Lately, I’ve Been Getting Cash Offers for My House but It’s Not for Sale

Every few days, I get another email from someone named “Mike” offering me fast cash for my home. The red flag? My house isn’t listed, marketed, or even remotely for sale. I never open these messages I just delete them. But the frequency and tone are unsettling, and I know I’m not the only one being targeted.

These unsolicited offers aren’t just annoying. They’re part of a larger pattern of real estate spam and predatory tactics aimed at homeowners especially those who may be vulnerable, overwhelmed, or simply unaware of how their property information is being used.

 Who Is “Mike” and Why Is He Emailing Me?

These messages often come from: Wholesalers trying to lock down homes at below-market prices and flip contracts to investors Scammers looking to extract personal info or trick you into signing shady agreements Data miners scraping public records to target homeowners. They use vague language, fake urgency, and generic names to bait you into replying. Some even spoof legitimate real estate companies or agents.

How Did They Get My Info? Your name and address may be publicly available through: County assessor databases and property tax records Past real estate listings even expired ones Data brokers who aggregate and sell homeowner information Once you're on a list, your inbox becomes fair game.

 Red Flags to Watch For

If you see any of these, hit delete: “I’m ready to pay cash for your house today!” “No inspections, no fees just fast cash!” “I love your property and want to make an offer” “We buy houses in any condition!” 

What You Can Do Right Now

Don’t respond or click anything in the email Mark as spam and block the sender Report phishing attempts to your email provider Check your property records to ensure no fraudulent activity Consider a credit freeze if you suspect identity theft  

Trusted Resources

Want to dig deeper? These guides offer practical advice and protection:

• National Association of REALTORS®: Spam Email Guide
• Kiplinger: How to Spot and Avoid Real Estate Scams
• Realtor.com: Title Pirates and Email Hijacking
• McAfee: Outsmarting Real Estate Scammers

 

Footnote: If the cash offer seems wildly unrealistic… it’s because it is. These senders aren’t offering market value they’re fishing for desperation, not fairness.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis