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It Was A Vacant Townhouse!

By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

October 04, 2012 12:33 PM

It was a vacant townhouse. Here's the showing instructions:

''Agents make sure all the lights are off, all doors locked and turn off the alarm. Remember to lock and re-alarm when you leave.''

I arrive at the house before the buyer, knock on the door, open the lockbox, remove the key, unlock the door, turn the alarm off, turn the lights on..well a couple were already on.

Then I checked the house and went into the family room area......and saw her!

I excused myself, saying..." I did not think anyone was at home."

She was very quiet so I knocked on the door entrance...still no response. No movement...she was very still!

I walked around to her side and she was holding the sign facing the sliding glass door to the outside.

Holy....!!! ( EXPLETIVE DELETED)

This is the most creative security system I've seen in a long time. When I introduced my buyer to the "guard" he got quite a chuckle. Must admit I was a bit startled at first.

What unique security systems have you seen while showing property?

No One Was Supposed to Be Home! After all...it was a vacant townhouse.

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Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Hey, Margaret! I included this post in Last Week's Favorites. Have a great week!

Oct 06, 2012 10:43 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

What a creative security system. LOL. A little spooky, I'm sure!

I'll never forget the time I reached into a dark bathroom to turn on the light for my buyers and my hand and arm touched fur on the wall. I just about went through the roof.

Oct 06, 2012 11:15 PM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thank you, Pat. I always enjoy your week's review.

Margaret, Now that must have been really scary. What was that fur?

Oct 06, 2012 11:31 PM

Bill Gillhespy

16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Margaret, Terrific post, loved the guard. I showed a home where a lower apartment was guarded by a trained German Shepherd. Two bites later we were running out the door !

Oct 07, 2012 02:55 AM

Bill, Only one word for that encounter..."OUCH!"

Oct 07, 2012 03:25 AM

Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

You need to read Sheila and Larry's latest post for the most outrageous real estate stories. It's your experience on steroids.

Oct 07, 2012 07:29 AM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Margaret - I haven't run into that one before though I do think it was creative.

Oct 07, 2012 01:17 PM

Jill, Thanks for sending me to Sheila and Larry. That was a bit much and all in the dark with flashlights. ~~~~~~~ Christine, Yes it was creative

Oct 07, 2012 01:46 PM

Mike Warren

Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

I thought it was a ghost, LOL! Very creative security system.

Oct 07, 2012 02:33 PM

Mike, I am wondering how other agents responded to this creative system.

Oct 07, 2012 08:08 PM

Debbie Cook

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

Margaret,
I thought you were going to say she was dead. What you are describing would have made my skin crawl.
The worst I've come upon is someone sleeping (so soundly - he didn't hear anything) all covered up in bed.

Oct 08, 2012 01:03 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Funny! A visual effect is a very successful effect. No mess to clean up either.

Oct 08, 2012 10:06 AM

Debbie, I have had the sound sleepers, showed the house and left them still asleep.

William, A visual with no mess.

Oct 08, 2012 10:32 AM

June Piper-Brandon

Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD

Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

Too funny Margaret, I would have jumped out of my skin first and said a few things but it is a great deterent, how many would be thieves would be thwarted thinking she was real.

Oct 14, 2012 02:05 AM

June, I think any would be thieves might be scared away.

Oct 19, 2012 11:26 AM

Gloria Todor

Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA

& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Margaret, That is great. I wonder how many showing agents have been startled by that "guard"? Very creative!

Gloria

Oct 21, 2012 10:06 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Margaret, this is a great story! I just returned to my office from listing a vacant townhouse, so of course I read your post. My thanks also to Gloria Todor for re-blogging it1

Oct 21, 2012 10:20 AM

Gloria, I bet I was not the only one. Thanks for the reblog!

Lottie, Thanks for letting me know Gloria reblogged. Good luck with your new listing!

Oct 21, 2012 11:44 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Very creative I love it! Probably gave quite a few people a nervous moment!

Oct 28, 2012 12:02 AM

Debra, it was quite creative.

Oct 28, 2012 01:52 AM