I had an appointment this morning and I had to get my Donald to come cover the office for me. I got back from my appointment and he headed home and I began to search for the data to do my CMA. I got a call to see one of my listings. It's a vacant listing and the potential buyer lives in the neighborhood with the property so he wanted to meet me at the property and not drive to my office to only drive back to his neighborhood. That's against the rules at my office, and I too follow the rules I set for my agents.
So instead of making the buyer go out of his way I just put in a quick phone call to my husband to come go with me to the house. I just had a really dreadful feeling. I brushed off my "dread" as having to lock up the office because I was the duty agent and don't like when I have to lock the door and head out. I had the name and phone number of the caller and the name of the caller and Google search came up with zilch.
When my Donald arrived we headed on over to the property. My feeling of dread was very intense by now. I really just did not want to walk into the house (potential buyer had not yet arrived as I was a bit early). So I sent Donald in and followed him. As we were making our way through the house we heard the people fleeing out the back. Turns out the home had been broken into. The back door was standing ajar and the bathroom floor contained a giant rock that had been smashed through the window. So I called the local law enforcement to come do a report. It didn't really appear as though anything has been taken from inside the house. Sellers had taken most everything when they left. The storage building had been broken into as well and I had no idea what had been in it previously.
My point is, when I felt that I shouldn't go alone feeling I perhaps had good reason. The house sits quite far back from the street and I felt much better with Donald there with me waiting for the few minutes it took for the officer to arrive. The potential buyer came and looked at the property as well. Now I have to wait to hear back from the lender and perhaps I can sell this house. But for now... I'm glad I trusted my gut and didn't go over there alone. If your little voice tells you something... you should listen too.
My instinct has kept me safe and out of trouble numerous times. And sometimes I find myself getting a little too comfortable with meeting strangers and going in homes alone for previews and CMAs. We all need to take a step back and put safety first. And if you are a buyer or a seller and an agent insists on meeting you at their office or in a public place please understand we have to consider our safety and perhaps even your safety. If my buyer had gotten there alone ahead of me he could have stumbled upon the burglar. Remember the "buddy system", it's still a good idea. And for other brokers that might read this, it's best to not only teach your agents about safety issues, but actually incorporate them into your written policy. It's also important to remind them often.
Special thanks to my Donald for going with me today and covering the office for my other appointment. And a thank you also to my local Sheriff's department, who always show up in a timely manner when called.
Comments(50)