Last week a Wisconsin Realtor lost her life showing a vacant home.  Featured in our local paper was the story of another local Wisconsin Realtor murdered a couple decades ago, who's killer was never found.  There are also stories circulating of Realtors beaten, robbed or raped at vacant home showings.  Let's bow our heads and have a moment of silence for all who have experienced violence in our profession.

 

Be safe.  Meet new clients at your office, and let someone know where you are going and who you are going with.

 
Posted by Carrie Heath on 03/31/2008 07:24 AM   Comments (13)   memorial, safety, remembrance, showings  
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13 Comments on In Memoriam

MAR
31
2008
244,273 Points 30 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
very sad situation... my thought are with her family
7:31am • #1
1 Featured Post
Carrie - how terrible!  This is a great reminder to all of us and I just reminded a couple Agents on my Team of this.  You can never be too careful!  Thank you for your tribute. 
7:33am • #2
Thank you, Derek, for reminding your agents that their safety comes before a potential sale.  I hope everyone out there remembers that.
7:37am • #3
827,729 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Have you noticed that there seems to be a story on ActiveRain or in the newspaper every week of another murdered or beaten real estate agent?  This is another good reason NOT to hold Open House, at least not without a second person along as a safety precaution.  An Open House is, after all, an empty house that we invite strangers into.  It's downright scary.
7:37am • #4
251,786 Points Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master
Unfortunately, this is becoming more common among all sales professions that have an independent relationship with their clients...Car salespeople on test drives is another example I'm very familiar with...In our office, if an agent has a 'queer' feeling about meeting a client elsewhere, male or female, we just ask a fellow agent to accompany us and we make up some kind of 'partner' story etc...Follow your instincts, they're usually correct.
7:38am • #5
160,938 Points 1 Featured Post

I shudder every time I hear a story like this.  I always think back to I think it is "Hill Street Blues" where after their morning briefing they were told to "be safe out there". 

Realtor (R) safety month should be every day not just one month a year!
7:40am • #6
567,708 Points 77 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Carrie--When I read this story, it justifies the precautions I take when doing showings and open houses. I avoid parking in the driveway so I am not blocked in. I keep my cell and keys on me. And never meet someone I don't know at a house alone. I also make certain that unknown callers are qualified prior to meeting them and speak to their loan officer to verify their intentions to purchase a home. I keep open houses short and avoid them in remote areas. I may lose some business but oh well...better than losing my life!
7:47am • #7
1,513,515 Points 358 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Carrie,

Another thing rarely mentioned ... avoid "glamour" photos in your advertising. There are a lot of bad folks out there, and a brochure with a photo could be potentially hazardous.
7:59am • #8

Richard -

Very, very true!  Last fall, 2 other female agents and I received phone calls that were, to say the least, frightening in their explicit vulgarity.  The FBI traced the calls to a convicted sex offender in Texas, who had somehow gotten his hands on a listing magazine local to our area.  He told them he picked the "easiest targets"  based on our photos.  I since changed mine.
8:04am • #9
Thank you everyone for reading and commenting on this blog.  I felt it was important to mention - and truly, every day SHOULD be Realtor Safety Day (cudos Kim!)
8:19am • #10
486,488 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Carrie;

I have experience a home invasion and my family and I were home at the time. So, I carry on me at all times pepper spray, a whistle, and I have a panic button that is part of my cars security system. I do all this in the name of having peace of mind. These precautions extend to real estate as well.
9:19am • #11
How awful!  Home invasion is scary - and pepper spray is a really good idea where it is legal.  Some states also allow personal tazers for self-protection.  I also wear flat shoes when showing properties - heels may look great, but you can run in flats!
9:59am • #12
APR
01
2008
 Carrie: It is an important reminder that safety is of utmost importance. Thank you for the reminder.
5:59am • #13


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Carrie Heath

Chippewa Falls, WI

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Address: 4252 Southtowne Dr., Eau Claire, WI, 54701

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