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Sellers Beware: Never Let Strangers In Your Home

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners

I just received the following alert from the Arizona Regional MLS. Please advise your sellers.

8/28/2009
The police are looking for suspects in a West side robbery/assault.

ARMLS has been asked to alert all agents to an assault and robbery that occurred at a listing near Old Town Glendale (vicinity of 43rd Ave. and Glendale Ave.) earlier this week.

The homeowner was watering his front lawn when he was approached by a passing couple who asked if they could see the house.  The homeowner did what agents teach homeowners to do and referred the inquiry to the listing agent.  The couple stayed and continued to talk to the homeowner and after some casual conversation the owner changed his mind and allowed the seemingly nice couple into the house.

Once inside, they asked about the neighborhood, then the female pointed to something on the floor and asked what it was.  When the homeowner bent over to inspect, the male visitor attacked him from behind and beat him severely. They robbed him of money and damaged his cell phone so he could not call police.

The assailants are described as white, late 30's to early 40's in age.  The man is 5'8" to 5'9" and the woman slightly smaller, both medium build.  The homeowner has been unable to provide more details.  They are driving a late model brown/dark gold 4-door Buick with a distinctive radio antenna -  it's a coat hanger.  If you see such a couple in this car, you are urged to contact the local police department with a location and if possible a license plate number.

ARMLS urges you to reconfirm with your sellers that access to the home should never be allowed to someone the owner does not know.  All inquiries should be referred to the listing agent, for the homeowner's own protection.

Bob Pearson
Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners

www.bobpearsonrealty.com

Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

How horrible.  Thanks for bringing this to our attention.  We can never remind our clients enough.

Aug 28, 2009 08:51 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Bob - I recently received that same notice.  It is a very unfortunate incident, and one that I hope will not happen again.  Hopefully these perpetrators will be caught, and soon.

Aug 28, 2009 09:43 AM
Bob Pearson
Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners - Glendale, AZ
GRI, E-Pro

Susan, I agree. It is so easy to forget all the things we need to tell our clients. For example, I somtimes neglect to remind my sellers about hiding the prescription drugs before showings

Troy, I am with you. I hope they find these people quickly. The streets are not as safe as they could be right now. Very sad and scary.

Aug 28, 2009 09:51 AM
Ellen Crawford
Maximum One Executive REALTORS® - Alpharetta, GA
Alpharetta Real Estate Agents & Alpharetta REALTOR

On every listing appointment, we warn the sellers not to let them into their home.  They are inviting trouble.  Guess what?  They still do.  Very sad.

Aug 28, 2009 02:59 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Bob- I wrote on this as well.  That was terrrible.  Hope the guy is doing better.  See you around town!

Sep 06, 2009 03:25 AM