Ask Laz: The letter says they want to buy your home. Should you bite?

Nel, like many homeowners in Southern California, has been receiving letters from people and companies offering to buy her house.

“Are they totally legit?” she asks.

They usually are. But that doesn’t mean you want to sell to these guys.

ASK LAZ: Smart answers to consumer questions

The offers may be attractive to some because they can represent a relatively hassle-free home-selling experience. That way there is the added benefit of making a direct sale and not having to pay a commission to a real estate agent.

But don’t feel too flattered that your home has been targeted by potential buyers.

In reality, these guys comb through property records and send out bulk mailings to homeowners with conditional offers for purchases. The conditions include changing their mind if you say yes -- but then they don’t like what they see.

Generally speaking, these guys are looking for easy money by offering below-market rates for a property and then flipping it at a higher price to another buyer.

That means if you’re in a hurry, this can produce some fast cash for your home. But if you want a price that reflects its true market value, you’ll probably want to list it.

Even with a real estate agent’s commission, you’ll still likely come out ahead.

If you have a consumer question, email me at [email protected] or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.