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DANGEROUS BUSINESS? Showing Your Home, or a Client's Home, to Near-Complete Strangers!

By Dean Moss

Real Estate Agent with Dean's Team - Keller Williams Realty Partners Chicago IL

August 06, 2009 04:21 PM

I am not trying to be glib here!

But, in what other profession do you get a special license, then spend a good part of your days taking strangers through vacant houses? Or, showing strangers unoccupied real estate listings on a regular, consistent basis? Or cart around folks you didn't know half an hour ago through remote areas in your car?

Dangers abound for careless Real Estate Agents not employing good common sense when showing to new prospective clients. But homesellers going it alone - For Sale By Owner - can expose themselves to the same dangers - assault, identity theft, or, much worse.

I ran across an article written over two years ago about a middle-aged man posing as a prospective homebuyer around St. Louis MO, then pulling a handgun and sexually assaulting unsuspecting female agents. This story, in St. Louis Real Estate Bloggers, offers links to several other documented assaults, in Ohio, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Unrepresented home sellers can face similar danger, or the disturbing prospect of a masquerading "buyer" can pilfer personal identity information from the checking account statement laying on a home office computer desk.

Here in Chicago, concern over home showing safety has been so heightened recently that one man, Joe Rosene, a Hebron IL self-defense instructor, has built a new business traveling around to Real Estate Offices across Chicago and the Chicago Suburbs, speaking about staying safe while practicing their professions. His rules should apply to showing home sellers as well.

His suggestions, as reported by Chicago Tribune Real Estate Reporter Mary Ellen Podmolik in last Friday's Chicago Tribune -

- Realtors or home sellers should ask all Open House visitors to sign in with legitimate ID information. He also suggests asking for a Drivers License or Similar Photo Identification. This might put off some real prospective homebuyers, but it is also likely to scare away a non-buyer with nefarious intentions.

- Sellers should take care not to leave personal information in plain sight. This would include not only banking statements, but also prescription medication bottles, extra house keys, even that month-at-a-glance calendar with upcoming vacation days clearly highlighted. Identity Theft could spring from carelessness here at worst, and an unwanted visit while you and your family is away on vacation is possible as well.

- Real Estate Agents should not allow the prospective buyer to drive you in their car - following the buyer to the home, in your own ride, is much safer.

- Both sellers and agents should avoid showing any prospective home visitor secluded rooms in the house alone - such as basements, and outbuildings or sheds.

- Realtors should provide a duplicate showing itinerary to their Office Receptionist, Office Manager, or other trusted Real Estate Colleague before beginning home showings - just in case!

All common sense . . . yes?

But I imagine we would not be surprised by how few actually follow this common-sense behavior.

Any thoughts? Experiences? Please share!

Please read our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

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Ryan Shaughnessy

PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO

Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Great post - I couldn't agree more with your comments. I would note that the issue of agent safety is always a struggle. It seems that agents don't believe that it could happen to them. It does happen. However, because there is no central clearinghouse for such attacks, there is a false sense of security. I have done several post over the past 6 mos. on agent safety as well as a few posts that suggested that our local and state association track these issues and issue alert where appropriate.

Aug 06, 2009 05:26 PM

John Rakoci

Eagle Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC

North Myrtle Beach Coastal Carolinas

More and more Realtors are quietly getting a CWP and carry. They are armed even when the office policy says no. It is always better to carry and not need than to not carry and need.

Aug 06, 2009 05:33 PM

Crystal Kilpatrick

Team Leader -Crystal Kilpatrick Group - Austin, TX

CHLMS,CNE, CRS - Austin & Central Texas Home Sales

I am always looking for more ways to be safe. Thank you for the post!

Aug 06, 2009 06:15 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good reminder. Everybody needs to put safety first. Always meet with new prospects at your office before showing properties.

Aug 06, 2009 10:09 PM

Rick Cordisco

Pocono Mountain Lakes Realty - Lake Harmony, PA

Pocono Real Estate Professional

Good Article. This needs to be remembered and always brought to the forefront to keep fresh in agents and homeowners minds.

Aug 06, 2009 11:08 PM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

With most of the buyers starting off as anonymous leads, why take chances. We as a professionals need to set standards for showing buyers homes and for them being allow to enter our listings. I feel this is in the best interest of my client the seller. As you stated, reason like personal safety, prevention of identity theft as well as personal property theft in the house.

Aug 07, 2009 12:45 AM

Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate

RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Dean, Good post. Thanks for sharing.

Best - Sash

Aug 07, 2009 01:40 AM

Laura Gray

RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Dean - Many times I have requested one of the male agents to accompany me on a showing of a property to a strange client. I believe that there is safety in numbers.

But lately with the increase in vacant properties I usually request the client come to the office. If they protest I ask them two questions.

1. Are you married ?

2. Would you want "YOUR" wife to meet a strange man at night in a vacant building ?

This usualyy makes them stop and think about their own request and they gladly come into my office for the first meeting.

If they don't get it , than they don't "get" into the property.

Aug 07, 2009 02:20 AM

Dean Moss

Dean's Team - Keller Williams Realty Partners Chicago IL - Chicago, IL

Dean's Team Chicago IL Real Estate Team

Thanks for the comments, folks!

I think it is important to understand that security should be a concern for men as well as women. A fellow agent got robbed in a vacant house recently, in a very nice neighborhood.

In our passion and desire to serve, we sometimes throw common sense out the window.

Don't do that - be careful! Remember, this is a buisness - and, if you're not there, long term, there is no business . . . YES!

Aug 07, 2009 06:00 AM

Pat Tasker

Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI

Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

Yes, our jobs can be a little challenging some days...If I ever have any doubts or creepy feelings, I listen to them, and play it safe...

One thing I will do if I have any doubts, is NOT GO IN THE BASEMENT WITH THE BUYER...I say my knee is bothering me and I can't do steps...If they turn out ok, I can always go back..

I also have my cell phone with me in my pocket AT ALL TIMES...they might not even know I have it, but I do and can call 9ll quickly, or if I get locked in the basement I can call for help..,

I hate thinking about these things, but better to think about them before they happen, and then have a plan!

Aug 07, 2009 02:34 PM

DANGEROUS BUSINESS? Showing Your Home, or a Client's Home, to Near-Complete Strangers!

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