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38 Comments on REALTOR® Tragedy at Open House!
Margaret, when I had heard about this on the radio on Sunday I was so saddened. Human life appears to be losing it's value as each day passes. Unfortunately, as Realtors, we are often times placed in situations where even the best defenses can be overcome all too easily. A crime of opportunity such as this can strike anyone, anywhere and at anytime. More laws will never change the outcome, we'll always be asking the age old question of why! My thoughts and prayers reach out to Ashley's family.
Margaret: I can't imagine someone seeking out a real estate agent and committing this senseless crime.. so sad... so terribly sad.
Great post, Margaret. I, for one, quit holding open houses alone years ago. I'll call one of my favorite MLO's, another fellow agent, my husband (he hates it) or just a another friend. Even when I'm sitting the homes open in guard gated subdivisions here in Scottsdale - it's just too stupid out there.
Margaret, I can't help thinking about all the living my own daughter has done in the eight years since she was this age... it kinda puts it into perspective for me just how much Ashley has lost the opportunity to experience. Thanks for posting this.
I know that many Activerain agents host very successful open houses, but I haven't done one in years. Personal safety is the primary reason - not just for me, but for my clients whose homes we open to the public without any pre-qualification.
Everyone, go read Emily's post today. She is making a difference.
Are We Too Busy To Be... Safe?
Margaret, Thank you so much for sharing this--tragic as it may be, we DO need to be extremely careful and doubling up is certainly a great idea to avoid such tragedys. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Be safe out there.
Dear Margaret -
How sad for all of the family and friends!
In Atlanta, to mention to Jon (#3), there were two agents at the sub-division model home and both were lost. It is very unpleasant to think that one cannot do one's job and still be safe.
The Driver's License copy (#14 - Emily) is such a good idea - not that it would stop someone determined todo harm but it might make them think twice.
Have a happy day -
Lynn
Let's treat this as a wake up call. Really sad.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ashley's family.
I'm so very sorry to hear this news. Generally, if I do an open house, I have two or three people with me. My prayers are with the family. Just awful.
Margaret:
Such a tragic and sad story. My heart goes out to Ashley's family, friends and colleagues. We hear similar stories every once in a while and think that can't happen to me. But it can. I agree that when holding an open house there should be 2 agents present.
Margaret,
I appreciate that you and people like Emily and others are spreading the news and encouraging safety. Please feel free to share my interview with the Des Moines Register. I am happy for you to re-post, re-blog or whatever you need to in order to spread the word.
Incorporating safe practices right up front is key. I love training new agents, before they have a chance to develop bad habits. However, stories like this one, encourages veteran agents to implement safety practices starting right now! I know people are always confused about who to call to teach these safety program. Please choose a professional who specializes in safety training for agents.
"Real estate job carries risks, expert says after agent killed in West Des Moines." Please read my interview and tell me what you think.
"Tracey Hawkins, a former real estate agent who now owns Safety and Security Source, said Sunday that a number of factors explain why a 2010 U.S. Department of Labor report showed 71 industry-related "real estate and rental and leasing" deaths in 2009, 30 of which were homicides."
Here is another resource and link to share. Read the full story:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110411/NEWS/104110317/-1/GETPUBLISHED03scripts/Real-estate-job-carries-risks-expert-says-after-agent-killed-West-Des-Moines
Margaret, Thank you for writing this post. Buddy systems need to be in place for all of us in our line of work. What a tragedy for this woman's family, friends and community. No area is immune from such events it seems.
Gloria
Margaret,
Thank you for sharing this sad story. I know many people are thinking they need to make changes to their showing/open house schedules.
Betsy
It is vital that we take precautions to protect ourselves out there. Never meet at a home unless you have a partner with you and when someone comes in to a open house, never get yourself in a corner position. So scary, take care.
OMG... one can never be too careful. Always be alert and take others with you. Safety in numbers.
Patricia/Seacoast NH & ME
Margaret, my prayers go out to Ashley's family at this difficult time...we can never forget safety in our business.
I heard about this through another blogger here on ActiveRain yesterday. Thank heavens for websites like this where we can share these types of tragedies with other people in our business to remind us that you can never be too careful out there. I'll definitely think twice next time I think about scheduling an open house by myself but I hate that a young woman such as Ashley had to lose her life as a reminder to the rest of us...
Margaret ~ thank you for sharing this tragic story. Shocking, senseless, I will never understand such acts of violence.
Margaret, just came here from Emily's post. I see that Ashley was in a Model Home. How many site agents are in homes day after day, week after week, all by themselves? I think about it when I drive up. I thought about it when I ran my mother-in-law's maternity shop and I was alone. Will be praying for Ashley's family and friends.
Sharon