When buying or selling
Know the area’s average home prices. Don’t just read the listings. Drive around; look at properties; attend open houses. Hire a licensed home
inspector. Avoid anyone affiliated with your Realtor or mortgage broker.
Go to nahi.org (National Association of Home Inspectors) for leads.
Compare lenders’ mortgage costs. Check with local banks and websites like bankrate.com. Review the ownership history. If a home’s been bought and sold frequently in the last few years, be suspicious. Even if it hasn’t been targeted by scammers, there might be something wrong with it. Steer clear of mortgage brokers or Realtors who try to persuade you to fudge your loan application. And be wary of unsolicited contacts and highpressure sales tactics.
At the closing
Don’t sign a blank document, or one with blank spaces. If something doesn’t apply, it should be marked “N/A.” Make sure the name on your paperwork matches the name on your ID. Don’t sign a document until you’ve read and
understood it. Never sign away the deed to your property without consulting a lawyer.