This is a very serious subject, thefts which occur at Open Houses, but this story struck me because it is just so funny--and sad!
Recently a man was arrested after stealing panties from an Open House. He was caught by the Realtor, rummaging through the homeowner's drawers. Later when detained by the police, they found 8 pairs of women's underwear in a plastic bag. Upon further investigation, they found over 50 more at the home that he shares with his parents. He moved in with them following his divorce.
He said that he stole the panties because he missed his ex-wife.
Realtors have always known there is an inherent theft risk to holding an open house. But most work with their sellers to put away all valuables, and personal items, in an effort to minimize the risk. We usually focus on items like jewelry, checkbooks, credit card statements, cash and the like. Most recently, prescription drugs being stolen out of medicine cabinets has been a problem, so now we advise our homeowners to pack them away or remove them from the home.
But having our homeowners secure their underwear drawer? It never occured to me.
Of course, there is no accounting for what someone who is suffering from depression or mental illness will do, and I guess that is the lesson we should learn from this story. One of the agents interviewed said that the man made her uncomfortable and she jotted down his license plate. Her instincts about this man were good and she was smart to listen to them.
So then the question becomes (once again), do we continue to hold Open Houses?
I still see some value in Open Houses. Getting the neighbors in to see a new listing can be a great tool...presumabley they love the neighborhood and will be a great sales force to send out in to the public domain. But with each of instance of theft or crime that occurs at an open house, I become just a little bit more wary of their value. I like to lead off each of my listings with a first weekend Sunday Open. I am very clear with my sellers that the open house will very likely not result in a sale, but that it is just one of many marketing tools
We all know that often the value in an Open House is a chance to meet eager (and unattached) buyers.
I wonder if I the time has come to modify my marketing plan and just get rid of the Sunday Open all together?
Certainly, my seller's underwear drawer would be safer!
For more about this story: Man Charged in Panty Raids At Real Estate Open Houses
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