You Stole My Signs Because????

 

Marti kilby broker 

 

I listed a lovely home on Saturday in the up-scale area of San Elijo Hills, in San Diego County.  The sellers are anxious to sell, so I quickly put together an open house for the following day.  As I really didn’t have time to advertise, I was counting on signage to direct would-be buyers.  San Elijo Rd is a main route through the area so I knew that if I directed people from there, I’d have a pretty fair turn-out.  San Elijo Hills is only about 7 years old and is a high demand area, especially in the mid $500s price range.

 

As you might remember, I opened my own brokerage in May, and only got around to ordering custom open house signs a week ago….unfortunately not in time for this open house.  So I was using five generic red and white signs, purchased from our Realtor association store, including two of the more expensive sandwich board type shown above.

 

No sooner than I had the signs placed, but several people showed-up, including a Realtor and his clients.  The flow of people was pretty good for the first two hours, but then it just stopped.  So at 3:30 I closed up the home and went to collect my signs.

 

Imagine my disbelief when I discovered that two of my signs had vanished, including one of the more expensive ones on the main road that would direct people to the home.  I was absolutely stunned, and really pissed.  Who steals signs from another agent???  No wonder traffic to the open house had abruptly died!

 

So whoever you are….you’ll be surprised when you discover that I wrote my name on the sign with PERMANENT marker.  Ha!  And if your ethics are so shaky that you think its okay to steal another agent’s sign, you’re definitely in the wrong business!!!!

 

As a postscript, the Realtor who was the first to view the home with his clients wrote an offer.  Just waiting for a couple more, but looks like we’ll be in escrow a week from now J

 

 

Your Personal San Diego County Real Estate Consultant

                                                          619-846-9249

www.martikilby.com

http://insidesandiegoshortsales.com

Taking the "Stress" Out of Distressed Property Sales

       

 

 
This post has been included in California Real Estate News San Diego County, CA Real Estate News San Marcos, CA Real Estate News San Elijo Hills (San Marcos, CA) Real Estate News
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58 Comments on You Stole My Signs Because????

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
17
111,551 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Me either Barbara.  If you can't afford a sign, you shouldn't be in the business.
5:42pm • #39
506,386 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marti, that's incredible. I've heard that some homeowners take offense to it if you put them in their yard without asking. I've also seen a few that were covered in paper announcing garage sales.
6:23pm • #40
183,328 Points Called Shot Master

I find that if my signs are generic they have a higher incidence of being stolen. But I have never had my logo'd signs taken. Ever. For that reason, I no longer use generic signs.
6:46pm • #41
580,810 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I often see Realtor Open House signs being used by people having a garage sale.  Maybe that's what happened? Anyway, it's a GOOD thing your listing had an offer!!
6:58pm • #42
479,354 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Never had a sign stolen (#1)....not me....ive had more directionals and signs stolen than many agents ever buy at all. Of corse I've been doing this for 21 years, guess it typically comes with the territory, but it sure is sad to think about.
7:04pm • #43
938,723 Points 52 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

We have areas in the greater Sacramento region where signs if they are in violation with their placement, can be picked up by the sheriff's department.  It certainly can be frustrating at times.  I feel your pain!
8:14pm • #44
880,348 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good for you! Here's to a smooth closing. Don't think that the neighbors will not notice that you listed and sold so quickly! You just keep on being the amazing agent that you are and leave the ugliness to the uglies! WOO HOO!! Can't wait to see a JUST CLOSED ON THIS AMAZING HOME post!
9:37pm • #47
1,352,832 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marti - That's so frustrating!  I like Mike's idea.  It's great all the way around.
11:54pm • #48
JUL
18
975,855 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
What a bad story with a glad kind of happy ending. Way to go!
12:44am • #49
302,028 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I have had the town, competing developers, homeowners, all take them! Crazy
3:06am • #50
1,024,230 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think that it being GENERIC that it is more likely that a future FSBO too it so that they can REcycle it for their use
3:39am • #51
1,141,654 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is so awful that someone stole your sign, regardless of who it was.  But, I am so glad you got an offer and the open house was still a success.
4:02am • #52
113,945 Points 3 Featured Posts

Larceny looms large. It would surprise me if a Realtor took your signs. Getting caught has too many negative side effects. Congratulations on getting under agreement. Now you can buy more signs!!
4:09am • #53
111,551 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Eric and Maureen - I guess I should check-out garage sales in the neighborhood!  Not sure what I would do if I actually found them!

Bill - I hope you're right!  I have 5 custom open house signs arriving today.  They were pretty pricey, so I sure hope they don't get stolen!

Joy I'm sorry you've lost so many signs over the years :(

Myrl - I can't imagine the sheriff's dept picking-up signs.  Don't they have something better to do?

Joni - Thanks for the kind words.  I hope you're right!

Christine - I agree!  Super idea!

Cheryl and Debbie - You're right!  The story does have a happy ending.

David and Wallace - Until reading all of these comments, I had no idea that sign theft was such a common problem.

Richard and Jean - thanks for the congratulations.  We actually have two other, stronger offers coming in today :)
7:30am • #54

Just got two stolen a couple of weeks ago and since it is close to my home I drive the streets on weekends from time to time to see if someone is using them. To bad for them my name and Broker is on the sign.  However I really don't expect to ever recover them.

 
1:46pm • #55
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Marti, How scummy is that? Hope you find them when that agent has an open house and you can steal them back....lol
2:31pm • #56
111,551 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi John - that sucks.  Would be great if you actually found someone using them!

Sandy - yep pretty scummy!  I would love to find them and see just what the person had to say for themselves!
2:36pm • #57
AUG
28
 Hi Marti, I stumbled on this post as I was searching "San elijo hills open house signs".....and why on earth would I ever have to google this, you ask? To find out where I can order the mandated open house signs that are required to be used when directing traffic towards SEH open houses! I am sure it was quite political back when this rule was instituted and I am going to keep my opinions to myself on that one ; ) So today I get to figure out and hopefully invest in more signage....even though I have a garage full of custom branded signs so I can hold open my listing this weekend. As for who actually took your signs.......I would be interested to know who is the sign gate-keeper? Thanks for this post...I was going to tempt using my own (and expensive) branded signs if I couldn't get my hands on the "special" blue signs in time, now I think I will pass! Glad you found a buyer so quickly!
9:02am • #58
SEP
27

Hi Marty,

Just a heads up about San Elijo Hills. They require that you use their San Elijo Hills specific open house signs. Another way for those HOA's to make a buck, they sell you the signs and if you use anything but their specific HOA sanctioned signs they will take them and throw them out. I found this out the hard way myself a few years ago. I'm not sure wher eyou get those signs, my team lead has some that I use now whenever I do an open house in San Elijo Hills. Shoo tme an email if you need to know where to et them and I will ask my lead where she got hers.

jimjsellshomesnow@gmail.com
Jim Johnston
8:16pm • #59
SEP
28
111,551 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Thanks Jim!  There was another agent who mentioned that to me as well - absolutely ridiculous policy!  I don't normally work in San Elijo Hills, (just sold a home for my best friend), so I luckily don't need to invest in their stupid signs!
8:34am • #60

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Marti Steele Kilby, Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA

La Mesa, CA

More about me…

Steele Group Realty

Address: 7317 El Cajon Blvd, Suite 222, La Mesa, CA, 91942

Office Phone: (619) 303-8232

Cell Phone: (619) 846-9249

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