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WHO Stole my open house sign???

By Michelle Roland

Real Estate Agent with Phil's Locksmith

March 31, 2008 03:28 PM

Calling all agents! Do you have this happen too?

Just after a hard days work, you go around and pick up the dreaded open house signs, and to no avail can't find one.

Then you question yourself, Did I really have that many with me today? Did I put one here? Drive back and forth looking and looking and don't find it. It's especially frustrating for me when it's raining. At least I'm on the way home and the mascara smears don't matter any more. :-)

Finally, you give up and realize that IT'S GONE!

I just want to know how many other realtors have experienced this? What do you do other than purchase more?

Does anyone have any good stories to tell?

Let me know,

Michelle

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Jim Albano

Prudential Damiano Realty - Little Falls, NJ

Team - Jean-Marie Vantuno / Realtors North Jersey Real Estate

That's just plain aggravating. Probably some kids with nothing better to do. But those darn things cost us money! And it's aggravating!

Mar 31, 2008 03:37 PM

Michelle Roland

Phil's Locksmith - Sacramento, CA

Jim,

I agree. But I don't think it's just kids. I had a recent client tell me that they know of adults that would steal them just so they could modify them and put up FSBO, or Yard Sale signs.

Mar 31, 2008 03:43 PM

Jeannette Neerpat

CondoDomain.com - Coral Springs, FL

e-Pro Coral Springs/Parkland Real Estate

Sometimes adults steal them if you are in competion with them, here the city takes them!

Mar 31, 2008 03:44 PM

Randy "Lazarus" McAtee

Lazarus Realty - Fresno, CA

Owner/Broker, Lazarus Realty, Fresno California

I have never lost an open house sign but I have had my for sale signs stolen or tagged

Mar 31, 2008 03:58 PM

Mark Hawley

Keller Williams Realty - Indio, CA

I have lost two to the city. They have people on the weekends who gather up signs (No matter where the house is, you are allowed one sign off-site, even though it is 3 or 4 turns inside a development. Somehow they got "misplaced" or never returned by the people who gather them) I have turned to putting a flyer box with a map on it for "complicated" directions to homes.

I have also lost one for no reason...probably stolen.

I have a listing in a part of town that I swear I have to go by and fix at least once every two weeks. I went there yesterday and someone had purposely bent the sign. It was one of those steel square ones for an 18x24 and two riders!!! I couldn't even bend it back! They must have driven on the curb and rammed it with a car!

Mar 31, 2008 04:01 PM

WOW. That's just crazy. We are able to have open house signs up in most areas on a temporary basis. Some areas have a no tolerance policy.

The county burns off the levee's sometimes just before the fire season starts and there have been some crispy signs brought back into our office. So much for directionals!

Mar 31, 2008 04:09 PM

Jacki & Jerry Shafer

The Shafer Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Louisville East - Crestwood, KY

The Shafer Team, Call 502-643-SOLD

I do believe a lot of times it's neighbors who may think they're TACKY. They're not thinking ahead, however. When it's their turn to sell their home it will be a different story, huh??

I'd like to throw a question out - how are OPEN HOUSES working for you? What's your success rate on actually selling the home you're sitting in?

Apr 05, 2008 12:41 AM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

Around here the college students take them to decorate their dorm rooms and apartments. My Partner tells me that they (and he!) did the same thing in Texas 35 years ago. I have noticed that open houses at the beginning of the college semesters have more missing signs than at other times. Hmmmmmmmmmm. What are they teaching college students?

Sep 23, 2008 07:00 PM

Janna Scharf

Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID

Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

I don't know what to make of it, but I have had mine go missing from time to time. Also have found them all knocked over.

Dec 28, 2008 04:40 PM

Patty Luther

RE/MAX Rock-n-Roll Realty - Lewiston, ID

Lewiston ID Real Estate, Idaho-Washington

I actually got a call from the husband of an Escrow officer to tell me my Open house sign was propped up against the Recycling bins... that was nice of him... because I would of never found that one! but someone had picked it up from the corner where I had placed it and took it over a half mile down the road... WHY? I was surprised they didn't throw it in the bins... must of been afraid someone might see them do that ... besides God that is?

Just glad I found it, called him back to says thanks so much! I hate to lose them ... as I spend a lot of money on my Open house signs ..

Jan 10, 2009 04:42 PM

WHO Stole my open house sign???

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Michelle Roland

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