Common Scams to Avoid When Selling Your Home

Selling your home is a major financial decision—and unfortunately, it can also make you a target for scammers. Whether you're selling on your own, listing with an agent, or looking into a cash sale, it's important to know how to protect yourself.

At MG Property Bros, we’ve worked with many homeowners who’ve been approached by shady buyers or misleading “investors.” To help you avoid unnecessary risk and stress, here are some of the most common home-selling Scam—and how to avoid them.

1. The “Fake Cash Buyer” Scam

These scammers claim to be investors or cash buyers and often reach out via email, online ads, or generic-looking websites. They may send fake proof of funds or ask you to pay upfront fees for inspections, legal forms, or transaction costs.

Red Flags:

• Refuses to talk on the phone
• Wants personal or financial info early
• Asks for money before any contract is signed
• Uses pressure tactics or “guarantees” a fast close without seeing the property

Protect Yourself:

Only work with verified, local cash buyers like MG Property Bros. We’ll never ask for money upfront, and we’re happy to meet you in person or over the phone.

2. The “We’ll List Your Home for Free” Trap

This one is often disguised as a helpful offer from a real estate company or investor who claims to list your home without fees—until they hit you with hidden costs.

Red Flags:

• Vague contract terms
• Surprise “marketing” or “admin” fees after listing
• Hard-to-cancel contracts

Protect Yourself:

Ask for a full breakdown of fees, timelines, and your rights to cancel. Or work with buyers like us who purchase homes directly—no listings, no commissions, no fine print.

3. The “Wholesaler Who Can’t Close” Scam

Some self-described investors make an offer, lock up your house under contract, and then try to assign that contract to another buyer for a profit—without telling you.

Red Flags:

• Makes a high offer without inspecting the property
• Doesn’t ask many questions
• Delays closing repeatedly
• Wants contract extensions without good reason

Protect Yourself:

Ask whether the person making the offer is the actual buyer. At MG Property Bros, we buy houses directly—no middlemen, no surprises, and we always explain our process upfront.

4. Title & Wire Fraud

Scammers sometimes pose as title companies, real estate attorneys, or even lenders and send fake wire instructions to steal your closing funds.

Red Flags:

• Urgent emails about wire transfers
• Unusual email addresses (e.g. Gmail instead of a company domain)
• Last-minute changes to wiring instructions

Protect Yourself:

Always verify wire instructions by calling your title company directly using a trusted phone number—not one from the suspicious email.

5. Rent-to-Own or Leaseback Scams

These scams often target distressed homeowners. Someone offers to buy your house and let you stay as a renter—but the lease is predatory, the terms are unclear, or they evict you early.

Red Flags:

• No written agreement
• Sky-high rent or fees
• Buyer pressures you to sign quickly

Protect Yourself:

Always review rent-back or lease options with a legal professional. MG Property Bros offers transparent rent-back options when needed—you’ll know exactly what to expect.

How MG Property Bros Helps You Sell Safely

We’ve built our reputation on honesty, integrity, and full transparency. When you work with us, you get:

• A clear, written cash offer
• A simple, no-pressure process
• No hidden fees or surprises
• A team that communicates openly from start to finish
• Local credibility, references, and public reviews

Don’t Let Scammers Take Advantage of You

Whether your home is in perfect condition or needs major repairs, you deserve a process that’s safe, simple, and scam-free. If you’re unsure about an offer or situation, we’re happy to give you a second opinion—no obligation.

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