someone who received something similar. Her friend wasn't even thinking of selling but they got an offer they couldn't refuse and ended up moving.

So has anyone gotten something like this before? Just curious. I'll probably end up calling them just to check it out.

spade117

SS# and mother's maiden name?

randomtai

If it smells like a scam....

griff7809

Scam.

I would make sure you leave any and all personal information out of your conversation if you follow up. Did you google the company?

TavistockToad

Scam.

I would make sure you leave any and all personal information out of your conversation if you follow up. Did you google the company?

Agreed

lorigem

Scam.

I would make sure you leave any and all personal information out of your conversation if you follow up. Did you google the company?

I did Google and they have a website. They look like a company that buys homes and flips them. But I couldn't find anyone who's actually dealt with them before.

nomeejerome

Scam.

I would make sure you leave any and all personal information out of your conversation if you follow up. Did you google the company?

I did Google and they have a website. They look like a company that buys homes and flips them. But I couldn't find anyone who's actually dealt with them before.

If you are in the states, you could check out the Better Business Bureau.

BeachIron

Scam.

I would make sure you leave any and all personal information out of your conversation if you follow up. Did you google the company?

I did Google and they have a website. They look like a company that buys homes and flips them. But I couldn't find anyone who's actually dealt with them before.

Most likely, they are looking for desperate people who are in financial trouble and who don't have the time to properly market their homes to receive their true market value. It may be a real scam, but I think this is the more likely scenario unless they are indeed asking for personal information upfront.

lorigem

Scam.

I would make sure you leave any and all personal information out of your conversation if you follow up. Did you google the company?

I did Google and they have a website. They look like a company that buys homes and flips them. But I couldn't find anyone who's actually dealt with them before.

If you are in the states, you could check out the Better Business Bureau.

Didn't even think about that. Thanks for the tip.

Most likely, they are looking for desperate people who are in financial trouble and who don't have the time to properly market their homes to receive their true market value. It may be a real scam, but I think this is the more likely scenario unless they are indeed asking for personal information upfront.

That's probably true.

R_Bedard

I have had this happen before. Basically what happens is real estate agents and house flippers buy houses in sought after areas so they can do some improvements and then sell it off for profit. Also, they have customers who are wanting in particular neighbourhoods and thus this happens.

Hoponopono

I recently received a postcard from a company is really interested in buying my house. They said they've tried to contact me before but to no avail (I don't remember ever being contacted).

Hmmmm received a postcard...was it pre-printed or hand written and was it addressed to you specifically? Pre-printed may indicate a mass mailing; which doesn't necessarily mean a scam but it does lead to the question HOW had they "tried" to contact you to no avail previously? Obviously they had your address and, as you recall, you don't remember ever being contacted by them. Something just doesn't sound honest about that postcard...I think investigating them and using caution with any contact would definitely be prudent. Just the fact that you are questioning it shows your instincts are heightened about it...trust your gut.

lorigem

I have had this happen before. Basically what happens is real estate agents and house flippers buy houses in sought after areas so they can do some improvements and then sell it off for profit. Also, they have customers who are wanting in particular neighbourhoods and thus this happens.

That's actually what their website stated they did. Did you ever call to see what they'd offer you? I wasn't really thinking of selling yet and my area is pretty convenient. But who knows...lol

lorigem

I recently received a postcard from a company is really interested in buying my house. They said they've tried to contact me before but to no avail (I don't remember ever being contacted).

Hmmmm received a postcard...was it pre-printed or hand written and was it addressed to you specifically? Pre-printed may indicate a mass mailing; which doesn't necessarily mean a scam but it does lead to the question HOW had they "tried" to contact you to no avail previously? Obviously they had your address and, as you recall, you don't remember ever being contacted by them. Something just doesn't sound honest about that postcard...I think investigating them and using caution with any contact would definitely be prudent. Just the fact that you are questioning it shows your instincts are heightened about it...trust your gut.

It is pre-printed and has my name and address listed. I'm sure it is a mass mailing for my area. If I were more social - I'd ask my neighbors to see if they received something similar. They may have called but I don't answer unknown numbers. No voicemail messages were left though - that I can remember.

Jimaudit

It's called marketing or drumming up business.

No one can make you sell your house so where's the scam? Most states require a real estate attorney to handle the legal work so no chance of getting scammed.

Well unless you are one of those people who give out personal information.

Lleldiranne

Sounds like mass marketing in an attempt to flip houses for a profit.

If you weren't thinking about moving, and like where you are, chuck it. Something like this shouldn't be the thing making you want to move.

If you have been thinking about moving, it might not hurt to look into it. But be aware that, depending on your location and price range, you may get something a lot better by listing it the standard way. We just bought a house a few months ago, and in northern Utah in the price range we were working with, things were moving so fast that there were multiple offers on most houses, even those is poor condition (probably people wanting to flip them) and we were lucky to get the one we wanted. My guess is that, if such advertisements are going in your area, it's probably a pretty hot market, so you'll probably make more selling through an agent, where people are trying to outbid each other.

lorigem

It's called marketing or drumming up business.

Can't believe this didn't even occur to me. And I'm a marketer myself. Doh!

Sounds like mass marketing in an attempt to flip houses for a profit.

If you weren't thinking about moving, and like where you are, chuck it. Something like this shouldn't be the thing making you want to move.

If you have been thinking about moving, it might not hurt to look into it. But be aware that, depending on your location and price range, you may get something a lot better by listing it the standard way. We just bought a house a few months ago, and in northern Utah in the price range we were working with, things were moving so fast that there were multiple offers on most houses, even those is poor condition (probably people wanting to flip them) and we were lucky to get the one we wanted. My guess is that, if such advertisements are going in your area, it's probably a pretty hot market, so you'll probably make more selling through an agent, where people are trying to outbid each other.

My husband and I haven't seriously been thinking of moving though we have spoken about finding a more modern home in the near future. So we do want to move eventually. But I wouldn't want to rush to do it either. And you made a good point I hadn't even thought about. I can see that this could be a sought after area of town to live in (which is why I live here lol).

onwarddownward

Yes, it's a scam. Don't call.

blah2989

I agree its a scam.