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Update - Gilbert, Arizona Real Estate Agent attacked at Open House

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Zion Realty

Back in March I wrote the blog post "Gilbert, AZ Real Estate Agent attacked during Open House". A female agent was holding an open house just a few miles away from where I live when a man entered in to the home claiming to be a Canadian buyer who needed to purchase a home. The man proceeded to ask some strange questions to the agent, followed by attempts to fondle and assault her. Luckily she was able to get away and call Police.

The good news is that just this past week they were able to find and arrest the man responsible for this crime and the case has now been moved to the Maricopa County Attorney's office for prosecution. At least for now this criminal has been taken off of the streets but we all still need to remain vigilant in taking the necessary precautions to protect ourselves. Stay safe out there everyone!

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Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Nicole - I am certainly glad to hear about this.  Stay safe out there.

Apr 24, 2015 08:11 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Nicole Doty,  That is great news to hear.  We all need to beaware of what is happening in our business.

Apr 24, 2015 08:18 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Nicole, Nice reading this update. I'm glad they have the man in custody. I am not a fan of open houses. 

Apr 24, 2015 08:37 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Grant - I will. You do the same.

Will - It was a relief since this happened right in my backyard.

Kathleen - I don't do them often but when I do I am never alone.

Apr 24, 2015 08:48 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Nicole

I believe with the issues of the day . . . . open house should be held with 2 people . . . . A real estate professional and a lender is a good combo for an open house.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Apr 24, 2015 09:04 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Nicole agents both women and men would be very wise to hold open houses in teams.

Apr 24, 2015 09:28 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nicole- I'm with Anna Banana Kruchten - Arizona's Top Banana of Real Estate! on this one... there should be teams.  Safety in numbers. 

Apr 24, 2015 10:56 AM
Karen Mathers - REALTOR®
Keller Williams Vero Beach - Vero Beach, FL
When it Matters, Choose Mathers! 772-532-3221

I am so glad they found him.  I always let someone know where I am and who I am meeting as I have had some uncomfortable encounters.  Thank you for the follow up.

Apr 24, 2015 12:57 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Glad he's off the street, but there are sadly plenty more where he came from so we all need to be careful and keep safety at the front of our minds.

Apr 24, 2015 02:38 PM
Nancy Laswick
United Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
Your REALTOR® For The Valley Of The Sun

I'm very happy to hear that animal is in custody, I hope he is found guilty and gets the maximum sentence. I agree with Anna Banana Kruchten - Arizona's Top Banana of Real Estate! always host your open house with another person, a loan officer, an assistant or a spouse. Thanks for the update Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert.

Apr 24, 2015 05:42 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Yes we had one just yesterday.  I'll post about it shortly

Apr 24, 2015 08:14 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Nicole. She was one of the lucky ones, glad the predator was caught. They should throw away the key.

Make it a great weekend!

Apr 24, 2015 09:24 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

There is just too much of this sort of thing happening lately.  Glad to hear they caught this one!

Apr 24, 2015 11:50 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Lou - That is a great idea Lou. I never do them alone.

Anna - I completely agree! There's no reason why an agent should do a open house by themselves.

Kathy - I don't do them often but I always have another one of my agents with me.

Karen - Even though I don't do them alone, I check in with my husband periodically just to let him know how things are going.

Tammy - Score one for the good guys, but there are still plenty of perps left out there.

Nancy - I was very glad to read this update!

James - Great! I can't wait to hear how it went.

Joe - She even admits she has taken self defense classes but just froze up in the moment. She's lucky she was finally able to get away.

Sharon - The more and more it happens unfortunately it gives other would-be criminals the idea to try it. 

Apr 25, 2015 01:13 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Glad to hear he was picked up and is off the streets.  Horrible to think that this sort of thing can happen during an Open House.

Apr 25, 2015 02:10 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

That's great news! ND requires a Realtor Safety Course (Mandatory this year) that deals with situations like the one you mention as well as showing clients around and even internet safety.

Apr 25, 2015 07:26 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Roger - It's happening more and more with agents not only in open houses but predators calling agents pretending to be prospective buyers and getting agents to show them homes. It's a dangerous world out there.

Bob - That's a great requirement. I don't think we have any "requirements" yet but they may be coming. 

Apr 25, 2015 11:14 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

That is great news, Nicole. But this is also why I don't do open houses--it's like being a sitting duck out there on your own.

Apr 25, 2015 10:00 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Thanks for the update Nicole, we don't always get to hear positive news when it comes to these types of stories.

Apr 26, 2015 02:13 PM
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