Community Chat

[Kalli]

I know my landline is listed online so that's an easy one.  But today I got a text from someone I don't know asking if I wanted to sell a piece of real estate I own that is not in my immediate area.  

The county gis map for that property shows some info but not owner names or phone#. It does give the deed reference.  So, how did that person get my cell#?  And is there a computer program that searches through property records and highlights only those that are not primary residences?

I hesitate to ask the person who texted me, just don't want to start a dialog. But I'm curious.  And probably a little bored! 

[bells4me]

I have got 2 texts asking if I want to sell.  I don't have a mortgage so don't know where they got my #.

[skatting44]

 There are   people who are looking for properties , houses , land  for sale who  get paid fees to find these properties  for realestate companies. The  realestate inventory is low in alot of areas  and  the market is very inflated . We've had a couple of people calling us  or leaving cards in our mail box . We refused to call them back  because some of this is a scam. There are scammers who want to know if your mortgage   is paid off  and then they scam  by falsifying  your deed .

[Carmie]

It is really easy to find out who owns real estate.  It is public information.  Any one can access the information on line or go to the county courthouse and look through the record of deeds.  You can also see if the property is paid for or has a lien against it.

I don't the know how somone got your cell #.  We still have our land line and pay extra for an unpublished #.  My DH was a law enforcement officer for 35 years and people would call our home to report something instead of calling 911 or we would be harassed so it was important to us not to have this info out there.

Last year, I googled my DH's name.  I was shocked when our address and home phone number came right up.

This is my theory on this.  When you buy something on line and they ask for your phone number, they sell your name and phone number to others.  There is no expectation of privacy anymore.  Anything can be bought and sold...including your personal info.

[Porcelain]

This all sounds a little creepy. Like the beginning of one of those dramas where the bad guys try to bully the owners of a home or mom and pop shop into selling so that developers can buy up the block. I wouldn't start a dialog but I'd text the person back, giving them whatfor, telling them I have saved their text and logged their number and to never contact me again.

[FiddleDeeDee]

Unless you are paying to keep your cell phone unlisted (don't know if that's even possible),. it doesn't take much to find in. You'd be surprised at how much of your info it out there for someone who knows how to look.

[alicedee]

I wouldn't respond.  Just block the number.

[FatCatinCT]

We live in a highly desirable over 55 condo complex (single homes and duplexes), ours is just over 2800 sq feet.  Whenever there is a unit for sale there is so much activity that for months afterwards we get postcards from realtors asking if we're interested in selling.  The last unit which is the same model as ours sold for $25k over asking price. 

People are desperate to move into a slower pace town, less people, out of the city and will pay the price.

Yes, there are programs where you can get any information.  My husbands niece called his new cell phone number and we wondered how in the world she got it.  Her employer has such a program and she looked it up.

[Kindaglitzy]

I get these type solicitations frequently. Sometimes I just receive a written voice mail without the phone ever ringing on my cell, don’t know how they do that. Some of these people are legitimately interested in buying but if I’m not interested in selling, what’s the point so just ignore. Some of the ones I get in the USPS mail I do save because I know they are legitimate and fall under category never know when might need to sell quick.

[suzyQ3]

Ignore and delete!