It has come to my attention that there is a HUD scam in place in many communities throughout Louisiana. A HUD home always has a white sticker in the window with the contact information for the company in charge of maintaining the lawn, and if there is any vandalism they are the individuals who make the repairs. In addition to the white sticker in the window there is a real estate brokers sign.
There are individuals who claim to be real estate agents who call and gain access to the properties. They go into the property and remove the white sticker and remove the real estate agent sign. There is also usually a sign in sheet in the house that they also remove. They remove anything that would indicate that the home is a listed property, on the MLS, home. They want it to look like they could own it.
In one instance an individual removed the legal listing broker sign and replaced it with their own sign.
These individuals then place signs on highway exits or on roadways or on poles that say:
"HOUSE FOR SALE - $55,000 555-55-5555"
They tell the individuals who call that they own the home and are trying to sell. They say they have two offers but if you bring them $2000. they will sell the house to you.
SCAM, SCAM, SCAM. HUD homes are owned by the federal government and the consequences are severe. In one case a buyer gave one of these crooks $2000. and realized he had been scammed and reported the individual to the police. He has been arrested.
This type of scam could be perpetrated on any vacant home or in fact on any home. Always insure that the individual who gains access is actually a licensee in your state. In Louisiana and I would guess in most states it is illegal to sell properties your don't own without a license.
Be careful out there.
Originally published at www.neworleanspropertylady.com/A-HUD-Home-Scam-Alert!
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