SoCal Agent raped & beaten.

Very sad...

We have to protect ourselves but so many times, things go right for so long we get lax. 

<GASP>

This truly is a reminder to use extreme caution when meeting buyers who are out of our sphere of influence.  I know an agent in my office who was called by a "professional baseball player" who wanted to look at some million-dollar-plus homes.  The agent just felt something odd about it since he called her off an ad in the newspaper.  It was odd that a professional baseball player would come into town and call out of the newspaper.   He said he was a player from a Florida team, but his number was a local cell area code.  She never did go on the appointment becuase there were other holes in his story.

That is just horrible, I hope she is okay.  We sometimes have a sense of false security.  We have to keep on our toes,a nd continue to preach safety and security first.  I wish her a speedy recovery!!!

Oh my God, we definitely need to be extremely careful.  She is in my prayers.  There are some crazy people in this world.  I never meet a potential buyer alone unless I personally know them.  One of my areas is Cobb County, GA., where two agents were killed some years ago.  I have learned from that never to go out showing potential buyers property.  I always try to meet people I do not know at my office.  Thanks for sharing and encouraging us to be more careful.

Awful, awful, awful story. I hate hearing these types of stories. I hope that guy never sees the light of day again. And I hope that the agent will be ok, although those scars will last forever. Be cautious out there. 

I have not heard of any such attacks in our area, but agents always need to be on their guard.

There are too many of these awful stories and ALL of us need to take precautions.

The first rule which we should never violate is to always have prospects pre-approved. This serves a number of purposes; such as save is time providing taxi serve to unqualified buyers but even more important is the fact that we have a potential reference check for this person.

People who are up to no good will not want so many eyes on them. Apply this with all our safety rules and we may all have better days.

Oh and always let someone know where you are at all times.

Gene, 

Safety is absolutely number one for us here in Southern Arizona.  Thanks for a useful post!

Mike in Tucson

Gene- This is why I tell women agents to not go alone to any vacant house or to meet a man at any house where they will be alone. I am sorry if that sounds sexist. But it is for their own safety! 

The women in real estate really need to watch themselves.  They are vulnerable and need to bring someone with them.