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If it sounds to good to be true, it most likely is!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams

Have you ever had a customer that just made you smile when you thought of all the great things that were going to come of your relationship. Every thing they had going on was going to make your business soar. They seemed almost too good to be true. We'll I have and now I must warn you that if it seems to good, it mostly is. We were taught this growing up so why do we ignore it as adults.

I had an investor from CA that I go in contact with from some builders and lenders. He had his Real Estate Licence in CA but need a Realtor here in NC, for the properties that were going to be built. In a couple of weeks I was going to start with him. He had worked with some other builders in the area and everyone liked him. I thought this was going to be a BIG win-win. I found out last night that this investor as well as one of the builders and most likely the lender are being investigated in NC for straw buyers.

I am so thankful that I found this out before we started anything, but at the same time very disappionted.

So just be careful there are so many crooks out there.

Comments(8)

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Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Samantha,

Just be grateful you found out before you were under investigation yourself. It's an old cliche, but it's true.

Oct 17, 2007 01:34 AM
Tracy Santrock
Santrock Realty Group Inc. , - Cary, NC
Raleigh - Cary Broker

Hi Samantha,

What are straw buyers?  I've never heard that term.

Oct 17, 2007 01:37 AM
Samantha Helms
Keller Williams - Indian Trail, NC
Straw Buyers means that A person is being paid for their SS#. A bank account is set up with their name and the name of the investor which all the funds are put into. But this straw buyer never even know what is being bought with their ss#, they don't sign the papers the investor does. I think it happens more in this area then most.
Oct 17, 2007 01:43 AM
. .
US Property and Appraisal - Pittsburgh, PA
Being in wholesale for a while this was a big problem in Atlanta, Miami, and areas of CA as well.  It's tough to spot them sometimes so congrats on saving yourself from the trouble!
Oct 17, 2007 02:00 AM
Richard Dmochowski
ERA Hemlock Sales Agency - Lords Valley, PA
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, SRES
If its too good to be true your right it probably bogus. The Straw buyer term I never heard of, but reading what Samatha Helms wrote explains it. Havent run into that here.
Oct 17, 2007 02:12 AM
Scott Geary
Infinity Home Mortgage Company Inc - Allentown, PA
Your Pennsylvania Mortgage Source
Odd. Just used that line last night at a real estate investors semminar! Good post! Thanks for sharing!
Oct 17, 2007 02:21 AM
David & Lisa Webber
RE/MAX Executive - Crofton, MD
www.webberteam.com
Ah yes, these scams apparently have been going on for several years and groups of people have been arrested all over the country for this behavior.  Be glad you didn't get roped in!
Oct 17, 2007 02:25 AM
Joseph Melchiorre
Prudential Zack - Long Beach Township, NJ
Last thing we all need is to have a legal suit against us. Never mind another will come your way eventually
Oct 17, 2007 05:04 AM