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It is a risky business we are in

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker CA RE License 01117012

Often times, we hear our fellow agents getting attacked while showing a property. But when it happens to one of your own, who you know and work with in the past, you can't help but say, "This could happen to me as well".

This fellow agent luckily survived the attack as she pleaded for her life and he left her alone after robbing and raping her. She knew not to meet strangers at the property, but she thought, this is my neighborhood as she live in the neighborhood. It is easy to say she used bad judgement as she knows very well not to meet strangers at the property; but in the office first, pre-qualify, ask a lot of questions, but it is too late now for that.

In my area where there are foreclosed and REO'd properties whose lockboxes are not electronic and they are those push button kind (vendor lockboxes), I refuse to preview these properties by myself. As if no one is watching these REO's, they could have someone inside the house to shake your nerve or worse. Criminals don't pay attention to "No trespassing sign". They look for crime of opportunity.

We are pulling for our friend, we can only support her in prayers. Please, let this be a warning. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman, it only takes one opportunity for a criminal. It is a dangerous job we are in, we need to be alert and prepared. Follow your instinct, your gut feeling!

Comments (5)

John Nazareno
John Nazareno - Albany, CA

very wise to show property with a male realtor, friend or family member present

Aug 17, 2007 12:21 PM
Anonymous
don santucci keller williams
I know a lot of the gals and guys who let others know where they are going to show if they get the lead from phone duty or a referral they haven't met.  Safety first I say. If the customer doesn't understand, then who wants to deal with him/her in the first place.
Aug 17, 2007 12:40 PM
#2
Liz Foley
Keller Williams Realty - The Steven Chicoine Team - Sanford, ME
Cheerfully serving your real estate needs!
I have only felt the need to tell someone where I am once or twice on gut instinct - this post is very scary to me!  I am in area where things like this don't happen, but you are right - better to over-prepare for a situation like this than get caught unawares - I am SO sorry this happened to your associate - I am sure I speak for all of us when I say that our prayers are with her. Take care!
Aug 17, 2007 02:29 PM
Pam Hofmann
Third Tennessee Realty & Associates, LLC - Crossville, TN
Your Crossville, Lake Tansi & Fairfield Glade Specialist
We have been getting reports of people calling to make appointments and then canceling when it is made  clear that 2 or more agents will be present. Never go alone.
Aug 17, 2007 02:50 PM
Laura Rivera
Coldwell Banker - Castro Valley, CA
Your East Bay RE consultant
We have posted this incident on our MLS log-in home page to alert all agents. Yes, when showing a property it is better to take someone with you. When hosting open houses, partner with someone. In this incident she was too comfortable, she lives 3 houses down to where the attack happened, it is her neighborhood where she always felt safe.
Aug 17, 2007 04:30 PM