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It's all Breaking and Entering.

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

That's how the owner views it, if you use the combination lockbox, and enter their home without a preapproved appointment.

Calling to make the appointment, and going to the house without waiting for approval is a big no-no.

And if the seller wanted to make a big deal about it... well, bigger than calling their agent and reaming him/her a new exit-hole... they could call the local constabulary, and file charges.

That's right... it's breaking and entering.... B&E... well, okay, maybe it's not "B", if you already had the combination from a prior showing (or an electronic lockbox key)... you're not really "Breaking" anything (other, I suppose, than the seller's trust)... but you are entering against the seller's wishes, and you could find yourself (and your buyers) enjoying the hospitality of stale cookies and even staler coffee, down at the local police station.

You could also find yourself the subject of a grievance filed with your manging broker, your local board, or even the state governing board, costing you thousands of dollars, and potentially your license.

Don't do it.

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments(3)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Alan, on a couple of occassions, I've had to explain myself to Officer Friendly after setting off an alarm, and I've always been glad that I'd properly arranged the showing.  And you can get into serious hot water for abusing Sentrilock!

Mar 18, 2016 03:21 AM
Steve Ewing - Keller Williams Realty
Keller Williams - Stockton, CA

Alan - Calling the listing agent first before showing a property seems to me to be showing rule #1.  You just never know what is going on the other side of that door, even with a vacant house.  Things sometimes change and are not on the MLS listing, better to call than to be surprised.  Thanks for the blog.

Mar 18, 2016 03:39 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Alan,

You make an excellent point here.  A

Mar 18, 2016 03:42 AM