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Watch Out For Doggie Doors - Theives Can Enter

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living

 

Is your home safe? Watch out for Dogie Doors!

 

I just got an email from the listing agent on a home which my buyer has under contract.  He advised me that the home was just broken into this weekend through the dogie door (the house was vacant).  No damage to the home but the Maytag front loading washer and dryer that was included in the sale was stolen.  

 

 

The seller has secured the dogie door  and will replace the washer and dryer. 

 

Have you encountered this before?   In reflecting on this situation, when you think of dogie doors, even those with a board slid into the opening and secured from the inside, these are easy to break in.  I imagine a swift kick with a strong foot would do the job.

 

Beware when you have home listed with a dogie door, especially if it is vacant.  You never know when a neighbor (or friend) is aware of the vacancy and items that may be in the home!

Posted by

Shirley Coomer

Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living

602.770.0643

15905 S 46th St, Ste 160

Phoenix, Az  85048

scooer@kw.com

searchingphoenixhomes-az.com

Sophia Lin
Intero Real Estate Services - Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale CA Real Estate Specialist

Hi Shirley, Wow seems like anything goes these days.  I guess if a robber would break a window to get in, why not a doggie door, after all it's more quieter.

Sep 08, 2015 02:02 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Oh my goodness! In all my 17 years in real estate I can't say I've ever come across that situation. It's a great reminder for sellers to secure their doggie doors for security!

Sep 08, 2015 02:12 AM
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach

Reminds me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. How crazy is that. 

Sep 08, 2015 03:30 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

I have to believe the thieves  know the sellers, knew they would find a matching set of Maytag appliances......  and knew the house was vacant.  They also knew there was a dogie door (actually a big dogie door, I think I could even fit through it).  The owners did file a police report and have the serial numbers to keep a watch on Craig's list.

Sep 08, 2015 03:50 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Shirley. If a thief get in through our doggy door, they deserve to steal whatever they can, they would get torn apart, I wouldn't recommend it.

Great job with your post, great advice.

Sep 08, 2015 11:00 PM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Thanks Joe.  This was a vacant house.  Unfortunately I have heard about other homes that are occupied having entry gained through the dogie door.  I would really have to want what was on the other side of that door to take a chance entering!

Sep 08, 2015 11:18 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Shirley, I always thought this was a way for thieves, but had not heard of a burglary.  So sorry to hear! 

Sep 10, 2015 10:59 PM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Actually I have heard from others similar stories.  

Sep 10, 2015 11:21 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Shirley -  The is interesting.  A doggie door without a ferocious dog on the other side is not good.

Sep 11, 2015 05:28 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Great point Grant!!

Sep 11, 2015 07:44 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Shirley, you need the right doggy on the other side of that door!  Willie the Labradoodle would never let that happen!

Sep 14, 2015 10:22 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Patricia, you are right.  Unfortunately this house was vacant.  Maye they needed  recording of a dog!!

Sep 14, 2015 10:38 AM