Short answer
Check that the buyer will put the offer and terms in writing, closes through a title company or attorney, does not ask you to pay anything up front, and does not pressure you to sign fast. Be wary of anyone who wants your deed before you are paid, or who asks for wire transfers or gift cards.
Pressure and payment red flags
The FTC says pressure to act fast is a sign of a scam. It also warns about anyone who asks for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire services like Western Union or MoneyGram. In a normal sale, you do not pay the buyer anything. The money moves from the buyer to you at settlement.
Be careful with offers that exist only by phone or text. The FTC advises getting terms in writing, including how long the offer is valid and any fees or termination charges.
Never hand over title before funds
Do not sign a deed to anyone before closing, and do not agree to any arrangement where you move out and a buyer promises to pay you later. A legitimate sale has a signed agreement of sale, a title search and a settlement where funds are disbursed as the deed is delivered.
Ask who the settlement agent is. A reputable title company or real estate attorney will confirm the buyer's money has arrived and will give you a settlement statement showing every dollar. If the buyer wants to use an unfamiliar closer or skip the title search, treat that as a warning.
Check for a middleman
Some sellers deal with a company that is not buying the house but selling the contract to someone else. Pennsylvania's Act 52 of 2024 brings those wholesale transactions under real estate licensing rules and requires disclosures to consumers. If the person you are talking to will not say whether they intend to buy the house or assign the deal, ask directly and ask for it in writing.
We cover this in more detail in our separate answer on wholesaler and assignment disclosure.
A short checklist before you sign
Read the whole agreement. Check that the price, closing date, who pays closing costs and what happens if the buyer backs out are written down. Look the company up, search its name with the word complaints, and ask for references from sellers in your county. Ask for proof the buyer has the funds.
Have a Pennsylvania real estate attorney review the agreement if you have any doubt. Kaizen Home Buyers makes a cash offer within 24 hours, buys as-is and charges no commission. Have your own attorney review everything. Call 267-329-0084 with questions.
What to do if something feels wrong
Stop and do not sign. Tell your title company or attorney what the buyer has asked for. Do not send money, and do not share bank logins or personal identifiers beyond what a title company needs.
The FTC takes fraud reports at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you already signed something, show it to a Pennsylvania real estate attorney before the closing date, because some agreements can be challenged and some deadlines are short.