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More Real Estate Bad Guys!

No, I'm not talking about other agents or incompetent or unscrupulous lenders. I'm talking about members of the esteemed public. Well, maybe not esteemed!

Last night on the late news, there was an item about a theft ring that had been busted. They showed the face of a young woman who had just been arrested, and she could have been one of our clients. She looked like a sweet kid - NOT!

This fresh-faced cutie worked for a moving company. She helped out a little by using her position to figure out where their clients lived and made appointments with agents or visited Open Houses to gain entry. Then, she helped the moving process along by moving out small, portable valuables - silverware, jewelry, I-Pods, whatever would fit into a large pocket or big purse. She was fleecing her employer's customers!

So far I've been lucky with my listings. Well, not just lucky. I read the riot act to my sellers. Anything they don't want to see walk away should be stowed under lock and key.

Even if everyone who comes through your house is totally honest with pure intentions, they often have small children with them. I've had embarrassed buyers return to an Open House looking sheepish, carrying some "toy" that their toddler picked up while they were house hunting.

Anything you have that is portable, breakable and that has monetary or sentimental value should be stowed while your house is for sale. It's better to miss it for a few months (or weeks if you're lucky) than to have it permanently disappear.

Oh, and did I mention hiding your drugs? No, no! Not the stuff I smoked in the 60's! The stuff your doctor prescribes! "Pharming" is pretty popular these days!

Posted by Patricia Kennedy on 04/10/2008 11:39 AM

Comments (14)

open houses, theft

Post is included in group: Realtors®

14 Comments on More Real Estate Bad Guys!

Wow, unreal. Gotta hand it to people, so creative in their ways of deception/manipulation/theft & their general lack of any morals or ethics. Glad you pointed this out.

04/10/2008 11:54 AM

by Jason Sardi, Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker (First Choice Equity Group Inc.)

Thanks for the reminder! It's easy to forget these practical tips sometimes. Thanks for sharing! :)

04/10/2008 12:02 PM

by Debi Ernst, Real Estate Broker/Agent (Ryco Realty Group)

It always amazes me what I find out when I go into a listing. I counsel my sellers about everything from perscriptions to game boys and everything inbetween. It is always disappointing to realize that other agents aren't as diligent for their clients and leave them exposed to the few unscruplous "buyers" who are out and about.

04/10/2008 03:22 PM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Jason, if she used all of her creativity to make an honest living, she might make some real money!

Debi, I think most people are honest, but a lot of us are clumsy, or our kids are!

And Cindy, I too am amazed at what people leave sitting around. I once gasped as a client's toddler lunged for a piece of expensive crystal on a coffee table! Yikes!

04/10/2008 05:33 PM

by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company)

Pat, hope you got those taxes finished. Yea, I read my sellers the riot act too.

04/10/2008 06:21 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Pat, hope you got those taxes finished. Yea, I read my sellers the riot act too.

04/10/2008 06:21 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Pat, hope you got those taxes finished. Yea, I read my sellers the riot act too.

04/10/2008 06:23 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Pat, I heard about this on the radio yesterday. Shocking! After telling my wife about this story she launched into a tirade of "make sure you are safe out there showing properties, Brian!"

04/10/2008 06:47 PM

by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance)

Hi Pat, this is just crazy and happening everywhere. Locks only keep honest folks out. You do your seller a big service by letting them know.

04/10/2008 06:47 PM

by Keith Perry - REALTOR® -West Metro Atlanta (Coldwell Banker)

Missy, I made progress. And the riot act is a good thing for sellers to hear!

Brian, I wouldn't mess with you if I was a bad guy.

And Keith & Robin, the locks got unlocked - she didn't even have to break in! Yikes!

04/10/2008 08:52 PM

by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company)

We're on the same wavelength here in DC Metro. I saw the article in the Washington Post and blogged about it on AR. The picture I saw was the mug shot and she looked none too pleased with her situation.

Funny thing. I went on a pre-listing appt. with one of my great past clients earlier today and she had read the article, too. Maybe it saved me from having to do an Open House -- of which I am no fan.

04/11/2008 08:54 PM

by Ken Montville -- the MD Suburbs of DC (RE/MAX Advantage Realty)

Pat - good reminder. Our agency actualy attaches a letter to the listing contract that must be signed by the seller, informing them to remove valuables to a safe place.

04/11/2008 10:47 PM

by Carol Culkin (Century 21 - Anita Ferri Realty)

Pat - that is indeed good advice; I am amazed by some of the things I see in homes when we view them!

04/18/2008 11:35 AM

by Bill & Barbara Jo - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty)

Great point Patricia, this should be common sense but we definetly should remind our sellers or it reflects on the agent unfortunatley.

04/18/2008 11:45 AM

by Mike Jackson (Realty World Global)

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