Handle repeated offers to buy your house

Write one narrow request

1. Identify the company making the offer. If the card names a broker, an investor and a website, record all three and start with the name that presents the offer.
2. Look up that company yourself instead of relying only on the phone number or link on the card.
3. Ask it to remove the property address and the mailing name from its purchase mailings, and say that you do not want a call or visit about a price.
4. Ask for written confirmation and give only the name and address as printed.

Leave out anything that sounds like interest

Postcards like these often offer an estimate or a conversation about your home's value. Do not mention value, timing or possible future plans in your request. Say only that you are not selling and want purchase solicitations at this address to stop.

The FTC notes that official-looking property mailings can be advertising, and it advises verifying a claimed bank relationship through a contact route you already trust. A card that mentions your loan or your bank has not shown that your bank sent it. Do not give account details in reply to any of these mailings.

Match repeats to the sender

Keep any postcards that arrive after your request together with a note of each company you contacted. If a card comes from a company you already wrote to, reply with the date of your first request and any timing it gave you. Send a new company its own request.

Official source

• FTC: Notice in the Mail About Your Property