-
Quick Tour
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.- Explore the world's largest storehouse of real estate knowledge
- Access free training on ActiveRain University
- Share the experience of life in the real estate industry
- Grow your business through real estate blogging
- Blogs
-
Resources
Product Reviews Curious as to what others in your profession think about a certain product or tool? AR's community takes the time to leave honest and transparent reviews of their experiences so you can be a bit wiser about your purchase.
- Broken down by categories and subcategories for easy finds
- Get an unfiltered look at what real users are saying
- Leave a review yourself for others to benefit from
- Add new products as you use them and gain points for doing so
|
Posted by 
;)
;)
;)
Find NY real estate agents and Briarcliff Manor real estate on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2013 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
105 Comments on Don't Show Your Home to Strangers Without an Appointment
That is so scary. In New Hampshire we had a FSBO rapist a few years back...very scary!
You stated it perfectly, "THE RISKS OUTWEIGH THE OPPORTUNITY".
It is part of our listing presentation. If someone sees a sign or a lockbox on your home, they MIGHT Knock on your door. We do not recommend you accommodate their request to preview. Here are some of our business cards. Ask them to call us and we'll make sure they are qualified to purchase your home.
Trust me - If they are serious, they will call us. Joy
On of my Sellers did allow a prospect to view their home who later made an offer, then withdrew when we asked a few questions, then stalked my Seller. It's a great story that makes an impression when I use it to illustrate the risk of letting someone into your home who has not been properly screened.
I never thought of it that way. I work in rural Maine and find the people so nice and accomidating. My first sale was actually someone that drove by my listing and knocked on the door. Yes he was let in. He called his agent the next day and came up and put an offer in.
I tell my high end listings to never let someone in, I will make it a point to tell everyone that.
I too live in Maine which is considered a safe state. Considered-I warn all my clients to never do this. Being married to a detective, I know the risks and always warn my clients. Safety first.
Good post! This is good advice to follow. I cover these very concerns with all of my Clients.
This reminds me of conversations that I have with my boys telling them not to take candy from strangers. It looks very tempting and possibly rewarding, but the risk is way too high. The other similarity is that we have to keep repeating the message until our children/clients "get it".
Even with conversations and warning about this, I have had clients permit prospective buyers tour their home without an appointment or an agent. This is a scary situation.
Very good advise. There is a sign out front for a reason. People should call.
You can not cure dumb but you can cure ignorance. We probably all have some of both types of clients and we owe it to both types to to try to educate them. I fear however, that the 'this might be the one" idea is to strong for most people to resist.
There is another "twist" on this. At open houses, ask your sellers to remove all prescription drugs from the medicine cabinets and other places where people can find them. There are two primary reasons for doing so: a) possible identity theft - they know your name and could "hijack" your prescription to another pharmacy and b) teenagers now stage "prescription parties". This is where they all get together and throw prescription drugs into a hat and pop them to see who gets the best high. So, if you see unaccompanied teenagers at your open house - keep your eye on them (for their safety too).
Very risky. This something I have never thought of to warn sellers about. I always tell them to remove valuables during open houses and showings. Who does that, just walks up to a house and asks to for a tour?
I tell my buyers never to do this. Still sometimes they can't help themselves.
I am always amazed when someone lets a stranger in their house.
Wow! As an ex-New Yorker, I thought that I was suspicious. Reading your description of how you pre-clear agents made me feel like a total slacker. I guess I assume that if they've jumped through Sentrilcock's hoops and can get the door open, they are probably OK.
Still, I don't want my buyers letting total strangers into their homes. It give me the hives!
Hi,
You are so right on with this message. I tell my sellers before I put the lock box do not let anyone in who knocks at the door. If they don't have an agent call the number on the sign and someone will schedule an appointment! The lockbox is on for a reason..only Realtors with their dues paid current can enter. Our feedback system automatically emails the agents for feedback. It needs the information from the register from the lockbox to complete this task.
Well layed out info and such a good reminder. Thanks for sharing - and would love to reblog it!
Great advice, Phillip - saw this first as Liz Moras reblogged it. As a buyer's agent, just in case anything happens, my team makes a photocopy of the driver's license of anyone we're showing property to. The office keeps a copy for insurance purposes.
What comes to my mind on " things that can go wrong " list is DEATH. In this state there have been Realtors murdered and a case where a woman selling her home herself ( FSBO ) was murdered. Now that is very SERIOUS. I always tell FSBO's to be very careful and be sure you know who your letting into your home.
Outstanding post. Safety is and always should be first and formost on our minds.
Bad, bad idea! and very good advice!
It's amazing we haven't had more security problems in our business but we can't tempt fate, either.