A Michigan woman has been charged with 10 felonies for selling homes she did not own.
Since early 2024, Amanda Escalante-Lopez, a 28-year-old resident of Pontiac, allegedly made several verbal agreements for land contracts and title to homes that she did not own. The buyers were to give the defendant money, and she was to convey the property to them.
However, the buyers never received keys, access, or titles to the homes after putting down payments on the homes as agreed upon. As a result, Escalante-Lopez stole several thousand dollars from her victims.
The charges against Escalante-Lopez are:
- 3 counts: False Pretenses $20,000-$50,000, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine;
- 3 counts: False Pretenses $1,000-$20,000, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine;
- 1 count: Larceny by Conversion $20,000 or more, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $15,000 or three times the value of the property stolen; and
- 3 counts: Larceny by Conversion $1,000-$20,000, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 or three times the value of the property stolen.
“For many, home ownership is the ultimate financial goal after years of hard work,” said Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald. “These allegations are about more than the theft of money. It is about robbing victims of the security and dignity that comes from purchasing a home of their own.”
Photo: Amanda Escalante-Lopez, courtesy of Oakland County Jail
For all those who think “just anyone can sell real estate”.. “It’s easy”……Yes. Yes you can….. Anyone can sell real estate….Transfer title legally, protect the interest of buyers, work within a code of ethics…..not so easy….Use a licensed REALTOR to be sure what you are buying can be legally sold!
It shows you the greed that is out there. The buyers probably thought they were getting a deal without a Realtor. Serves them right to loose money. And the woman should got to jail.
There are bad actors everywhere including those that work within the real estate industry. If a buyer is looking to buy a home, they must do the diligence necessary to make sure they are not scammed. Even if it’s a cash transaction. TRUST NO ONE! Make sure transaction is in a public recorded session. Again trust no one! I have issues watching whitewashed homes being sold!