Home : Blogs : Gregory D. Maley - Metropolitan Washington, DC REALTOR : Gregory's Metropolitan Washington, DC Real Estate Ramblings

REALTOR Found Murdered in Maryland

Another reminder to use caution when showing:

Real Estate Agent Found Dead In New Home

Police Investigate Gruesome Discovery

POSTED: 5:46 pm EDT May 25, 2007

UPDATED: 11:44 am EDT May 26, 2007

http://www.nbc4.com/news/13393112/detail.html?dl=mainclick

Posted by Gregory D. Maley - Metropolitan Washington, DC REALTOR on 05/26/2007 10:58 AM

Comments (17)

maryland

17 Comments on REALTOR Found Murdered in Maryland

MAY

2007

Dude this is very very very scary. This is why may realtors carry protection.

In this day and time we all have to really strat to think about our safety. Please use CAUTION when in an open house or meeting someone at the home.

This is a tragic event that might have been avoided. Meet your future clients in a public area, the office works best. Don't meet strangers in empty listings alone!

I was unable to access the material, but am not at all surprised at this sad news. Mace, mace, mace. This time of year tends to promote a transient population that comes out of the woodwork (or woods)- in warmer weather I recall statistics that make the risk higher. Never go into a new home alone with someone (my rule- a guy- set your own boundaries) ; in a model complex, lock up together; understand that hiding behind the front door is a method to be aware of; and if it feels...odd, leave. Never, ever work after dark, and carry your cell at all times. It happens that on site people are targets more often than reported- fortunately, those incidents generally don't include murder.

I wonder how many Realtors have had a frightening experience. I have thought about carrying, but I have never needed protection in my life. Maybe I have just been lucky. This does say a lot about being prepared. Always let someone know where you are showing and whom you are showing to. If possible, show with a partner.

My question is, however, with the antii-discrimination stuff, can you refuse to show a home if you don't feel safe with the individual that requests the showing?

THAT is CREEPY!!! I'll be checking this one out thoroughly. My husband worries about me enough as it is!

See my post at http://activerain.com/blogsview/107310/Realtor-Safty-Thought . This is why I carry.

That's tragic. We had a realtor murdered last year in my area in a model home in a subdivision. My husband wants me to carry, but I'm not sure. I feel sorry for his family.

Shocking and sad.

Remember: Always go with your gut. Always have your cell. Always tell someone (or write down) who/where/when you are meeting someone. And NEVER go in the basement.

It's always in the back of my mind when holding an open house. Also, with a lot of our business coming from the internet, meeting at the office first is always your safest route.

Thank you for reporting this. I am an agent in Maryland and service the Bowie area and no one in the office had heard the news. We have many agents in my office who are policeman in DC or have spouses who officers and they had not heard the news yet. This is another benefit of being part of Active Rain.

Our office just had a discussion about agent safety this week so this is definitely a wake up call. I am not sure if I know this agent but my prayers go out to the family.

My fellow agents please be safe.

This is the new link: http://video.nbc4.com/player/?id=111919

That is crazy! Just proves you can never be too cautious!

A colleague in my office just sent me this message:

Thanks for the heads up. We really need to excercise caution. I had a run in at Baltimore with some crack heads even though the place was secured; they climbed up the fire escape and were on the fourth floor while my clients and I were on the third floor.

So many risks out there. And people think we're over-paid. UGH!

How tragic for this man and his family. Unfortunately there are some horrible people out there...we all need to be cautious of our surroundings, who we are with, and that we feel comfortable with the situation.

JUL

2008

My heart goes out to the family. If you are a woman, maybe carry mace, but I think common sense prevails. I know a friend of mine has a verbal code that she can call a friend for the "red file", which means that she is in trouble and the police need to be called, she always lets a coworker know where she is going to show beforehand.

FEB

Dawn Tittsworth York Pennsylvania Realtor Here!

I never, never, never go to vacant home or sit at open houses with out someone with me, My teenage son, husband, friend,fellow agent (I return the favor when she needs the same) etc. Its not always easy, but a girl can never be to careful!

If you ever need anything here in York County Pennsylvania just give me a ring! :)

www .pa-findahome.com

JUL

We have an office policy that the agent make a copy of the buyer's driver's license and then leave it with someone in the office. This is especially important if they are a walk in or someone they have never met. Safety is a priority, and no paycheck is worth a risk.

This blog does not allow anonymous comments