The current U.S. housing market is more competitive than ever, and Missouri is no exception. In 2025, home prices in Missouri have risen 7.6% compared to last year, with the average sale price now at $257,900 (source: Redfin). With rising costs and limited affordable housing, many individuals and families—especially those from the Hispanic and Latino communities—are feeling the pressure to find housing quickly. Unfortunately, when people face desperate situations, scammers often take advantage.
At Como Comunidad, we want to help you stay informed and safe. Housing scams are becoming more common, especially fake rental and home sale listings on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace. There’s also an increase in mobile home scams targeting non-traditional renters and homebuyers. By understanding these scams and learning how to spot warning signs, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
Common Housing Scams and How to Avoid Them
1. Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices
If a rental or home listing is priced far below similar properties in the area, that’s a major red flag. Scammers often lure people with incredibly low prices to get quick responses—and quick payments. Always search for the home’s address and compare the listing price to similar homes on trusted websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, or Redfin. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Requests for Unusual Payment Methods
Legitimate property managers and landlords will never ask you to pay a deposit or fees via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These methods are nearly impossible to trace and recover if a scam occurs. Some landlords may require an application fee before showing a property, but this fee is typically small—around $50—and should be paid through their office or online portal. Be wary of high application fees or requests for immediate payment through untraceable methods.
3. Suspicious Online Listings
When searching on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, take a close look at the seller’s profile. Watch for these red flags:
- New Accounts: If the account was created recently, be cautious.
- Multiple Listings in Different Cities: If the same home is listed in multiple cities, this is a strong indicator of a scam.
- Limited or No Personal Information: Scammers often use incomplete or vague profiles.
4. Mobile Home Scams
A common scam we are seeing in mobile homes involves park managers selling mobile homes with payment plans tied to land leases. Here’s how it works: the park manager sells you a mobile home for $12,600 with a three-year payment plan of $350 per month. They also lease you the land the trailer sits on for those same three years. Once your payments are complete and the home is paid off, the park manager refuses to renew your land lease.
At this point, you’re left with limited options:
- Sell the Trailer: You can try to sell the trailer, but the park manager may make it difficult for potential buyers by refusing to offer them a lease for the land.
- Move the Trailer: While you have the right to move a trailer you own, many trailers are too old to move safely. Moving costs can range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the trailer’s size and the distance of the move.
- Abandon the Trailer: If you abandon the trailer, the park manager can charge you for removal and scrap costs. They can also continue to charge lot rent until the trailer is removed. If lot rent remains unpaid, the park manager may take possession of the trailer through the DMV to cover the costs. They then sell the repossessed trailer to another family and begin the whole cycle over again.
As you can see, owning a mobile home without owning the land it sits on carries significant risks. Many legal and housing professionals advise against purchasing a mobile home unless you own the land it sits on. If this isn’t an option for you, be sure to research the park’s management and ensure you trust them before purchasing a trailer or signing any agreements.
Steps to Protect Yourself
- Verify Ownership: Use county property records to confirm the owner’s name matches the person listing the property, or hire a licensed realtor to help you navigate the buying or rental process.
- Verify Listings: Always search for the home’s address and compare the listing price to similar homes on trusted websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, or Redfin.
- See the Property in Person: If possible, visit the home before making any payments. Virtual tours should be a red flag if they refuse in-person visits.
- Get Everything in Writing: Ensure all rental agreements or purchase contracts are detailed and signed, and make sure you get copies.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, take a step back and investigate.
The need for safe and affordable housing shouldn’t put anyone at risk of scams. By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid falling victim to fraudulent listings and keep your family protected.