Back in 2024, someone filed a fake deed on Spelling Manor—you know, the $137 million estate in Holmby Hills. The sale got frozen, and even offers from people like Eric Schmidt (yes, that Eric Schmidt from Google) were put on hold.
It sounds unbelievable, but it’s happening more often than you’d think.
Scammers are forging documents, using AI-generated identities, and managing to transfer properties or take out loans as if they own them. Over a quarter of title insurance companies have reported at least one case of seller impersonation fraud—and the numbers are still going up in 2025.
🔒 Here’s the simple fix:
If you own property in L.A. County, take two minutes to sign up for the free Homeowner Alert Service. If anything gets recorded on your title—a deed, a mortgage, a lien—you’ll get an automatic heads-up.
It’s quick, it’s free, and it’s one of those things I recommend to every homeowner I work with.
If you don't already own a home, bookmark this so you can remember to do it once you do!
P.S. Want to stay in the loop on what’s really happening in Los Angeles real estate? Whether you already own a home or hope to one day, my once-a-month newsletter is packed with useful insights—no fluff, no pressure.
It’s free, genuinely helpful, and you can unsubscribe anytime with one click (but most people don’t 😉).