Has this ever happened to anyone else?

[spazzman]

I have been discharged for a few months now. My house sold at sheriffs auction on Monday. Today I had a gentleman come to the house and said he was with the company that purchased my home at the auction. He said that the wanted to facilitate a cash for keys to get me out quicker than the alotted time frame. He said someone would call me and figure a amount and ddate of when to be out by. Anyone had this happen?

[tinroofrusted]

I have been discharged for a few months now. My house sold at sheriffs auction on Monday. Today I had a gentleman come to the house and said he was with the company that purchased my home at the auction. He said that the wanted to facilitate a cash for keys to get me out quicker than the alotted time frame. He said someone would call me and figure a amount and ddate of when to be out by. Anyone had this happen?

Tell him to go to hell, and he can put something in wirting, and not to show up on your doorstep again or you will call the police.

He's no "gentle"man......

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Spazz, that does rather sound like a scam. You can take the lead on this one by calling the company that bought the house -- NOT at a number this guy or some telephone caller provides, but at a contact number you look up yourself in the phone book or on the net -- and asking them if they do this sort of thing. I am thinking the answer will be "no", but you can put your mind at rest in the meantime.

If this guy shows up on your doorstep again, or you get a caller, tinroof was absolutely right: demand to see personal ID (like a DL) and credentials (though badges and business cards can easily be faked anymore) and tell them firmly you won't consider anything that is not sent to you in writing. My feeling is that you won't see him again.

[BassBoy]

For those of you who do not know, sapzzman is my closet friend, so I can provide some additional info.....

A cash for keys offer is usually sent to the foreclosure victim by a
representative of the lender or buyer of the sheriff sale. The offer consists
of asking the homeowners to give up possession of their home voluntarily in
exchange for a small sum of money, usually around $500-$1,000. The bank or
buyer agrees to give the homeowners this small amount to help with moving
expenses and put an amicable end to the foreclosure or eviction after the
sheriff sale. The bank or buyer will certainly keep moving ahead with the
foreclosure or eviction process until they have regained the home, but they
will know that their clients gave the home back.

Another reason banks or buyers offer a cash for keys deal is so that they are
reasonably assured the homeowners will not abandon or destroy the property
without the bank's or buyer's awareness. Many homeowners simply give up their
properties once they are faced with mounting bills and a mortgage company that
calls them relentlessly. They find they have no solution to stop foreclosure,
so they simply move out. Lenders and buyers do not like this, as abandoned
homes are often the targets of squatters, looting, or vandalism. If the bank or
buyer can get the keys from the homeowners voluntarily, then they will be able
to keep a closer watch on the property to make sure that it does not become a
target of lawlessness.

I would also like to point out that spazzman just moved out of the home this past weekend and into his new home......so.........I suppose that as long as this excludes him from recourse if something was to happen, like vandalism, the I would definately consider voluntarily handing the keys over to them.

I agree with the others sapzzman, I would definately have something in writing before you do anything.

[sandhall]

we did this keys for cash we got 1500 to give keys and garage door opener and leave house clean the day we gave keys they gave us a signed paper of who the keys went to and how the house was left. when we did it by the date they gave us it stopped all eviction papers so they would not show on record

[HeatherB]

My SIL was paid $500 dollars for moving within 30 days. The guy told her that it costs less money to pay them that than to evict (court costs, no money coming in until the end... and apparently someone wanted to buy it and rent it out). So, she cleaned out and took the money.