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In the Wake of Tragedy, the Real Estate Community is Beside Itself

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

In the Wake of Tragedy, the Real Estate Community is Beside Itself

Waking up this morning and having the story of murdered real estate agent Beverly Carter, my heart sank for her friends and family.  It is horrifying to think of the evil that lurks in our world.   And as expected, the real estate community is flailing, lighting up social media talking about the tragedy.

The first tidbit I read focused on the murderer's motive---that he thought Beverly Carter was rich.  The poster went on to talk about how the public needs to realize that real estate agents aren't rich.  Rich people are not the only targets of perverts and psychopaths.  College students aren't rich, yet Virginia is anxiously waiting for news about Hannah Graham and horrified to hear that there may have been a serial killer targeting women along the Route 29 corridor.

Never meet a brand new buyer for the first time at a property.Whether you make a lot of money in this business, or have yet to earn a paycheck, you are a target.  Why?  We work in vacant homes and are usually alone with our clients.  I've heard a lot of discussion today, and agents in my local area begging for pearls of wisdom from the real estate board.  Here's some common sense for all of us in the community.

1.  Don't be a pop tart agent.  When someone wants to see a home, make sure they get qualified for a loan FIRST.  Odds are, criminals are not going to want to go through the harang of pre-pproval just so they get the chance to harm or kill you.  And here's a novel idea--you'll actually figure out quickly if you have a legitimate prospect anyway.

2.  Never meet a stranger at a property for the first time.  Meet them in a public place, like your office, or if an independent broker, at a coffee shop.  Of course, when a stranger calls and wants to see a listing, refer to the statement above.  Get them qualified.

3.  When you are taking out a new client make a copy of their drivers license and leave it with your office, or email it to someone via cell phone picture.  Most importantly, announce what you are doing.  

4.  Let someone in your office, friend or family member know where you are going.  Leave a list of the properties you are showing.

5.  If possible, take someone with you while showing a home.  Say someone calls and says they have been preapproved and you decide to disregard all of the above steps because you really need a paycheck and these folks sound okay.   Don't go alone.

6.  Take a self defense course.  Everyone should know how to defend themselves.

7.  Call the NRA and find out about how to become a responsible gun owner.  Get some practice on a gun range and, if comfortable with the idea, learn about what is involved in concealed carry of a hand gun.  I know agents in our marketplace that conceal carry and I can't say it's a bad idea.  

First and foremost, stop focusing on the potential commission and the concept of right now that the person on the phone is pushing.  You may lose a buyer or two that are impatient, but you will have your life if you put up qualifying barriers between yourself and out of the blue buyers.

 

Comments (109)

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Saw this post as a reblog. SUch a tragedy Chris. My husband goes with me if I am showing vacant property...no matter who I am meeting.

Oct 01, 2014 09:35 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

John:  Having to get preapproved for a loan is rough enough when you need one.  I seriously doubt a killer is going to want to go through that, OR have all their information in the hands of a lender if they decide to kill an agent.

Rebecca: With repeat clients, or referrals, I am fine.  When it comes to strangers, I am not.  But this makes me realize, that with Facebook, anyone could call and say there were a friend of someone they saw on your Facebook and say you were recommended.  It has always been natural for me to call immediately and thank the source of the referral.  This is another practice we should get into.

Oct 02, 2014 04:35 AM
Deleted Account
Fort Myers, FL

Prayers go out to Beverly Carter's family and friends.  I am currently evaluating some of my procedures now to keep me safe.  Someone once told me to make sure someone knows where you are going and who you are going with.  The thing is someone will know who did it, but that won't help me, if they have already killed me.  You need to have the protection before it happens.

Oct 02, 2014 09:46 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

William:  Absolutely.  That just helps them find the body faster.

Oct 02, 2014 10:11 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-939-2727
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear Chris Ann,
Your post offers a lot of strong tips but the replies you gave to comments as a core part of the precautionary post. Thanks for both.

I do have one word of caution. If a person wants to carry a lethal weapon, that person better be TRAINED well in using that weapon, whatever it is. Too many times the "bad guy" gets the weapon from the victim and the results are worse.

If a person plans to carry any weapon, better be sure to know about using it properly.

Have a happy day -
Lynn

Oct 02, 2014 04:27 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Our profession is built on trust, but it is not easy to find out who you can trust... Unfortunately, there is no easy simple solution how we can protect ourselves and our clients.

Oct 02, 2014 08:04 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Chris Ann,

Well deserved featured post! Beverly Carter did not deserve what happened and I feel for her family. We can't be too careful and if nothing else more agents will think twice before running out to dhow a home without having the client come into the office. If they can't understand then so be it..nothing lost but a possible problem!

Oct 02, 2014 10:40 PM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Chris Ann, such good advice...you know of the several girls that have gone missing in VA; Alexis Murphy's body has never been found and Jesse Matthews went to LU.  I thank my broker Pat for getting many of us agents to take the NRA concealed carry course years ago. NO one gets in my car unless we have a signed Exclusive Right to Represent and a Pre-approval letter.

Oct 03, 2014 08:11 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Lynn:  Couldn't agree more with the training if you are going to arm yourself.

Inna:  It is an industry built on trust, but it has to be both ways.  Clients need to trust the process we put in place.  And if that means going to an office first, then they need to do it.

Oct 03, 2014 10:13 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Dorie:  Nobody deserves to be murdered.  We can, however, stop putting ourselves in situations where that can happen.

Debbie:  I am proud that Virginia allows conceal carry.

Oct 03, 2014 10:15 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Chris Ann~ There is much we can do and simply don't do to be safe. You shared some great suggestions.

Oct 04, 2014 01:38 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Chris Ann, we all need to take your advice to heart.  I am thinking about subscribing to a background check system to have more information about the people we meet for the first time.

Oct 04, 2014 04:20 PM
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

This stuff scares the heck out of me. Not for my own safety but those of my fellow realtors. If something doesn't feel right or your gut is telling you something go along with it. It's not worth it.

Oct 05, 2014 09:15 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Donna:  We have to make safety a priority and NOT chasing a commission from a stranger.

Sharon:  It would be helpful, but not fool proof.  Nothing is.

Richard:  Couldn't agree more.  We do need to trust our instincts.

Oct 05, 2014 09:38 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I am with you on carrying a gun, as long as you are trained and qualified.  A well armed society is a polite society.  

Oct 09, 2014 09:27 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Gene:  The older I get, the more I understand that.

Oct 09, 2014 09:32 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

This is one reason I don't do open houses. I never run out and meet someone I don't know by myself. We can't ever be 100% safe, but we can do lots of things to ensure a greater level of safety and most of these things are common sense, but I see so many agents ignore them. Hopefully Beverly didn't die in vain and more agents will now pay attention.

Oct 23, 2014 04:28 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Nina:  The only open houses I do anymore are with trainees, so I am not in the home alone.  

Oct 24, 2014 03:41 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

It is a bit of a treat going back and reading some of Active Rains best archives  like this one. Should be shared again.

Mar 28, 2015 12:07 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Winston:  You should get in the WAY back machine and read some of my first posts.

Mar 29, 2015 10:30 AM