Strange offer | Mumsnet

GreatScroller · 2024-09-30T18:52:07+00:00

We have been on the market for around 8 weeks, today we had a phone call from our estate agent that someone from America had offered the asking price on our house. His friend had apparently called for a viewing and had to cancel the other week. He said he was sold by the video, so he hasn’t seen our house in real life but has made an offer. We live in the middle of nowhere so it’s not like we live in London or anything. The estate agent wasn’t too sure anyway they have asked for proof of funds etc. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

YellowSubmarine994 · 30/09/2024 19:57

We had an offer on our house from someone overseas who had never seen it. They were a rich property investor who it turns out owned about 30 properties in our town. It wasn't worth the flight to him so he just put offers in, bought the houses, then rented them out.

We didn't go with him in the end as he wasn't anywhere near our best offer, but it was a quick cash payment job if we'd have gone with him.

Lulubellamozarella · 30/09/2024 20:02

YES! On the last house we sold we had someone from America offer the full asking price on our house without viewing it. Only from seeing the photos online. The EA asked for proof of purchase which they provided. All seemed real and we even spoke to him at length on the phone many times as he asked us various questions about the property. All seemed legit. He instructed a UK solicitor to carry out the conveyancing. Everything was fine but when it came to exchange contracts and transfer the deposits no money arrived from him. His Solicitors were unable to get hold of him. Our EA contacted him and he told us there was a slight hitch and we would have it the next day. Still no deposit and then he totally dropped off the radar. Calls went unanswered, emails unread and not replied to. We had been scammed! The solicitors bill went unpaid as no-one was ever able to contact him or locate him. He disappeared. Turned out, on further investigation his proof of finance details had all been very cleverly faked.

Obviously the sale fell through. We lost our buyers and our forward purchase and a lot of money in the process.

Original poster

GreatScroller · 30/09/2024 21:01

Thanks for sharing! This is the kind of vibe I’m getting! It sounds way too good to be true and I just don’t live anywhere I could see someone investing in. Thanks, I thought it sounded really weird! Luckily we have a second viewing with someone local on Saturday 😊

OP posts:

BunnyWilliams · 30/09/2024 21:43

Lulubellamozarella · 30/09/2024 20:02

YES! On the last house we sold we had someone from America offer the full asking price on our house without viewing it. Only from seeing the photos online. The EA asked for proof of purchase which they provided. All seemed real and we even spoke to him at length on the phone many times as he asked us various questions about the property. All seemed legit. He instructed a UK solicitor to carry out the conveyancing. Everything was fine but when it came to exchange contracts and transfer the deposits no money arrived from him. His Solicitors were unable to get hold of him. Our EA contacted him and he told us there was a slight hitch and we would have it the next day. Still no deposit and then he totally dropped off the radar. Calls went unanswered, emails unread and not replied to. We had been scammed! The solicitors bill went unpaid as no-one was ever able to contact him or locate him. He disappeared. Turned out, on further investigation his proof of finance details had all been very cleverly faked.

Obviously the sale fell through. We lost our buyers and our forward purchase and a lot of money in the process.

Oh my goodness! I don't see the point of that scam? What on earth did he get out of it?!

Lulubellamozarella · 30/09/2024 22:12

BunnyWilliams · 30/09/2024 21:43

Oh my goodness! I don't see the point of that scam? What on earth did he get out of it?!

Show quote history

Exactly! It was cruel. I think he was a fantasist. Claimed he was some big business owner and had multiple properties. I think he got a kick
out of the pretence then disappeared when it came to the crunch. Most likely wanted to feel important and powerful for a little while. It’s quite sad really. In reality he probably leads a sad and
lonely life. 🫤 It was many years ago now. At least these days you have to
provide identification etc

Saschka · 30/09/2024 23:20

Lulubellamozarella · 30/09/2024 22:12

Exactly! It was cruel. I think he was a fantasist. Claimed he was some big business owner and had multiple properties. I think he got a kick
out of the pretence then disappeared when it came to the crunch. Most likely wanted to feel important and powerful for a little while. It’s quite sad really. In reality he probably leads a sad and
lonely life. 🫤 It was many years ago now. At least these days you have to
provide identification etc

Edited

Show quote history

More fool the solicitor for not getting payment on account upfront - ours certainly always do.

Lulubellamozarella · 01/10/2024 07:23

Saschka · 30/09/2024 23:20

More fool the solicitor for not getting payment on account upfront - ours certainly always do.

Show quote history

Absolutely! I agree! This was 15 years ago now and I think they most certainly do these days. As well as taking proof of identification etc up front. We put out house on the market a couple of months ago and had to give ID details and things we have never had to do before when selling. Things in that way I think have changed for the better.

XVGN · 01/10/2024 16:44

Ask them for a good faith deposit of £10K put into escrow.

ElsieMc · 01/10/2024 18:10

We had an offer on my late dm's house from someone who didn't even want a viewing. The offer was lowish but he increased on EA intervention. They insisted he view which did result in a higher offer. He did not want a survey nor a local search. He offered on Wednesday and wanted possession the following Friday. We were suspicious but it was legit.

He refused to show the EA staff his finances but EA assured me there was absolutely no issue with money. He bought two other houses as well.

He died 4 weeks after completion. He wanted properties for his wife to let out for an income on his death as he had cancer. Strange story, but completely true. Do proceed with caution however op.

Twiglets1 · 01/10/2024 18:18

XVGN · 01/10/2024 16:44

Ask them for a good faith deposit of £10K put into escrow.

This.

@GreatScroller when we sold my Dad's flat in London we had reason to be nervous of the buyer as she had made several extremely low offers before making the one we accepted and was an international buyer from China (she had viewed the flat in person though).

Our EA suggested that she paid a 10k deposit which sat with the solicitor, which she agreed to. We would have kept the 10k if she had pulled out for any other reason than the survey showing structural problems.