How to Spot a Legitimate Land Buyer (and Avoid Land Scams)
Updated September 2026 by Cooper and Jennifer Best, Best Land Holdings.
If you own vacant land, you probably get letters, postcards and texts from people who want to buy it. Most are legitimate investors. But vacant land is also a favorite target for scams, and for a growing crime called seller impersonation or deed fraud. Here is how to protect yourself, whether you sell to us or anyone else.
Signs of a legitimate buyer
- A written offer with a clear price, timeline and who pays closing costs.
- An independent, licensed title company or closing attorney handles the deed and the money. You can look them up on your own.
- You never pay anything up front. Buyers pay for their own research.
- They explain their price and answer questions without pressure.
- A real identity: a business name, a person you can talk to, a phone number that answers, and a track record you can check.
Red flags
- Anyone asking you for an "appraisal fee," "listing fee," "processing fee" or "title fee" before a sale.
- Pressure to sign today, or to sign a deed without a notary or closing agent.
- A closing company you cannot find on your state's licensing site, or with a website created last month.
- Wiring instructions that arrive by email or change at the last minute.
- A buyer who wants you to deed the land directly to them before you are paid.
- An offer far above what similar land sells for, followed by requests for personal or bank information.
Seller impersonation and deed fraud
Vacant land with no mortgage is attractive to criminals who pretend to be the owner, list the land for a quick cash sale, use forged IDs with a remote notary, and disappear with the money. The real owner often finds out months later. The FBI and title industry have warned about this pattern. Simple steps help:
- Sign up for your county's property fraud alert, if offered. It emails you when a document is recorded in your name.
- Keep your mailing address current with the county tax office so notices reach you.
- Check your parcel online once in a while for unexpected deeds or liens.
- Respond to title company calls. If a closing office contacts you about a sale you did not start, tell them immediately.
How to verify a closing company
- Search your state's department of insurance (title agents) or bar association (attorneys).
- Find the company's phone number independently, not from an email.
- Call to confirm the file and any wiring instructions before sending anything.
How we work
We are a family-owned buyer, Cooper and Jennifer Best, based in Denver. We put every offer in writing, never charge sellers a fee, pay the normal closing costs, and close through licensed local title companies and attorneys. You are welcome to call the closing office directly to confirm everything, and we encourage it.
Frequently asked questions
Why do so many companies send letters about my land?
Land investors use county records to find owners of vacant parcels. It is legal and common. The steps above help you sort the real buyers from the rest.
Is a very high offer a good sign?
Not necessarily. Some buyers make high offers and then lower them after you are under contract. Ask how they arrived at the number.
Should I ever pay a fee to sell my land?
Not to a buyer. Your own attorney or agent may charge for their services, but a buyer should never charge you to buy your land.
Related guides
Get a real number for your land
Questions? Call or text 720-807-7989 with your county and parcel number, or request a written cash offer. You will get a written offer, usually within 48 hours, with the comparable sales and details behind it. There is no cost and no obligation.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules vary by state and county; confirm your situation with a local attorney, title company or tax professional.