Keep your wits about you during any real estate deal and beware these common scams.
The Fixer-Upper
You find a home that seems perfect, but its a bit of a fixer-upper. Thats OK, you think, because the sellers seem pretty motivated, and they promise to knock a little off the asking price if you sign a document saying that youll close on the place quickly and forego an inspection. But any sort of agreement like this should set off alarm bells for buyers. Often a homeowner looking to sell a house as-is has knowledge of major problems beneath the surface. They might be looking to unload a home with a teeming termite infestation or a faulty foundation, issues that are not easy or cheap to fix. To avoid this scam, never sign away your right to have a professional inspector look the place over.
The Foreclosure Fraudster
The worst sort of con artists prey on the most desperate of homeowners: Those facing foreclosure. These fraudsters come calling, telling a distraught homeowner that they can offer a helping hand, like a loan modification that can help you save your home. All it will cost is an up-front fee maybe a few hundred dollars and they can help you save your home. But these scammers will will just take your money and run, leaving you a little poorer and no better off than before. To avoid scams like these, just say no thanks to anyone who wants to charge you money to help you out. There are many free services out there to homeowners facing foreclosure, like http://www.neighborworks.org/Homes-Finances/Foreclosure/Foreclosure-Counseling-(NFMC)/Find-a-Foreclosure-Counselor
durham real estate Community Member 
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