5 Things to Check Before You Contact a Property Seller Online

Before you send that first message, five checks take less than ten minutes and protect you from a lot of the friction that shows up later.

One: Is the seller verified? On House48, a verified seller has confirmed their identity with the platform. This doesn't guarantee a perfect transaction, but it means you're dealing with a known party. Check the profile before you check the listing.

Read: The Red Flags We Don't Want House48 Users Ignoring

Two: Does the price make sense? Search five comparable properties in the same area and price range before you decide whether this listing is worth pursuing. A price that's significantly below comparable listings is a signal worth investigating before it becomes a reason you got attached to something that wasn't what it appeared to be.

Three: How detailed is the listing? A listing with specific dimensions, clear photos of every major area, a direct description of what's included and what isn't, is a listing from a seller who wants to attract serious enquiries. A listing with minimal detail and aspirational photos may be managing your expectations on purpose.

Four: How long has it been live? A listing that's been on the market for six months with two price reductions tells a different story from one that appeared last week. Long listings with price reductions often signal a condition or location issue that's keeping buyers away.

Read: What Should You Check Before Trusting a Property Listing?

Five: Is there a way to verify the property independently? For serious enquiries, a follow-up step after the initial contact should include requesting documentation: title information, proof of ownership, service charge records. A seller who can't or won't provide these when asked directly is a seller whose listing deserves more caution.

Five checks before the first message. They take less time than you'd think and change the quality of every conversation that follows.

Search with confidence at thehouse48.com