How Realtors® Protect Their Clients—And Even Those Who Aren’t!
One of the biggest responsibilities of a Realtor® is to protect their clients—sometimes even from themselves! Buyers and sellers make many critical decisions throughout a transaction, and some of those choices can mean the difference between a smooth closing or a real estate disaster.
We constantly remind buyers not to make major purchases before closing and advise sellers against painting that accent wall bright pink. But sometimes, our job extends beyond our own clients—we end up protecting others from potential real estate fraud.
Real Estate Fraud: A Growing Concern
Recently, Berna received a real estate lead from an unusual source—one we don’t typically use. The person claimed to have a 5-acre lot for sale in Erda, Utah, but a couple of red flags caught Berna’s attention:
✅ The “seller” was calling from out of state – not unheard of, but worth investigating.
✅ The lead source was unusual – another reason to dig deeper.
Being the real estate pro that she is, Berna conducted thorough research—the same due diligence we do for every potential listing. She also brought in our Title & Escrow expert, who has access to additional resources for verifying property ownership.
What Did They Discover?
The true owner of the property was not the person who contacted her! In fact, the real owner was someone Berna actually knew. She immediately reached out to confirm whether they were selling the property—they weren’t!
✅ Fraud averted.
✅ A very grateful property owner!
Unfortunately, real estate scams like this are becoming more common nationwide. While Berna and Stevie Jo successfully stopped this one, many fraudulent real estate transactions actually close—leading to serious legal and financial nightmares for the real owner.
How to Protect Yourself from Real Estate Fraud
Although we can’t stop every scammer, we can make it harder for them to succeed. Depending on where you live, there may be county-level protections you can take advantage of.
Tooele County Property Fraud Protection
If you own property in Tooele County, Utah, you can sign up for FraudGuard, a free online servicethat alerts you anytime someone records something on your property.
🔗 Sign up here: FraudGuard – Tooele County
All you need to do is provide your email, and you’ll receive automatic alerts for any recorded activity on your property.
Final Thoughts: Get a Realtor® Who Has Your Back
Real estate fraud is a real and growing issue, but with the right knowledge and professionals on your side, you can protect your property.
If you’re buying or selling in Tooele County or beyond, make sure you have an experienced Realtor® like Berna looking out for you. Because when it comes to real estate, who you work with matters!
Need real estate guidance or have questions about fraud protection? Contact us today!