How to check a property listing before you pay
What to verify before any deposit: the property, the seller, the ownership documents and the most common warning signs.
A bargain that has to be decided today is often the first sign of a scam. Before paying a single dinar, check three things: the property exists, the person has the right to sell or rent it, and the price makes sense.
1. Visit the property, or have it visited
Never reserve a property nobody has seen. If you are far away, ask for a live video tour rather than photos: nobody can fake a video in which they show you the street, the building entrance and each room on request. A 360° virtual tour, when available, is also a good sign.
2. Check who is selling
- Ask for the owner's name and compare it with the one on the deed.
- If you are dealing with an intermediary, ask for their written mandate.
- Be wary of anyone who refuses to meet, introduce themselves or show an ID.
3. Check the documents
Ask for a copy of the deed and, where applicable, the land register booklet. Have your notary review them before any commitment: they check that the seller really is the owner and that the property is free of charges (mortgage, dispute, unsettled inheritance).
4. Compare the price
A price far below the market should raise a flag. Compare with similar listings in the same commune on Immorio listings before deciding.
Warning signs
- You are asked for a deposit "to reserve" before any viewing.
- Payment must go through a method that is hard to trace.
- The advertiser puts on heavy pressure: "three other buyers are interested".
- The photos look copied from another listing or a foreign website.
If in doubt
Do not pay. Report the listing through our contact page and paste the listing link: we review every report.