Planning on buying a home this year? Don't be a target of door-to-door scams

(NC) With spring still a few months away, many potential home owners will begin the New Year planning for the upcoming home buying season.

As home buyers begin looking into neighbourhoods they will also be considering other factors involved in purchasing a home—including the quality of neighbourhood schools, property taxes and qualifying for a mortgage. Few home buyers, however, will think of themselves as potential targets for deceptive door-to-door sales practices.

Despite all the research new homeowners put into purchasing their home, they may nonetheless be vulnerable to door-to-door salespeople who take advantage of their lack of understanding about their new home.

One item in particular is the water heater rental arrangement that may apply to their new home. Many new homeowners may be unfamiliar with who their provider is and the terms of their water heater rental arrangement.

When confronting deceptive water heater sales people, EnerCare Solutions, a leading provider of energy efficient products, suggests new homeowners take the following steps when confronting a door-to-door water heater sales person:

• Never sign a contract at the door. Take the time to review the contract terms and compare them to your existing contract.

• Watch out for promises of cost savings that are too-good-to-be-true. You may end up paying more in the long run.

• Do your research including an online scan of the company. Is this an organization you trust to be there if you have problems with your water heater in the future?

EnerCare also suggests that new homeowners watch out for door-to-door sales people refusing to leave marketing material behind or who don't clearly identify which company they represent. Know that EnerCare, Direct Energy, government agencies and utilities do not promote the exchange of water heaters door-to-door.

New home owners can learn more about how better to protect themselves by visiting www.FactsBeforeYouAct.ca

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Susan 

 Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada