Prices that are too good, requests for money before a viewing, and other signs of a scam — and how realest.am helps you avoid them.
Most listings are real, but some are written only to take a deposit from someone in a hurry. These signs help you notice them early.
Warning signs
A price far below the area's level. realest.am shows how a listing's price per m² compares with similar homes nearby. A home much cheaper than everything around it needs a good explanation.
Money before a viewing. "Send the deposit and I'll keep it for you", "pay for the keys to be sent" — never pay for a home you haven't seen.
The owner is always "abroad". Someone who can't show the home, or the documents, can't rent or sell it to you either.
Photos you've seen elsewhere. The same pictures under a different address or a different name. Search for the photos, or ask for a short video call from the apartment.
Pressure. "Three other people want it, decide today" is a classic way to stop you checking.
Contact only by messenger, never in person. Ask for a meeting and a call; scammers avoid both.
What to check
Who owns it. Ask for the ownership document, and compare the name with the person you deal with. A Cadastre certificate can be checked on cadastre.am with its number and password. If someone acts for the owner, ask for a power of attorney.
The address. Go there. Check that the building, the floor and the view match the photos.
The contract. Read it before paying, and pay against a receipt or by transfer.
How realest.am helps
"Ownership checked": the seller showed the Cadastre ownership certificate, and our moderators compared it with the listing.
"Only on realest.am": the seller says the listing isn't posted elsewhere; if you find it on another site, tell us.
Duplicate detection: listings that reuse another seller's photos or phone and address are flagged for our moderators.
Reports: every listing has a "Report" button. Enough reports take a listing off the site until a moderator looks at it.
Agents with reviews: agents' profiles show reviews from real clients and how fast they reply.
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Report the listing and keep looking — there are plenty of honest owners and agents.