The wife and I have been getting texts and phone calls regarding selling a property that is not ours for a few months now, same address every time. I asked a couple of them where they got their info and they say public records.

I just got a call on our proper address asking if we were looking at selling. What's the deal with this, what's the end game?

Curious to see any input on this myself.

Probably the same outfit that has been sending me offers to rent out my "Vacation Home".

Trust me, Scooter, if I could afford a vacation home, I wouldn't be freezing my ass off in East Overshoe all Winter.

I've gotten a few of those voicemails, usually from an out-of-state number, usually pre-recorded "We'd like to make an offer on your property" with little-to-no detail.

I reply, telling them that the selling price is <three times the market value>, cash, it is not negotiable, this is a one-time offer that will be on the table for twenty-four hours.

That usually ends the dialog very quickly.

I would go to the property appraiser in the county, check their records online and see if you are an owner of that address.
might be someone running a title scam using your name but a property you are not affiliated with.

If it is your name and your wifes name on it and you don't in fact own it, they you might need to get a lawyer involved to make sure title to your own home is good and subject to title theft

^^^^
As above, check public records. It is always a good idea to do a Google search on your name. I have found quite a few errors in mine. It makes sense to spend some time checking with your county. It is indeed possible that is an honest mistake.

Tell them yes, in your best Dr Evil voice, "for one million dollars."

The only calls I get are from the IRS telling me agents are coming to get me if I don't settle my tax debt.

There's a whole industry of house flippers an real estate wholesalers who beat the bushes looking for bargain properties.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
There's a whole industry of house flippers an real estate wholesalers who beat the bushes looking for bargain properties.

I have a second home in Georgia and I've been getting inundated lately with calls and letters trying to buy it. Meanwhile, I'd be happy to have someone take my primary residence off my hands!

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I reply, telling them that the selling price is <three times the market value>, cash, it is not negotiable, this is a one-time offer that will be on the table for twenty-four hours.

That usually ends the dialog very quickly.

I have been doing this for over 2 years, but only tell them double the market value. Works every time.

Not so sure it's a scam as just "fishing" for a hot deal.
Get them all the time and hang up regularly.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I asked a couple of them where they got their info and they say public records.

You might ask them to be more specific.

If I had to guess, I would guess that perhaps the property they think (incorrectly) that you own may be in a desirable location.

Some RE investors use services to figure out who owns property near where they have a potential project. If one of their sources got bogus data somewhere, that mis-information can take on a life of its own when those services spread the bad info on request.

So, if they'll tell you where they got the info, you can get back to their source, let them know their error, and hopefully prevent further annoyance.