NO ONE WAS HURT – THIS TIME August 30, 2009
Posted by Sue in Ask The Broker.Tags: Real Estate, social media, twitter
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NO ONE WAS HURT – THIS TIME
I’m sure you are aware of the unfortunate incident that was in the Sunday paper a couple of weeks ago about a well known and highly respected agent in our city who was showing a home and, while in the backyard, was forced to the ground along with her buyer, by law enforcement officers. This was not an isolated incident.
Friday evening, our Executive-agents, husband and wife, were at their newest listing on the northeast side. She was taking photos inside while he was installing the keysafe outside when sheriff’s deputies arrived, guns drawn and demanded that he put his hands in the air. Their sign was in the yard, they were able to tell the deputies they were the listing agents. They were able to produce identification, and were not forced to the ground or handcuffed. No one was hurt. This time.
I’ve been informed by other companies that they too have had incidents of this nature. The situation is complex. Properties are being burgled, stripped and vandalized. Keysafes are being hacked off, and illegal entries are taking place. Nevertheless, it is imperative that real estate professionals be able to show properties and take care of listings with safety for all real estate professionals: agents, appraisers, inspectors, and their buyer and seller clients in mind. We are establishing dialogue with county and city officials to bring safety for all professionals into the equation.
As is always the case, please be aware of what is going on and use extreme caution when viewing or showing a property. If law enforcement arrives, be prepared to show them identification and remain calm. And please report the incident to your broker or other authority immediately.
Again, please remember to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be Safe! Sue
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Better to err on the safe side. We just had a couple beaten by some would be buyers who stopped by a their “for sale” home.
Jack; Not a good scene. Did this happen to the owners? Or listing agents?
I’ve started calling the sheriff’s department & giving them a list of the addresses I’m going to show that day…my contact information & my TAR ID # so that they can at least have some sort of an idea that someone legit is going to see a property beforehand.
Kent: Wow! I like your style. What would that be like if 5800+ agents were going to show property and all 5800+ called in?
I think we’d see more of the 98% of the good cops putting pressure on the 2% of the “Barney Fifes” out there to not act like they’ve got more ammo than brains!