Realtor assaulted at Central Ohio Foreclosed Home

A local Central Ohio real estate agent was assaulted as she inspected a foreclosed home (REO) yesterday at a neighborhood on the southwest side of Columbus, OH.  The home is located on Rolling Court in the Hidden Meadows subdivision, which is just outside of Grove City.

The agent was most likely there to do one of many routine inspections that REO agents are required to do on bank owned properties during the marketing process.  After viewing the news piece, it is evident that the property has already been rekeyed and most likely trashed out.  Most of the general public, and many agents that are not well versed in working with bank-owned homes don't understand the timeline that takes place from the Sheriff's Sale to the REO agent putting the property on the MLS.  That timeline can range from a couple of months all the way out to a year or more. 

The agent had been through the property briefly, and was inspecting the exterior of the home when she heard a sound from inside the house.  She then went inside the home to investigate the noise.  I am certain that she has asked herself a hundred times in the last day, "Why did I go back into a house that I knew was not occupied when I heard a noise?"  Well, she did go back inside and an unidentified man shoved her, and pushed her down the basement stairs.  She was bruised and scratched, but she will be ok. Her name and her company's name is not being released at this time.  They did note that she she normally goes out with another agent, for safety. 

It was possibly a squatter, or the former homeowner, but most likely someone looking for copper or other items to steal.

The NAR and our local boards constantly alert us about safety matters.  Sometimes it takes things hitting closer to home to make us take action.  I am in foreclosures almost every day, and I plan to start locking the doors behind me, and possibly even carry pepper spray.

See the full story about the Columbus OH Realtor attacked here.

Photo Credit