Stop Unsolicited Offers to Buy Your House

Quick answer

• Opt out of pre-approved mortgage offers from credit bureaus.
• Register your home address on the National Do Not Call Registry for telemarketing.
• Consider using a real estate agent to manage inquiries if you plan to sell.
• Be aware that some solicitations may be legitimate, but many are not.
• Block unwanted callers and report persistent or scammy behavior.
• Understand that completely eliminating all contact might be impossible, but you can significantly reduce it.

Who this is for

• Homeowners who are not planning to sell their property soon.
• Individuals who find unsolicited real estate solicitations annoying or intrusive.
• People concerned about potential scams or identity theft from unsolicited offers.

What to check first (before you act)

Your Selling Intent

Are you actively considering selling your home in the near future? If so, unsolicited offers might be a valuable part of your market research. If you are not planning to sell, then these offers are simply noise. Understanding your own intentions is the first step to deciding how to handle these communications.

Your Current Communication Channels

How are these offers reaching you? Are they via mail, phone calls, emails, or text messages? Identifying the channels helps you target your opt-out efforts more effectively. For example, direct mail requires a different approach than telemarketing calls.

Potential Scams

Do any of the offers seem too good to be true? Are they asking for personal information upfront or pressuring you to act immediately? Be cautious. Unsolicited offers can sometimes be a front for scams, aiming to gather your personal data or trick you into a bad deal.

Stop Unsolicited Offers to Buy My House: Step-by-step

1. Opt Out of Pre-Approved Credit Offers

What to do: Visit OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). This service allows you to opt out of firm offers of credit or insurance, which are often the source of mail from companies wanting to buy your home. You can opt out for five years or permanently.
What “good” looks like: You receive significantly fewer mailings from lenders and real estate investors offering to buy your home based on pre-approved offers.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Assuming that opting out once will last forever. Permanent opt-out requires mailing in a form after the initial phone or online request. Ensure you complete the permanent opt-out process if that is your goal.

2. Register on the National Do Not Call Registry

What to do: Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register. While this primarily targets telemarketing, some real estate investors may still call numbers on the registry, but it can reduce unsolicited sales calls.
What “good” looks like: A noticeable decrease in unsolicited phone calls from individuals or companies asking to buy your house.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Expecting the Do Not Call Registry to stop all calls. It does not stop calls from political organizations, charities, or companies with whom you have an existing business relationship. It also doesn’t stop calls from companies that illegally ignore the registry.

3. Unsubscribe from Email Lists

What to do: Look for an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of unsolicited emails. If an email is clearly a scam or from an unknown sender, mark it as spam.
What “good” looks like: Your inbox becomes less cluttered with offers to buy your home.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Clicking on suspicious unsubscribe links in spam emails. This can confirm your email address is active and lead to more spam. Instead, mark as spam or delete directly.

4. Block Unwanted Phone Numbers

What to do: Use the blocking feature on your smartphone or home phone. For persistent telemarketers, consider a call-blocking device or app.
What “good” looks like: Repeated calls from the same unwanted numbers are silenced.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Forgetting to block numbers from unknown or spoofed area codes. While difficult to manage completely, blocking known offenders is a good start.

5. Direct Mail Opt-Outs (Specific Companies)

What to do: Some companies that send unsolicited mail may have their own opt-out procedures. Look for contact information within the mailing itself. For example, companies that buy houses directly often have websites where you can request to be removed from their mailing list.
What “good” looks like: You stop receiving mail from specific companies that are repeatedly contacting you.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Not realizing that different companies have different opt-out processes. You may need to contact each sender individually if they are persistent.

6. Consult a Real Estate Professional (If Selling)

What to do: If you are considering selling, inform a local real estate agent. They can help you manage inquiries, market your home effectively, and screen potential buyers or investors.
What “good” looks like: You receive targeted interest from serious buyers or investors, managed professionally, rather than random solicitations.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Trying to handle all inquiries yourself when you are not prepared for the volume or the sales process. This can lead to missed opportunities or dealing with unqualified individuals.

7. Report Abusive Practices

What to do: If you are receiving calls or mail in violation of regulations (like the Do Not Call Registry or junk mail laws), report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at FTC.gov.
What “good” looks like: Contributing to enforcement actions that can penalize companies for illegal practices, potentially reducing their activity.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Believing that reporting won’t make a difference. While individual reports may not lead to immediate action, aggregated reports help identify patterns and target enforcement.

8. Be Wary of “We Buy Houses” Scammers

What to do: Research any company that contacts you with an offer. Look for reviews, check their business registration, and be skeptical of overly aggressive tactics or demands for upfront fees.
What “good” looks like: You avoid falling victim to a scam and protect your personal information and finances.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Being swayed by a seemingly quick and easy sale. Scammers often prey on homeowners’ desire for a fast transaction, so always proceed with caution and due diligence.

Common Mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Not opting out of pre-approved credit offers.	Continued unwanted mail from companies wanting to buy your house.	Visit OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT.
Assuming the National Do Not Call Registry stops all sales calls.	Ongoing unsolicited telemarketing calls from entities not covered by the registry.	Understand the registry’s limitations and use additional blocking methods.
Clicking unsubscribe links in spam emails.	Confirmation that your email is active, leading to more spam and potential malware.	Mark as spam or delete directly; do not engage with spam.
Not blocking persistent callers.	Repeated interruptions and potential harassment.	Use your phone’s blocking feature or a call-blocking device/app.
Sharing personal information with unknown callers/senders.	Risk of identity theft or financial fraud.	Never share sensitive information unless you initiated the contact and verified the entity.
Ignoring the potential for scams in unsolicited offers.	Falling victim to fraudulent schemes, losing money or personal data.	Research any company thoroughly before engaging.
Not understanding the difference between legitimate market interest and aggressive solicitation.	Feeling overwhelmed or misled by offers.	Differentiate between genuine interest and pushy sales tactics; know your own selling intent.
Failing to report illegal or abusive practices.	Allowing unethical companies to continue their behavior and target others.	Report violations to the FTC or relevant consumer protection agencies.
Relying solely on one method of opting out.	Incomplete reduction of unsolicited contact.	Use a combination of strategies across different communication channels.
Not consulting a professional if you are considering selling.	Inefficiently managing inquiries, potentially missing out on better offers or dealing with unqualified parties.	Engage a licensed real estate agent to handle solicitations and manage the selling process.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are not planning to sell your home, then opt out of pre-approved credit offers because these are a primary source of unsolicited mail about buying your house.
• If you receive frequent unwanted sales calls, then register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry because it’s a foundational step to reduce telemarketing.
• If you are receiving emails with offers to buy your house, then use the unsubscribe link or mark them as spam because this helps clean up your inbox and train spam filters.
• If specific phone numbers keep calling about buying your house, then block those numbers because this immediately stops their calls from reaching you.
• If you are not interested in selling, then be skeptical of any offer that seems too good to be true because legitimate offers are usually more grounded in market reality.
• If a company’s offer feels suspicious or pressures you, then do not share any personal information because this protects you from potential scams and identity theft.
• If you are receiving mail from a particular company repeatedly, then look for their specific opt-out instructions because some companies allow direct removal from their lists.
• If you are actively considering selling, then inform a real estate agent because they can help manage inquiries and screen potential buyers.
• If you encounter persistent violations of telemarketing or mail solicitation rules, then report them to the FTC because this contributes to enforcement and can deter bad actors.
• If you want to permanently stop credit-related mailings, then complete the permanent opt-out process at OptOutPrescreen.com because the initial opt-out is temporary.
• If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a “We Buy Houses” company, then research them online and check for reviews because this due diligence can reveal red flags.
• If you are overwhelmed by the volume of solicitations, then consider a multi-pronged approach combining various opt-out methods because no single solution is foolproof.

FAQ

How can I stop receiving mail from companies wanting to buy my house?

You can opt out of pre-approved credit offers at OptOutPrescreen.com, which significantly reduces this type of mail. You can also directly contact specific companies that send you mail and request to be removed from their lists.

Is it illegal for companies to solicit buying my house?

Generally, it is not illegal to solicit homeowners. However, there are regulations regarding telemarketing (like the Do Not Call Registry) and unsolicited mail that must be followed. Persistent unwanted contact or deceptive practices can be illegal.

What should I do if an offer seems like a scam?

Be highly skeptical. Never share personal financial information or bank account details. Research the company thoroughly, look for reviews, and be wary of high-pressure tactics or demands for upfront fees. If it feels wrong, disengage.

Can I stop all unsolicited offers completely?

It is very difficult to stop all unsolicited offers completely, as many methods of contact are not strictly regulated or can be circumvented. However, you can significantly reduce the volume by using opt-out services and blocking unwanted communications.

Do I need to pay to opt out of offers?

Opting out of pre-approved credit offers through OptOutPrescreen.com is free. Registering on the National Do Not Call Registry is also free. Some third-party call-blocking apps or devices may have costs associated with them.

What is the difference between a legitimate investor and a scammer?

Legitimate investors typically have a track record, are transparent about their process, and do not pressure you. Scammers often use vague language, demand upfront fees, lack verifiable credentials, and employ high-pressure sales tactics.

How long does it take for opt-outs to take effect?

Opting out of pre-approved credit offers can take up to five years for the initial request, and permanent opt-out requires a mailed form. The Do Not Call Registry can take up to 31 days to become fully effective. Other methods like blocking numbers are immediate.

Can I block specific types of mail?

While you can’t directly block all junk mail, opting out of pre-approved credit offers is the most effective way to reduce mail from entities interested in buying your home based on creditworthiness. For other types of mail, direct contact with the sender is usually required.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific legal recourse against individual companies beyond reporting to the FTC.
• Detailed advice on how to sell your home if you decide to do so.
• Strategies for managing unsolicited offers if you are a landlord or property manager.
• Advanced technical solutions for blocking specific types of digital advertising or mail.
• Information on real estate investment strategies for buyers.