Reasons to List With Professional Real Estate Agent (This is the 4th of a series of 10 real life situations)
My husband Mike has received several scam unsolicited texts from unknown individuals asking if he would consider selling our real estate. He’s not alone.
Americans are drowning in spam texts. Last month alone, almost 12.2 billion spam texts were sent — an average of almost 44 spam texts per American.
Those who own a smartphone have likely been on the receiving end of a random text from someone asking to buy their house. These messages have inundated the real estate industry in recent years, leaving some property owners wondering if the texts are legit.
Unsolicited text messages also may be just scams designed to gather more personal information from you and steal your identity.
While spam texts are mostly just annoyances, they can quickly become dangerous, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The answer to that question varies and largely depends on who sent the text.
Who Is Text Buyer?
“They come from a mix of various people,” says Cindy Wallace, a Realtor with Compass Real Estate in Nashville, Tennessee. “Some are legitimate scams. Some are wholesalers looking to buy a house for cash and resell it. Some are iBuyers.”
Even if the source is legitimate, one important question remains: Why would somebody even consider entrusting their biggest investment to an unsolicited text?
When you are interested in selling and you find yourself receiving unsolicited texts about selling, then you’ll need to start by identifying the source, according to Penny Hoarder.
Legitimate buyers will work with real estate agents and approach you with a valid offer. That professional real estate agent will identify him/herself.
“If they’re not telling you a company, I would say that’s pretty illegitimate,” Wallace says.
And if you’re getting a text message without a company associated with it — maybe from a random guy named “James” — it’s probably in your best interest to ignore it. It is likely an unqualified text buyer.
Most of these scams are about getting as much personal information from you as possible, she says, with your house simply being the bait.
Protect From Texting Buyers
Block the phone number to avoid future texts, use spam-blocking technology, and add your name and phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry, advises The Penny Hoarder.
Here’s who you should contact about spam texts:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at ConsumerComplaints.fcc.gov or 1-888-225-5322
Your telephone service provider may offer spam-blocking mechanisms.
Contact Us
Tucker Benner Realty has professional full time agents who can help you identify qualified buyers instead of unsolicited texting buyers. Call or text 231-730-8781 when you are ready to sell.
Marilyn Tucker
