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I Set Off Another Alarm!

By Kathy Schowe

Real Estate Agent with California Lifestyle Realty DRE# 1780607

January 31, 2010 11:02 AM

Do you remember the first time you set off a house alarm when you entered for a showing? Every time it happens, it is still embarassing, rattling, and annoying! Yesterday I was showing a property with clients, my Broker, and another Agent from our Team in tow--- and BLEEP, BLEEP BLEEEEEP! Then, of course, the Sheriff showed up--- Great. The MLS listing stated: "Call first for lockbox location", nothing about an ALARM! Since I had previewed the property months ago (minus the alarm), and I already knew the lockbox location-- I went direct. OOPS. Come on Agents-- if your listing is armed-- let us know in advance!

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Tanya Nouwens

Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC

Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Oh now that's too funny, Kathy. Would it be wrong for me to avoid showing homes that had an alarm? LOL -- Tanya in Montreal

Jan 31, 2010 11:05 AM

P.S. Nice swing!!

John Thomas

E3 Green HOMES - Boulder, CO

EcoBroker, MSEE, MBA

I can only imagine how that must feel. I suppose it would be extra helpful to have a note inside the lockbox as a reminder.

Jan 31, 2010 11:08 AM

Kathy Schowe

California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA

La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

I think the note in the lockbox is a great idea-- alot of agents do that! Kathy

Jan 31, 2010 11:13 AM

Dawn A Fabiszak

Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO

The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

That is sooo embarrassing. I kept setting off my seller's alarm. Come to find out (after several visits from the local police department) that she gave me the wrong code! I was thankful that it wasn't my mistake!

Jan 31, 2010 11:17 AM

Jessica Wallace

Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345

Thankfully I have only done that once before and nobody was happy about it!

Thanks Tanya--- come on down and play some golf in La Quinta! We have lots of Canadian buyers down here right now! Check out my site @ livethedesertlif.com !

Jan 31, 2010 11:18 AM

Betty Knowles

Southwest Missouri Realty - Springfield, MO

Ready to sell? Call Betty!

Kathy, this happens to all of us sooner or later. Its not a good feeling!

Jan 31, 2010 11:20 AM

Sandy Wagner

RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322 - Gig Harbor, WA

Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,

I haven't actually set off an alarm, but I have shown homes that I was afraid this would happen. Sometimes there is an alarm that is disabled, but beeps just the same and that's unsettling. Shame on agents who don't put this in the remarks.

Jan 31, 2010 11:26 AM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Kathy...

I HATE it when that happens. And when the law enforcement official doesn't believe you, it's REALLY awkward.

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Jan 31, 2010 11:30 AM

Tony Cordi

Tony Cordi, Broker (Beachtime Realty) - Hermosa Beach, CA

Wow Kathy! Not fun at all...

Jan 31, 2010 12:24 PM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Oh i've been here. it was so LOUD every where i turned it drove me nuts. The buyer WAS a sheriff and some of his boys showed up at the house. I just sat outside and handed them a card. There was nothing else i could do. lol

Feb 01, 2010 01:59 AM

Tina D Saporito, Your Dedicated Palm Desert, CA Realtor Since 2005

Ronald Christopher & Associates. Proudly serving Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Rancho Mirage, & Palm Springs. - Palm Desert, CA

Call (760)799-8460. www.JustListedinPalmDesert.com

I agree a note in the lockbox can't hurt anyone. I recommend sellers not to use the alarm while the house is listed because this happens too many times. I agree with Tanya, some agents skip these listings all together.

Feb 01, 2010 05:37 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Kathy, that happened to me once and fortunately the system wasn't hard wired to a service...it just made a lot of noise.

Feb 01, 2010 02:00 PM

David Dee

RMX REALTY - Alhambra, CA

Real Estate - San Gabriel Valley (L.A.) & N. Orang

From the desk of David Dee,

Kathy, I haven't encountered that yet. I've been to homes where the alarm lights is blinking when I entered but they were already deactivated and nonfunctional.

Feb 01, 2010 06:02 PM

Tom Boos

Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

Even when we KNOW there's an alarm, there's still a 50/50 chance of setting it off. Inaccurate disarming/arming instructions from the Listing Office are commonplace, so your showing may include a visit from the "Boys In Blue".

Feb 02, 2010 01:14 AM

I Set Off Another Alarm!

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