Essential Safety Checklist for Brokers Handling Vacant Land Listing Requests
- Kim Clark
- 33 minutes ago
- 2 min read
When you receive a call from someone wanting to list vacant land, take a few extra steps to ensure you’re speaking with the true property owner. Recent fraudulent land‑sale attempts make verification essential.
• Confirm the caller’s identity Ask for a live video meeting via Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, or FaceTime. A legitimate owner should have no issue verifying who they are.
• Offer to meet on-site Suggest walking the lot lines together. Scammers typically avoid in‑person interaction.
• Cross-check ownership Contact the title company for any additional ownership information that can help confirm the caller’s identity.
• Send documentation to the address on record Notify the potential client that you will mail verification documents to the address listed with the County Assessor. Request that they return the completed documents before you proceed with listing the property.
• Independently verify contact information Use social media and online tools (such as Spokeo and similar platforms) to confirm the owner’s phone number or email address.
• Watch for red flags If the “seller” resists these steps, gives excuses, or pressures you to move quickly, treat it as a potential scam. Trust your instincts.
• Lean on your Qualifying Broker If you’re new or unsure how to proceed, your QB is your first line of defense. Don’t hesitate to ask for guidance.
• Help your clients protect themselves Encourage landowners to set up a Google Alert for their property address. If their land appears online unexpectedly, they’ll be notified immediately.
• Buyer’s brokers: stay vigilant too When representing a buyer on vacant land, ask the listing broker what steps they’ve taken to verify the seller’s identity. Fraud affects both sides of the transaction—ask questions and document your due diligence.
You can find additional fraud‑prevention tools, alerts, and best‑practice guides on our association website, along with extensive resources from NAR on vacant‑land scams, wire fraud, and cybersecurity. We encourage you to check these regularly and share them with your clients. Staying informed is one of the strongest protections we have as a profession.
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