I was out showing houses on Tuesday. We were looking at gorgeous townhomes in Satellite Beach Florida. Oh, so much to choose from. On one of units I was told by the listing office that there was an alarm system on the property, and they gave me the alarm code to disengage the system.
The listing agent on this property was smart. She had a note on top of the electronic lockbox that said, 'You need the security code to disarm the alarm system before entering.' Smart idea, I thought. Okay, I had been told twice that there was an alarm system that needed to be disengaged. I was ready, I had the code written down.
We got into the property and nothing, there was no light flashing on the security system and there was no beep, beep, beep, beep indicating that the system was actually engaged. Maybe it was already off. I certainly didn't want to turn it on by accident. (Okay, there, that was my excuse). I moved over to the keypad to take a closer look, seemed like we'd been in the house for less that 5 seconds and the siren starting screaming. OH NO! I disengaged it within 3 siren screams. Oh great, the knuckle head realtor set off the homeowner's alarm system, and I was that knuckle head. Ugh. Thankfully, this was my first time setting off a homeowner's alarm system (and hopefully the last time). The home phone rang immediately (the alarm company calling).
I could see it now, police coming, 'M'AM come out, put your hands up and feet spread apart!
I immediately called the listing agent directly. She told me to call 911. 911. I thought 911 was for emergencies? I did. I told her that I was a realtor, showing a property and I set the alarm off in error. "What was the name of the street?" Could you spell that?" I did. I will connect you to the Satellite Beach Police Department.
I looked at the mother and her 3 year old that I was showing houses to. The 3 year old was hiding in a corner. "What are you doing, Sarah?" "The police are coming, so I'm hiding." Oh great I thought, nightmares for her for a week!
The Satellite Beach Police Department told me they would stop the officers enroute to the property. That would be good, I thought, and save me a bit of further embarassment. Good deal, we're all set. I cracked a couple of jokes with the buyer, and I talked again to the other agent who had spoken to the owner. My buyer was terrific, she just took it in stride. I love her!
Two minutes later, up walks 2 police officers. No guns drawn (thank goodness). They were very polite and gracious and were gone in another 2 minutes. Fiasco ended, thank goodness. No trip to jail (thank goodness)-LOL.
Later that day, I talked to the listing agent on the property, as she was calling for feedback. I apologized profusely for setting the alarm off. She told me she headed out to the property shortly after we were there. And guess what?
SHE ACCIDENTALLY SET THE ALARM OFF HERSELF - NO KIDDING!
She laughingly said that I had jinxed her for that day.
I hung up with a chuckle and a little smile on my face. Too funny.
This article is authored by
Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate
Brevard County Real Estate & Investing
Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News
Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL Broker-Associate
Brevard County FL Real Estate for 17 Years
Brevard County FL Resident for 38 Years
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Cocoa, Canaveral Groves, Merritt Island, Titusville, Mims,
Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach,
Indialantic & Melbourne Beach
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14 Comments on Okay it Was Me, I'm Guilty, I Did It, and All the Neighbors Heard Me Do it Too!
There are so many different types of alarms, I think it is easy to inadvertently set one off. Sounds like the listing agent and the police were gracious though.
HAHA!! Sandy! Come out with your hands in the air! Oh my goodness, I can just picture this. I'm sorry it happened to you, but what a funny story!
I do NOT show homes with active alarms. I have set those (*^#* things off in 2 states and 5 counties.
O.K. I'm alarm challenged. If they want me to show their home, they'll have to disable it and verify it in the listing.
I call the showing service and set up an appointment to show a buyer a house, when we got there I knocked, opened the door and a few seconds later the alarm went off, yes the showing service forgot that little detail. No police ever showed up so I will count my blessings there.
Also had an in house rental that the former tenants left the alarm armed when the moved but gave one one the code. I talked to a few of the neighbors and they told me Realtors were setting off the alarm 2 or 3 times a day. I showed the place about five time over a 4 or 5 week time period and it went off every time and again no police ever showed up.
Sorry for the embarrassment you had to endure but this is a very funny story -- especially about Sarah hiding from the police. Glad everything worked out for you and no handcuffs were involved. Have a good day!
I do hate when I have to show homes with an alarm. You handled it very well though!
I did that one time. But the funniest part of your story is that the listing agent did it again that same day.
Way to go Sandy! We can't take you anywhere. Geeesh.
Sandy, these false alarms for the police have to be annoying. Many police departments are fining the homeowners so be careful.
Sandy - I have set off those darned alarms systems twice! It can happen to any of us if we show enough houses. However, one of them was my own listing. The code absolutely would not disarm the system. Finally, I got hold of the Seller by phone, and they gave me the location of some key that I used to turn it off in one of the closets. . .I' had never seen such a system!
I love that your client's child was hiding from the police:-)
Hi SS,
That was funny!
Same thing happened to me once. I was told about the alarm, given the code, but when I entered the house, the alarm appeared to already be disarmed. A few minutes later, after I walked to the back of the house, the alarm goes off...picture me- a mad dash through the house, trying to get to the alarm to stop it's blaring! I nearly tripped over furniture and all. The only thing going thru my mind was- the cops are going to come with guns out and hopefully ask questions first and shoot later...lol
Sandy, If it doesn't happen at least once a year, I have to check to see if I'm still in business...
Sandy, it is heartwarming that you could joke about this with your client afterward! How traumatic for the little one, hope she is okay! Best reward is you will sell that client a home!
Sharon, Both the listing agent and the police were very gracious in this situation. Thank goodness.
Miss Mary, I figured I was going to have to come out with my hands up.
Lenn, I can't blame you there, it makes it much easier, when the alarm is already off. So true.
Ray, I think sometimes it depends on what area of town you are in and whether or not the system is set uo to contact the police immediately.
Peggy, I was just dreading when the handcuffs were coming out. Ugh.
Randi, I really don't care for alarms either.
Tere, I do have to admit, I didn't feel quite so bad when I heard that the listing agent set the alarm off that afternoon.
Tony, I know Tony, I should hold my head in shame. I'm awful, I know. LOL
Gary, Oh, I know, that thought crossed my mind too, this owner will be fined after so many of these.
Myrl, Oh, I just hate that, don't you. It's awful when that happens.
Tony, I was in the same boat as you, I thought the alarm was already disengaged too.
Paul, Oh, I just hate those house alarms, especially when the police come calling.
Caren, I have to be able to laugh at silly things you do, so I don't take myself too seriously. I think the little one is okay, although I felt bad when she was hiding.