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Open House/Model Home Safety!

Today I got a scary reminder to be safe in model homes and open houses! I was almost a victim of theft on Wednesday!

I was sent an email from several friends in new home sales at different companies warning of a thief targeting model homes in the DFW area. He was described as a middle aged, white man, 6'1", and heavy set with grey hair. He drives a black Ford Focus. He has been spotted taking purses and wallets out of the sales offices of model homes. He also took their car keys and stole items out of their cars. He has been seen in Melissa, Allen, Lucas, and McKinney.

He is part of an ongoing Collin County Sheriff's investigation and they sent out his picture.

After reading the description and looking at an attached photo I realized this man was in my model home last Wednesday pretending to be a prospect. His picture looked familiar, but it was the car that I recognized.

He had come in pretending to look for a new home and seemed polite and nonthreatening. He noticed that my builder was sitting just outside my office. He looked around very quickly and said that he was looking for something more "high end" and left quite abruptly. I remember joking with my builder about his not so "high end" car. He was in Melissa and hit another salesperson down the street the very same day!

This is a scary reminder not to bring valuables, purses, or wallets into model homes or open houses. Lock valuables in the trunk of your car and hide your car keys or keep them on you.

If you don't make it easy, then they will prey on the next less careful person.

For more information please contact Lara O'Keefe at 972.838.9156 or visit Hunter's Creek.

Posted by Lara O'Keefe (Hunter's Creek, Melissa) on 04/05/2009 03:31 PM

Comments (36)

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36 Comments on Open House/Model Home Safety!

APR

Lara, a great reminder on safety. Thank you.

Hey Lara,

Good heads up. We have to always be aware of our surroundings. Even (especially) in parking lots!

Hi Lara,

Wow, that is scary! I hope that many people will avoid a possibly bad situation thanks to your post!

Don't forget me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC" and I'll be sure to do the same.

Michael

Thank you Lara. In these times, people become more desparate. I can remember in the late seventies, early eighties, my purse was stolen from my office when I went to get a cup of coffee for a propective client. I came back with the coffee, PB is gone along with my purse which I usually kept under my desk.

Thanks again.

Agents shouldn't sit open houses alone. One should be on duty and another should escort visitors through the house.

Thanks for the reminder. A few years ago we actually had the local sheriff come out and speak about Open House safety. A few things did come up that I had not considered before. So, it is always great to be reminded to stay on our toes--especially when working those open houses or meeting new clients for the first time.

Good reminder odf the importance of safety. Someone should always know where you are

Always keep me keys hooked to my belt loop. Don't forget to check all the windows at the end of the day. This has been the method used in our city for awhile now.

I have always had builder give the option of providing instant panic buttons. Agents can either have them to wear, or to have put under the front edge of their desk. This is a priority 1 for police. You can set it up to have the alarm go off or for it to be a silent panic for police.

Unfortunately, we live in a world that requires careful consideration about safety. Open houses should be done in pairs, never alone. Same thing with showing vacant homes, take precautions so you do not become a victim of crime.

Oh Lara how scary! Thank God nothing happened to you.Thank you for sharing this here - we can never be too careful.

I went by a house today that I'm staging tomorrow to make sure an additional lockbox was there (I don't have access to supra locks) before tomorrow and the front door was literally open,not locked - I went in quickly with my cell phone & no one was there but you never know who could be lurking in a vacant home.

David - we need to keep our eyes open.

Cindy - you definitely need to be aware of your surroundings in parking lots.

Michael - I hope it helped people in my area.

Kathleen - these economic times are definitely making people more desperate.

Len - partnering at open houses is smart and make time go more quickly.

Melissa - local law enforcement offers very helpful advice to stay safe.

John - I agree. Realtors and new homes sales should set up a buddy system.

Denise - true, windows are often easy access.

Tim - we have panic buttons which make me feel safer as well as cameras, but I didn't feel threatened enough to need them this time (thank goodness.)

Judy - better smart than sorry and trust your instincts!

Karen - it was scary to get that close!

I like the buddy system for open houses - had one today and it was sure nice to have an extra body to help show.

Lara - I do open houses with Frank. Having him to work with is so great in so many circumstances. Good advice.

APR

Kathleen - buddy system is smart and more fun.

Frank & Sharon - it's great to have a partner you trust and enjoy spending time with.

Lara, Very scarry, and you are alone there probably during the week...yikes....carry some mace or hairspray!

Lara, you new home sales agent need be soooo careful... I refuse to show any property UNLESS have buyer qualified for a loan (I am a loan officer) OR speak direct research who their mortgage broker is...

Have a great and successful week... great to send out the alerts even if a person is our competitor !

APR

Jane - yes, I carry mace on my key chain.

Lynn - everyone has done a good job in the Collin County area of warning all sales and Realtors.

Lara - WOW - very scary. It's a good thing your company was so quick to email you with the heads up! And a great reminder to leave valuables IN THE CAR!

Lara - great reminder! We need to always be on our toes and I have also learned over the past 12 years to always listen to my gut instinct.

Lara - Thank goodness nothing happened. A good reminder to us all to not become too complacent and keep our antennas up.

APR

Kim - real estate professionals need to stick together and spread the news.

Barb - yes that little voice inside is there for a good reason!

James - I agree. Be aware of your surroundings.

*** This suspect was arrested yesterday by the Collin County Sheriffs Department ***

APR

Lara--good reminder for all of us. When I managed a residential sales office I included a training session on safety. So much is common sense and as James said keep your antenna up. Stay safe, please. Glad the suspect was arrested.

Very scary and I am glad you were not alone and things turned out well for you. Keep safe, lovely. Thank you for the reminder. :-)

Mary - yes ma'am. Antenna up at all times!

C - thanks for worrying, but it ended up okay in the end :-)

APR

Invaluable advice Lara.

This blog should be required reading for new agents and seasoned veterans as well.

Well done my friend!

Thanks Craig!

APR

Great post about personal safety. Even when I go out for my daily walk, I have to be aware of what's going on around me. You just never know.

APR

Russel - sadly it's just the reality in this day and age.

APR

Lara: I have seen this happen more times than I care to mention. Yes... lock your stuff in your trunk. Have an extra car key made... put a little snappy-thing on it, and then either attach it to, or put it inside your bra. I have known some on-site sales women who said this worked very well for them. Take care... :)

I also remember several times that I had someone in my model who looked kind of suspicious. Then, at the end of the day, just in case, I checked the back door to the patio... and yep... it was unlocked. Even though some of these folks may "look" kinda dumb... they DO know what they're doing. Be careful...

Karen Anne - sadly it happens a lot in new home sales. The hidden car key is a great idea. Yes and always best to check all the doors.

JUN

Lara - Good reminder... We had a cell phone on a charger stolen. Usually, we are pretty careful because of the computer equipment. But, it was a crime of opportunity and someone took advantage of it.

OCT

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Lara,

From the broker who has had an agent tied up and robbed in a vacant home, I will ask of each of you what I asked my staff - if you won't take precautions for yourself, please take them on behalf of your family and your broker.

NOV

Wow that was a close call. I usually don't give it that much thought and put my purse in a cupboard. I guess I should be more wary.

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