Vacant Land Offer Letters: How to Know if They’re Real or Fake

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve received a letter from someone - or maybe us - offering to buy your land. You’re probably wondering if the letter is a scam.

We get it! Thousands of property owners get these offers every year. Some are from real companies or investors, and others may be scams. Here’s how to tell the difference…

Signs a Land Offer Letter is Legitimate

● Your Property Is Named - The letter should have details about the property like the parcel number, size and location.

● Clear Contact Information - A phone number, email, or website is provided so that you can verify the company. A phone call is always a great idea as it’s easy to spot a scammer if they can’t answer specific questions you may have. They should give you information about who they are and why they want to purchase your land.

● No Upfront Costs or Money Exchanges - A legitimate buyer will never ask you to send money. When it comes to closing, all monetary exchanges should be handled through a reputable title company or attorney. NEVER send or accept money via your personal bank account.

Signs a Land Offer Letter is a SCAM

Here are red flags to watch for:

● Unverifiable Company - If you are not able to find a website, reviews or contact information from the company, chances are it’s a scam. It’s always a good idea to get a hold of someone over the phone to chat through what the process will look like.

● Generic Wording - The letter should mention your actual property and the location. If there is no mention that gives insight to your actual property, it’s probably fake.

● Requests for Bank Details - If a buyer asks for your bank details to wire you the funds or an EMD, it’s likely a scam. All money should be facilitated through a reputable title company or attorney.

● Requests for Information and Documents - It’s important to know which documents are safe to share and which should be private.

○ Safe to share: Property tax records, deeds showing ownership, surveys and plat maps.

○ Not safe to share: Private legal agreements or contracts not recorded with the county, your social security number, bank account details or any documents that may contain this info such as mortgage payoff statements. Note: It’s okay to share remaining balances - just be sure you hide personal financial information.

Thinking About Selling Your Land?

Receiving a letter in the mail from a stranger offering to buy your land can raise some concerns. It’s smart to be cautious and do your research. There are many legitimate investors out there looking to make a fair deal.

If you’ve done your research and are comfortable about the situation, reach out! We’re here to help, too! At Good Soil Land our goal is to make the entire process easy, transparent and stress-free.

If you’re ready to explore your options or see what your land is worth, click here to contact us. We’d love to help!