Category: real estate scams

What’s the deal with bunkers for sale?

For some reasons there have been a huge interest in abandoned bunkers for sale. Always there is an ad of a bunker for sale it gets at least ten times more hits than homes for sale. Surely, many just click on it out of curiosity but many are seriously interested. What is it that makes bunkers so attractive for buyers?

Although it is considered as the ultimate hiding place, the average underground bunker usually has no windows, just air vents and most of the times no electricity, toilet or running water.

Most subterranean shelters would be accessible through a straight up concrete shaft with a steel ladder, accessed by some sort of concrete or steel hatch on the ground.

The perfect historical restoration project

For all buyers who are interested in a historical restoration venture they are just perfect. It is a truly unique project that is sure to seduce. Unfortunately, there are not as many out there as interested buyers. That’s why, despite the bad state they usually are in they are not cheap.

Some people have been very creative and building their own amazing backyard bunkers. In this case don’t forget to get the proper permits before.

We could also see a recent movement of newly built bunkers – many especially for the upper class – that offer all modern comfort you can think of and look like out of a sci fi movie.

The “bunker for sale scam”

Sadly, whatever triggers a lot of interest in many people also inspires others to come up with a scam. In the bunker story it is no different.

The scam we have seen so far is this:

There is an ad with nice and very cheap bunkers for sale. Once you contact the advertiser, he will explain that he is very sick that is why he priced his bunker for a quick sale. Due to his condition, he is also not able to show the property but someone else can be paid to show it. Therefore, he will ask you for some money to see the bunker before you buy it. Needless to say, that after paying the money you will not hear from him ever again or have any way to get through to him.

Here are some red flags to look out for:

  • Price is cheaper than normal
  • The seller asks money to show you the property

Another good way is to use the Google Reverse Image Search with the images the advertiser has in the ad. You may find that he copied them from another website.

Bio

Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries.  We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.

Bild von Martin Bock auf Pixabay 

Real Estate Scams – When you get a call about your Real Estate Tax

You may be shocked at first but of course more than eager to pay your duties. But please don’t! This is one of the newer real estate scams that are starting to circulate.

The call about your real estate tax

This is a nasty trick where someone calls potential victims to tell them of an additional real estate tax or some other kind of fee that they need to pay. This person will tell them to pay in cash to someone who will collect the money at their home.

Please note, the tax office would never work in this way. It will never request money without an official statement, and under no circumstances will they go to a person’s house to collect money.

Residents are advised to be alert because it was reported that some individuals are posing as representatives of the tax office with the intent to scam taxpayers. 

It is sad that even in the middle of a pandemic we have to remain vigilant to don’t fall into the trap of one of the real estate scams. The best defence is awareness. So, it is good that you informed yourself – that’s the first step to don’t be scammed.

Don’t hesitate to report real estate scams

If this has already happened to you or you are suspicious about something similar please call your local police department. Don’t hesitate to do so, as this will help others to be alert as well.

Of course, you can also call your local tax office if you like to confirm your real estate tax. 

Bio

Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries.  We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.