Every time I read one I become more and more resolved not to buy a full region from anyone except LL. It's worth the money not to have the heartache, drama and financial hassles these people go through with buying/renting privately. Parcel ownership is one thing, the outlay is less but if I were going to go for the gold, a full region, I'd go with LL.
Truly BUYING it from someone else is safe since LL insists on handling the actual transfer, but "buying" in the sense of renting where you don't get actual LL-recognized ownership - yeah, you're right. The risk of losing is very high.
" - Prospero Linden