If it's too good to be true...

There is not a lot of shady characters unless you go look for them.

Anything that defies common sense or your experience and training

You have many great comments.

Be alert for things that appear to be too good to be true.

Not sure many non agents will answer this but my answer experience matters. 

I have never been involved in any fraudulent transactions, nor have I run across shady characters in 25 years. I pick and choose my clients very carefully.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  I've not run into anybody in person trying to scam me. Some online contacts from overseas are pretty easy to figure out.  Always tell your clients to be extremely careful with wire transfers and follow the original instructions and still verify they have the right information over the phone or in person. 

  The lender and the title attorney will catch any problems.

Follow the law, be keenly observant and you won't ever go down the shady path.

#1. Please wire $#,### to Spoofed name.

#2. My attorney in Bali will co-ordinate everything.

#3. Internet contact, buyer wishes to remain anonymous

#4. I need to liquidate assents to make purchase...please hold this check and issue amount for..$###,###

#5. I'm a cash buyer/investor ...... 'assigneds".

#6. I'm an attorney, I will save your house from foreclosure.

#7. Make check out to 'me.'

If it seems to good to be true, then it probably is.

Brian Burrows - there are many! Most of them, too good to be true.

No comments. 

If it sounds to good to be true

If it sounds too good to be true, If it doesn't seem right, if it doesn't pass the smell test it is likely something fishy is going on.

Confirm all identities, and NEVER send money to Africa, or Russia.

My "spidey" sense never lets me down. I google or research every client. If I can't find anything the "spidey sense" starts to tingle. 

The one I saw a couple years ago where the guy ended up in jail, IIRC, was "I have a way to complete the transaction without escrow or title... to save us all some money."

Hi Brian,
There is no "public" as a Rainer.  You need to upgrade to a Rainmaker account. 

Double talk is the number one sign.

Uncommon Sense. 

If it feels or sounds hinky, it probably is. Use your common sense.

Brian,

Michael Jacobs gave you the answer. A

over & under performance with intermittent not available sessions plus conduct not in line with the norm.This is self-evident & should be questioned

Apply the smell test and sniff deep. There are some real pros out there trying to get your money!

"We don't have to let the lender know. We can do a separate addendum"

A few years ago, when REOs and short sales were a huge percentage of our market, I received an offer on a listing which was for much more than the value of the home. The agent would have had a lender and appraiser, who were part of the scheme, provide an appraisal and a loan. The offer included a large cash credit back to the buyer, who was also in on the scheme, for “improvements”. The plan was for the scammers to pocket the cash and default on the loan. I recognized the scheme and the offer was rejected. It was not an uncommon practice and agents and brokers went to jail…and deserved it.

if it sounds too good to be true, you can bet it's fraudulent....

Soft seconds, appraisals much higher then list price to name a couple.

Michael Jacobs nailed this one!

I have not come across it with my clients.