Is this a scam?

[carbonel]

Someone claiming to be from some realty company said there had been some interest in my property and asked if I was interested in selling my house this spring.

I said no, and he said thanks, and we hung up.

But then I started wondering if there was something darker about this, or just what was going on. Because the whole thing seems rather odd. Why would someone cold call to find out interest in selling? Is that really any sort of a way to get a commission?

Comments

[snippy]

He said there was some interest? It happens-somebody might like your house and ask an agent to find out if you're interested in selling.

[naomikritzer]

It's probably not a scam per se. He might just be trying to rustle up business, but it's also possible someone did point out your house and say they really liked it. My parents got a few calls like this, over the years, and whenever one of their neighbors had a house up for sale apparently there would be people who would come for a showing and then say, "what I'd REALLY like is to buy that house across the street...."

There is a house in St. Paul that is on a cul de sac overlooking Hillcrest Park and the library; if I lived there, my kids would literally be able to get to a library, a rec center, a sledding hill, an ice skating rink, and a playground, all without so much as crossing a street. It's also a big, beautiful house with big beautiful trees in the yard. I have been tempted a few times to slip a note under their door saying, "YOU ARE LIVING IN MY DREAM HOUSE. IF YOU EVER DECIDE TO MOVE, PLEASE CALL ME SO I KNOW TO CALL A REALTOR. HERE IS MY NUMBER." But it just seems a little creepy. (Also, honestly, I doubt we could afford it.)

[timill]

Sometimes it works. We sold our house in the UK 18 months ago to a couple who knocked on our door. At our valuation, for cash.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Well, there ARE cases where somebody tremendously badly wants a particular house, but doesn't want to just admit up-front that they'll pay a high premium for it. And I imagine those situations result in calls like that.

Which is not to say that I have any opinion about the legitimacy of the one you received.

[xinef.livejournal.com]

We've had calls like that on and off since moving here 15 years ago. They sounded legitimate fishing calls, realtors looking for more clients. No, I would not pick my realtor that way!

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

My parents used to get calls like that all the time in their old neighborhood. It was a very popular neighborhood, and realtors knew they could sell the houses fairly quickly--and then might even be able to get commission from the folks buying a new house somewhere more expensive. They hoped. Didn't work out that way for them, but there was nothing ominous in them trying.

[clindau.livejournal.com]

Every so often a flyer finds its way into our mailslot with the name of a local real estate agent that says in effect: "If you're thinking about selling your house, call me." This agent has also put out flyers advertising houses he has for sale in the neighborhood (although not so much recently) so I'm pretty sure he's legit.

[tournevis.livejournal.com]

I get those flyers too. I would not pick my realtor that way either.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I have heard local radio hatemonger Tom Bernard say that he bought his house by knocking on the door and asking the owners if they wanted to sell. Involving a realtor doesn't seem far-fetched.

K.