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Real estate scams to watch out for in 2025
Real estate investor and coach Casey Franchini of Brick by Brick Wealth and I dive into the most common real estate scams—including ones we’ve seen first-hand.

How to protect yourself from the latest real estate scams
While we are in the new year, unfortunately, scams targeting real estate professionals and everyday buyers remain prevalent. It’s more important than ever to be vigilant as scammers continue to get creative in exploiting vulnerabilities.
Earlier this month, real estate investor and coach Casey Franchini of Brick by Brick Wealth and I dove into the most common real estate scams—including ones we’ve seen first-hand. These are some of the key types of scams to look out for.
1. Title scams
Title scammers know that if the property is completely paid off, a malicious transfer of ownership into someone else's name is nearly invisible to the rightful property owner until it’s too late.
Title scams have even affected high-profile investors like David Greene of Bigger Pockets, who lost 50 properties to this type of fraud. In Greene’s case, fraudsters exploited a website glitch, transferred titles, and sold them before he could do anything about it.
As strange as it sounds, one way to protect yourself from this type of theft is to avoid paying your property off completely.
Casey’s real estate attorney once advised her that even a small HELOC can protect from title hijacking, as holders will be notified that someone is trying to change the title if they have a loan.
2. Pop-up phone scams
Scammers are getting more brazen online.
One couple I know almost lost their sensitive bank account information after a pop-up appeared on their computer claiming they had a virus. The pop-up provided a number to call, and without realizing it, the wife nearly handed over her bank information until her husband caught on and hung up the phone.
It’s crucial to be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or pop-ups, especially those that ask for personal data or offer a sense of urgency.
The technological capabilities of these scammers continue to evolve—with AI tools they can use voice cloning to sound like people you may know personally. Unfortunately, these days, you have to proceed with extreme caution when dealing with ANY form of unrecognized or unsolicited communication.
If you're unsure about a phone call or email, don't hesitate to contact the company directly using their verified contact details.
3. Wire fraud
Wire fraud is a common issue in real estate transactions. Scammers can intercept emails between buyers, sellers, and lenders, altering wire transfer details. Subtle changes in an email address or URL, such as non-English characters that resemble English letters, can trick even the most careful eye.
Always verify wire instructions by calling your lender directly before transferring any funds.
4. Rental scams
It is more important than ever to watch out for fake listings. It is common for scammers to take vacant properties, pretend to be owners, and list them at below-market rates to entice unsuspecting renters. The M.O. is to collect a whole bunch of deposits before anyone actually moves in.
In the Fresno area, one scammer collected over 30 deposits in just 10 days before vanishing. Casey says she routinely gets calls from folks surprised to learn her real rent price after seeing a fake listing of the same property online for a much lower price.
Casey now includes clear disclaimers in her rental listings, urging potential tenants to reach out directly if they spot suspiciously low prices elsewhere. This type of scam is also why many property management companies watermark their photos.
If a rental price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Verify all listings before sending any deposits.
5. Contractor scams
The search for a trustworthy contractor can be grueling, but Casey warns that bad actors are out there, ready to take advantage of unsuspecting property owners.
Always demand a written estimate and never pay upfront for labor. A real contractor should not require a 50% deposit unless the job is substantial. And remember, if a contractor’s company name changes or they’re reluctant to provide proof of insurance and licensing, it’s time to walk away.
As real estate syndications become more popular, so do the scams. Some unscrupulous syndicators mix funds from one deal to cover the shortfall in another. Commingling investor funds with personal or business money is illegal and makes it difficult for investors to track how their money is used.
Keeping investors in the dark can lead to significant risks and financial losses. If you’re considering a syndication investment, ensure the syndicator follows all proper protocols and provides clear, detailed documentation. If they don't, be wary.
The bottom line: trust your gut
Whether it's a title scam, rental scam, or contractor issue, the key to avoiding fraud is vigilance. If something feels off, it probably is.
Scammers thrive on quick decisions, so take your time to research, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Stay safe in 2025.
ResiClub chart of the week:
This month, ResiClub’s Lance Lambert published an analysis of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)’s Q3 2024 data. Lance found that 73.3% of U.S. mortgage borrowers now have an interest rate below 5.0%—a decline of 12.2 percentage points since Q1 2022.
As mortgage rates remain "higher for longer," that share continues to shrink as most new borrowers are mainly taking out loans with rates with a 6-handle or 7-handle.
“As more borrowers take out mortgages with rates in the 6% and 7% range, the mortgage industry may see opportunities for “‘refi boomlets,’” Lance wrote. “A notable example occurred in September 2024, when the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate briefly dropped to 6.11%, prompting some borrowers with recent high-rate loans to refinance and secure payment relief.”
Number of the Week: 60
According to a recent Redfin report, more than half (54.5%) of active listings have been sitting on the market without going under contract for a staggering 60 days.
If you see a property sitting this long it either means you are seeing
A. A seller stuck to their wish pricing
OR
B. A motivated seller
Your job is to find the latter and turn these listings into great deals. There’s a real opportunity for those ready to find motivated sellers and act in 2025.
You’re invited to our ORaat Celebration in Las Vegas
In February, fans, millionaires, and real estate investors will gather for an exclusive event to network, and dive even deeper into the world of real estate investing.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
You’ll discover what a "Buy Box" is and isn't
You’ll get your questions answered live
You’ll build and review audience Buy Boxes
Learn how to document your Buy Box findings in a comparison spreadsheet
Here’s how the event is organized:
Each speaker will provide 20 minutes of audience Q&A time
Our speakers will be there for two full days to enable private conversations
Six hours of networking
Tickets:
General Admission: $299
VIP: $699
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