The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing has been working hard to prevent con artist activity. Through outreach and publications, the division aims to educate consumers about steps they can take to protect themselves prior to buying or selling real estate.
The recent housing market crash created a potential gateway for scammers. In response, the Division of Real Estate created a list of tips for consumers to consider before engaging in real estate activity. The tips include: know your real estate agent, choose a lender and be aware of requirements, understand earnest money and trust accounts, hire an attorney to review paperwork and ask questions often. Consumers can achieve the first tip easily by accessing the division's License Information Lookup---a database that includes relevant license information about the roughly 50,000 licensees it regulates---to find a licensed real estate professional. Working with one of the many licensed real estate professionals in Ohio can be one of the most important ways to ensure a successful, safe real estate transaction.
In addition to making its new publication available online, the Division of Real Estate has participated in National Consumer Protection Week events, professional conferences and the Department of Commerce's display at the Ohio State Fair to inform consumers of methods they should employ to ensure a successful buying or selling experience.
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