Process
How to Avoid "We Buy Houses" Scams: A Seller's Guide to Vetting Cash Buyers
If you've thought about selling your home for cash, you've seen the signs — literally. Roadside placards, mailers, and websites all promising to "buy your house fast." Most cash buyers are legitimate, but the low barrier to entry means the space also attracts bad actors. Here's how to tell the difference and protect yourself.
We're a cash-buyer marketplace ourselves, so it might seem odd for us to write this. But our whole model is built on being more trustworthy than the typical operator, and an informed seller is exactly who we want to work with. So here's the honest guide.
Common red flags
1. Pressure to sign immediately
A legitimate buyer gives you time to read, think, and get advice. High-pressure tactics — "this offer is only good for the next hour," refusing to let you consult an attorney, pushing you to sign on the spot — are the single biggest warning sign. Walk away from anyone who won't let you breathe.
2. Asking for money up front
You should never pay a legitimate cash buyer anything to sell your home. No "application fees," no "processing fees," no "earnest money" that you pay. Money flows to you, not from you. Any request for upfront payment is a scam, full stop.
3. No proof of funds
A real cash buyer can show proof they actually have the money — a bank statement or a letter from their bank. If a buyer can't or won't demonstrate they can fund the purchase, they may be planning to "assign" your contract to someone else for a fee (more on that below) or may not have the money at all.
4. The offer keeps changing
A classic tactic: make a high offer to get you under contract, then "discover problems" during inspection and chip the price down right before closing, betting you're too committed to back out. A trustworthy buyer makes a fair offer based on the real condition and sticks to it.
5. Vague identity or no local presence
Be cautious with buyers who won't give a real company name, a verifiable address, or any local footprint. Many "we buy houses" sites are run by operators hundreds or thousands of miles away who have never set foot in your town and are simply collecting leads to sell.
Understand "wholesaling" (it's not always a scam, but know what it is)
Some "buyers" are actually wholesalers: they get your home under contract at a low price, then sell that contract to an actual investor for a markup, without ever intending to buy it themselves. Wholesaling is legal and not inherently a scam, but it becomes a problem when it's hidden from you, when the contract is one-sided, or when the wholesaler ties up your property and then can't perform. Ask directly: "Are you the end buyer, or do you plan to assign this contract?"
Questions that separate legitimate buyers from bad actors
- "Can you provide proof of funds?" — A real buyer says yes without hesitation.
- "Are you the actual buyer, or will you assign the contract?" — You deserve a straight answer.
- "Can I have a few days to review and consult an attorney?" — A legitimate buyer says of course.
- "What's your company's name and local address?" — Verifiable identity matters.
- "How did you arrive at this offer?" — A trustworthy buyer can explain the numbers.
- "What happens between accepting and closing?" — The process should be clear and written down.
Protect yourself, always
- Use a reputable local title company or real estate attorney to close. Never close a property sale outside of a proper escrow/title process. This single step prevents most fraud.
- Never pay anyone upfront. Legitimate costs come out of the proceeds at closing.
- Get the offer and terms in writing. Verbal promises mean nothing.
- Don't be rushed. If someone won't give you time, that's your answer.
- Verify the buyer's identity and track record. Look them up. Ask for references.
How Bisonkey is built to be different
Bisonkey connects you with one vetted local investor-buyer in your specific market — a real person with a real local presence, not an out-of-state call center. We don't charge you fees, we don't pressure you, and every sale closes through a licensed local title company. You're always free to take your time, ask questions, get advice, and walk away. That's the whole point of how we built this.
Bottom line
Selling for cash can be a great option — fast, certain, and hassle-free — but only with a trustworthy buyer. Watch for pressure, upfront fees, missing proof of funds, and shifting offers. Ask direct questions, close through a title company, and never let anyone rush you. The good buyers will respect every one of those boundaries.