You've seen them.We all have. They are all over Ebay.The lying scum that are peddling them even have pictures of the Gulf of Mexico,sun kissed beaches and couples walking hand in hand along the shore.What I am talking about is the sales of worthless (yes- they are worthless) tracts of land in Volusia,Levy,Flagler  and other Florida counties by the "usual suspects" - "Land Investment" companies and other slippery characters that promise fun and sun "just minutes from the beach", "in a waterfront community" or "just steps to the river" .Sounds great,doesn't it ? I mean, live in Florida,roll out of bed and catch a wave and some rays. For $5900 . $7000,whatever... Doesn't matter because by the time you drive down to FLA. to actually see what you have bought,you're gonna be mad. Real mad. You're going to realize that you made the greatest mistake in real estate- buying property without standing on it at least once. Hey - I love Florida. I own vacation property there myself. I'd love to have you for a neighbor.But before you fall for the MANY dishonest scams that are percolating on these pages,please,do yourself a favor and ask the following BEFORE you bid:

Are there utilities to the lot ? If not,how do I get them ? NEVER underestimate what the utility company can charge you for running water, gas, sewer and what-all to your property.They have you right over a barrel here,folks.You can't get permission to move in without utility connections (forget septic tanks in Florida-the water table is too high) , so they charge what it costs,and it costs plenty. ASK the seller.He could be selling because he found out that utility set up costs more than the lot is worth.Turn on your doubletalk/BS detector and set it to "Low".(In western Volusia county,they may never get utilities because the land is protected-many county officials have warned newcomers about this,but they still keep on buying)

In that well laid out ad that you just visited,do they have a picture of the actual lot from several angles that show the lay of the land or any unusual features nearby ? Why not ? Oh- they have a picture from space that shows your lot as a little red- outlined square among hundreds of others "in the area" . Florida is a beautiful,beautiful state.Land there sells itself. If they have pictures of a "typical lot" , it ain't gonna be like yours.If I am selling land honestly,I want you to see everything,because you'll pay top dollar for good merchandise. We'll both benefit. But if I just want to rip you off, I'll show you as little as I can get away with,because you're so eager to buy,by the time you have realized that you've been had, the window for negative feedback is long shut. If you're really stupid, I will close the deal so fast that you will be amazed and leave me good feedback before you actually visit your purchase.

Am I relying on the sellers representations as to what the property is worth ? Think about it- If land is really worth $15-20,000 for a residential lot,why would a business sell it to you for $4000 -5000 ?They are an ongoing business because they don't do stupid things like that.If it is desirable property,someone that lives locally will pay market value for it. If you believe that you are going to spot hidden value over the internet from 3 states away,well it's unlikely at best.

How can I drive there ? Florida is not a third world country.If the seller tells you that the roads in your "subdivision" are all dirt,then you are not buying prime property.If your "subdivision" has dirt roads and no utilities, then you are buying swampland. This makes you a sucker. If you read this guide and then bid on this kind of property,then you deserve the screwing that you are about to get.(University Highlands is a notorious swampland "subdivision" in Volusia County). In fact, many sellers have stopped identifying the lot that they are selling as being in U-H .They just call it "Volusia County,near DeLand ".

Google is the best friend that you will ever have for ferreting out land scams in the Sunshine State.Google Florida land scams and you will be shocked.Since you are reading this,I know that you are online,so open a new browser and do it. Knowledge is power.

To summarize-Stand on it at least once. Pictures fom space .Bogus "appraisals" done by the seller.University Highlands. GOOGLE Florida land scams. There. Now don't get ripped off !