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Agent and Child Set Off Two Alarms in Thirty Minutes

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV

I took clients out today to look at houses.  They are a military family moving from Texas to be stationed at Ft. Bragg with duty in Iraq next month.  I knew it would be a smooth transaction since they narrowed their search to one school district, Jack Britt High.  That, coupled with the new construction inventory, moved things along fairly quickly.  After getting to the first house, I opened the door with my new supra causing the alarm to go off.  I'm just wondering...  Is it too much to ask to write this in the MLS or on the window by the door???  Alarm on premises would be wonderful.  Anyway, we got through that but not before the child of the couple came bursting out of the door in a panic. (Now that was funny!!)  The other lucky house HAD a sign on the window.  Only, my "little" friend opened an unlocked door this time as I was getting the agent on the phone for the code. 

While my day seemed explosive, I did finalize things with a written and accepted offer on a home they really liked.  They wanted to move rather quickly to get their son in school....tomorrow.  Closing is scheduled in a couple of weeks so they can move out of the hotel.

Thank you for allowing me to vent.  I can go to sleep peacefully now knowing I helped make someone's day.

Comments (12)

Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead

While I agree it's the listing agent's responsibility to notify any showing agents of an alarm system, I make it a habit to always ask as I'm setting up the appointments for my buyer showings.  This helps me avoid such situations as you experienced.  Glad it all worked out and turned into a deal for you.

What drives me nuts is when I have a listing in which we always leave the alarm dis-armed, yet a curious buyer decides to play with the keypad and ends up setting off the alarm.  Making matters worse, the showing agent and their buyers (who just set off my alarm) just lock up and leave, without calling me to ask about a code to disarm.  Nice, right?

Feb 04, 2008 02:38 PM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.  I didn't call ahead for appts since we were in a new construction community but I still feel responsible and dizzy.  Setting off the alarm and leaving is quite tacky.  You can pretty much narrow the agent who did it down by way of the supra activity.  Therefore, it is not a secret.
Feb 04, 2008 10:20 PM
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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Area Real Estate
Latonia,  Congrats on your closing in a couple of weeks!  Way to go!!!  Looks like a good spring ahead for you.
Feb 06, 2008 12:54 AM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty
A note in the MLS or even a reminder at the door would be great.... nothing worse than a unexpected alarm to go off on you. CONGRATULATIONS on the sale !
Feb 06, 2008 03:00 PM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert

Karen, I am motivated to do some additional things now.  Thanks so much.

Roland, unexpected was exactly what that was.  Thanks for your well wishes.  As I said to Karen, I am motivated.... again.

 Abundant Blessings to all.

Feb 06, 2008 10:41 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Latonia, Good job!  You found what your clients wanted and had some excitement along the way.  Nothing like a little alarm going off... it will either relieve the tension or add to it, one way or the other.  Thanks for commmening on my piece on subdivions.

 

 

Feb 08, 2008 05:36 AM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert

Hi Judi, excitement is exactly what it was but fortunately almost everyone stayed calm.  See you around AR.

Feb 10, 2008 10:44 PM
Brittany Stewart
Luxe Realty Group - Plano, TX
Making Dallas Home
I hate when that happens! lol I have really gotten into the habit of asking too and I always ring the door bell and knock before I start opening the lock box so that I don't surprise anyone.  I've seen 1 too many bare chests!
Feb 15, 2008 03:55 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I was on the other end of one of these a few years ago. It was so frustrating, because in the listing it had alarm, please call in at least 3 places. The agent never called and just walked in and set off the alarm and then just left in a panic and even left the door unlocked and the police arrived and called me, being they saw my sign out front.

It was frustrating, but the police charged the agent $50 for leaving the house with the alarm still going off, but she never did appologize to my clients for not calling, it was sad and stupid!

Feb 16, 2008 09:48 AM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert

Brittney,  you are so right about possibly surprising someone who may be in the house.  That would be worse than making the alarm go off. 

Todd,  now that is truly TACKY.  He/She should have already been embarrassed enough if they were with clients.  To leave though, takes it to a whole new level.

Feb 17, 2008 07:39 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Latonia...We have a large number of second homes in my market and some have alarm systems.  The listing should give us a heads up but they don't always.  When the listing does not instruct us to call anyone we do not especially if it has "go show" and "vacant".  Who would expect to set off an alarm?

Good post and good job.  Way to go.  You made everyone happy that day.  We'd all take days like that, alarms and all.

Congratulations!

Kathleen

Feb 17, 2008 09:25 AM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert
Hi again Kathleen and thank you for commenting.  Maybe we could start charging if there was no notification on the house.  Much like being charged when the police show up at a hot spot.  There are many notices about agents being charged for NOT doing something the local MLS board has asked.  We can add that one too.  I'm just rambling.
Feb 22, 2008 09:22 AM